Turmeric Can Beautify Your Skin

1.      Protects from sun damage

Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries due to its beneficial effects on a wide range of diseases and conditions. It has been shown to possess strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and laboratory studies suggest that turmeric can help protect the epidermal skin cells from the damage caused by ultraviolet B radiation (UB radiation).

2.      Helps reduce acne

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. Inflammatory acne can ruin one’s appearance and can affect work and social life. Home remedies using turmeric can benefit acne. There are pastes and masks using turmeric, which when applied to acne affected areas can provide relief.

Turmeric has the potential to kill the acnes bacteria that cause acne and reduce the amount of oil produced by the sebaceous glands. Specifically, turmeric mixed with glycerin or vitamin E and applied overnight on the acne has shown to dramatically reduce the size of the same. The scientific reason shown behind acne reducing action of turmeric is its antioxidant property. It reduces the amount of sebum secretion, controls the microbial growth on the skin, cleans up the pores and combats the reactive oxygen species that harm the skin.

3.      Reduces risk of skin cancer

Here’s another reason manufacturers would be wise to add turmeric to sunscreens—it has anti-cancer activity. Several factors such as UV rays, chemicals and genetics affect the occurrence of this disorder that starts in the top epidermal layer of the skin and spreads in the underlying layer.

Cancer of the skin not just affects the inner skin makeup but also deteriorates the appearance. The skin is affected by lesions and inflammation. Turmeric has been shown to provide relief not just on the outside of the skin in the affected area but also helps reduce the tumor on the inside. Turmeric has powerful antioxidant activities which helps reduce the growth of tumor cells of the skin.

4.      Helps heal wounds

Turmeric has a long history of being a wound-healer. Whether one was to suffer a bruise, insect bite, infected wound, or even mouth inflammation, a turmeric salve or paste is the answer.

It has anti-bacterial properties that help treat wounds and hasten healing, therefore preventing spread of infection.

5.      Helps treat psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disorder in which the immune system dysfunctions and causes skin lesions with white colored patches. It occurs majorly on the elbows, knees, scalp, back of the ears and neck but can occur in any area of the body.

Oral consumption of turmeric has been scientifically proven to control the psoriasis causing T-lymphocyte autoimmune proliferation. Controlling these cells helps reduce their attack on the skin.

Applying turmeric as oils, masks and creams on psoriasis affected skin can help reduce inflammation and scaling. Those with psoriasis can ensure they add turmeric in their daily cooking. This can be in tea, milk, curries, stews, roast vegetables, eggs or as a general seasoning.

6.      Delays the appearance of aging

Studies have shown that curcumin helps in both reversing and preventing photo-aging. Curcumin is also a potent antioxidant that scavenges free radicals that are produced in our skin due to exposure to UV rays of the sun, pollution, harsh chemicals, etc.

7.      Fades hyperpigmentation

Tired of age spots and melasma? Turmeric may help.

The spice seems to be able to affect melanin, which is the substance in skin responsible for pigmentation. If you have melasma, you have too much melanin on your cheeks, chin, and forehead. Age spots are also created by too much melanin in one place.

The curcumin in turmeric seems to block the activation of proteins that increase and regulate melanin production.