Thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal herb and spice. In recent times, the ingredient has taken on a trendy reputation among wellness devotees, joining coconut oil, avocado and watermelon as a go-to healthy ingredient. Lately, we’ve seen a surge of interest in turmeric skin care, including everything from Pinterest DIYs to ready-made options.
If you’re already familiar with the many benefits of turmeric, perhaps you’ve grabbed a jar of the spice to make a DIY mask or exfoliant. It probably did a decent job at buffing away skin, but it likely also left you with skin stained orange from the color of the spice. Looking like you had a fake tan gone wrong when you didn’t even use self-tanner can put anyone off the ingredient for good — but don’t write it off just yet. Beauty brands have worked hard developing formulas that deliver the traditional benefits of turmeric without the orange cast.
Considered a super spice, turmeric contains a range of beneficial compounds called curcuminoids, the most important one being curcumin, says Zoe Kelly (née Roebuck), founder and chief product officer at Dr Roebuck’s. In fact, a lot of product labels list turmeric as “curcuma longa root extract.” Curcuminoids can help exfoliate skin, slow cell damage, improve skin texture and bring out an overall natural glow.
Save the DIYs for another time and try one of these turmeric skin care products that boost radiance without leaving behind a telltale orange tint.
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13 Beauty Products With Turmeric That Won't Stain Skin
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Volition
Turmeric Brightening Polish for Face and Body, $38 at Volition
Slather this scrub on from head to toe for smoother, brighter — but not orange — skin. The vegan, cruelty-free product does have a golden color, but has been formulated with haldi root to prevent staining. Olive oil provides mega hydration, while sandalwood tones.
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Kiehl's
Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask, $39 at Kiehl's
Skin looking a little dull? Don't automatically reach for highlighter. Bring out the radiance from within by using this mask. The fast-acting formula only needs to be applied for 5 to 10 minutes before bed. Cranberry seeds exfoliate dry patches, while turmeric helps enliven lackluster skin. The ingredients also make the mask smell amazing.
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Clarins
Double Serum, $122 at Ulta Beauty
Don't be immediately put off by the price as this is actually two serums in one. It's also dubbed the brand's "most powerful age control concentrate ever" boasting over 20 anti-aging plant extracts that are water and oil soluble. One of the hero ingredients is turmeric that helps soothe and boost radiance. To use the serum, turn the dial to the appropriate dosage for skin's needs, then press the pump. The bottle does all of the mixing so all you need to do is tap the product on.
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First Aid Beauty
Hello FAB Ginger & Turmeric Vitamin C Jelly Mask, $32 at Sephora
We are so ready for this jelly mask. It has an addictive refreshing formula that contains skin care superfoods like turmeric and ginger plus vitamin C to nourish, brighten and soothe stressed skin. What it doesn't have are nuts, gluten, soy, nano and parthenolide.
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Tula
Purifying Face Cleanser, $28 at Nordstrom
The blue package may throw off some, but there's antioxidant-rich turmeric in the cleanser along with omegas 3 and 6 and blueberry extract, hence the color. Another surprise is that the cleanser comes out of the package clear before frothing up to remove dirt and oil. That means we don't have to worry about it tinting skin.
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Whamisa by Glow Studio
Chai Tea Eye Cream, $26 at Glow Recipe
Turmeric isn't usually something we expect to find in our chai teas, but it's in this eye cream along with flavonoid-rich rooibos tea extract, oolong tea extract and honey. The nourishing cream tackles all delicate eye care needs, including brightening, hydrating and minimizing the appearance of wrinkles. The product is also noteworthy as it's the first collaboration between natural K-beauty site Glow Recipe and Whamisa.
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Lush
Brazened Honey Fresh Face Mask, $9.95 at Lush
This face mask is so fresh that it's only available in Lush shops. It's worth tracking down because it's packed full of as much nourishing goodness as a just-mixed DIY version. But the pros have formulated it so there's no orange tint. It's a great option for those with congested skin as it's jam-packed full of spices and herbs used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Besides turmeric, there's ginger, cardamom and fennel. Lime oil, honey and ground almonds help exfoliate, detoxify pores and add to the mask's intoxicating scent.
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Sol de Janeiro
Brazilian Bod Buff Smoothing Scrub ‘N’ Mask, $25 at Sephora
There are masks that target every skin care concern and every body part. This unique formula is a body mask and scrub in one. To exfoliate dead skin, apply it in circular motions to wet skin. For a masking treatment, apply it to dry skin for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing off in the shower. Don't let the formula's bright yellow color intimidate you. It rinses off clean. The only things it leaves behind are silky, soft skin and the brand's signature Cheirosa ’62 fragrance with pistachio and salted caramel.
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Verso
Antioxidant Turmeric Booster, $95 at Space.NK
Don't overlook skin care boosters as they can supercharge an entire skin care routine. This lightweight serum combines turmeric, microalgae and vitamin E to fight free radicals, plus hydrate and protect skin against UV radiation. Dry, red and uneven skin can become more refined, moisturized and clearer just by using a few drops day and night.
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Dr Roebuck's
Tama Healing Mask, $28 at Sephora
K-beauty and J-beauty may be the most buzzed about products of the moment, but Australia has some great natural beauty offerings. Take this mask that revitalizes tired, stressed and dull skin using clean ingredients. It has a natural color that looks like Tamarama Beach courtesy of nourishing ingredients, including avocado oil, sustainably-sourced manuka honey and turmeric. Use the mask a couple of times a week to purify skin and increase dewiness.
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Pacifica
Energized Glow Turmeric Spice Facial Mask, $4 at Ulta Beauty
Get your glow on with this turmeric-rich mask. If you think the package is dazzling, just wait until the sheet mask is applied to skin. The energizing formula takes skin from dull to bright in a single treatment. It's loaded with watermelon, green tea, hyaluronic acid and pomegranate extract and smells like a delectable combination of lemongrass and watermelon.
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Arbonne
Rescue & Renew Detox Soak, $38 at Arbonne
There's so much more to turmeric than masks. Pour some of these quick-dissolving sea salt crystals into a bath and they will help cleanse and soothe tired, aching limbs. Turmeric root extract and ginger root extract help boost radiance. For the full turmeric works, use a turmeric mask as you relax in the bath soak.
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Natura Bissé
C+C Vitamin Cream SPF 10, $125 at Space.NK
No, this isn't a CC cream. It's a C+C serum cream that contains vitamins C and D and turmeric oil. Use it day and night to fade the appearance of sunspots and fight the signs of aging. Worried about skin staining? It's a snowy white cream so there's no fear of it turning skin orange. The only thing it leaves behind is a subtle citrus scent.
