Why turmeric keeps you beautiful inside and out

No longer reserved for your kitchen shelves, turmeric is fast becoming a power ingredient in the beauty industry, too. Closer speaks to experts Ksenia Selivanova and Megan Felton to find out why it’s worth investing in

Hailed for its skin and hair benefits, the active ingredient in turmeric – curcumin – has been making waves in the beauty world, with celebs including Priyanka Chopra, Thandie Newton and Daisy Ridley among the A-list stars singing its praises. With powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, the distinctive orange Indian spice is said to banish blemishes, soothe irritation and boost radiance, but is it really worth the hype? Ksenia Selivanova and Megan Felton, co-founders of skincare consultancy Lion/ne, give us the low-down…

WHAT IT DOES

Ksenia says, “Curcumin [turmeric] is a fairly new concept within the beauty industry, but it has already been proven to help a range of different skin conditions, thanks to its antimicrobial properties. As well as contributing towards the healing process of skin traumas like burns and scars, it is also a hero ingredient for those looking to calm inflammation caused by conditions such as acne and psoriasis. It targets and lowers the levels of discoloured cells, leading to brighter, more even skin and less obvious blemishes.”

Megan adds, “I’d recommend using turmeric as an add-on within your beauty routine. For example, try using a turmeric-infused mask once a week to improve the appearance of lacklustre skin. However, don’t expect overnight results – when incorporating a new product into your regime, you’ll have to wait around one month to see a real difference.”

HOW TO GET THE BEST RESULTS

Megan says, “It’s important to remember that other skincare ingredients, such as vitamin C, can work just as well when it comes to treating problem areas. I’d suggest using products that contain a mixture of other ingredients, as well as turmeric, for even more noticeable results.”