Originally hailing from South-East Asia, turmeric has been the subject of numerous scientific studies revealing its nutritional and medical virtues. But what about its role in the beauty industry?
This spice, known for being an excellent natural dye, is said to be beneficial not only in combating acne, but also in reducing wrinkles and dark circles, and banishing a dull complexion.
Known in many traditional medicine practices, including Ayurveda, turmeric is starting to make a name for itself in the cosmetics industry.
The ingredient is now showing up in creams, masks, cleansers and other haircare products, and also has a prominent place in DIY beauty recipes in the form of herbal distillates, powders, dyes or essential oils.
This means that a growing number of people are able to benefit from its myriad virtues for the skin and hair without having to use ingredients with long lists of ingredients.
This is why turmeric is fast establishing itself as an essential in the cosmetics aisle.
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An ally against acne
Fans of wellness drinks will likely be familiar with all the advantages of turmeric.
This super ingredient is packed with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial active ingredients that contribute to its reputation.
But that's not all. It is also said to be beneficial in the fight against acne and blemishes of all kinds.
This is due to its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and healing properties, as well as its purifying action, which helps fight the bacteria that cause blemishes.
Best of all, turmeric is also said to be helpful for reducing scars and stretch marks.
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Softer, more radiant skin
Curcumin, the main pigment in turmeric, is rich in anti-inflammatories as well as being packed with antioxidants that help fight against external aggressions and the signs of ageing.
It is even capable of blocking the action of elastase, an enzyme responsible for the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin.
By improving the elasticity of the skin, turmeric also helps to reduce dark circles, while its bright colour makes it a radiance booster for an immediate healthy glow effect.
Anyone who has cooked with it knows that turmeric has powerful colouring properties.
In this regard it is also an excellent hair dye that has the added benefit of soothing the scalp.
But researchers from the US have recently gone even further by studying the benefits of curcumin as a natural sunscreen.
The research is still at an early stage, but could eventually enable this spice to help protect us against ultraviolet rays.
Turmeric is undoubtedly an essential spice that clearly has many surprises in store for us. — AFP Relaxnews
