Turmeric For Acne And Pimples: How To Use It Effectively

Turmeric is a medicinal spice widely used in DIY skin care recipes. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, people often use turmeric for acne management, and you will also find it in skin care products. While there is limited evidence to prove the efficacy of turmeric for acne, its anti-inflammatory properties and therapeutic effects make it a beneficial ingredient in acne management (1), (2). Keep reading to understand how turmeric may help minimize the occasional breakouts and ways to use it.

Turmeric For Acne And Pimples: What Are The Benefits?

1. It Inhibits Acne-causing Bacteria

Curcumin has antibacterial properties. In a test-tube study done on pig skin, curcumin (along with Lauric acid) was found to inhibit the growth of P. Acnes, bacteria that cause inflammatory acne (3).

2. It May Reduce Inflammation

Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties. A study indicates that when taken orally or applied, curcumin may help reduce inflammatory acne and other types of inflammation to keep your skin healthy (2).

3. It May Help Improve Dark Spots Caused By Acne

A study found that a cream containing turmeric extracts helped improve hyperpigmentation (4). Hence, it may help in fading dark spots left behind stubborn acne. However, there is no study evaluating the effect of curcumin on acne scars.

Turmeric has other health and skin benefits, such as:

• It slows down aging by postponing the onset of age-related health issues by inhibiting inflammation caused by NF-kappaB (a protein complex that contributes to immunity and inflammation) (5).
• It prevents skin damage caused by UV radiation. A study done on hairless mice found that turmeric extracts could prevent wrinkles and loss of elasticity caused by UVB exposure and improve skin thickness (6).

Now that you know how turmeric can heal acne and pimples and keep your skin healthy, scroll down to find out ways to use turmeric for acne and pimples.

How To Use Turmeric For Acne And Pimples

Topical Application

1. Turmeric And Honey

Test-tube studies have found that honey can inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and S. aureus (7). Along with turmeric, honey can help kill the acne-causing bacteria.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon raw honey

Procedure

1. Mix honey and turmeric to get a thick paste.
2. Use this paste as a spot treatment or apply it all over your face (increase quantities accordingly).
3. Leave it on for 10-12 minutes.
4. Rinse with water.

How Often You Should Do This

• Do this once every day.

2. Turmeric And Yogurt

Yogurt may not help kill the acne-causing bacteria, but it contains lactic acid. It may have a mild exfoliating effect on your skin, and along with turmeric, this might accelerate healing.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons yogurt (curd)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric

Procedure

1. Blend the turmeric well with the yogurt and apply the mixture to the affected area.
2. Rinse after 15 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

• Use this three to four times a week.

3. Aloe Vera And Turmeric

Aloe vera can help heal acne faster (8). This combination may foster healing and keep your skin healthy.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric

Procedure

1. Extract fresh aloe vera gel from the center of an aloe vera leaf.
2. Add the turmeric powder to this gel and mix well.
3. Apply the mixture to the acne-affected area and let it sit for 10 minutes.
4. Rinse it off using regular water.

How Often You Should Do This

• You can repeat this every day or every alternate day.

4. Turmeric And Baking Soda

It is not recommended to apply baking soda on your face or skin. Also, there is no research suggesting its efficacy for acne. However, it is a widely used remedy. Anecdotal evidence states that baking soda can dry out acne and help in healing it.

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• A pinch of baking soda
• Water (to make a paste)

Procedure

1. Mix baking soda, turmeric powder, and water to make a paste.
2. Use a Q-tip to apply the mixture on the acne (as a spot treatment).
3. Leave it to dry and then wash off.

How Often You Should Do This

• Do this not more than two times a week.

5. Lemon And Turmeric

Lemon is stated to have an astringent effect on the skin, which may help in drying the acne lesions. Since lemon juice can be harsh on the skin, avoid using it undiluted. It also makes the skin photosensitive, so make sure you apply sunscreen before you step out.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (dilute it with a tablespoon of water)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric

Procedure

1. Mix the ingredients and apply the mixture to the affected area.
2. Keep it on for 10-12 minutes and then wash it off.

How Often You Should Do This

• Do this once every day for the best results.

6. Besan And Turmeric

Besan or gram flour helps to cleanse and exfoliate the skin. It helps to reduce excess sebum and is considered a good option for healing acne and pimples (9).

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 2 teaspoons besan (gram flour)
• 2-3 teaspoons rose water or yogurt

Procedure

1. Mix the turmeric, gram flour, and rose water well until you get a thick paste.
2. Apply the paste on a clean face.
3. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and wash it off.

How Often You Should Do This

• Repeat this two times a week.

7. Sandalwood And Turmeric

A blend of sandalwood oil and salicylic acid was found to improve acne in mice studies (10). However, more research is needed to conclude the efficacy of sandalwood in healing acne.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons sandalwood powder or 2-3 drops of sandalwood oil
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• Rosewater

Procedure

1. Mix the sandalwood powder, turmeric, and rose water in a bowl.
2. Apply the paste on your pimples.
3. Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes and then wash it off using lukewarm water.

How Often You Should Do This

• Use this mask for acne and pimples two times a week.

8. Milk And Turmeric

Milk contains lactic acid that has a mild exfoliating effect. This mixture can keep your skin acne-free and make it soft.

Ingredients

• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Cotton ball

Procedure

1. Mix the turmeric in the milk and apply it to the affected area using the cotton ball.
2. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then rinse it off.

How Often You Should Do This

• Use this every alternate day.

9. Neem Leaves And Turmeric

Neem leaves have antibacterial effects against P. acnes and can help you manage acne (11).

Ingredients

• 10-12 neem leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric

Procedure

1. Boil the neem leaves and grind them.
2. Add the turmeric powder to this paste and mix well.
3. Apply the mixture to the acne and let the pack dry naturally for about 10 minutes.
4. Rinse with cool water.

How Often You Should Do This

• Do this two times a week.

10. Turmeric With Olive Oil

Olive oil may not have an anti-acne effect, but it can help in oil cleansing. It is also a good base for any face pack. Massaging olive oil mixed with turmeric may help cleanse your face thoroughly before you finally cleanse it with a mild face wash.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• A few drops of virgin olive oil

Procedure

1. Add the olive oil to the turmeric and mix lightly.
2. Apply the paste to the pimples.
3. Keep it on for 15 minutes before rinsing with water.
4. Follow it up with a mild cleanser.

How Often You Should Do This

• Repeat this once every day.

11. Turmeric And Cinnamon

Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties that help to manage acne. A study involving 20 patients with mild to moderate acne found that applying cinnamon gel helped improve acne lesions (12).

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon water or rosewater

Procedure

1. Mix both the powders with water or rose water.
2. Use a Q-tip to apply the mixture on the acne lesions.
3. Leave it to dry and then wash off.

How Often You Should Do This

• Use this once every day until your acne heals.

12. Turmeric And Apple Cider Vinegar

Though there are no studies evaluating the effect of ACV on acne, people use this popular home remedy because of its skin benefits. It is thought to change the pH of the skin, which may inhibit the growth of bacteria. It also has a toning effect on the skin.

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (diluted with a teaspoon of water)

Procedure

1. Mix a teaspoon of the diluted ACV with turmeric and make a paste. Adjust the quantity of the ACV as per the desired consistency of the mixture.
2. Use a Q-tip to apply the mixture on your acne lesions.
3. Leave it to dry and wash afterward.

How Often You Should Do This

• Use this once daily.

13. Multani Mitti And Turmeric

Multani mitti or Fuller’s earth helps to cleanse the skin thoroughly. It ensures that the skin pores are not clogged, thus reducing acne. However, clay masks usually make the skin dry. Make sure to follow it up with a moisturizer if you have dry skin.

Ingredients

• 1-2 tablespoons of Multani Mitti
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Water or rosewater (adjust the quantity as per your desired consistency)

Procedure

1. Mix all the ingredients and make a paste.
2. Spread it evenly on your entire face or just the affected area.
3. Let it dry and then wash off.
4. Follow up with a moisturizer.

How Often You Should Do This

• Use this face mask once a week if you have dry skin and twice a week if you have oily skin.

Oral Consumption

14. Turmeric Milk

This is the easiest way to consume turmeric and make use of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ingredients

• A glass of milk
• 1 teaspoon turmeric

Procedure

1. Add the turmeric to the milk and bring it to a boil.
2. Drink while it is still warm.

How Often You Should Do This

• Drink this every day before going to bed.

You can also add turmeric to your curries, rice, and stews. You may buy turmeric tea and drink it. You can also go for curcumin supplements. Although these supplements are considered safe, unregulated dosage of curcumin supplements may cause stomach upsets. Hence, consult a doctor before taking the supplements.

Though turmeric is touted as a skin savior due to its therapeutic effects and is also widely used in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine, it may cause some side effects.

Side Effects Of Using Turmeric For Acne

Turmeric may cause:

1. Allergic Reactions And Contact Dermatitis

Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties, but it is an allergen. It may cause hypersensitivity and allergic reactions (13). Before using turmeric, do a patch test to check if you are allergic to it. If you are taking supplements, get an allergy test done beforehand.

2. It Can Cause Skin Staining

Turmeric has a deep shade of yellow (close to orange), which is why it is also used as a natural dye for fabric. Using turmeric may leave a yellowish stain on your skin, nails, clothes, and utensils. However, it goes away after two or three washes.

Although turmeric has earned a good reputation for its healing effects and there are studies proving the efficacy of turmeric for acne, none of these studies are conclusive as most of them have been done on animals. More human studies are warranted to establish the efficacy of turmeric in treating acne and pimples.

Moreover, turmeric is an allergen. Hence, exercise caution. Talk to your doctor to understand if your skin can tolerate turmeric or the other ingredients in the face packs discussed above.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much turmeric to take daily for acne?

If you are taking supplements, consult a doctor for the right dosage.

How long will it take for turmeric to work for acne?

Any natural remedy takes at least a month to show results.

Is it safe to use turmeric on popped pimples?

You can use it if you are not allergic to it or if it doesn’t irritate the skin.

Are there any risks of an allergic reaction to curcumin?

Yes, it might cause contact dermatitis.

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Ramona Sinha

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze. Prior to that, she authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She... more

Dr. Hari Hara Sudhan

(MD)

Dr. Hari Hara Sudhan is a dermatologist in Coimbatore,Tamil Nadu. He has 14 years of experience in this field. He... more