Turmeric is an Indian herb which is very popular for its health benefits. Turmeric has been used continuously over the years to treat various infections and to help improve the way skin looks as well. The great thing about turmeric is that it has actually been studied in some detail and it’s health benefits have been proven time and time again.
Here are three ways turmeric can be used to benefit your skin, backed by science:
1.REDUCE PIMPLES
Every teaspoon of turmeric contains roughly 200mg of a substance called curcumin. Curcumin is one of the main reasons why turmeric is so great at fighting off pimples. Studies revealed that individuals who treated their dermatological conditions with turmeric and curcumin showed a significant amount of improvement compared to control groups.
When tested in the lab, curcumin was actually able to kill the bacteria which causes acne (P.Acnes). In fact, it was able to kill these acne-causing bacteria even more effectively than commonly prescribed acne medication.
Curcumin has also been proven to help against inflammation, which is probably why it is so good at fighting against your breakouts.
2. REDUCE STRETCHMARKS
Stretchmarks occur when the skin stretches due to weight gain or pregnancy and essentially ‘rips’ in those areas. Studies show that treatment with collagen can improve stretch marks because collagen is a protein which helps give your skin strength and resilience.
The great news is that studies have also revealed that curcumin (found in turmeric) has the ability to promote collagen production which is why applying a turmeric paste to your stretchmarks regularly can help improve their appearance. here’s what you should do:
- 1.mix a teaspoon of turmeric with bitter almond oil and a small amount of lemon juice
- 2. massage the paste into your stretchmarks and leave on for 20-30 minutes
- 3.wash it off and dry with a towel
Bitter almond oil is a fantastic oil which has been supported through research to reduce the appearance of stretch marks when massaged into the skin regularly. Lemon contains vitamin C which is able to promote collagen production, and turmeric is able to promote collagen production as well.
3.LIGHTEN DARK AREAS
Curcumin isn’t just great at fighting off infections and helping increase collagen production, but it’s also good at fading darker areas. Curcumin has the ability to inhibit melanogenesis and, in turn, reduce pigmentation in the skin.
Turmeric has been tried and tested for ages to treat a wide variety of ailments. It is popularly used to treat all sorts of infections and can be mixed into daily recipes.
SHOULD I TAKE TURMERIC INTERNALLY OR APPLY IT EXTERNALLY?
In order to benefit maximally from turmeric, a person can choose to either consume it or apply it to the affected areas. Studies show that turmeric can prevent infections and help treat infections when taken both orally and topically.
Turmeric is safe to use but it does have a very strong yellow pigment so be careful when applying it so it doesn’t stain your clothes! It may also temporarily stain the area you have applied it.
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