How the Spice Rack May Hold the Key to Healthy Skin

Could that curry dish you love so much actually be good for your skin too? Well probably not, but one of the spices commonly found in curry is.

Turmeric, that golden, deep yellow spice, which doubles as wonderful shirt staining agent, is actually really good for our skin. How so? It’s a tremendously powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which means it fights damaging elements while supporting the skin’s natural healing abilities.

What It Is

Considered a staple in Indian cuisine, turmeric (scientifically referred to as tetrahydrodiferuloymethane…that’s a mouthful) is from a perennial shrub indigenous to southeastern Asia and western India. Its uses have ranged from a dye, to a spice, to treatment of inflammation, digestive disorders and various skin maladies.

It is often referred to as a wonder spice because of its high antioxidant content and ability to fight free radicals, which essentially cause cellular damage and eventually aging. Tumeric has also been noted for its potential to treat cancer thanks its bioactive antioxidant compound curcumin, which also gives it its color.

As it relates to our skin, it’s been used to treat everything from skin discoloration to acne and aging.

How It Works and Where to Find It

As I mentioned, turmeric has been used in the treatment of acne, and to protect the skin against damaging environmental elements (namely UV rays, chemicals, microbes), even out discolorations, treat eczema and psoriasis, and prevent dry skin and aging.

So where to find this wonder spice…naturally if you want to find in food sources, a trip down the spice aisle or to your favorite Indian food restaurant will do the trick. While ingesting it certainly has its benefits if you want to take a more direct approach to your skin there are a variety of products you can turn to.

Typically turmeric can be found in cleansers, skin-brightening formulas, and quality sun blocks. Just be prepared to look for it by its scientific name, tetrahydrodiferuloymethane. To make it a little easier on you, here’s a tip…we use it in our EnviroProtect.

For more info check out the EnviroProtect.