Turmeric powder is a spice that has been used for thousands of years in originating in India, both for culinary purposes and as a medicinal herb. It is a powerful spice that contains the compound curcumin. This is what gives the spice its yellow colour and its great benefits. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and increases the antioxidant capacity of the body which protects from free-radical damage. There are numerous benefits of Turmeric which you can read up on, but today our focus is on what this powder can do for the skin. Mainly, its ability to help reduce acne and acne scars. It’s anti-inflammatory properties help to calm the skin and help improve the appearance of your pores.

My Skin

You all know my history with acne, my combination-oily skin has been having a field day. But truly, the past two months, my skin has been behaving very well. Ever since I started using BHA’s my skin has turned around. I have a full review on the skin care line I have been recently so make sure to check it out, you will not be disappointed.

Back to Turmeric.

If you’re going to be using the mask, there are a few things you want to consider:

First, make sure you are making small batches at a time. This will help maintain the integrity and freshness of the mask. Whats the point of making a large jar full of the mask if its going to go bad over the next few days. The mask should be stored in the fridge to preserve it and make sure not to get any water inside your container. Water creates a breeding ground for bacteria and mold - we don’t want that!

Next, you’ll want to think about what you want the mask to do. The powder itself does wonders for your skin but you’ll want to be taking full advantage of the other benefits you could be getting. You’ll want to start with a base, some sort of carrier to make your mask into a paste and make it easier to apply- this could be natural Aloe Vera, raw honey, or an oil of your choice. There are a plethora of different ingredients based on your skin type that you can add to maximize the effects.

See DIY Turmeric Mask for Brighter Skin!

As with all DIY skincare concoctions, I would definitely recommend getting an inexpensive pH level tester which you can find on Amazon. And begin with a patch test to ensure it is not too harsh for your skin.

When you are applying the mask, be sure to stay away from any hair on your face you want to keep. Like you eyebrows and your hairline. Turmeric has a natural ability to aid in hair removal, so its great for getting rid of minor facial hair and peach fuzz.

What I Did

Now that we have all of that out of the way, lets get into the mask

I used this mask every night for 10 days straight. After double cleansing to rid my skin of all impurities, makeup and dirt, I applied this mask to my face avoiding my eyebrows and hairline, left it on for 30 minutes before washing it off. I also made sure to exfoliate my skin using my Vanity Planet Ultimate Skin SPA System 3 times a week the week to remove the dead skin.

The products I used during this time were very minimal, including:

• Natural Neem soap (my friend brought from Jamaica)

• 30 Day Miracle Toner

• 100% Aloe Vera Gel mixed with 30 Day Miracle Oil

• Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Mask (night)

• DIY Vitamin E Oil (night)

• Murad Invisiblur 30 SPF (morning)

My Experience

The mask itself doesn’t have a strong odour, which is probably diffused because of the other ingredients. I did not find it irritating at all and I do have mildly sensitive skin. It was easy to wash off but as I’m sure you are already aware it does tend to stain. It is a powerful spice that can be used as a dye so it left my hands, skin and sink tinted yellow. I would definitely recommend washing it off in the shower because it can be messy. And if you do get the mask anywhere, make sure to clean it right away so its doesn’t stain your white sink or bath.. As I mentioned this did not irritate my skin at all. I also did not experience any skin purging which means it was not clogging my pores and my skin was already in good shape.

My skin was very smooth and hydrated and I feel as though this mask really helped to fade my most recent dark spots. I had a healed pimple on my cheek that looked as though it was beginning to leave a scar but two days after applying this mask, it faded almost completely. So this is really good for reversing new pimples. The darker spots I have on my face from my cystic acne have also faded very well. Most WOC tend to have this blue, or darker pigmented skin around the mouth, and I am no exception. The darkness around my mouth is where I’ve seen the biggest difference though. It has lightened very well. My skin completion overall is a lot more even especially with the fading of the harsh hyper-pigmentation. I did notice however a plateau in the improvement of my skin. Maybe it’s just my eyes playing tricks on me, but the last few days, I did not notice any other differences.

Overall, I really enjoyed this mask and would recommend trying it if you want to improved acne, as well as smooth and brightened skin.

See the full video!