Turmeric Face Mask at Home

“Secret Beauty Weapon”
I read recently that actress Thandie Newton called turmeric her “secret beauty weapon.” Isn’t that just for curry? Nope! (Although it is fantastic and one of the most scientifically studied and proven natural ingredients for healing inflammation from the inside out—here are some of our favorite anti-inflammatory turmeric recipes.)

Not only does this spice have amazing healing properties, but it’s also a great beauty product. It turns out Indian brides have long used turmeric as a head-to-toe body scrub and face mask to brighten skin before their weddings.

What is turmeric?
Though turmeric is found in many Southeast Asian dishes, naturopathic physician Dr. Trevor Gates says it’s actually a long-standing South Indian spice that’s been trusted for a multitude of uses. Not only is it a flavoring and coloring agent, but she says it’s also a medicinal and beautifying herb. In fact, she notes it has been scientifically proven as an anti-inflammatory that soothes redness and itchiness [source].

“Turmeric manages microorganism growth on the skin, helping ward off acne-causing acne bacteria, and it prevents other infections from spreading,” Dr. Gates explains [source]. “It also contains powerful antioxidant properties, balances sebum secretion, and helps clean out pores.”