Is the remedy to lighter, even-toned skin sitting in your spice cupboard? One of the most discussed skincare solutions these days is turmeric, a golden spice that doesn't simply taste delicious, it is able to also deliver quite a few excellent skin perks — most notably skin lightening.
What Is Turmeric (Curcumin)?
Turmeric (sometimes termed Curcuma Longa) is a plant related to ginger that's routinely used as a spice all across the world — but predominantly in South Asia. It is identifiable by its vibrant golden color. This spice has been utilized for centuries in Ayurvedic skincare and as a preventive health and fitness supplement. Ayurveda is the organic and natural system of medicine that started in India.
The yellow color of turmeric comes from the active ingredient curcumin. Curcumin is an efficient anti-inflammatory (hinders inflammation), antimicrobial (blocks the spreading of microorganisms), antineoplastic (hinders the production of growths that may possibly turn into cancer) and antioxidant (substances that fight against destructive free radicals). So yeah, curcumin is a pretty good thing!
Turmeric (Curcumin) for the Treatment of Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a very common skin concern that changes various areas of the skin darker than normal. "Hyper" signifies increased, and "pigment" means color. Hyperpigmentation can display as brown, red, or gray patches or spots. The patches are sometimes described as liver spots or age spots.
Skin draws its color from a substance named melanin, which is a pigment generated by skin cells. When such skin cells are unhealthy or compromised, they in many cases can deliver too much melanin. This melanin in many cases can clump, causing that area to appear darker. Which means that a well-known root of hyperpigmentation is an abnormal output of melanin.
A variety of studies have revealed that turmeric has the capability to minimize hyperpigmentation. Mainly it's the curcumin in turmeric that is the crucial element in these studiesto hinder the behavior of tyrosinase, an enzyme vital for the creation of melanin. Eventually, as dark-colored skin cells organically exfoliate, they would be replaced by cells that typify a person's natural skin color.
Treating Melasma With Turmeric
Several differing circumstances have the ability to influence the output of melanin in your body, triggering hyperpigmentation. Melasma is a very well known cause of hyperpigmentation. Melasma (which is also named chloasma) is a skin disorder that leads to patches and areas, commonly on the face, which are more dark than ones natural skin tone. Though this disorder is totally innocuous, it naturally makes quite a few people come to feel embarrassed.
Melasma is a skin affliction distinguished by blue-gray or brown patches or freckle-like spots, typically on the nose and cheeks. Considering fluctuating hormones throughout pregnancy can trigger melasma, it's commonly referred to as the "mask of pregnancy."
Melasma is a quite commonplace skin complaint, notably in pregnant women. Anywhere ranging from 20% to 40% of pregnant women end up with it. Although melasma can also result from too much exposure to the sun, the much more prevailing cause is hormonal irregularities from birth control or pregnancy, meaning women are quite a bit more inclined than men to suffer from this skin condition. It normally develops between 20 and 45 years of age.
The first thing you need to do to treat your melasma is to make sure that it doesn't get any worse. Do this by avoiding irritating soaps and the sun. If you are subjected to the sun, you'll definitely want to put on sunscreen with a SPF of at least 40 applied every few hours.
To proactively diminish melasma (or hyperpigmentation of any cause), test out a topical skin lightening lotion such as Meladerm from Civant Skincare or a turmeric mask.
Turmeric consists of curcumin, a strong antioxidant that results in lighter your skin. Using a 1:2 ratio, blend milk or water with turmeric powder, and pat the paste on the darker areas. Let the compound totally dry and then wash it with warm water. Repeat daily for best results.
Apply Turmeric Topically to Lighten Skin
The turmeric benefits for skin lightening are many. Applying turmeric to the face may help treat acne and brighten skin tone, calm skin rashes, and lighten dark spots. Though not an instant improvement, topically administered curcumin will help with discoloration or hyperpigmentation if practiced over time.
Turmeric Masks Lighten Your Skin
A person can find turmeric-laced skincare products to buy, but you can alternatively quickly and affordably create a turmeric treatment. A turmeric mask is the most useful method to use turmeric topically.
All turmeric masks include curcumin powder as their main ingredient. Purchasing a generous container of curcumin powder is considerably more convenient and a great deal less costly (per the amount bought) than buying curcumin in capsule or tablet form. It's straightforward to take a scoop of powder from the resealable bag and mix it with a liquid to form a paste you can apply on the dark parts on your body.
Note that since it is the curcumin that is the active (most important) element of the turmeric root, health supplements are often labeled as "Curcumin" as opposed to "Turmeric." A supplement could even be marketed with both these names, as in "Turmeric Curcumin." That's the text Microingredients uses for their powder supplement packaging.
To make a turmeric mask all you have to do is combine one teaspoon of curcumin powder with 1 teaspoon of squeezed lemon juice. Optionally you could also add one teaspoon of honey or agave syrup. Both agave syrup and honey may help keep your skin deeply moisturized, soft, and supple. Lemon juice possesses concentrated skin lightening attributes and it lightens your skin color.
The mixture should then be patted onto your face with the help of a cotton ball and left in place for up to 20 minutes. Rinse afterwards with warm tap water. Apply this type of mask daily for ideal results.
Taking Curcumin (Turmeric) Orally for Skin Lightening
As you've read above, turmeric powder works well externally to lighten skin by applying the powder on the skin in the form of a mask. Alternately, curcumin can be taken internally for a similar goal. Taken orally, curcumin can decrease excessive melanin production. Basically curcumin effects for skin lightening can be had by making use of the supplement internally or externally.
Drinking Turmeric Tea Can Lighten Skin
Turmeric teas are a widespread option for consuming turmeric because the flavor is delicate and enjoyable, and the nutritional pluses are very much the same to the eating of the whole plant in cooked solid food. The same turmeric powder you would buy to use in making a turmeric mask can be used as the basis of your turmeric tea.
Research implies that the typical curcumin dosage per day is approximately 600 mg to 2500 mg, though studies employing up to 8 grams per day reported no considerable side effects. Some powdered curcumin supplements include a small scoop that holds 1000 mg (1 gram), helping to make it convenient to brew a mug of turmeric tea.
To brew a tea that includes a 1000 mg serving of turmeric, simply combine one scoop of turmeric powder to boiling water and let it steep for approximately 10 minutes and then strain before drinking. To alter the flavor, the curcumin can also be integrated with additional spices such as ginger root, cinnamon, and lemongrass.
Though turmeric tea is a really common way to consume curcumin, you can incorporate turmeric powder in any beverage you desire. If your personal preference is a shake or smoothie, then just add a scoop or two to your favored beverage.
The time of day you consume curcumin is up to you — the curcumin (turmeric) does not work any differently based upon the time you take it. Curcumin isn't a stimulant, so should you like to take your drink before bed as opposed to in the morning to start your day, that should be fine.