How To Use Turmeric for Youthful Skin

Turmeric has been used by many cultures for thousands of years. Not only does this earthy spice add delicious flavor to curries and other hot dishes, it also contains an impressive range of medicinal properties.
The benefits of turmeric don’t stop there. It turns out that turmeric can be used as part of a beauty regimen as well. And the best thing about it? It’s good for you, unlike all the poisonous mainstream beauty products on show in their fancy-schmancy packaging on supermarket and drugstore shelves. Find out how you can integrate turmeric into your daily beauty routine, and let your health — as well as your complexion — reap the rewards.

1. Make wrinkles vanish

The anti-inflammatory compounds present in turmeric, along with a wide range of skin-supporting nutrients and minerals, can make it an excellent natural anti-wrinkle ingredient. Make a turmeric facial mask by combining equal parts turmeric powder, rice powder (otherwise known as rice flour, which has been used in the ancient healing art of Ayurveda for centuries) and organic tomato juice. Massage the mixture into your face and any other areas showing signs of aging or wrinkles, and leave on for 30 minutes. Afterwards, rinse off with warm water, and repeat daily. Over time, you’ll probably notice that your wrinkles have become less prominent and your skin is brighter and smoother where you’ve repeatedly applied the paste.

2. Banish stretch marks

The powerful anti-inflammatory abilities of turmeric come from its active ingredient curcumin, which also gives it that characteristic orange hue. Curcumin can help to treat and diminish stretch marks on your skin. In a bowl, mix together a tablespoon of gram flour, a teaspoon of turmeric and a tablespoon of yogurt or raw milk until combined. Apply the mixture to stretch marks at least once daily, leaving on for a minimum of 30 minutes, then wipe off with a damp cloth.

3. Destroy dead skin cells

The buildup of dead skin can lead to all kinds of problems, clogging your pores, making your skin look dry and unhealthy, and encouraging bacterial and fungal overgrowth. To destroy any dead skin cells that might be hanging around on your hot bod, mix together a thick paste of gram flour, turmeric powder and water, combining the three to make a thick, gritty paste. While taking a bath or shower, scrub the paste into your skin as you would an exfoliant, making sure you pay particular attention to those areas that have a large buildup of dead skin; hotspots are often the upper back, neck, scalp, and soles of the feet.

4. Abolish dandruff

Dandruff is just plain embarrassing, with that powdery buildup on your shoulders shouting to the world that there’s trouble in paradise up on the lofty heights of your head. Avoid the embarrassment by mixing together a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a teaspoon of olive oil and rubbing it into your scalp 15 to 20 minutes before you hop in the shower. Either wash the mixture out with warm water, or use a gentle, natural shampoo.
The combination of turmeric and olive oil discourages dandruff and other conditions of the scalp by increasing blood circulation on the crown of your head and providing minerals and nutrients to the hair follicles.

5. Say goodbye to cracked feet

The nutrients and anti-inflammatory compounds in turmeric make it excellent for promoting health and healing, while the hydrating capacity of castor or coconut oil ensure that your skin stays smooth and supple. Combine these ingredients, and you’ve got yourself an effective, healthy, homemade foot massage cream that stops your heels from cracking and additionally protects them from fungal and bacterial skin conditions.
Mix together a teaspoon of turmeric with a tablespoon of coconut oil or castor oil and massage firmly into your heels and soles of your feet. You can either choose to leave the paste on for ultimate skin support (but resign yourself to having orange feet), or leave it on for a minimum of 20 minutes then rinse off in the shower with warm water. Your feet will thank you.Now that you’ve got your skin and hair sorted with the aid of turmeric, why not turn your attention to your insides? This turmeric and lemon morning elixir is a good place to start!
—Liivi Hess