How to Apply Turmeric on Your Face

Making a Turmeric Mask

Make a basic facial mask out of turmeric powder, almond oil, milk, and flour. Use a small bowl or plastic container to stir together 2 tbsp (28 g) of all-purpose flour, 1 tsp (4.2 g) of turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of almond oil, and 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of milk. Blend it with a spoon or fork until it's creamy like a cake batter. If the mixture has large clumps or if it’s the consistency of cookie dough, add more milk 1 tablespoon (15 mL) at a time. If you live a plant-based lifestyle, use nut milk instead of cow's milk. Nut-based milk varieties don't have skin-firming lactic acid, but they will nourish your skin with moisture. Store any leftover paste in a sealed plastic container and in the fridge for up to 1 week. If you want to use it again after 4 days of storage, smell the mask first to make sure it's still good. If it smells sour, make a new batch.

Use an egg white, turmeric, and vitamin E mask to reduce wrinkles. Crack 1 egg into a small bowl, carefully separating the whites from the yolk and discard the yolk when you're done. Froth it with a fork for about 30 seconds. Use a push-pin or the tip of a knife to puncture a vitamin E capsule and stir it into the egg white. Spoon 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) of turmeric powder into the mixture and blend it with a fork for about 1 minute until it's light and foamy. It's best to wash this mask off with cold water. Egg whites can stimulate the production of collagen in your skin, which can make fine lines and wrinkles less noticeable.

Even your skin tone with a mask of honey, turmeric, and tea tree oil. In a small bowl, spoon out 3 tbsp (84 grams) of turmeric powder and then add 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of honey. Pour in 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of apple cider vinegar and the juice of 1/3 of a small lemon, which is about ⁄3 tablespoon (4.9 mL). Finish it off with 3 drops of tea tree oil and mix it together until it's the consistency of loose cake batter. Raw honey won't work because it's too thick. It may help to heat the jar of honey in the microwave, just make sure the jar is made of glass and free of metal parts. If you only have honey in a plastic tub, dole out the amount you need into a microwavable bowl and heat it for 5 seconds.

Exfoliate your face with a mask made of turmeric, milk, and baking soda. In a small bowl, blend together 1/2 tsp (2.1 g) of ground turmeric, 3 tsp (12.6 g) of almond milk (or regular 2% milk), and 3 tsp (12.6 g) of baking soda. Blend the mixture with a spoon for about 50 strokes until it has the consistency of thick cookie dough. Be sure to work the mask onto your skin in small, gentle circles starting from your chin and moving upward to your cheeks and forehead. Remember to pat your skin dry and apply moisturizer after you exfoliate.

Get rid of under-eye circles and bags with turmeric and pineapple juice. Combine 2 tbsp (56 g) of turmeric powder and 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of pineapple juice in a small bowl. Mix it up with a spoon for about 50 strokes or until most or all of the powder has been incorporated. If you have lots of dry turmeric powder after mixing it for 50 strokes, add more pineapple juice ⁄2 tablespoon (7.4 mL) at a time. The paste will be very thick and flake off, so apply it while you lean over a sink or other washable non-porous surface. Pineapple juice is loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants which help minimize fine lines and puffiness.

Spreading the Mixture on Your Face

Remove any dirt and makeup on your face with a gentle cleanser. Splash warm water onto your face and move your hands in small circles to rub on a dime-sized amount of your everyday cleanser. If you’re wearing heavy makeup and your cleanser doesn’t remove makeup, use a makeup-removing wipe to take it off and then wash your face with the cleanser. Avoid using a cleanser that contains sulfates because these can throw off the pH of your skin, which may cause dryness, irritation, and redness. Some sulfate-free products will say “sulfate-free” or “soap-free” on the label, but always check the ingredients just in case. If you like, apply a toner afterward to prime your skin. Any kind made with witch hazel water, sodium hyaluronate, glycolic acid, or aloe vera are great options.

Exfoliate your skin if you haven’t exfoliated in over a week. Use an exfoliating sponge to wipe your face or apply a dime-sized amount of a gentle cream exfoliant. Use light pressure and work the cream into your skin in small circular movements. Focus on spots that produce the most oil and blackheads (like your T-zone: your nose, forehead, and chin). If you have dry or sensitive skin, use a gentle chemical exfoliant instead of an exfoliating sponge. Don’t exfoliate over any areas where you have cuts, sores, or eczema.

Open your pores by putting a hot towel over your face for 1 minute. Dampen a towel with tap water and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds to heat it up. Lay down or sit leaning back and drape the towel over your face for at least 2 minutes or until the towel loses its heat. If the towel is visibly steaming after being in the microwave, air it out for 20 to 30 seconds so you don’t burn your skin. You can also steam your face over boiling water on the stove or take a hot shower beforehand.

Wear gloves to slather it onto your face, avoiding your eyebrows and hairline. Scoop out some of the paste with your gloved fingers and smear it onto your face. Layer it on thick so that you can't see your actual skin under the mask. Avoid your eyebrows and hairline because turmeric can remove hair or inhibit hair growth. Be sure to slather it on your under-eye area to get rid of dark circles. If you don’t have disposable gloves handy, apply the mask with a soft-bristled paintbrush or makeup brush instead—just know that it might get a little messy so you may want to lean over the sink as you put it on.

Wait 20 minutes for the mask to get dry and crunchy. Set a timer for 20 minutes and do something else while you wait for the turmeric to work its magic. The mask should feel stiff and crunchy before you wash it off. If the mask is dripping because it's too thin, find a spot to sit and hold a towel under your face. Make sure it's a towel you don't care about because the turmeric will leave a stain.

Removing the Mask

Use a rag, warm water, and gentle cleanser to wash off the mask. Pool lukewarm water into your palm and rub each section of your face in a circular motion. Start at your chin and work your way up your face so the moistened mask won’t drip into your eyes while you're trying to wipe it off. You may want to wear a new set of disposable gloves for this part so your hands or fingernails won't turn yellow. If you don’t have gloves, use a clean rag to wipe it off (one that you don’t care about staining). Wipe off any splatters that get onto your countertops, floor, or other nearby surfaces. Non-porous surfaces like marble and granite are easy to wipe down, but the turmeric can still turn them yellow for a period of time if it sits too long.

Wipe off any remainder with a damp towel. Place a section of a damp towel near your hairline and wipe your face in a circular motion, moving it down to your jawline and across your chin. Do the same thing for the other side and then wipe the bridge of your nose, the center of your forehead, and your cheeks. Your face may have a yellowish tint once you wipe it off—this is normal.

Wash away the yellow residue with a mild facial cleanser. Use as much of your regular daily cleanser as you need to do a final cleanse and get rid of the yellow tint. Splash your face with warm water as you massage the cleanser into your skin. Pat your face dry with a clean towel when you're done. If you still see some yellow after washing your face, feel free to use a gentle exfoliant (like a cleanser with small micro-beads)—just be extra gentle when you rub it on! Repeat the facial mask once or twice a week to treat acne and acne scars.

Apply moisturizer to your face and under-eye area. Spread a dime-sized amount of your regular moisturizer on your face, massing it into your skin in upward, circular motions. Be sure to put some on the extra-sensitive skin around your eyes. Moisturizer keeps your skin soft and supple and may help lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Let the moisturizer fully soak into your skin for 5 minutes before you put on any makeup.