Health and Beauty Benefits of Turmeric

December 04, 2020

Ingredient Spotlight: Turmeric

Ayurveda beauty principles state that a healthy diet is essential to a healthy appearance. After all, you are what you eat! Every ingredient you put in (or on) your body impacts its natural balance, which is why we pay extra attention to the nutrients we should be coveting — and the toxins we should avoid. This week, we’re giving a special shoutout to turmeric, a natural spice that’s been a staple in Ayurvedic wellness practices for thousands of years.

Turmeric is most commonly found in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines, though you can find it in supplement form, as well. A relative of the ginger root, it’s what gives yellow curry its signature color and bold flavor. But turmeric is more than just a pop of color on a plate; this spice has been revered in India for its medicinal and healing properties for centuries. That’s why a diet rich in turmeric, coupled with the occasional topical application, can work wonders for your skin, body, and mind.

Turmeric As A Natural Healer

Turmeric is best known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which are thanks in part to curcumin, turmeric’s main active ingredient. It’s a natural compound that gives turmeric its ability to counteract inflammation, which is key for keeping dangerous health conditions such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, asthma, and cancer at bay.

Turmeric also possesses powerful antioxidant effects. Antioxidants combat free radicals in the body (molecules that cause the breakdown of vital cell components, DNA, and tissue). Not only do free radicals contribute to premature aging, but they’re also known to be the culprit behind various diseases, such as hypertension and cancer.

Consuming turmeric has also shown some promise for battling mental illness. Studies have found that curcumin can be an effective antidepressant, making turmeric not only a natural and holistic treatment for the body, but also for the mind.

Turmeric For Your Skin

Need to spice up your skincare routine? Applying turmeric topically offers an array of benefits, leaving you with naturally healthy, glowing skin. Turmeric is a key ingredient in many Ayurveda skincare products, and when combined with coarse minerals, it works as a natural face exfoliator, too.

Because of its aforementioned anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is a popular acne treatment, and can even help reduce the appearance of acne scars. Those anti-inflammatory properties also soothe redness in the skin. As an added bonus, turmeric is a natural antiseptic, which aids in the fight against acne.

Turmeric is also a superstar skincare ingredient because it promotes tissue and collagen regeneration. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein, a major component of connective tissues that’s imperative for joint, bone, and muscle health. Topical collagen application is useful for keeping the skin looking firm and supple.

Thanks to its antioxidant properties, turmeric is also known for blessing the skin with a healthy, radiant glow. This is especially good news for people with under-eye circles and dark spots — turmeric is almost like an espresso shot to the face, without the need for harsh chemicals to brighten the complexion.

Turmeric is an amazing and safe ingredient for all skin types, and it’s especially useful for those who suffer from inflammation, redness, and acne. Try this turmeric based scrub and mask for yourself and let us know what you think!

Xo,

Sara Davoodi

Owner & Creator