A review recently published in Phytotherapy Research suggests that ingestion or topical application of turmeric or curcumin may help skin health and function.

Turmeric, a spice commonly used worldwide, and its main active ingredient curcumin have been known to prevent inflammation, microbial infection, oxidation, chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus and cancer.  Studies also suggest that curcumin may also be employed to treat dermatologic diseases.

The reviewers identified 234 articles through the PubMed and Embase databases and reviewed 18 of them which met inclusion criteria.  Some studies investigated the effects of ingested turmeric/curcumin on skin conditions while others looked into the effects of topically applied turmeric/curcumin.

Ten studies show that treatment with turmeric/curcumin significantly improved skin diseases, compared with placebo.  The skin conditions considered in the studies include "acne, alopecia, atopic dermatitis, facial photoaging, oral lichen planus, pruritus, psoriasis, radiodermatitis, and vitiligo."

The reviewers conclude "Overall, there is early evidence that turmeric/curcumin products and supplements, both oral and topical, may provide therapeutic benefits for skin health" while more studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and understand the therapeutic  mechanisms. (David Liu)

Vaughn AR, Branum A, Sivamani RK. Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence.  Phytother Res. 2016 May 23. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5640.