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Plant extracts

Turmeric extract

Also listed as Curcuma longa root extract, curcumin

A spice extract whose curcumin is anti-inflammatory in the lab. Evidence on skin is early and small, and it can stain skin yellow.

Weak evidence

What it is

Turmeric root contains curcumin, a yellow polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in lab studies. In skincare it appears in brightening and calming serums and masks.

Curcumin dissolves poorly and breaks down easily, and products rarely say how much they contain. Strongly coloured products can leave a yellow tint on skin and fabric.

How strong is the evidence?

Weak evidence

A 2016 systematic review found 18 small clinical studies of oral or topical turmeric or curcumin across acne, psoriasis, photoaging and other conditions; 10 reported significant improvement, but the authors called the evidence early and limited. Few studies test cosmetic topical products.

What it's used for, checked

Calming inflammation and redness

Unproven

Lab evidence and a few small studies.

Brightening and dark spots

Unproven

Not well tested in skincare products.

Acne

Unproven

Early, small studies only.

Who should be careful

  • Can cause allergic contact dermatitis, reported more often as turmeric products have become popular.
  • May temporarily stain skin yellow-orange.

The studies

Every citation is checked against its PubMed record.

  1. Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence.
    Vaughn AR, Branum A, Sivamani RK · Phytotherapy Research · 2016 · Systematic review

    Of 18 clinical studies of oral or topical turmeric/curcumin across skin conditions, 10 reported statistically significant improvement over control, but the studies were limited and further research is needed.