Thanks to my career as a Who What Wear beauty editor, I've been able to witness the rise in popularity of ingredients across major social media platforms. At this point, it's safe to say we've all experienced how quickly a viral ingredient can take over our For You Pages frequently resulting in the near constant circulation of opinions from content creators and consumers. That said, it shouldn't be forgotten that many ingredients in products that have undoubtedly captured the attention of beauty enthusiasts worldwide aren't anything new. In fact, a number of them have deep roots extending back farther and deeper than you could understand from taking a glance at a product label.
Turmeric is one ingredient that, while it seems to just now be making the rounds in the beauty space, has a long history in health, wellness, and beauty. The powerful anti-inflammatory botanical ingredient has been used for thousands of years across multiple cultures due to its countless healing properties (some historians trace its use back to 2500 BCE). So, why is it making headlines again? We can credit that to smart marketing tactics and recent scientific discoveries around the properties and benefits of the plant.
What Is Turmeric?
Beyond the soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits that are frequently credited to the superfood ingredient, turmeric is also credited for its ability to strengthen your body from the inside out by improving digestion as well as by supporting healthy heart and cholesterol levels. It also happens to be an ingredient present in many skincare products praised for leaving the skin with a more luminous and youthful-looking finish. Julie Kassin Manopla, RD, who works with Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, as well as at her private practice, helps break down the ingredient's impressive benefits.
"Turmeric works to reduce inflammation in the body that is associated with many health conditions including cancer, arthritis, and heart conditions, among others," says Manopla. Turmeric (also referred to as Curcum longa) is a flowering plant in the ginger family native to Southeast Asia. Its active ingredient, curcumin, supports skin health by targeting clogged pores, calms irritated skin, and can even reduce acne scarring.
Regina Kankinza, integrative health practitioner and herbalist of In Her It Blooms describes the ingredient's roots and impact on one's overall health and wellness. "Turmeric, or haridra, as it is known in Sanskrit, is commonly used in Ayurvedic skincare to bring radiance to the skin by evening out the skin tone and lightening scars and hyperpigmentation," Kankinza explains. "Since it is antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory, it promotes wound healing, making it ideal for irritated skin, insect bites, blemishes, and acne."
Wondering what turmeric could have in store for your skincare journey? Manopla and Kankinza have you covered. Take a look at some of the biggest benefits of using the ingredient our experts identified below.
The Benefits of Turmeric-Infused Formulas
- Keeps Skin Clear of Breakouts: Anti-fungal qualities of turmeric help manage microorganism growth on the skin, preventing acne-causing bacteria
- Exfoliates and Brightens Dull Skin: Encourages cellular turnover to keep the skin glowing for days after use
- Fades Acne Scars and Hyperpigmentation: Lessens the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and blemishes
- Brightens Under-Eye Circles: A natural remedy for dark circles since it lightens the skin, reduces pigmentation, and reduces puffiness
- Encourages Collagen Production: Has an active ingredient (curcumin) that increases the amount of collagen produced at the site of a wound
- Detoxifies Pores to Refine Skin Texture: Is a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that draws out impurities from the pores
- Brings Out the Skin's Natural Glow: Enhances the skin's radiance by evening skin tone, reducing blemishes, and lightening dark spots
- Soothes Eczema, Psoriasis, and Rosacea: Reduces inflammation of the skin while also improving collagen synthesis to promote healing
- Prevents Lines and Wrinkles: Reduces oxidative stress and protects the skin's elastin against damage caused by free radicals
Using Turmeric Products
Experts recommend keeping your frequency of pure turmeric to two times a week (especially when paired with other turmeric products). For turmeric-infused skincare take a look at the back of your moisturizers, serums, and more to see what's recommended for use. Generally, turmeric delivers improved skin luminosity immediately after one application, but it may take a few more to spot noticeable changes in dark spots, fine lines, and scarring. Consistency is key!
Now that you know why turmeric deserves all your attention, keep reading to discover our favorite expert-approved turmeric-based skincare products that will promote glowy, youthful-looking skin selected from major brands like Typology, Kora Organics, True Botanicals, Versed Skincare, and many more. Now, we're not saying you should gatekeep these, but it's always a good idea to stock up before your fellow beauty enthusiasts catch on…
Shop the Best Turmeric Skincare
1. Cleansers
To start your turmeric-based skincare ritual, you'll want to use a cleansing balm. The True Botanicals' Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm combines the superfood ingredient with a touch of ginger, yucca extract, mango butter, and more to rid the skin of all its impurities while deeply nourishing it. I love how silky-smooth my face feels when I've treated my skin to this.
Customer Review: "This balm is so amazing! I love how it makes my skin feel. It removes all of my makeup and smells so good and leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. This is unlike any other balm I've used before. I'm starting to notice an improvement in my skin. I have oily acne-prone skin and this is working so well so far. Try it!"
If you aren't already double cleansing your skin, take this as the sign you've been waiting for to add a foaming cleanser to your product lineup (extra points if it has turmeric). This foaming cleanser, for example, transforms into a lathering foam that thoroughly cleanses the skin of its dirt, oil, and other impurities using turmeric and aloe vera juice. It also smells amazing since it features aromatherapeutic notes of peppermint, palo santo, and rosemary.
Customer Review: "This face wash is a must-have! I have used it for a few weeks now and it makes my skin glow. I have been struggling to find a daily face wash and this might just be it. It has cleared up my blemishes significantly and makes my face feel super soft. Highly recommend!"
I've recently discovered the magic of using cleansing pads as part of my skincare routine, and these have become my favorites. The Humanroots Turmeric + Kojic Acid Cleansing Pads provide a gentle exfoliation that helps penetrate deep into pores to remove impurities while helping to preserve the skin's natural moisture. These cleansing pads are steeped in a formula with a blend of aloe vera, lemon peel, and vitamin C to refresh and renew your complexion.
Customer Review: "These turmeric pads have really helped my skincare routine! I rarely spend much time on skin products, but these are really easy to use so I'm able to use them regularly. I already use turmeric a lot for things like tea and cooking, so I enjoy that these pads include that natural element and I don't have to worry about harsh chemicals. I recommend it for anyone who's looking for an easy step to put in their skin routine."
2. Masks
When it comes to turmeric masks, I tend to my picky. This one by Versed has won me over because it boosts my skin's luminosity without stripping it of the natural oils and moisture I need to support the skin barrier. Mineral-rich red kaolin clay works to tone and gently exfoliate the skin while the addition of turmeric promotes a more bright and even complexion in the ten minutes I leave the mask on. Plus, it comes in a handy, space-saving pouch that makes application and storage easy.
Customer Review: "Wasn’t sure about this. Hadn’t heard of it before and just bought it on a whim. Turned out to be amazing—one of the best clay masks I’ve used and it’s comparable with some very high-end brands. Skin feels clean, and tight (in a good way) and pores look smaller!"
Another mask that's big on exfoliation is this one by Kora Organics. It uses a two-in-one formula that can be used as a scrub or detoxifying mask with hyperpigmentation-tacking turmeric extract, exfoliating mineral powder, and texture-refining aspen bark. Since I began using this last summer, I noticed how much more radiant my skin looked for days at a time (which was especially important to me after moving to a large, bustling city).
Customer Review: "This mask really feels nice on my face! I love the ingredients and really after a few weeks feel a difference in my skin texture and sun spots. I’ve had some stubborn discoloration on my cheeks from hormonal acne picking and this has really made a difference in lightening the pigment."
I'm a huge fan of any mask that can immediately give me a glowy finish in minutes. One of my favorites, Typology's P74 Antioxidant Radiance Mask, stands out to me because its formula uses turmeric extract, yellow clay, mango butter, and lemon verbena water to restore radiance to the skin in 10 minutes. My skin is always left looking smooth, refined, and luminous for days after using this. I like to use a semi-thick layer of it twice a week!
Customer Review: "I renewed this purchase because I am satisfied with it. [I have] better skin texture and reduced inflammation of spots. The tube lasts a few months even if it is relatively small because you don't need to put a ton of it."
I never knew how much of an impact turmeric extract and cranberry seed could make in promoting the radiance of my skin until I came across this Kiehl's face mask. It helps visibly brighten dull, fatigued skin by providing gentle exfoliation and flushing the skin with powerful antioxidants. You'll be left with rejuvenated, energized skin in no time. In other words, this is a must in my product lineup.
Customer Review: "I have sensitive and dehydrated, combination skin. This radiance mask has done wonders to cleanse my skin. I have blackheads and enlarged pores. The mask leaves my skin bright and clear after I finish doing it—it does not leave my skin dry and parched like most mud masks do or irritated from the gentle exfoliation while I wash it off. I use it weekly for amazing results."
3. Treatments
On the hunt for a treatment to turn back the clock on tired-looking skin? Eminence Organics' Turmeric Energizing Treatment is a powder formula activated by water that turns into a 3-in-1 facial treatment that draws out impurities and visibly brightens the skin with turmeric, citrine gemstones, paprika, zeolite, and kaolin clay. To remove the product, I like to buff the treatment into the skin to target impurities.
Customer Review: "I love the spicy warm tingle of this mask. It goes on light and fluffy when mixed with water but as it dries it warms, stimulating blood flow to the skin. Washing it off is a breeze and it leaves skin soft and glowing! I will definitely keep using this mask!"
As someone who's dealt with hyperpigmentation for years, there are very few treatments I trust to make a difference in the appearance of my complexion. I've fallen in love with this Ranavat brightening dark spot treatment because it targets dark spots and reduces the appearance of fine lines over time using a lightweight formula infused with turmeric, saffron, and lotus flower (three of my favorite ingredients to battle dark spots).
Customer Review: "Such a relaxing experience to apply this product in your face, the smell of the natural ingredients is captivating. The product leaves my skin glowy and nourished."
4. Serums and Essences
Another way to upgrade your beauty routine is by adding this essence by Kat Burki to your rotation. The pH-balancing essence supports a healthy microbiome for the skin by boosting its own defense mechanisms against bacteria and environmental aggressors. It uses papaya and pumpkin seed to smooth the skin while amino-rich turmeric and licorice root purifies and cleanses it. Lastly, wild cherry bark helps tone the skin.
Customer Review: "I had never tried an essence in my skincare routine before this one, and it has become one of my favorite products. The essence sinks instantly into the skin and the texture and ingredients feel like such a revitalizing restorative elixir for the skin. After this, my skin feels like silk. Huge fan of this product."
Turmeric-rich serums can be used to help ramp up the brightness of your skin. One of my favorites, the Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum by Herbivore, visibly improves dark spots and evens skin tone with hyperpigmentation-fighting vitamin C, pore-tightening arbutin (a plant-derive compound), and turmeric. The dark spots around my nose and eyes all but disappeared after trying this one.
Customer Review: "I recently received this mineral cream and it is really good. I noticed that my face looked more glowy and very brightening. I noticed that it doesn’t smell too bad like other sunscreens out there. I really loved it too because it’s sheer and doesn’t leave a white cast."
5. Oils
Next, I like to go in with this lightweight and fast-absorbing face oil. This one by Sunday Riley has been a longtime favorite of mine, and for good reason: it combines all-natural cold-pressed, red raspberry and evening primrose seed oils at its base to boost the luminosity of skin while golden turmeric extract and ginger root extract promotes a brighter and more even skin tone.
Customer Review: "I loved using this product. After one week of using it I saw immediate hydration and my skin was glowing. The Vitamin C really brightened up my skin and helped my pores shrink, I definitely will be repurchasing this product."
Another turmeric-infused find I love from Sunday Riley is its best-selling Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Face Oil. Ideal for all skin types, this face oil helps me combat hyperpigmentation around my T-zone. It restores the skin's radiance by supporting the moisture barrier with a unique blend of antioxidant-rich, superfood seed oils rich in antioxidants, vitamins, essential amino acids, omegas 3, 6, and 9.
Customer Review: "Always been a huge fan of all Sunday Riley products, but this is truly such a hard little worker! This oil has helped significantly with my extremely dry and sensitive skin. It’s helped the appearance of my pores, balancing skin tone, and is even great for lips!"
The most budget-friendly turmeric oil I can't recommend enough is this one by Apto Skincare. Its vegan, all-natural formula combines the benefits of turmeric oil with those from rosemary oil, vitamin E, grape-seed oil, and more to deliver immediate moisture and help combat hyperpigmentation, fine lines, dullness, and dryness in the skin. After moisturizing, I apply 1–2 drops of this to the skin and gently massage it into my skin to bring on the glow.
Customer Review: "This turmeric oil is a lighter oil and is excellent for my face. My skin feels so much softer, and I like the texture of the oil and the way it applies to my skin. I will definitely continue using this oil and highly recommend it."
5. Moisturizer
To add even moisture to my dry skin, I love to use the Ginger Turmeric Hydraglow Cream. It pairs beautifully with the brand's Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm since it combines turmeric, ginger, and other botanical oils to deliver long-lasting hydration. The cream also features bright notes of mandarin, ginger, and neroli to enchant the senses and make your skincare routine that much more fun.
Customer Review: "Really enjoying this moisturizing cream! It's more like a gel than a cream actually, and the way it fully soaks into my skin leaving it feeling hydrated and smooth, without being sticky or having any sort of residue left over is just so refreshing compared to many creams. This is a good one. Would buy again!"
The other turmeric moisturizer I'll always recommend is the Turmeric Glow Brightening Refillable Moisturizer by Kora Organics. Like the rest of the brand's popular turmeric-infused products, this moisturizer reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dullness for visibly brighter, plumper, glowing skin with an ultra-hydrating formula. This one uses a mixture of marine microalgae, desert date oil, and a blend of turmeric, noni fruit, and licorice.
Customer Review: "Such an amazing cream for sensitive and dry skin! My skin is so glowy after applying, it’s a little on the thicker side so it’s the perfect night cream for myself."
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