Does Turmeric Get Rid of Dark Spots?
Burning Question: Does Turmeric Get Rid of Dark Spots?
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Turmeric has gained renewed attention for its health benefits (among them reversing symptoms of heart disease) and is proving one of the hottest new ingredients to add to your skincare routine for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In case you needed another reason to stockpile the golden spice, experts are also hailing it for its ability to help with hyperpigmentation.
"Turmeric contains curcumin, which inhibits pigmentation in the skin and can be effective in reducing the appearance of sun spots and pigmented scarring," explains Gina Mari, a celebrity esthetician.
"It is said to inhibit the pigmentation of skin, helping with dark spots. It is often used as a home remedy with lemon, yogurt, and milk for lightening skin. I have not seen this effect myself, but people swear by it," adds Debbi Burnes, natural skincare expert and founder of Sumbody.
According to Paula Simpson, a holistic nutritionist, biochemist, and cofounder of Zea Skin Solutions, turmeric can also help prevent future spots. "Through diet and supplementation, the active constituents are believed to help block melanin overproduction that is triggered by chronic sun exposure (and a reason why skin appears uneven in appearance)," she explains.
From perky eye creams to sweet-meets-spicy masks, click through for 10 products that boast the beautifying benefits of turmeric.
1 Perricone MD Pre:Empt Series Daily Brightening Moisturizer
This lightweight moisturizer from Perricone MD ($75) is formulated to brighten skin and reduce the signs of aging. It also contains SPF 30 for helping to help minimize fine lines and discoloration in the future.
2 Dr. Weil For Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Eye Serum
Relieve tired eyes with this serum from Dr. Weil ($48). It's made with the brand's signature blend of hypsizygus ulmarius, cordyceps, and reishi mushrooms, along with turmeric, ginger, holy basil, and grapeseed and yeast extracts to reduce under-eye puffiness and dark circles.
3 First Aid Beauty Hello Fab Ginger & Turmeric Vitamin C Jelly Mask
Like food for the face, this vegan jelly mask from First Aid Beauty ($32) contains ginger and turmeric, along with vitamin C, for relaxing and brightening the skin. Plus, it feels super refreshing on contact and smells amazing!
4 Volition Beauty Turmeric Brightening Polish
This polish from Volition Beauty ($38) focuses on evening out the skin's surface along with its tone. Just gently massage the formula onto wet skin and leave it on for about two minutes before washing it off to remove dead skin cells and reveal a rejuvenated complexion (the brand recommends doing so about once a week).
5 SkinOwl Turmeric Beauty Bar
Turmeric's antiseptic and antibacterial properties are combined with hyaluronic acid's brightening and moisturizing effects in this vegan soap from SkinOwl ($24). Add it to your bath routine to help bring down inflammation and reveal a more youthful (and smooth!) surface.
6 Sunday Riley C.E.O. C + E Micro-Dissolve Cleansing Oil
The white willow bark and lime pearl extracts in this cleansing oil from Sunday Riley ($38) gently work to refresh, while turmeric and vitamin C aim to calm and even the skin. We give it bonus points for the ability to gently remove even waterproof makeup.
7 Sumbody Shower Power Shower Mask
This two-in-one product from handmade skincare brand Sumbody ($13-$33) can be used as an exfoliator and a mask (just apply it at the start of your shower and rinse it off when done). In addition to turmeric, it contains green tea, honey, and Gotu Kola for reducing the appearance of redness and soothing skin back to health.
8 Clarins Double Serum Complete Age-Control Concentrate
This advanced concentrate from Clarins ($89) contains a dual technology that combines a plethora of potent antiaging plant extracts, and it's enriched with turmeric to even out skin tone and target lines and wrinkles. According to the brand, many see a boost in radiance in as little as a week.
9 Julep So Awake Depuffing Gel Eye Cream
Turmeric root and banana flower extracts work together in this new eye cream from Julep ($38) to calm redness and irritation, therefore reducing the appearance of dark circles. It also contains caffeine and collagen for helping to bring down puffiness and improve elasticity — great for those red-eye flights!
10 Kiehl's Since 1851 Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask
This mask from Kiehl's ($39) is centered around cranberry extract and turmeric for evening out texture and bringing lackluster skin back to life. If you check out the product reviews (it has five stars), you'll find testimonials from women who've seen an improvement when it comes to dark spots specifically.
