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Whether you suffer from skin concerns such as acne or discolorationor just love to pamper yourself, skincare can be costly. There are endless products that serve their individual purpose, but sometimes you need an easy to make pick-me-up, and that may just mean looking in your refrigerator and pantry.
Here ayou will find some easy and effective turmeric face mask combinations and their benefits.
History of Turmeric Masks
Turmeric is known as the golden yellow spice and is most commonly used in Asian curries and produced from a ginger-like rhizome of Curcuma longa, a tropical herb found in India.
For centuries, Indian brides have been using turmeric on their special day. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make for a perfect cosmetic tradition during a Hindu wedding ceremony. Haldi, or Turmeric in Hindi, is an important event that occurs a couple of days before a wedding ceremony. The paste is applied from the toes up, allowing the yellow goodness to provide a clean and brighten appearance of the skin throughout the wedding.
Turmeric’s yellow or orange pigment is due to the component called curcumin. Curcumin, a phytonutrient, contains anti-inflammatory abilities that have been shown to be comparable to many drugs that aim to provide this property.
Benefits of Turmeric Mask:
1. Purifies the skin. Through its antibacterial and antisept properties, the herbal ingredient can help to calm current acne breakouts and prevent the formation of new acne.
2. It is great at reducing the appearance of scars and hyperpigmentation with regular and proper use
3. It brightens the skin for a naturally glowing appearance
Turmeric is high in antioxidants that slow down cell damage.
It’s widely used as a skin exfoliant and improves skin’s texture.
It helps with inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne, dry skin, psoriasis and eczema.
It helps reduce pigmentation and even out the skin tone.
It is also said to diminish wrinkles.
How to Make a Traditioanl Turmeric (Haldi) Mask
-½ tbs of organic turmeric
-1 tbs of chickpea flour½ tsp of sandalwood (with its anti-acne properties, it works great with turmeric)
rose water or milk (if you have a sensitive skin, use milk instead of water)
To form a paste, first mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. The consistency should not be too thick but also not too watery.
Adding more chickpea flour will make the mixture thicker if needed.
Apply the mask on your face and neck and leave it on for 20 – 30 minutes, then wash it off with warm water.
This mask can be added to your regular skin care regimen.
Staining:
As some of us may know turmeric has staining properties which are great when it comes to implementing a beautiful glow on the skin, but not so great when it comes to personal items. Here are some tips to keep in mind while applying the mask:
Tips when using turmeric:
1. use a toner or micellar water to take off the left over recidue from turmeric
2. use a brush to apply the mask to prevent your fingertips from turning yellowafter washing off the mask apply a little bit of rose water or any face tonera Haldi mask is best applied in the evening, so that by the following morning any yellow stains will have vanished
3. the brightening effect that we are going for when it comes to the targeted skin areas, the the same brightening/lightening can occur on the hair as well. Additionally, turmeric can slightly brighten hair, therefore, when applying it on your beards and ladies, avoid your eyebrows.
4. make sure to not wear clothes that you are concerned about staining
5. It is also useful to incorprate turmeric in your diet such as by capsule,e or in your tea
Ingredients and their benefits
Lemon consists of citric acid that can help neutralise and control the natural secretion of oil to the skin.
Yogurt
Yogurt consists of lactic acid, vitamin B complex, zinc that acts as a natural cleanser and is able to lighten age and dark spots. This can help remove the oil and dead skin cells which are the major cause of formation of acne.
Honey is a natural humectant, meaning that it draws moisture from the air, and brings it into the skin for deep hydration. Humectants are substances that help in preserving the natural moisture levels of your skin. Honey is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine for treating these skin issues, along with other issues like burns, cuts and wounds, and inflammation
Mixture for normal/combination skin
1. Mix flour, turmeric, honey and milk to make a paste
· 2 tablespoons of flour. You can use regular flour, rice flour or ground oats if your skin is dry.
· 1 teaspoon turmeric
· 3 tablespoons of yogurt
· A few drops of honey
Mixture best for dry, sensitive, acne -prone skin
· 1 tablespoon lemon juice
· 3 tablespoons milk
· ¼ tablespoon turmeric
Mixture for oily skin
Turmric with: milk,yogurt, and/ or honey
· In a small bowl and mix 1 spoon of yoghurt and 1/2 tablespoon honey add 2-3 pinches of pure turmeric powder.
· Make a smooth paste by mixing this with a spoon.
· Apply this all over the face and then wait for 30 minutes.
· Wash off using lukewarm water and pat dry the face
· Try this 3-4 times in a week or daily if possible.
If you are looking for additional skin lightening results, add ½ teaspoon of lemon juice
Mix ingredients in a bowl slowly. Apply mixture to face and leave on for 10-20 minutes before rinsing off.
Wash the mask off with luke-warm water
Apply your favorite moisturizer.
*Ingredient explanation:
(The combination of turmeric and lemon provide skin brightening and lightening benefits . The component of milk adds B-vitamins, alpha hydroxy acids, calcium and other potent antioxidants).
Drying out acne prone skin and stripping the skin of it natural oil can lead to more acne breakouts, as the skin attempt to replemish the oils that are lost, and pores then becomes clogged with the overproduction of oil from the sebaceous glands of the skin. Therefore, using hydrating ingredients such as honey or milk inplace of yogurt would be most ideal for acne-prone/sensisitve skin.
If you find that the turmeric or mask is too drying to use on your entire face, use your mask only on the infected areas before bedtime or use your mask only twice a week.
Consistency Is Key
With regular use of a turmeric mask, discolaraton and acne scars will begin to noticeably fade throughout its usage. Whether treating discoloaration is your goal or just obtaining a natural smooth and glowing appearance, add this mask to your weekly skin care routine.
The great thing about making oyur own mask is that you canput your own spin on it. Since turmeric is the main and important component of this mask, adding specific other ingredients such as honey and/or milk can be either added in combination or alone for the added benefits and desired constancy.
Final Thoughts
The great thing about these homemade masks is that you probably have most of the ingredients right on hand and if this is not the case, then purchasing them will ensure that you will have all that you need to continuously make fresh batches for each use. It is also refreshing and reassuring that you will know where the skincare efforts are simple, free from unknown chemicals and effective.
Disclamier:
Although these masks can be made with all natural ingredients, it is important to note that some may still experience an allergic reaction from the exposure of turmeric on the skin. It is recommended that with any new skin product that you want o add to your regiment, that it is skin-tested on a small area of skin.
Have you used a turmeric mask before? Is your recipe different than the mixtures we suggested? Let us know in the comments below!
What are some of your favorite homemade DIY facial masks that you use?
When your kitchen has ingredients that serve more than one purpose
Turmeric face masks are popular for their potential skin benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Here's a simple recipe for making a basic turmeric face mask at home. Please keep in mind that turmeric can temporarily stain the skin, so you may want to test a small area of your skin first to ensure you don't have any adverse reactions or staining.
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder (you can use less if you have sensitive skin)
1 tablespoon of plain yogurt or Greek yogurt (for its soothing and probiotic properties)
1 teaspoon of honey (for its antibacterial and moisturizing properties)
A few drops of lemon juice (optional, for brightening and exfoliating)
Instructions:
Wash Your Face: Start with clean hands and a clean face. Gently wash your face to remove any makeup, dirt, or oils.
Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix the turmeric powder, yogurt, honey, and lemon juice (if using) to form a smooth paste. Adjust the amount of yogurt to achieve your desired consistency.
Apply the Mask: Using clean fingers or a brush, apply the turmeric mask evenly to your face, avoiding the eye area and any open cuts or wounds. Be careful, as turmeric can temporarily stain fabric and your skin may appear yellow for a short time.
Relax: Let the mask sit on your face for about 10-15 minutes. During this time, you may feel a slight tingling sensation, which is normal.
Rinse Off: After the designated time has passed, rinse off the mask with warm water. You may want to use a gentle cleanser to remove any yellow residue. Be patient when rinsing; it may take a little extra time to ensure you remove all traces of turmeric.
Moisturize: Pat your face dry with a clean towel and follow up with your regular moisturizer. This helps lock in moisture and keeps your skin hydrated.
Note: Because turmeric can stain, you may want to apply the mask before taking a shower. This way, any staining on your skin can be washed away in the shower.
Important Tips:
Do a patch test: Before applying the mask to your entire face, do a patch test on a small area of your skin to ensure you don't have an adverse reaction.
Be cautious with lemon juice: If you have sensitive skin, you may want to skip the lemon juice or use it sparingly, as it can be irritating to some.
Avoid sunlight: Turmeric can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Be sure to apply sunscreen if you plan to be outside after using the mask.
Use the mask in moderation: Don't use the turmeric face mask too frequently. Once a week is typically sufficient.
If you experience any skin irritation or allergic reactions, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist.
Remember that the effects of a turmeric face mask can vary from person to person, and it may not be suitable for everyone. If you have specific skin concerns or conditions, it's a good idea to consult with a dermatologist before using homemade masks or natural remedies on your skin.
Resources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27213821
When natural DIYs save your skin and your pennies