Learn about turmeric benefits for your skin
– KEYS SOULCARE
From its spice rack star status to its unmistakably luminous hue, turmeric is a plant with a fascinating history, worldwide acclaim, and infinite benefits for our bodies and skin. Read on to learn why beauty and science experts swear by the benefits of turmeric. (And why you should, too.)
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a flowering plant (and member of the ginger family) native to the tropics of India and Central America. (Fun fact: when it’s mashed into a powder, turmeric has this can’t-miss-it golden hue.) Though the spice is typically found in food — that peppery flavor and mustard-like aroma are key in curries and a gram-worthy “golden latte” — it’s also used in Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.
Turmeric Skin Benefits
“Turmeric is a spice with an edge, and one of nature’s most potent healing herbs,” says chef and certified health coach Julia Chebotar. “It offers medicinal properties and health benefits that date back more than 5,000 years.”
Turmeric owes its coloring and — a list of other medicinal benefits — to an oil compound called curcumin. Curcumin’s anti-inflamatory properties make it a go-to for alleviating itching and internal inflammation like heartburn and hay fever.
That super-balancing magic of turmeric applies to skin, too.
“There is increasing evidence that suggests curcumin is an effective agent in the treatment of several skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis and psoriasis,” says Keys Soulcare consulting dermatologist Renée Snyder, M.D. “It is also a natural antiseptic and antibacterial so it is commonly combined with other ingredients for a topical acne treatment.”
Other Health Benefits of Turmeric
In addition to being a cooking and skincare essential, turmeric also does wonders for the body’s own natural defense systems by blocking free radicals and promoting antioxidant production in our own cells.
Want to boost turmeric’s benefits even more? Turmeric (taken in powder, plant, or pill form) and curcumin supplements (which you can take on their own, too) work overtime when absorbed alongside black pepper and fat. (This Golden Milk Smoothie recipe should do the trick.)
Why We Love Turmeric for Skin
“The novel part of turmeric is that it is a spice that is easily accessible and combinable with other agents,” says Snyder.
For a derm-approved DIY, Snyder recommends mixing honey and turmeric to soothe acne and antimicrobial concerns. Want to keep inflammation at bay? Blend it with a little bit of aloe.
And, speaking of getting creative, turmeric’s sunny hue makes it a fave all-natural dye option. (We love an ingredient that can beautify our wellness rituals and medicine cabinets, too.)
How Turmeric Shows Up in Keys Soulcare
Want to experience its power and benefits of turmeric for yourself and your skin? Reach for our Golden Face Cleanser. This turmeric-packed formula is infused with Manuka honey and chamomile to purify, nourish, and make your skin glow on the regular.
Do you love turmeric as much as we do? Have you already tried our Golden Gentle Face Cleanser for yourself? Share your thoughts, fave uses, and any questions you have for our team in the comments below!
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