is usually Topical Turmeric Powder Or Paste An Unstoppable Acne Clearer?
the idea’s often believed by acne-clearing enthusiasts in which any food or herb in which’s packed with nutritious antioxidants as well as phytonutrients when eaten will automatically be just as strong when applied topically to the skin.
However, in many cases in which belief is usually a fatal mistake. Olive oil is usually the classic example. Adding olive oil to salad can prevent your arteries by clogging up, provide you with vitamin E, as well as lower inflammation due to the compound oleocanthal. Eating olive oil is usually a fantastic strategy for acne.
Topically, however, olive oil can disrupt your skin’s barrier function, increase your sensitivity to UV rays, as well as increase inflammation. the idea’s mainly down to one complex fatty acid having a double life, oleic acid, 70% of olive oil. With grapeseed oil the opposite is usually true; the linoleic acid (69%) can have all sorts of benefits topically (not common knowledge, get in on the secret here), however linoleic acid by vegetable oils is usually one of the main dietary acne villains inside the Western hemisphere.
Then there’s the fruits as well as vegetables which are all-round great. Pomegranate has an ORAC score of 10500 since the idea’s full of rare antioxidants like punicalagin. There’s nothing in which backfires when you place those antioxidants on the skin as well as leave them to absorb instead. This specific study found in which pomegranate extract had potent antibacterial properties against p.acnes bacteria.
in which said, the rule is usually, don’t blindly assume in which any nutritious food will automatically clear acne topically, the idea could be your downfall…
…which brings us to turmeric. Turmeric, the gold-coloured powder made by the rhizome of the turmeric root as well as favoured in India, is usually great at reducing inflammation due to the compound curcumin, which is usually today a booming supplement.
However the idea’s usage as a topical treatment is usually far more controversial, with some experiencing miracles as well as some people’s skin lying in ruins. There’s also people who dismiss turmeric outright for the sole reason in which the idea’s Ayurvedic voodoo medicine.
Hence, we have This specific article, which will clear up the confusion once as well as for all.
Does topical turmeric end oily skin?
The first piece of evidence to put the doubters to bed is usually This specific study which analysed turmeric’s effects on acne directly. This specific study has only emerged over the last few years, in 2013, while turmeric has been common outside of Asia for roughly ten years.
The goal – to evaluate the effect of a turmeric-containing cream on sebum secretion in human volunteers.
The methods – the scientists prepared two creams. One containing 5% extract by the rhizome of the turmeric plant, or in various other words, plenty of turmeric power. Then another which in their words was extremely similar to the turmeric cream, except for the fact in which the idea contained no turmeric (so in various other words, not similar at all). This specific served as a control.
The antioxidant activity of the extract was assessed as well as both formulations were tested on 13 human volunteers for 3 months. Their sebum levels were evaluated every two weeks of the experiment, as well as also prior to the experiment.
The results – the results were shocking. Due to the oily nature of the cream, according to the scientists, a minor increase in sebum production was observed after week six inside the control group, culminating in a maximum increase of 6.2% at the study’s end. The turmeric group meanwhile, enjoyed a significant decrease in sebum by the fourth week onwards, as well as This specific culminated in a huge decrease of 24.76%.
The conclusion said the idea all: “extract obtained by the rhizomes of turmeric plant can be used in skin preparations to regulate excessive sebum secretion in persons suffering by acne”.
The scientists seemed unsure about the exact causes as well as didn’t offer much inside the way of juicy details inside the discussion section. However they did mention in which two natural plant compounds, beta-sitosterol as well as stigmasterol, have anti-androgenic effects in humans. Androgens such as DHT are some of the main stimulators of sebum production, as well as turmeric is usually rich in both the aforementioned compounds.
Also there’s a piece of truly great news in there – there was no colour change whatsoever. There was no yellow skin, so turmeric isn’t guaranteed to make you look like Homer Simpson. This specific is usually only one study, however the idea’s on humans, as well as lasted for a lengthy period of time.
What’s interesting is usually in which the famous benefits of turmeric when consumed are not related to oily skin. Most of turmeric powder’s medicinal benefits are attributed to the curcumin, which is usually anti-inflammatory, as well as the numerous minor compounds which have strong antioxidant properties.
Turmeric one – doubters nil.
The nutritional goodness works well on the face
Next we contain the nutrition as well as well-established benefits which do happen when eaten.
First is usually the bountiful supply of antioxidants. To summarise, turmeric powder has one of the highest antioxidant counts of any food in existence, thrashing fruits like pomegranate or berries, having a score of 127,068.
Curcumin is usually one of the biggest antioxidant beasts although the idea creates its effects in large part by increasing glutathione by 16-80%, as well as glutathione increases inside the Centeng. however there’s also tumerone, ar-tumerone, as well as tons of various other polyphenols each with potent antioxidant powers themselves.
This specific study as well as This specific study found in which turmeric could protect against the acne-creating lipid peroxides, a power which is usually likely to translate to the skin. The reason why turmeric is usually so concentrated in antioxidants is usually its manufacturing process; turmeric begins life as the root of the turmeric plant, only to be roasted for lengthy periods of time in an oven. in which removes the moisture as well as leaves the nutrition highly concentrated.
You can detect the antioxidant using your own tongue, you don’t need to waste time with science; the strong woody flavour is usually a sign of their presence.
Curcumin is usually most famous for its anti-inflammatory properties, being able to treat arthritis as well as the brain inflammation behind dementia successfully. the idea’s not guaranteed in which curcumin carries a similar anti-inflammatory effect when applied to the skin; the idea might lower bodily inflammation indirectly by altering certain immune system actors…
…however many anti-inflammatory chemicals in various other foods work equally well when applied to the skin, such as ECGC in green tea. Anyway, curcumin is usually reported to affect over 700 genes inside the human Centeng, compared to 2000 for vitamin D, so its mechanism of action is usually broad. Curcumin is usually 3-6% of turmeric by weight; the idea’s the main compound used in supplement forms. Not to mention in which turmeric is usually widely used in India as a topical ointment for the treatment of inflammation.
Antibacterial properties are also a power which turmeric may have which the idea isn’t famous for inside the Centeng. The powers are specifically targeted against p.acnes bacteria; This specific study found in which curcumin had antibacterial activities against p.acnes 36 times stronger than azelaic acid, one of the pride as well as joys of commercial skincare.
The study was in vitro, so the benefits aren’t proven on a living human; p.acnes living on human skin may be stronger, the curcumin may not impact them as strongly, various other bacteria may defend p.acnes – who knows. however This specific is usually still not bad evidence. Depending on the concentration of curcumin used, curcumin was able to inhibit p.acnes bacteria growth by anything by 50% to 96%.
There’s a high likelihood in which the well-known antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory powers of turmeric will work when applied topically. With antibacterial benefits we already contain the evidence in our possession.
Turmeric two – turmeric doubters nil.
The downfall of turmeric… or is usually the idea?
The benefits of turmeric we have discussed so far could be quite strong if they were unaccompanied by any downsides…
…however the idea’s not them in which’s in dispute – the controversy lies in turmeric’s possible photosensitizing effect. the idea was demonstrated in This specific study where combining UVB radiation with curcumin led to massively increased apoptosis (programmed cell death) compared to UVB alone.
The scientists lauded This specific for its promise in reducing cancer, however the idea’s bad news for us. Photosensitisation is usually the death knell if you want clear skin while still surfing, walking, climbing or having fun with whatever activity you like. Skin which is usually more vulnerable to UV radiation will become more inflamed in sunlight, free radicals will spread more efficiently through its surfaces as well as your skin pores are more likely to be blocked.
If true This specific could be sufficient reason to reject turmeric completely…
…however the not bad news is usually in which the idea isn’t true, at least for the vast majority of people.
Many studies since as well as before have disproved the theory, particularly This specific big one on 30 volunteers (21 males as well as 9 females) aged between 21 as well as 67 years by last year. The subject was fresh turmeric powder converted into a turmeric paste, as well as the assessment was of the minimal erythema dose, the minimum dose of UV radiation skin cells can withstand before they start to irritate.
The great news is usually in which the fears were totally dispelled. Turmeric increased the MED in 83.33% of the patients, only decreasing the MED in 13.34%. They concluded in which “our study has shown in which turmeric as available does not offer significant photoprotection”, however in which’s irrelevant; what matters is usually in which we’ve discredited the old fears.
The studies we have are a great faceoff between isolated curcumin as well as turmeric itself. What’s almost certainly responsible is usually the fact in which turmeric is usually far more complicated than just one compound; various other antioxidants as well as phytonutrients are almost certainly counteracting the negative effect.
As we can see, turmeric carries a photosensitizing effect in a little number of people. However, the study indicated how uncommon This specific is usually. Make no mistake in which turmeric causes harm in many, you can tell by the following testimonials:
- “Be cautious using turmeric, I had a strong allergic reaction”.
- “I am observing several completely new painful zits popping out of my skin”.
- “Turmeric only worked well for the first few days”.
however there’s just as many not bad testimonials:
- “Turmeric reduces redness as well as I have noticed my acne go away somewhat.”
- “I used to get inflamed acne all over my face, however today I only get the occasional little ones”.
- “No completely new pimples as well as the old ones are shrinking as well as healing fast”.
The patients didn’t mention the sun, so the idea could have been a standard allergic reaction. Sensitivities are more common than with treatments like aloe vera, so This specific is usually a minor chink in turmeric’s armour.
Turmeric 2½ – doubters ½.
Does turmeric paste heal acne scars?
Among acne patients, This specific is usually another area where turmeric has acquired a decent reputation.
According to some people, turmeric can reduce the appearance of old acne marks, however the idea’s all a smokescreen. People who have evened out their skin tone having a turmeric mask or paste have achieved nothing however dying their skin yellow. There’s been no real improvement at all, as well as once the idea comes off inside the wash, you’ll wake up as well as realise in which you’re back to square one.
is usually This specific story true? No – the yellowing isn’t guaranteed, you won’t end up the colour of a rubber duck, turmeric does have wound healing powers, as well as they have been confirmed in numerous studies.
First we have a 1999 study on 96 albino (who knows why) rats, where the wound healing power of turmeric was compared to coconut oil as well as a placebo. Surprisingly, turmeric thrashed both the placebo as well as the coconut oil; turmeric had a “significant” effect on little wounds inflicted on the rats while with the various other two the idea was insignificant.
Next there’s This specific 2005 study where turmeric was compared to honey for healing wounds on rabbits. Again, turmeric was by far the fastest. in which’s surprising Just as before, because raw honey has been used for wound healing since the Roman times.
Instead of whole turmeric, This specific 2011 study analysed the wound healing effects of isolated curcumin. the idea was found to be equally effective as the standard pharmaceutical drug silver sulfadiazine for treating burns.
Finally, This specific 2012 study used curcumin as well. There were numerous interesting results; curcumin increased the wounds’ rate of healing, the quality of healing, collagen formation, as well as soft tissue formation. The collagen increase is usually particularly interesting, since the idea’s the king of all acne proteins.
These studies aren’t directly on acne scars, so the ability to fade away acne scars is usually not fully proven. Hence, the scoreboard today reads…
Turmeric 3 – doubters ½.
Conclusion
The science has spoken, topical turmeric is usually a pretty not bad topical acne treatment.
I wouldn’t put the idea inside the same league as raw honey since the 24.8% reduction in oily skin took 3 months, as well as the risk of an allergic reaction is usually higher than various other topical treatments judging by the many testimonials.
There’s also a practical problem; turmeric is usually a powder as well as must be mixed having a carrier like grapeseed oil or yoghurt, or converted into a paste which is usually then left on the face. If you have no time or inclination to do in which, then many plants as well as oils are far superior.
Then there’s the little risk of yellow skin; the stains don’t show up every time as well as can be washed off with water, however the idea gets reported on by frustrated acne patients. If you eat too much turmeric your sweat actually starts turning yellow, which can stain your bedsheets as well as clothes. Unless you actually want to become a yellow human, then in which’s another minor downside.
Overall however, turmeric does not fall victim to the curse of olive oil. the idea’s almost as great topically as the idea is usually as a food.
Thanks for reading!