Keeping skin healthy is an important part of an overall healthy lifestyle. While there are several articles that speak to the topical benefits of turmeric-based beauty products, we wanted to discuss how taking turmeric as a supplement can be beneficial. With all its healthy and healing benefits, it’s no surprise how turmeric may help you achieve healthier skin.

Antioxidants and your skin

Antioxidants protect skin by limiting the production of free radicals, which can damage skin cells. Antioxidants can do a lot for the health and appearance of your skin, including reducing the signs of aging. How does this work? Oxidation occurs throughout nature. In the case of our skin, it is largely caused by the creation of free radicals at the cellular level when skin is exposed to ultraviolet light. Antioxidants are advertised to reduce oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals, unstable atoms that have an unpaired electron in their outermost shell. The antioxidants act to bind with the unstable electron and stop it from attacking collagen strands and other cells of the skin’s architecture. Turmeric is a great antioxidant. What gives turmeric its antioxidant nature is curcumin. Studies have shown that curcuminoids are very effective in scavenging free radicals and neutralize them. Turmeric can assist our body neutralize free radicals.

Inflammation and your skin

When the inflammation is in the skin, it can affect not only your health, but also your looks. Inflammation can take a toll on the skin in a variety of ways, including acne breakouts, rosacea and visible signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging skin. That can accelerate the aging process. Collagen is what keeps skin full, smooth and elastic—as it breaks down, skin starts to sag, wrinkle and generally look less vibrant. While there have been plenty of studies on the wound healing effects of turmeric on animals, a new clinical trial has revealed that turmeric does indeed speed up the healing process in human subjects as well. Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric and has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Turmeric contains more than two dozen anti-inflammatory compounds, including six different COX-2-inhibitors (the COX-2 enzyme promotes pain, swelling and inflammation; inhibitors selectively block that enzyme). By itself, curcumin, the component in turmeric most often cited for its healthful effects, is a multifaceted anti-inflammatory agent.

How turmeric helps with acne

Reducing inflammation is a big deal for people who suffer with acne. Curcumin may also have indirect benefits to acne by reducing known causes of acne, namely insulin and inflammation.  Insulin is one of the cornerstone hormones in acne formation and anything that reduces insulin is likely to be helpful for significant portion of adult acne sufferers. Inflammation is the reason your acne gets big, red, and sticks around forever. Control the inflammation, and you’ll likely control those unfortunately symptoms.

The bottom line on turmeric and your skin

Turmeric is a proven anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Numerous articles speak to reducing inflammation for better skin, and the benefit of antioxidants for achieving a healthier complexion. While topical turmeric products may provide benefit, an organic turmeric tincture just might be your best line of defense against aging while providing your skin the protection it needs. There are several ways in which turmeric may help you achieve healthier skin. Isn’t it time you tried turmeric for yourself to see how healthy your skin may become?