Skin Lightening Myth: Tumeric

Tumeric is one of the leading ingredients of Ayurvedic medicine. It is used to treat many conditions, including skin-related ones. It is mainly used on the skin to treat inflammation and skin clarity issues (pigmentation, radiance, acne marks, uneven skin tone etc.).

I’ve read/heard of many different skin care treatments involving turmeric. Some people use turmeric powder with lemon juice or rose water to make a facial mask. Some people use it with milk or yogurt to combine the effects of turmeric and the lactic acid content in yogurt to obtain an instant glow.

I found a study done on turmeric’s effect on UVB induced skin damage on melanin-possessing hairless mice. Here is an excerpt of the study done by Sumiyoshi M, and Kimura Y:

The aim of this study was to clarify whether turmeric prevents chronic ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated skin damage. We examined the effects of a turmeric extract on skin damage including changes in skin thickness and elasticity, pigmentation and wrinkling caused by long-term, low-dose ultraviolet B irradiation in melanin-possessing hairless mice. The extract (at 300 or 1000 mg/kg, twice daily) prevented an increase in skin thickness and a reduction in skin elasticity induced by chronic UVB exposure. It also prevented the formation of wrinkles and melanin (at 1000 mg/kg, twice daily) as well as increases in the diameter and length of skin blood vessels and in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). Prevention of UVB-induced skin aging by turmeric may be due to the inhibition of increases in MMP-2 expression caused by chronic irradiation

You must remember that the results found in the skin of mice or moose’s does not necessarily mimic human skin. Furthermore, 1000mg/kg is an insanely high amount of turmeric to absorb. I do not know the consequences of ingesting high levels of turmeric, but too much of anything is always risky.

There is no concrete evidence yet that turmeric is a valid skin lightener. There is evidence that points to it having some ability in interfering with melanin production, but I imagine it’s something that can only be achieved through high dosages over a long period of time.

Link To Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19577913