How to Remove Turmeric Stains from Skin and Nails at Home

The zesty and cheery yellow-colored turmeric is used for a number of beauty treatments, especially by brides-to-be.

Turmeric also serves as an important component in Indian cooking, especially the finger-licking curries.

The spice gets its bright yellow color from a compound called curcumin. Curcumin is an antioxidant and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making turmeric a go-to remedy to combat health and skin troubles.

Whether used raw or in powdered form, turmeric imparts a natural glow to your skin, fights acne and blemishes, lightens pigmentation and also heals wounds and scars.

However, the same compound is also responsible for the inevitable and sometimes stubborn yellow turmeric stains that end up on your clothes, skin, and nails.

It can spoil your favorite shirt or make your nails look shabby. But you don’t have to leave an impression of “It was all yellow!”

Here are eight remedies that you can use to remove turmeric stains from skin and nails after getting down and dirty yellow with turmeric.

Method 1: Sugar Scrub

A sugar scrub is probably the easiest way to get rid of stubborn turmeric stains from your skin. Sugar acts as a gentle exfoliant, which scrubs away dead skin cells and removes the stain in the process.

It also leaves your skin smooth and soft. It is especially beneficial for removing a stain off your face because it is gentle on the skin.

Step 1. Prepare a mix of sugar and water

• Put 1 tablespoon of sugar in a bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon of water.
• Mix the two well.

Step 2. Scrub at the stain with the sugar scrub

• Cover the turmeric stain with the wet sugar.
• Using circular motions, rub the sugar scrub on the stain until it comes off. Use some more sugar, if needed.
• Rinse it off with water.
• Repeat the process if you feel it needs more work.

Method 2: Coconut or Castor Oil (Skin & Nails)

Since curcumin is not water-soluble, you can use some coconut oil to remove yellow turmeric stains from your skin or nails.

Plus, the fatty acids present in coconut oil are extremely nourishing for your skin. If you don’t have coconut oil, castor oil can do the trick, as well.

Single-Step Method: Rub off the stain with the oil

• Soak a cotton ball in coconut or castor oil.
• Dab it over the stain and give it a little rub to remove the stain completely.
• Repeat if needed, then wash your hands with soap.

Method 3: Shaving Cream

Shaving creams contain hydrogen peroxide that works as a bleaching agent. It may require multiple applications to remove a turmeric stain completely, but it should work well.

Single-Step Method: Apply shaving cream on the turmeric stain

• Cover the stain completely with shaving foam or cream.
• Use a cotton ball to wipe it off. The turmeric stain will come off with the foam.
• Repeat 2 or 3 times until you get satisfactory results.
• Wash your skin with soap and water.
• Follow with a moisturizer to keep your skin soft.

Method 4: Baking Soda (Skin & Nails)

Baking soda is another cheap and effective remedy to remove turmeric stains from your skin and nails.

It acts as a mild abrasive, absorbent and bleaching agent, gently scrubbing out the stain and lightening the skin.

Step 1. Make a paste of baking soda and water

• Make a paste of baking soda and water using equal amounts of both ingredients.

Step 2. Scrub the stain with the paste

• Soak your hands in warm water for 2 to 3 minutes and pat dry.
• Apply the paste on the stained skin and nails.
• Scrub at the stain using cotton balls or a nail brush. Don’t scrub with your fingers, as you don’t want to spread the stain to your clean fingers as well.
• Continue to scrub until the stain lightens up to your liking, then wash the paste off with water.
• Give your hands a final wash with soap and water to completely remove any traces of turmeric.

Method 5: Milk

Milk is another effective remedy to clean turmeric stains off your skin. It contains lactic acid that acts as a cleanser, and it exfoliates removing the dead skin cells at the same time.

Often milk is used in face packs or masks along with turmeric to cancel out the yellowish stains. You can use either cow milk or coconut milk.

Single-Step Method: Wash the turmeric stain with milk

• Soak a cotton ball in milk.
• Squeeze it over the stain to rinse.
• If the stain is stubborn, rub it with the same cotton ball to work the color out of your skin.
• Once the stain is sufficiently removed, rinse the area with water.

Method 6: Baking Soda and Lemon (Skin & Nails)

Baking soda and lemon make the perfect duo that can fight just about any stain.

The baking soda acts as an abrasive, and the lemon acts as a bleaching agent while its acidic nature also helps cut through the stain.

This remedy is particularly effective in removing turmeric stains from nails.

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda (abrasive) – 1 tablespoon
• Lemon juice (bleaching agent) – 1 tablespoon
• Terry cloth

Step 1. Prepare a paste of lemon juice and baking soda

• Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to 1 tablespoon of baking soda.
• Mix the two well to form a thick paste.

Step 2. Use the paste to remove the stains

• Use a spoon to apply the paste on your fingers and nails.
• Use a clean, dry terry cloth to rub the paste over the stain.
• Continue until you notice the stain transferring to the cloth. Apply more paste, if needed.
• Once done, rinse your skin and nails with water and pat dry with a clean towel.
• Follow with a hand and nail cream or a regular moisturizer.

Method 7: Hydrogen Peroxide (Skin & Nails)

Use 3% hydrogen peroxide for this remedy. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful bleaching agent and a disinfectant widely used by the cosmetic industry.

It is useful in treating nails that have become yellow due to excessive use of nail polish and can easily remove turmeric stains from skin, too.

Step 1. Dilute hydrogen peroxide with water

• Mix 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide in 2 tablespoons of water.
• Stir it well.

Step 2. Wipe off the turmeric stains with diluted hydrogen peroxide

• Soak a cotton ball in the solution.
• Use it to wipe off the yellow stains from your fingers and nails.

Method 8: Apple Cider Vinegar (Nails)

Apple cider vinegar, being the master of all home remedies, can also come to the rescue to remove yellow turmeric stains, particularly from your nails.

Being acidic in nature, it easily cuts through the stains. Apple cider vinegar can also be rubbed on your nails to promote nail growth.

Step 1. Dilute apple cider vinegar with water

• Put 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a small bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon of water to it.
• Mix the ingredients well.

Step 2. Use the solution to rub the stains off your nails

• Soak a cotton ball in the diluted apple cider vinegar.
• Use it to rub the turmeric residue off your nails.

Alternatively, you can prepare a nail soak of apple cider vinegar and water in equal amounts. Soak your nails in it for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse it off with water.

Additional Tip

• You can also dip your nails in fresh lemon juice for 10 to 15 minutes to lighten the stains.

Summary of How to Remove Turmeric Stains from Skin and Nails

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