Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) for Acne and Blackheads

🌼 Quick Look: Potent Antioxidant & Anti-Inflammatory 

💟  Benefits: A superfood in the health world and a miracle ingredient in the beauty world. Its anti-inflammatory and packed antioxidant properties can help calm redness, reduce the appearance of scarring, brighten skin, and even help fight acne. 

✅ anti-inflammatory qualities can remove bacteria from your pores and calm the skin. 

✅ reduce scarring and redness.

✅  glowing and revived skin.

💜 Ten studies noted statistically significant improvement in skin disease severity in the turmeric/curcumin treatment groups compared with control. One study found that turmeric essential oil in a lotion formulation can brighten skin within three weeks with results that last just as long.

🌿 Treatments: anti-aging, oily or dry skin, acne-prone skin, sensitive skin, blackheads

🌻 Best used as: Cleanser, serum, toner, balm, moisturizer

💐 Best combined with: Comedogenic oil rating of 0 of your choice.

⚠️ Caution: If you try a turmeric face mask at home please be warned it will stain fabric and possible surfaces. It will also leave a tint on your face but this is washable.

💲 Approximate cost: $5.00 - $10.00 CAD

Turmeric Mask for Acne & Blackheads

Yields: Enough for one application Prep time: 5 minutes Cost: $5 - $10 CAD

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder (food-grade)

• 1-2 teaspoons of a non-comedogenic liquid (choose one):

  • Water

  • Plain yogurt (for added moisturizing)

  • Honey (for antibacterial properties)

  • Aloe vera gel (for soothing)

• Optional: a few drops of a non-comedogenic oil (like those listed previously such as sunflower oil)

  
  

Equipment:

• Small, non-metallic bowl

• Non-metallic spoon or spatula

  
  

Instructions:

1. Combine Ingredients:

   • In the non-metallic bowl, combine the turmeric powder with your chosen liquid.

   • Stir until you form a smooth paste. Add more liquid if needed to achieve a spreadable consistency.

   • If using oil add this now, and stir well.

2. Apply the Mask:

   • Apply the turmeric paste evenly to clean, dry skin, focusing on areas with acne and blackheads.

   • Avoid the eye area.

3. Let it Sit:

   • Allow the mask to sit for 10-15 minutes.

4. Rinse Thoroughly:

   • Rinse the mask off thoroughly with lukewarm water.

   • Be prepared for a slight yellow tint to your skin. This is normal and will fade.

   • Use a gentle cleanser if needed to remove any residual tint.

5. Moisturize:

   • Pat your skin dry with a clean towel and apply a gentle moisturizer.

   
   

Important Considerations:

• Staining: Turmeric can stain fabrics, surfaces, and even your skin. Take precautions to protect your clothing and surroundings.

• Patch Test: Perform a patch test on a small area of skin before applying the mask to your entire face to check for any irritation or allergic reactions.

• Quality: Use food-grade turmeric powder.

• Tinting: The yellow tint on your skin should fade within a few hours.

• Frequency: Use this mask 1-2 times per week.

• Avoid eyes: Do not let the mask get into your eyes.

• Gentle Cleanser: use a gentle cleanser to remove any remaining yellow tint.

Variations:

• For added exfoliation, you can add a small amount of finely ground oats to the mask.

• For added moisture, yogurt or aloe vera are excellent additions.

• Honey adds antibacterial properties.