TURMERIC - for HEALTHY SKIN

A healthy and vibrant skin is always the dream of everyone. Even men deep down wish to have a glowing skin.
Turmeric is probably the most important spice in Indian dishes. Turmeric is a vivid, fragrant, and bitter spice. It has been used in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine for purposes as diverse as treating cancer to repelling mosquitoes.
 People have attributed turmeric with seemingly miraculous healing properties for nearly 4,000 years. The bright yellow powder derived from the root of the turmeric plant is also known as Golden Goddess and Indian Saffron.
Amongst so many useful benefits/impacts of Turmeric, this arguably the most powerful spice is known for brightening our skin. Turmeric possibly is the most powerful herb on the planet. In fact, it is one of the most studied herbs in science.
It is reported that One ounce of turmeric gives us 26% of our daily requirement of manganese and 16% of our daily requirement of iron. The herb is also a wonderful source of fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, magnesium, and vitamin C.
Turmeric gets its health benefits primarily because of curcumin, a bioactive component. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

FAST FACTS on Turmeric and Skin Care:

~      Although the turmeric plant thrives in many tropical locations, most of it is grown and consumed in India.
~      The active curcumin component that gives turmeric its color may have therapeutic benefits for the skin.
~      The turmeric plant, which is related to the ginger plant, grows up to 1 meter high and has yellow trumpet-shaped flowers.

The POTENTIAL BENEFITS of Turmeric For the Skin

 --   Contains Properties That Contribute to a Natural Glow
Turmeric contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components. These characteristics may provide glow and luster to the skin. Turmeric may also revive our skin by bringing out its natural glow.
 --   Helps With Acne Scarring
Turmeric is excellent for acne because it is a natural antiseptic and helps to keep bacteria from spreading.
 --   Reduces Dark Circles
If we’re prone to pesky, tired-looking bags under our eyes, we know how tricky it can be to find relief. While there are plenty of products on the market claiming to reduce the appearance of dark circles, turmeric may be able to handle the task.
“Since turmeric is a proven anti-inflammatory and lightening agent, it’s perfect for alleviating this kind of concern,” says Courtney Chiusano, founder of Courtney Chiusano Skincare in Los Angeles, California. “It also stimulates circulation, which can help reduce puffiness and under-eye darkness caused by poor circulation.”
 --  Protects Against Sun Damage & Aging
UV rays are our skin’s worst enemy — they cause sunburns, skin cancer, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles. But turmeric may help us turn back the clock, in a manner of speaking. Research presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) 68th Annual Meeting shows that a moisturizing cream containing turmeric had the ability to improve the appearance of fine lines and brown spots caused by sun damage. “It also helps prevent loss of skin elasticity due to long term UVB exposure,” adds Chiusano. She recommends applying turmeric topically or ingesting it internally to reap these benefits.
A recent study found that turmeric’s antioxidant compounds significantly improved sun damage in rat skin, a possible early indication for the potential to slow the effects of aging in humans. Antioxidants prevent free radicals like pollution and UV rays from affecting your skin’s elasticity — the quality that keeps our skin feeling soft and supple. Most importantly, turmeric blocks the enzyme elastase, which attacks our skin’s ability to produce elastin — a substance which gives our skin structure.
 --  Reduces Appearance of Stretch Marks
Though they’re incredibly common – around 80 percent of people have them – stretch marks are a friend to no one. These pesky little lines are hard to heal, but turmeric can help lighten their appearance. “Turmeric has the antioxidative power to penetrate and improve the function of the skin membrane cells, which will help prevent and treat stretch marks,” explains Tshibemba.
 --   Heal Wounds
When we get injured, our body’s natural response is to send white blood cells and healing enzymes to the wound to stave off infection — this is what causes inflammation. While that sounds like a good thing, it also causes the not-so-beneficial effects of heat, redness, and pain. Turmeric counteracts this response, fighting inflammation and oxidation to calm the swelling and make those wounds a little less angry. The curcumin found in turmeric can help wounds heal by decreasing inflammation and oxidation. It also lowers the response of our body to cutaneous wounds. This results in our wounds healing more quickly.
Studies have found that turmeric can positively affect tissue and collagen as well. The journal Life Sciences recommends applying curcumin as an optimized formula to best work on skin wounds.
 --   Helps Our Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin and joint disease that has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities of turmeric may help our psoriasis by controlling flares and other symptoms. The National Psoriasis Foundation states that we can use it as a supplement or by adding it to food. Before we try it, the foundation recommends discussing proper dosage with a professional. Studies have shown that both topical and oral curcumin can improve symptoms of plaque psoriasis in 9–12 weeks.
 --  Soothe Dry Skin
“Turmeric can deeply hydrate and revitalize skin while alleviating symptoms of dryness,” says Punnapuzha. “It naturally speeds up the process of removing dead skin cells to reveal healthy and soft skin, and protects the skin cells from further damage.” She recommends using Pratima’s Revitalizing Turmeric Creamto give dry skin a boost.
 --   Treats Skin Cancer
Melanoma may benefit from curcumin treatment. Curcumin is thought to clean-up dysfunctional cellular components. It may also inhibit the growth of melanoma cells and tumor progression.