How to Use Turmeric for Acne, Wrinkles, Skin Lightening and More

Turmeric is an age-old beauty secret of Indian women, especially would-be brides. It has been used to remove blemishes, treat stubborn acne, and give your skin a natural glow.

This beauty secret is no longer limited to just India. The bright yellow spice can now be found in almost every household across the globe, not only for making delectable curries but also to reap its many health and beauty benefits.

The active compound curcumin in turmeric imparts excellent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which are increasingly being explored and validated in research studies.

The antioxidants in turmeric also help fight signs of aging and brighten your skin complexion over time.

Another article on our site describes how to use turmeric for health benefits. Here, we’ll explain how to use this ‘superfood’ to up your beauty game.

Here are 1o ways in which you can use turmeric for acne, wrinkles, skin lightening, and more.

Method 1: Hyperpigmentation

Excess melanin production in the skin causes dark spots and uneven patches. The medical term for this problem is hyperpigmentation.

The curcumin found in turmeric is known to reduce dark spots and lighten the skin naturally. Combining turmeric powder and honey will help keep your skin moisturized and ensure faster and healthier skin renewal.

Things you’ll need:

• Organic turmeric powder (reduces dark spots) – 1 tablespoon
• Honey (renews skin) – 1 tablespoon

Step 1. Combine honey and turmeric powder

• Put 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder in a bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon of honey.

Step 2. Mix well & apply the paste to the dark spots

• Mix the two ingredients well to form a lump-free paste.
• Apply it to the affected skin and leave it on for 20 minutes.
• Rinse it off with warm water and apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer.

Use this mask once daily and use turmeric to get rid of dark spots naturally. Depending upon the degree of pigmentation.

Method 2: Acne

Acne can be a persistent problem if you have oily skin. Turmeric, along with gram flour and rose water, can be whipped up into an effective anti-acne face mask.

The turmeric powder works as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent on the acne. The gram flour helps absorb excess sebum from the pores.

The rose water works as a mild toner to balance the pH of the skin to help reduce further breakouts.

Things you’ll need:

• Organic turmeric powder (antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory) – 1 tablespoon
• Gram flour (absorbs oil and cleanses pores) – 2 tablespoons
• Rosewater (tones skin) – as required

Step 1. Combine the three ingredients

• Put 1 tablespoon of organic turmeric powder in a mixing bowl.
• Add 2 tablespoons of gram flour to it.
• Add enough rose water to form a thick paste. If you wish, you can even learn how to make homemade rosewater.
• Mix all the ingredients well until you get a smooth paste for application.

Step 2. Apply the mask to the acne-affected skin

• Apply the paste to your face.
• Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, then wash it off with cold water.
• Gently pat dry your skin and apply a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer.

Apply this face pack twice a week for 2 to 3 weeks to treat your acne and keep pimples at bay.

Method 3: Lighten Skin

Turmeric is most popularly used as a skin-lightening agent, especially in the Indian subcontinent.

You can make a lightening mask by combining turmeric with lemon juice. Lemon works as a natural lightener for dark spots. Both ingredients are also antibacterial and help prevent skin infections.

Things you’ll need:

• Organic turmeric powder (lightens skin) – 1 teaspoon
• Lemon juice, freshly squeezed (natural lightening agent) – enough to form a paste

Step 1. Combine turmeric and lemon juice

• Put 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a mixing bowl.
• Squeeze fresh lemon juice over it. Use enough juice to form a thick paste.

Step 2. Mix well & apply the mask to your face

• Mix the two ingredients well. You can add in a few drops of water to improve the consistency.
• Apply a thin, even layer of paste all over your face and neck.
• Leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse it off with water.
• Pat dry your skin and apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer. Use SPF 50 broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Apply the face mask twice weekly at least for 1 month to lighten your skin.

Method 4: Scars

Turmeric can also be used to successfully reduce the appearance of scars. Combining it with lemon juice and sandalwood powder makes a great face mask to deal with scarring.

Turmeric helps promote the regeneration of healthy skin. The lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, works as a lightening agent Sandalwood soothes inflammation.

Things you’ll need:

• Organic turmeric powder (promotes skin regeneration) – 1 teaspoon
• Sandalwood powder (soothes skin) – 1 tablespoon
• Lemon juice, freshly squeezed () – 1 tablespoon

Step 1. Combine the three ingredients

• Put 1 teaspoon of organic turmeric powder in a mixing bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon each of sandalwood powder and fresh lemon juice.

Step 2. Mix well & apply it to get rid of acne scars

• Mix the ingredients to form a smooth paste.
• Apply the paste to acne scars and massage for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Let the paste sit on the scar for 30 minutes, then rinse it off with water.
• Pat dry and apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer.

Apply once daily until the scar has faded satisfactorily.

Method 5: Dark Spots

Dark spots are a common skin malady faced by people who suffer from acne and blemishes or have a darker skin tone. Turmeric helps reduce dark spots by inhibiting skin pigmentation.

Combine it with honey to form an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory layer on the skin. This remedy also uses jojoba oil to deeply nourish the skin and aid faster renewal.

Things you’ll need:

• Turmeric powder (controls pigmentation) – 1 tablespoon
• Honey (anti-inflammatory) – 1 tablespoon
• Jojoba oil (aids skin renewal) – 1 tablespoon

Step 1. Combine turmeric, honey, and jojoba oil

• Put 1 tablespoon of organic turmeric powder in a bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon each of honey and jojoba oil.

Step 2. Mix well & apply it to the dark spots

• Mix the ingredients thoroughly to form a smooth paste.
• Use the paste as a spot treatment or apply it all over your face.
• Let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.
• Pat dry your skin and finish by applying a non-comedogenic moisturizer.

Use it once daily for at least 2 weeks to improve the appearance of your dark spots.

Method 6: Wrinkles & Crow’s-Feet

The antioxidants found in turmeric help protect your skin against free-radical damage and reduce signs of aging. To use it to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s-feet, combine turmeric powder with some plain yogurt.

The yogurt contains lactic acid that helps exfoliate dead skin cells to give you clean and firm-looking skin.

Things you’ll need:

• Organic turmeric powder (rich in antioxidants) – ¼ tablespoon
• Plain yogurt (tightens skin) – 1 tablespoon

Single-Step Method: Mix turmeric with yogurt & apply it on your wrinkles

• Mix ¼ tablespoon of organic turmeric powder and 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt in a bowl.
• Apply it on the wrinkled skin.
• Leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse it off with water.

Use this mask 2 or 3 times a week for 1 month to notice a visible improvement in your skin.

Method 7: Smooth, Clear and Glowing Skin

Ditch those expensive glow masks and gels for this amazingly simple turmeric face mask to get smooth, clear, and glowing skin. This mask uses turmeric along with gram flour and olive oil.

The antioxidants present in turmeric will help heal all skin troubles and give you glowing and younger-looking skin.

The gram flour will slough off dead skin cells, while the olive oil will deeply moisturize the skin and nourish it with essential amino acids.

Things you’ll need:

• Organic turmeric powder (lightens skin) – 1 teaspoon
• Gram flour (natural exfoliator) – 1 tablespoon
• Olive oil (moisturizer) – 1 teaspoon
• Filtered water – 1 tablespoon

Step 1. Mix turmeric and gram flour

• Put 1 tablespoon of gram flour in a bowl.
• Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and mix the two well.

Step 2. Add olive oil and water, mix well & apply the face mask

• Add 1 tablespoon of water and 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the dry mixture.
• Mix everything until you have a smooth paste.
• Apply the mask all over your face and neck, avoiding the eye area.
• Let the mixture dry completely, then rinse it off with warm water.
• Apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer.

Use this mask twice every week to get smooth and glowing skin.

Method 8: Control Oily Skin

If your skin produces a lot of natural oil, it can clog your pores and give way to pimples and acne. You can use turmeric, along with lemon and yogurt, to unclog your pores and reduce your oily skin.

The lemon helps cut through the natural oil, while the turmeric regulates oil secretion. Yogurt works as an astringent to minimize the appearance of the pores.

Things you’ll need:

• Organic turmeric powder (regulates sebum) – ½ teaspoon
• Plain yogurt (astringent) – 1 teaspoon
• Lemon juice, freshly squeezed (controls oil secretion) – 1 teaspoon

Step 1. Combine the three ingredients

• Put ½ a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a bowl.
• Add 1 teaspoon each of plain yogurt and fresh lemon juice.

Step 2. Mix well & apply the face mask

• Mix the ingredients well to form a smooth paste.
• Apply an even layer of the mask on your clean face. Avoid the eye area.
• Let the mask work for 30 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.

Use this mask twice every week to keep your oily skin in check.

Method 9: Heal Cracked Heels

If you are suffering from painful cracked heels, turmeric can bring you immense relief. Combining it with coconut oil will not only soothe but also help heal your cracked and dry heels.

Turmeric works as an anti-inflammatory agent to reduce pain, and the coconut oil seeps into the skin and softens the cracks for faster recovery.

Both ingredients are also antimicrobial and will prevent any fungal infection from developing.

Things you’ll need:

• Organic turmeric powder (anti-inflammatory) – 1 tablespoon
• Extra-virgin coconut oil (softens skin) – a few drops

Single-Step Method: Mix turmeric with coconut oil & apply it to your cracked heels

• Mix 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder and a few drops of coconut oil to form a paste.
• Apply the paste to your cracked heels. Make sure to fill in the cracks with the paste.
• Wrap your heels with a bandage to avoid staining the floor or your clothes.
• Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes, then wash off the paste with warm water and mild soap. Apply a moisturizer.

Use this remedy daily until your heels become soft and smooth.

Method 10: Eczema

Eczema is an inflammatory condition that leads to painful dry, red, and itchy skin. A mix of turmeric along with jojoba oil can be applied to the affected skin to get immediate relief from the itching and mild pain and to cure eczema eventually.

Turmeric is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent and will help in the regeneration of healthy skin. Jojoba oil will keep the skin moisturized and prevent itching.

Both ingredients are also antimicrobial and will kill any infection that might be causing eczema.

Things you’ll need:

• Organic turmeric powder (anti-inflammatory) – 1 teaspoon
• Jojoba oil (moisturizes skin) – 1½ teaspoons

Single-Step Treatment: Mix turmeric with jojoba oil & apply it to the affected skin

• Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1½ teaspoons of jojoba oil in a bowl.
• Apply it to the eczema patches.
• Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off with water.

Repeat several times throughout the day to control the pain and itching. Use it regularly until your eczema is completely healed. 

Additional Tips

• Turmeric can leave a bright yellow stain on everything it touches. So, use them carefully to avoid contact with your clothes. If you already managed to get a stain, check out our hacks for how to get a turmeric stain out of clothes.
• Turmeric will also stain your skin, but you need not worry as the stains will fade away in 1 or 2 days. If you need to get it out quickly, simply apply some coconut oil on the skin and wipe it off with a towel.
• Do not go overboard with turmeric to achieve quicker results, as you’ll only end up with a strong yellow stain. Use only the specified quantities for any of the remedies to get the best results.
• Use organic turmeric powder only for these home remedies. The commonly found turmeric contains impurities and preservatives that won’t give you the same results.