Turmeric For Acne And Pimples: What Are The Benefits?
1. It Inhibits Acne-causing Bacteria
Curcumin has antibacterial properties. In a test-tube study done on pig skin, curcumin (along with Lauric acid) was found to inhibit the growth of P. Acnes, bacteria that cause inflammatory acne (3).
2. It May Reduce Inflammation
Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties. A study indicates that when taken orally or applied, curcumin may help reduce inflammatory acne and other types of inflammation to keep your skin healthy (2).
3. It May Help Improve Dark Spots Caused By Acne
A study found that a cream containing turmeric extracts helped improve hyperpigmentation (4). Hence, it may help in fading dark spots left behind stubborn acne. However, there is no study evaluating the effect of curcumin on acne scars. Turmeric has other health and skin benefits, such as:
It slows down aging by postponing the onset of age-related health issues by inhibiting inflammation caused by NF-kappaB (a protein complex that contributes to immunity and inflammation) (5). It prevents skin damage caused by UV radiation. A study done on hairless mice found that turmeric extracts could prevent wrinkles and loss of elasticity caused by UVB exposure and improve skin thickness (6).
Now that you know how turmeric can heal acne and pimples and keep your skin healthy, scroll down to find out ways to use turmeric for acne and pimples.
How To Use Turmeric For Acne And Pimples
Topical Application
1. Turmeric And Honey
Test-tube studies have found that honey can inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and S. aureus (7). Along with turmeric, honey can help kill the acne-causing bacteria. Ingredients
1 teaspoon turmeric 1/2 teaspoon raw honey
Procedure How Often You Should Do This
Do this once every day.
2. Turmeric And Yogurt
Yogurt may not help kill the acne-causing bacteria, but it contains lactic acid. It may have a mild exfoliating effect on your skin, and along with turmeric, this might accelerate healing. Ingredients
2 tablespoons yogurt (curd) 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
Procedure How Often You Should Do This
Use this three to four times a week.
3. Aloe Vera And Turmeric
Aloe vera can help heal acne faster (8). This combination may foster healing and keep your skin healthy. Ingredients
2 tablespoons aloe vera gel 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
Procedure How Often You Should Do This
You can repeat this every day or every alternate day.
4. Turmeric And Baking Soda
It is not recommended to apply baking soda on your face or skin. Also, there is no research suggesting its efficacy for acne. However, it is a widely used remedy. Anecdotal evidence states that baking soda can dry out acne and help in healing it. Ingredients
½ teaspoon turmeric powder A pinch of baking soda Water (to make a paste)
Procedure How Often You Should Do This
Do this not more than two times a week.
5. Lemon And Turmeric
Lemon is stated to have an astringent effect on the skin, which may help in drying the acne lesions. Since lemon juice can be harsh on the skin, avoid using it undiluted. It also makes the skin photosensitive, so make sure you apply sunscreen before you step out. Ingredients
1 tablespoon lemon juice (dilute it with a tablespoon of water) 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
Procedure How Often You Should Do This
Do this once every day for the best results.
6. Besan And Turmeric
Besan or gram flour helps to cleanse and exfoliate the skin. It helps to reduce excess sebum and is considered a good option for healing acne and pimples (9). Ingredients
1 teaspoon turmeric 2 teaspoons besan (gram flour) 2-3 teaspoons rose water or yogurt
Procedure How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this two times a week.
7. Sandalwood And Turmeric
A blend of sandalwood oil and salicylic acid was found to improve acne in mice studies (10). However, more research is needed to conclude the efficacy of sandalwood in healing acne. Ingredients
2 tablespoons sandalwood powder or 2-3 drops of sandalwood oil 1/2 teaspoon turmeric Rosewater
Procedure How Often You Should Do This
Use this mask for acne and pimples two times a week.
8. Milk And Turmeric
Milk contains lactic acid that has a mild exfoliating effect. This mixture can keep your skin acne-free and make it soft. Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon turmeric 2 tablespoons milk Cotton ball
Procedure How Often You Should Do This
Use this every alternate day.
9. Neem Leaves And Turmeric
Neem leaves have antibacterial effects against P. acnes and can help you manage acne (11). Ingredients
10-12 neem leaves 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
Procedure How Often You Should Do This
Do this two times a week.
10. Turmeric With Olive Oil
Olive oil may not have an anti-acne effect, but it can help in oil cleansing. It is also a good base for any face pack. Massaging olive oil mixed with turmeric may help cleanse your face thoroughly before you finally cleanse it with a mild face wash. Ingredients
1 teaspoon turmeric A few drops of virgin olive oil
Procedure How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this once every day.
11. Turmeric And Cinnamon
Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties that help to manage acne. A study involving 20 patients with mild to moderate acne found that applying cinnamon gel helped improve acne lesions (12). Ingredients
½ teaspoon cinnamon powder ½ teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon water or rosewater
Procedure How Often You Should Do This
Use this once every day until your acne heals.
12. Turmeric And Apple Cider Vinegar
Though there are no studies evaluating the effect of ACV on acne, people use this popular home remedy because of its skin benefits. It is thought to change the pH of the skin, which may inhibit the growth of bacteria. It also has a toning effect on the skin. Ingredients
½ teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (diluted with a teaspoon of water)
Procedure How Often You Should Do This
Use this once daily.
13. Multani Mitti And Turmeric
Multani mitti or Fuller’s earth helps to cleanse the skin thoroughly. It ensures that the skin pores are not clogged, thus reducing acne. However, clay masks usually make the skin dry. Make sure to follow it up with a moisturizer if you have dry skin. Ingredients
1-2 tablespoons of Multani Mitti 1 teaspoon turmeric powder Water or rosewater (adjust the quantity as per your desired consistency)
Procedure How Often You Should Do This
Use this face mask once a week if you have dry skin and twice a week if you have oily skin.
Oral Consumption
14. Turmeric Milk
This is the easiest way to consume turmeric and make use of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Ingredients
A glass of milk 1 teaspoon turmeric
Procedure How Often You Should Do This
Drink this every day before going to bed.
You can also add turmeric to your curries, rice, and stews. You may buy turmeric tea and drink it. You can also go for curcumin supplements. Although these supplements are considered safe, unregulated dosage of curcumin supplements may cause stomach upsets. Hence, consult a doctor before taking the supplements. Though turmeric is touted as a skin savior due to its therapeutic effects and is also widely used in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine, it may cause some side effects.
Side Effects Of Using Turmeric For Acne
Turmeric may cause:
1. Allergic Reactions And Contact Dermatitis
Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties, but it is an allergen. It may cause hypersensitivity and allergic reactions (13). Before using turmeric, do a patch test to check if you are allergic to it. If you are taking supplements, get an allergy test done beforehand.
2. It Can Cause Skin Staining
Turmeric has a deep shade of yellow (close to orange), which is why it is also used as a natural dye for fabric. Using turmeric may leave a yellowish stain on your skin, nails, clothes, and utensils. However, it goes away after two or three washes. Although turmeric has earned a good reputation for its healing effects and there are studies proving the efficacy of turmeric for acne, none of these studies are conclusive as most of them have been done on animals. More human studies are warranted to establish the efficacy of turmeric in treating acne and pimples. Moreover, turmeric is an allergen. Hence, exercise caution. Talk to your doctor to understand if your skin can tolerate turmeric or the other ingredients in the face packs discussed above. How much turmeric to take daily for acne? Check out the infographic below to know more. If you are taking supplements, consult a doctor for the right dosage. How long will it take for turmeric to work for acne? Any natural remedy takes at least a month to show results. Is it safe to use turmeric on popped pimples? You can use it if you are not allergic to it or if it doesn’t irritate the skin. Are there any risks of an allergic reaction to curcumin? Yes, it might cause contact dermatitis. Can we apply turmeric on pimples overnight? Yes, you can apply turmeric on pimples overnight. But it is necessary to proceed with caution as applying turmeric for a long period of time can stain your skin yellow. Overexposure may also cause more acne. Why does turmeric burn your face? Curcumin is a component of turmeric that may sometimes cause an allergic reaction. Direct skin contact can burn, irritate, redden, and cause swelling (14).
