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Turmeric in Skin Care Products

Written by: Dr. Leslie Baumann

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Time to read 8 min

Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a root commonly harvested for its powdered form to be used in various foods and holistic medicines. It is native to the indian subcontinent and can now be found across south asia. Because of its potent smell and thick color, turmeric is not often used unprocessed in skin care products. Turmeric has demonstrated notable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties that make is a solid candidate for many kinds of skin care treatments. Traditionally, this ingredient has also been used to increase the rate of wound healing and to treat burns. This ingredient poses no threats to skin health unless you have an allergy to it. Find out if turmeric is right for your skin type!


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what is turmeric?

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a root from south asia that is most often ground and dried to be used as a spice in food or an additive in holistic medicines. In skin care, this ingredient can be found in many product types such as anti-inflammatory moisturizers, acne targeting cleansers, and even various antioxidant focused products for treating sun damage. This ingredient has an extremely yellow tint that often remains visible in products. usually, just the extract curcumin is used as it is the most studied compound for effectiveness within the plant. Turmeric is one of the most well studied spices in skin care, and has many traditional uses in skin care and holistic medicine.

How does Turmeric work?

Most research today suggests that the primary cause for turmeric's skin care benefits are its active compound curcumin. Curcumin has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties in studies (3).

Curcumin is a fat soluble compound, meaning it is able to break down and impart effects in oily environments such as the faces of oily skin types. (4)

The anti-inflammatory capabilities of turmeric are often attributed to curcumin specifically.

Studies have found that curcumin is able to interfere with the effectiveness of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B) which can result in faster wound healing, and could theoretically slow down the development of cancer cells. (5,6)

Both turmeric and curcumin have been shown to express anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial, and even anti-HIV properties in studies. (7)

In research, curcumin has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects greater than ibuprofen, and has potent antioxidant effects as well. (8)

Some other active compounds are present in this ingredient such as curcumin 2, curcumin 3, and curcumin 4; of all the active compounds, curcumin 1, or simply “curcumin” is the most studied. (9)

All of this research suggests that turmeric is an extremely valuable ingredient in skin care with limited associated risks outside of allergies.

Take our quiz to find out if turmeric is right for your skin type!


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Is turmeric good for the skin?

Turmeric is good for most skin types because it soothes inflammation, kills acne causing bacteria, and eliminates free radicals that can cause lasting genetic damage to the skin. Some studies have also found that turmeric application can help in the synthesis of collagen, an essential structural component of the skin. (10)

This ingredient is safe for oily skin types because it is non-comedogenic, meaning it does not cause clogged pores, and it also lessens the risk of acne.

Dry skin types are also able to safely use turmeric because it does not strip sebum from the skin, nor does it limit sebum production. 

Curcumin has been found to effectively bind free radicals which can lead to wrinkles and other kinds of permanent damage on the skin. (15)

Some studies even suggest that turmeric has a lightening effect on the skin making it a good candidate for hyperpigmentation treatments. (11)

Overall, turmeric is a versatile and useful ingredient in cosmetic skin care formulations that is safe and helpful for most skin types.

is turmeric safe?

Is it safe?

Turmeric has been found safe by many independent research organizations for use in skin care products. (12)

Specifically, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) grade turmeric as extremely safe with no found risks.

If you are looking for an all in one ingredient for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hyperpigmentation treatments, know that turmeric is a studied safe candidate.

Side effects

There are currently no studies that suggest significant adverse effects following the use of turmeric in skin care. (13, 14)

The only realistic risk associated with turmeric use in topical skin care is an allergy, which is considered extremely uncommon for this ingredient. (14)

The only consideration that keeps turmeric outside of common use in skin care is its yellow color and strong smell which could be considered unappealing for certain circumstances.

turmeric for acne

Turmeric for acne

Ingredients like turmeric with antimicrobial properties are great choices for the treatment and prevention of acne. (17)

Acne is typically caused by a combination of clogged pores and the growth of relevant bacteria on the face. Since turmeric is able to soothe inflammation, pores are less likely to become clogged, additionally, killing bacteria on the skin makes them less likely to develop enough to cause acne.

Like many of the best acne prevention ingredients, turmeric does not itself clog pores and does not add oils to the skin.

If you are struggling with or are typically prone to acne, turmeric/curcumin products could be a great addition to your personal skin care regimen.

For Inflammation

Studies have found that turmeric interferes with inflammation through multiple mechanisms of action, including the inhibition of leukotriene formation. (16)

Turmeric has been found to have more potent anti-inflammatory properties than even ibuprofen. (8)

Inflammation can result in various kinds of discomfort on the skin including redness, itchiness, swelling, and the clogging of pores.

If your skin is sensitive and prone to inflammation, turmeric can be an excellent choice as an ingredient in your skin care products.

turmeric for sun damage

For Sun Damage

Turmeric is a great choice for treating sun damage in many instances because it is an effective antioxidant due its high presence of curcumin. (15) Sun damage can take different forms that can be seen in the peeling of burned skin, redness of burned skin, or an increased presence of wrinkles on the face.

It has been found in some studies that turmeric as a pigment in clothing is extremely good at blocking UV radiation. (19)

In topical uses, antioxidants like turmeric are able to bind the free radicals caused by radiation like UVB which stops them from causing genetic damage. Genetic damage from free radicals has a chance of causing various cancers.

For that reason, using an antioxidant like curcumin or vitamin C, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10, Resveratrol, etc. For a comprehensive list of antioxidant ingredients in skin care, check out our dictionary on the topic.

For Hyperpigmentation

Studies have found that turmeric is an effective ingredient for the treatment of hyperpigmentation conditions such as melasma. (18)

Curcumin has been identified as the most significant compound in turmeric as an effective tyrosinase inhibitor in studies. (19) 

It is important to note that turmeric on its own does not adequately treat hyperpigmentation, but when used in formulations designed to treat hyperpigmentation alongside multiple other ingredients, it has demonstrated effectiveness.

Best Products with Turmeric

Here are a  few dermatologist recommended products with turmeric or curcumin as an ingredient:

To find the best products for your  skin type, take the quiz!


We will help you build an entire custom skin care routine.


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Can you use turmeric on your face everyday?

You should not use raw powdered turmeric daily in hopes of fixing all of your skin concerns. It's fine if you just like the color, it's certainly not dangerous. If one of your daily skin care routine components contains turmeric or curcumin, it is okay to use daily.

what does turmeric do to your skin?

turmeric has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and even skin lightening properties. When used in skin care products alongside other cosmetic ingredients, turmeric is considered a very beneficial ingredient.

How does turmeric work in skin care?

The bulk of the benefits associated with turmeric in skin care can be traced to the compound curcumin, studied to express anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial benefits. This compound is also effective at lightening dark spots on the skin.

Level up your skin care knowledge with medical advice from dermatologists

Best References and Scientific Publications on Turmeric

  1. Baumann L. Antiaging Ingredients in Ch. 37 of Baumann's Cosmetic Dermatology Ed 3. (McGraw Hill 2022)
  2. Baumann, L. Ch.  Cosmeceuticals and cosmetic Ingredients (McGraw Hill 2015)
  3. Vaughn, A. R., Branum, A., & Sivamani, R. K. (2016). Effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on skin health: a systematic review of the clinical evidence. Phytotherapy Research, 30(8), 1243-1264.
  4. Reddy AC, Lokesh BR. Effect of dietary turmeric (Curcuma longa) on iron-induced lipid peroxidation in the rat liver. Food Chem Toxicol. 32:279, 1994.
  5. Thangapazham RL, Sharad S, Maheshwari RK. Skin regenerative potentials of curcumin. Biofactors. 39:141, 2013.
  6. Sharma RA, Gescher AJ, Steward WP. Curcumin: the story so far. Eur J Cancer. 41:1955, 2005.
  7. Mazumder A, Raghavan K, Weinstein J, et al. Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 integrase by curcumin. Biochem Pharmacol. 49:1165, 1995.
  8. Heng MC. Curcumin targeted signaling pathways: basis for anti-photoaging and anti-carcinogenic therapy. Int J Dermatol. 49:608, 2010.
  9. Goel A, Kunnumakkara AB, Aggarwal BB. Curcumin as “Curecumin”: from kitchen to clinic. Biochem Pharmacol. 75:787, 2008.
  10. Takahashi M, Asikin Y, Takara K, et al. Screening of medicinal and edible plants in Okinawa, Japan, for enhanced proliferative and collagen synthesis activities in NB1RGB human skin fibroblast cells. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 76:2317, 2012.
  11. Tu CX, Lin M, Lu SS, et al. Curcumin inhibits melanogenesis in human melanocytes. Phytother Res. 26:174, 2012.
  12. Strimpakos AS, Sharma RA. Curcumin: preventive and therapeutic properties in laboratory studies and clinical trials. Antioxid Redox Signal. 10:511, 2008.
  13. Foster S. An Illustrated Guide to 101 Medicinal Herbs: Their History, Use, Recommended Dosages, and Cautions. Loveland, CO, Interweave Press, 1998, pp. 200-1.
  14. Chainani-Wu N. Safety and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin: a component of tumeric (Curcuma longa). J Altern Complement Med. 9:161, 2003.
  15. Chusri S, Settharaksa S, Chokpaisarn J, et al. Thai herbal formulas used for wound treatment: a study of their antibacterial potency, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity effects. J Altern Complement Med. 19:671, 2013.
  16. Srivastava R. Inhibition of neutrophil response by curcumin. Agents Actions. 28:298, 1989.
  17. Liu CH, Huang HY. Antimicrobial activity of curcumin-loaded myristic acid microemulsions against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 60:1118, 2012.
  18. Hollinger, J. C., Angra, K., & Halder, R. M. (2018). Are natural ingredients effective in the management of hyperpigmentation? A systematic review. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 11(2), 28.
  19. Sriumaoum, V., Sodsangchan, C., Setthayanond, J., Suwanruji, P., & Tooptompong, P. (2014). Effect of chitosan and turmeric dye on ultraviolet protection properties of polyester fabric. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 535, 658-661.

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