Turmeric Mask

Turmeric, the orange-coloured spice from Asia, is an ideal ingredient for making homemade face masks. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, healing, brightening and purifying, it reduces dark circles, fights blackheads and soothes skin problems such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. In this guide, we present all the benefits of Turmeric for your skin and recommend a few recipes for easy-to-use masks you can make at home.

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What is turmeric?

Turmeric is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Zingiberaceae family. Its scientific name is Curcuma longa. Native to South-East Asia, particularly India, it is grown in tropical regions. The plant measures between 1 and 1.5 metres in height and has broad, oblong leaves. The most commonly used part is the rhizome, a bright orange underground root which is dried and ground to produce turmeric powder.

Why use a Turmeric mask?

Turmeric has many properties that are ideal for gently caring for your skin. A powerful antioxidant and natural anti-inflammatory, it calms inflammation and combats premature ageing of skin cells and external aggressors. It brightens, cleanses, reduces blemishes, helps healing, purifies, unclogs pores, reduces dark circles, fights acne and helps restore elasticity and bounce to your skin. Above all, Turmeric is suitable for all skin types and their problems: dry, oily, young, mature, acne-prone, with eczema or psoriasis, irritated, combination, dull, etc. It ensures optimum skin health.

What are the benefits of a Turmeric mask?

Turmeric has a number of interesting properties for caring for your skin:

  • Antioxidant

Turmeric's powerful antioxidant properties give it a protective role against the free radicals responsible for premature ageing of skin cells and against the external aggressions of everyday life. Tobacco, UV rays, pollution, climate, irritating products, an unbalanced diet, etc. It is also an ideal anti-ageing ingredient thanks to the curcumin it contains, which slows the appearance of signs of skin ageing and wrinkles.

  • Anti-inflammatory, relieves eczema and psoriasis

Turmeric is an antibacterial but above all a powerful natural anti-inflammatory, thanks in particular to its high curcuminoid content. Applied as a mask, it can soothe and promote the healing of skin conditions such as irritation, itching, redness, acne, dryness, etc. It is refreshing, soothing and promotes healing. It is also a good natural remedy for eczema and psoriasis. A study published in 2016* highlighted curcumin's inhibitory action on phosphorylase kinase (Phk), a protein molecule associated with psoriasis.

  • Brightening, illuminating, anti-dark spot

When applied regularly as a mask, Turmeric brightens and evens out dull or tired complexions. The powerful curcumin pigments give your complexion an immediate burst of radiance after application. It decongests, soothes and calms the skin for a smooth, radiant complexion. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and brightening properties prevent hyperpigmentation spots on the skin, notably by regulating melanin production. Turmeric also reduces all marks on the skin, whether linked to age, sun exposure, hormonal changes or scars.

  • Reduces dark circles

Turmeric is renowned for its natural action against dark circles. Applied as a mask under the eyes, it reduces the intensity of dark circles, decongests puffiness, brightens and smoothes the skin. It also stimulates blood micro-circulation, especially if you gently massage your fingertips under your eyes in circular motions. Of course, be careful not to get any in your eyes, and always check your skin's tolerance before applying, by doing a test in the crease of your elbow to make sure there are no allergic reactions. Thanks to turmeric masks, say goodbye to tired eyes.

  • Healing

Turmeric's healing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties enable it to speed up the healing of minor skin conditions such as irritations, small superficial wounds, eczema, acne, psoriasis, etc.

  • Fights blackheads, cleanses impurities

Thanks to its antibacterial, purifying and anti-inflammatory benefits, Turmeric helps regulate sebum production, eliminates impurities from the skin, deeply cleanses pores and fights the proliferation of bacteria. It gently eliminates blackheads (or open comedones). Used as a cleansing mask, it helps to gently unclog pores, preserving the skin's hydrolipidic film.

  • Treats acne

The antiseptic, purifying, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and healing properties of curcuminoids contained in Turmeric give it the power to effectively combat acne and other types of pimples. It regulates the production of sebum, limits the proliferation of acne-causing bacteria, calms inflammation when a pimple is already present, relieves swelling and accelerates healing. It is effective on inflammatory acne as well as cystic or retentional acne. Used regularly, it also prevents the scarring that acne can leave on the skin.

Focus on our Aroma-Zone Turmeric Powder

How do I apply the Turmeric Mask to my face?

Before applying your Turmeric mask, we recommend that you cleanse your face thoroughly, removing make-up if necessary and rinsing with warm water so that your pores are dilated and ready to receive the treatment. Apply your mask evenly over your face, taking care to avoid the eye area. If you have dark circles or puffiness under the eyes, you can apply the mask gently to benefit from Turmeric's boosting and brightening properties. But be careful not to get any in your eyes. Leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with clean water.

You can apply a mask as often as your skin needs it. We recommend applying it once a week.

Given the strong colouring of Turmeric pigments, it is possible that your skin or fingers may retain a few yellow spots. If this happens, don't panic, just wash your face and hands thoroughly with mild soap and lukewarm water, then rinse. When applying the product, you can use a brush to avoid any risk of streaks on your fingers. As a precaution, remember to put on an apron or an old T-shirt before applying your mask to avoid staining your clothes!

Finally, always carry out a test in the crease of the elbow to check that no unpleasant reactions occur.

Our 5 Turmeric masks

To make your own homemade Turmeric masks, you can use our Aroma-Zone ORGANIC Turmeric powder and add other ingredients with beneficial properties for your skin. Here are a few recipes:

Hydrating healthy glow mask

Face care

1

Mix all the ingredients evenly before gently applying the mask evenly over your face.

2

Leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing gently with warm water.

You can use this mask once a week to moisturise, soften and soothe minor inflammations and help heal acne and eczema.

Mask for blackheads

Face care

1

Mix the two ingredients together and apply the mask to your face. You can also add a spoonful of honey to soften and heal.

2

Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse off with clean water.

Your skin will be soft, luminous, hydrated and purified.

Plumping mask

Face care

1

Mix the coconut milk and turmeric powders, adding enough warm water to make a paste, then add the honey and stir.

2

Apply the mask to your face and neck. Gently massage in circular motions to activate blood microcirculation.

3

Leave on for around ten minutes, then rinse off with clean water.

Your complexion will be luminous and your skin is hydrated, plumped and smoothed.

Revitalising mask

Face care

Special dark circles mask

Face care

1

Mix the two ingredients and apply the mixture to your dark circles using a small brush.

2

Leave on for around ten minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Your dark circles will be less noticeable, brighter and your eyes will be less puffy.

Find out more

How do I make a Turmeric face mask?

In a bowl, mix 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder and 1 teaspoon ORGANIC honey. Gradually add half a pot of plain yoghurt, preferably ORGANIC, and mix well. You can also add Aloe vera gel and replace the yoghurt with milk or plant milk (coconut milk, for example). Powdered Turmeric can also be replaced by finely grated fresh Turmeric.


How many times a week should I use a Turmeric mask?

We recommend applying it once a week. Using a mask too regularly can damage and irritate the very sensitive skin on your face.

Focus on our Naturopathic editor, Stéphanie Catrysse

Stéphanie Catrysse is a naturopath (certified by the FENA), a wellness massage and lymphatic drainage practitioner, and a personal development consultant. 

Passionate about alternative medicine, she practices a holistic approach to health.