Turmeric, also known as Haldi, has been widely used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. From an Ayurvedic perspective, turmeric is thought to have many medicinal properties, such as improving energy, regulating the circulatory and digestive systems, regulating menstruation, and relieving arthritis. It is also used to balance all 3 doshas (discover your dosha here) and helps remove accumulated toxins (ama) in the body that cause anything from lack of mental clarity, to physical and emotional stagnancy, general dis-ease, and disease.

Turmeric has become widely recognized as one of nature’s powerhouse spices. It is an ancient, sacred herb that now has many modern day applications, from cooking to skincare. Many people in western cultures have started recognizing the healing properties of turmeric and are becoming more accustomed to using it to heal themselves in more holistic and natural ways.

Curcumin is the healing agent and the most active component found in turmeric, and is what gives turmeric its golden yellow colour. Curcumin has many scientifically proven health benefits thanks to its potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.

Turmeric is a wonderful addition to your beauty regime. When used topically it has the potential to reduce skin inflammation and irritation, even out skin tone, brighten dark spots, and it also helps with acne, eczema and psoriasis. In a nutshell, it’s basically a golden miracle powder for your body and your skin! A DIY turmeric face mask is simple and cheap to prepare since all of the ingredients can be found in your fridge or pantry.

Always opt for high-quality, organic ingredients to ensure the mask is preservative and chemical-free. I’ve tried and tweaked many DIY face mask recipes and love to swap ingredients depending on what I have on hand. Also, I rarely follow the ‘recipe’ and simply tweak the amounts as I go.

Here are some ingredients found in many DIY face masks and the benefits they provide for the skin:

• Yogurt and milk : contain probiotics and act as barriers to help reduce staining.
• Raw honey : keeps skin moist and acts as a binding agent for all the ingredients.
• Sugar : acts as an exfoliant and contains glycolic acid which helps break down dead skin.
• Flour (all types) : adds consistency to the mask and acts as a barrier to reduce staining.
• Apple cider vinegar : moisturizes and helps maintain natural pH balance of skin.
• Bananas : potassium helps add brightness to the skin and enhances blood flow.
• Cinnamon : helps reduce hyperpigmentation and acne.

Here are some simple recipes for glowing, supple, and radiant skin:

Energizing Turmeric & Almond Mask

• 1 ½ tsp. turmeric powder
• 3 tbs. almond flour (or flour of choice)
• 3 tbs. almond milk (or milk of choice)
• 1 tbs. raw honey (at room temp)
• pinch of cinnamon

Cooling Turmeric & Yogurt Mask

• 1 ½ tsp. turmeric powder
• 3 tablespoons of Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
• 3 tbs. raw honey (at room temp)

Exfoliating Turmeric & Banana Mask

• 1 ½ tsp. turmeric powder
• 3 tbs. mashed banana
• 1 tsp. raw honey (at room temp)
• 1 tbs. coconut sugar

Tips and Suggestions:

• Wear an old shirt and use and old towel when applying and rinsing.
• Use a makeup brush or new paintbrush to apply to avoid staining your hands.
• Do a patch test on your hand or forearm before applying the mask to your entire face.
• If you’re still unsure, reduce the turmeric amount to 1/4 tsp for the first application then add a little more each time you make the mask.
• For olive skin, leave on for 10-20 minutes. For pale skin start with 5-10 minutes
• The ‘stain’ effect is subjective and can range from a yellowy tinge to a bit of rosiness or redness, or nothing at all. This is dependent on how fair and sensitive your skin is.
  *I have light olive skin and usually leave the mask on for about 15 minutes. After I remove it my skin is a little rosy in some places and it only lasts for 20-30 minutes.
• After removing the mask, you can clean your face with a cleansing oil or makeup remover.
• If the mask is too thick, add lemon juice, apple cider vinegar or milk, 1/2 teaspoon at a time.
• If the mask is too runny, add flour of choice, 1/2 teaspoon at a time.