Turmeric – a traditional skin remedy to lighten skin and pigmentation

What it does: Turmeric have been found to cut the skin’s melanin production. It also helps suntanned skin return to its normal shade faster.

How to do it:

1) 15-minute mask (with lemon juice). Mix turmeric powder (you can find this easily in most supermarkets. It is used mainly for Indian cooking so look for stores in areas that cater to this market.) with cucumber juice or lemon juice to make a paste. Apply to the affected area. Leave on for fifteen minutes. Rinse off. With daily use, skin pigmentation will even out.

2) Mask or cream (with natural oils). For more penetrating and longer-lasting treatment, mix turmeric with some natural oil to form a paste and apply as a mask. You can leave the mask on for as long as you are comfortable as unlike lemon juice, it will not sting. Some good natural oils you can try are  extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil and castor oil (castor oil is probably the best as it can penetrate more deeply into the skin). Depending on your preferences, you can either make a thick paste (more turmeric, less oil) or a very thin, diluted mixture (less turmeric, more oil).

3) For overnight use, turmeric-infused oil is probably the best. This is very easy to make. Just mix some tumeric powder with the natural oil of your choice in a small bottle. The oil will immediately turn orange/deep yellow. Use a very small amount of this turmeric-infused oil and rub it into your skin or face before bed. [note: this WILL stain your pillowcase and bed linen, so line them with towels first, or better still, use old linens that you don't mind getting stained.]

Using natural methods require patience. Give these methods consistent use for at least 1-2 months before deciding if there is any improvement or not. Keep in mind that the skin only renews itself every 30 days or so.

Tip on skin stains: When turmeric is mixed with oils like in methods 2) & 3) above, the yellow stains left on the skin become much easier to wash off with soap and water afterwards. You will have to lather up a few times and be more thorough, but the yellow stains will come off with washing.

Why it helps: Turmeric has powerful antioxidant properties, protects against environmental toxins, and has antibacterial properties.