This Latte Ingredient May Be the Best-Kept Skincare Secret

You likely know the vibrant yellow spice turmeric for brightening your golden milk lattes and go-to Indian dishes like curry or dal. But while it tastes great, it also delivers some major skin benefits.

From ancient Ayurvedic traditions to modern skincare, turmeric has gained significant recognition for its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin-enhancing properties. Applying turmeric or products with turmeric to your face can help lighten dark spots, reduce the appearance of fine lines, treat acne, and even brighten skin tone. 

To understand the benefits of turmeric and learn ways to incorporate it into your skincare routine, we asked dermatologists all about the wonder spice. Here’s what they had to say.

What Is Turmeric?
This golden spice comes from the curcuma longa or curcuma domestica plant, which is native to South Asia. The plant is part of the ginger family, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Specifically, the spice comes from the plant's root-like section that grows under the soil, called a rhizome. The rhizomes are boiled and dried to make turmeric powder, which is sold on its own and incorporated into many curry powder blends. You can also find whole, fresh turmeric rhizomes at some specialty grocery stores.

Turmeric's Active Compound: Curcumin
Turmeric, which is derived from the root of Curcuma zedoaria, a form of ginger, is native to Southeast Asia. Its active ingredient, curcumin, is what gives it that yellow-orange hue. 

Margarita Lolis, M.D., dermatologist and Mohs surgeon says that turmeric has been used for over 4,000 years to heal skin conditions, but its healing properties are not just anecdotal. “Turmeric, specifically curcumin, is actually well studied with prolific scientific evidence backing up its therapeutic benefits in treating skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczema as well as hyperpigmentation,” says Dr. Lolis. “Evidence has shown that it exhibits anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-neoplastic benefits.”

This is because turmeric naturally speeds up the process of removing dead skin cells to reveal healthy and soft skin, which deeply hydrates and revitalizes the complexion. The spice contains anti-inflammatory enzymes that can combat cell production and reduce uncomfortable or dry skin patches. In fact, a 2016 study showed that turmeric greatly improved the state of several common skin conditions, whether it was ingested or applied topically. Plus, curcumin is also known to be effective against atopic dermatitis.

In terms of its antioxidant capabilities, Dr. Lolis says that turmeric is full of them. “[Turmeric] reduces oxidative stress, repairs the daily wear and tear [of skin] from the environment, protects against skin damage caused by chronic UVB radiation, and promotes wound healing,” she says.

Turmeric has a laundry list of benefits for skin, but here are some of the most compelling, if you're looking to boost your complexion.

Natural Skin Brightener
Perhaps one of turmeric’s best benefits is its ability to brighten the skin. Its natural exfoliating properties can gently remove dead skin cells, which promotes a more even skin tone and smoother texture.

Laura Scott, M.D., F.A.A.D., and owner of Scott & Co. Skin says that turmeric has been found to possess anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness and calm irritation which can lead to an overall brighter complexion. The action of curcumin on markers of oxidative stress revives the skin by increasing the production of hyaluronic acid and enhances the level of skin’s moisture. It also boosts circulation to the skin, providing a healthy glow.  

“It functions as an antioxidant combatting free radicals that can contribute to dullness,” says Dr. Scott. “And it also inhibits the production of melanin, which causes hyperpigmentation and dark spots.” One study showed that turmeric helped to decrease hyperpigmentation by up to 14 percent in as little as four weeks.

Acne and Blemish Control
Everyone has bacteria on their skin, but when that bacteria combines with excess oil and dead skin cells, acne can form. And if left untreated, it can spread and worsen. Because turmeric is an antimicrobial, it fights against bacteria, fungus, and yeast, which are common causes of acne, rosacea, folliculitis, and pityrosporum folliculitis (an acne condition that is very difficult to treat), explains Dr. Lolis.

“Its anti-inflammatory properties also help inflammatory acne lesions heal quicker and reduce redness,” she says. That redness can often lead to swelling, inflammation, and discomfort. Turmeric and its anti-inflammatory properties can gently heal and reduce redness by increasing blood flow and cell turnover, speeding up healing and recovery.

And it can even regulate sebum production and balance oil levels, which are key factors in keeping acne breakouts at bay. Dr. Lolis says turmeric works to prevent dead skin cells from clumping together and blocking the sebaceous gland, or your pores, which helps fight congestion and reduces future breakouts. While turmeric has many benefits in reducing redness and acne, there’s no research that shows that it has any effect on pitted or deep acne scars. 

Anti-Aging Ingredient
Over the course of our lifetime, our skin naturally loses collagen and elastin. The breakdown of these proteins, combined with decreased cell turnover, contributes to the formation of wrinkles and skin sagging. This type of damage is often seen in the form of photoaging, which can cause deep wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, and rough texture.

And if you spend any time outside, unprotected sun exposure to harmful rays only accelerates this. But the good news is turmeric can help. As an anti-aging ingredient, turmeric works by modestly stimulating collagen production, says Dr. Scott. “Turmeric works by improving skin elasticity which inhibits the enzyme elastase, which breaks down elastin in our skin, [and is] one of the factors that give skin its bounce,” she says. “Its antioxidant properties also protect the skin from free radical damage, which can accelerate the aging process.”

And as skin ages, dullness and dryness can be major concerns as well. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory benefits also enhance the skin’s moisture barrier, resulting in a plumper, more hydrated complexion.

Incorporating Turmeric into Your Skincare Routine
Let’s dive into how turmeric can be incorporated into various steps of your skincare regimen.

Use the Actual Spice
Yes, you can use the actual spice to create a DIY face mask at home. “Given its chemical instability, turmeric is best used in a mask or paste form”, says Dr. Lolis. So, try making your own face mask. Combine 1.5 tablespoons of sandalwood powder, a pinch of ground turmeric, and three tablespoons of orange juice, and apply the paste to the face. The orange juice provides fruit acid to clear blemishes, and sandalwood is a natural astringent. Leave on for about 10 minutes and rinse with warm water. 

Or you can add a pinch of turmeric to your favorite moisturizer or treatment product, to reap its benefits. Dr. Lolis says that in addition to its instability, turmeric has limited solubility in liquid, so be careful if it is combined with another ingredient in a face oil. Note that turmeric does have the tendency to stain clothing (and your skin) with an orange hue.

Before you start mixing up a mask at home, practice caution. Like anything you put on your skin or ingest, you should make sure it’s safe. Experts recommend using organic, naturally sourced turmeric. Non-organic turmeric can be processed with pesticides, and other chemical additives to artificially enhance its color, flavor, and smell to improve its shelf life.

If you do decide to add turmeric to any of your skincare products, Dr. Scott recommends a patch test before applying it to your full face. “Usually, a spot like the angle of the jaw is safe to try for a day or two to make sure there are no issues,” she says. 

And less is more. A pinch of turmeric is all you should be adding to your entire skincare routine.  Just be sure to use an old pillowcase or bed linens or that you don’t mind staining. Alternatively, purified curcumin can be used instead since it's colorless.

In a latte. A golden latte, aka golden milk, is a tasty caffeine-free drink made of milk and turmeric powder. It can be made with dairy or plant-based milk, depending on your preference. You can also drink it cold, or with cocoa powder.

Add it to smoothies. Brighten up your next smoothie (or juice) with a pinch of turmeric. Try it in a simple banana smoothie or make this creamy golden milk smoothie by Minimalist Baker.

Invest in Turmeric-Infused Products
While incorporating ground turmeric into your skin care products is a great option, there are plenty of wonderful products on the market that contain the skin-boosting ingredient. Dr. Scott prescribes patients who suffer from acne and rosacea a combo with a ceramide and turmeric base. She uses the SkinMedicinals compounding pharmacy for this and recommends meeting with a licensed skin professional if you think you are struggling with any specific skin condition.