Sunday Edit
x
Sign Up!
  • Beauty
    • Skincare
    • Hair
    • Makeup
    • Nails
  • Wellness
    • Mental Health
    • Health
    • Holistic & Spiritual
    • Love
    • Sex
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Sustainability
    • Culture
    • Fashion
    • Travel
    • Gifts
  • Shop
  • About Us
Why is Everyone Obsessed With Turmeric?
Nataša Mandić/Stocksy

Beauty » Skincare » Ingredients

Why is Everyone Obsessed With Turmeric?

Mellanie Perez
Mellanie Perez
February 28, 2019 | Updated: February 23, 2021

It is beyond a reasonable doubt that turmeric has taken center stage among myriad of celebrities and influencer’s beauty routines. Priyanka Chopra has sung its praises on social media — and we can all attest to her glowing skin on her wedding day — and supermodel Jourdan Dunn mixes her own concoction of turmeric, honey, lemon and yogurt at home, which she shared on Instagram stories earlier this year. As for me, I specifically remember dabbling in turmeric face masks during college and staining my sink in an indelible shade of yellow after I had read a blogger’s article about how it had revolutionized her complexion and abated her acne. The truth is the spice has been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for more than 4,000 years to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and to heal wounds and skin diseases. We are just now making up for a lost time.

The healing properties of turmeric may seem a little obscure until you learn that the spice, derived from the roots of the Curcuma longa plant — curcumin, for short — is related to the ginger root and possesses one of the largest concentrations of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents in its food group. Today, aside from its traditional uses, it is largely used for its skin-clearing and brightening properties, so you can kick all that puffiness and redness to the curb and achieve healthy, glowing skin.

“The primary property of turmeric is its anti-inflammatory capacity,” says Jessica Weiser, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group. “Inflammation is one of the biggest concerns with skin disease because it manifests with redness and swelling in the form of acne blemishes, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and many more skin conditions. In studies, turmeric has been shown to also have antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and potential anti-cancer effects.”

The primary property of turmeric is its anti-inflammatory capacity

The curcumin in turmeric lightens the skin by inhibiting melanin in the skin from synthesizing. Its inflammatory properties also inhibit the growth of pimple-causing bacteria and accelerate the healing of acne. In addition, studies have shown that it is one of the few natural ingredients that can help skin tightening, reverse aging and protect the skin from UV damage due to its anti-mutagen, free radical-scavenging abilities.

Whether it is best to ingest it or to apply it topically is still up in the air. But one thing is certain, the golden spice has low bioavailability, which means a low proportion actually enters the bloodstream due to its fast absorption.

“Turmeric is an excellent ingredient to add to face masks,” says Weiser. “Topically applied in combination with hydrating ingredients or gentle exfoliants such as lactic acid can improve a variety of skin conditions. When ingested orally, turmeric and its active ingredient, curcumin, are not readily absorbed by the GI tract.  In order to improve absorption, turmeric or curcumin should be ingested with piperine, a constituent of black pepper.”

In 2017, Square registered sales of the inflammation-busting turmeric lattes increased by 260 percent. “Turmeric teas are a common source for ingestible turmeric because the flavor is subtle and pleasant, and the health benefits are similar to the ingestion of the whole plant in cooked solid food,” adds Weiser. “It can be made by combining ground turmeric into boiling water, allowing it to steep for 5-10 minutes, and then straining it prior to consumption. Turmeric can also be combined with other spices such as cinnamon, lemongrass, and fresh ginger root. Finally, the health benefits are maximized by adding some black pepper to tea preparations to enhance absorption.”

When it comes to ingesting it, there is evidence that suggests it can treat and prevent Alzheimer’s, arthritis and heart disease by limiting inflammation in the body, but the National Institute of Health maintains that there is little evidence that supports using turmeric to treat health conditions. Consuming turmeric in high-doses will likely not have a toxic reaction as it has a good safety record, but if you have gallbladder issues, it might rev up its activity.

Beauty Skincare Ingredients

Your Sunday Edit

bringing only the best to your inbox

Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Most Popular

Could This Flare-Up Be Psoriasis?

Why ‘Confidence’ Is the Word of 2021

8 Zen Bedroom Ideas to Help You Mellow Out at Home

Shop The Article
Shop
C.E.O.

C.E.O.

Glow Vitamin C and Turmeric Face Oil
$40.00-$80.00
Read More
Could This Flare-Up Be Psoriasis?

Could This Flare-Up Be Psoriasis?

By Chantelle Pattemore
If You Have Oily Dandruff, Product Buildup Could Be to Blame — Here’s How to Get Rid of It For Good

If You Have Oily Dandruff, Product Buildup Could Be to Blame — Here’s How to Get Rid of It For Good

By Holly Rhue
The 7 Best Nailfluencers to Follow on Instagram

The 7 Best Nailfluencers to Follow on Instagram

By Holly Rhue
What Is Vegan Beauty?

What Is Vegan Beauty?

By Macaela Mackenzie
by
  • Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop
  • About Us
  • Terms + Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Contact Us
Bringing only the best to your inbox.
© 2021 Sunday Edit

We use cookies to ensure that you have the best experience on our site. By continuing to use our site, you accept the use of cookies. Learn more here

Privacy Overview
Sunday Edit

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
heart-envelope-email

Your Sunday Edit

bringing only the best to your inbox
No thank you!

Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy