I feel like there’s a turning point in every skincare fanatic’s life when you suddenly stop believing in the powers of DIY face masks and instead rely solely on store-bought formulas. And hey, there’s some good logic behind that. But when it comes to at-home turmeric face masks? I will forever and ever be concocting that ish in my kitchen on the regular, especially when I’m dealing with acne and hyperpigmentation (so, lol, always). Allow me to explain.
What does turmeric do for your skin?
I know that the little spice that hangs out in your kitchen cupboard may not seem like magic in a bottle, but trust—it’s basically a wizard at brightening skin, fading dark spots, calming inflammation, and killing acne (for real! There are studies, people!).
“Turmeric has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine for its healing properties,” says Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine. “It’s an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that’s shown to be helpful in treating pimples, brightening hyperpigmentation and acne scars, and fighting the free radicals that can cause fine lines and skin damage.” See? MVP ingredient.
How do you use turmeric in skincare?
To get its restorative powers, you don’t want to just stick your face in a vat of powder (which will inevitably leave your face stained bright yellow). You want to mix your turmeric with some calming, hydrating, and skin-healing ingredients, like those in these turmeric face mask recipes, below.
Whichever one you choose—and trust, I’ve tried them all—get ready for some surprisingly clear, bright skin after a few weeks of use. And hey, if you’re still not fully into the DIY movement but you wanna try some turmeric-based products, I’ve gotchu covered there too:
4 turmeric treatments you need to try
Now, on to the DIY turmeric face masks you came here for. Prepare to have ~surprisingly~ excellent skin.
This DIY turmeric face mask for acne
The ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon rice flour or chickpea flour
- 2 tablespoons yogurt or milk (for oily skin) OR olive, coconut, or almond oil (for dry skin)
- 1 tablespoon honey
The instructions:
Honey is straight-up magical: “It has natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties,” says Dr. Gohara, “but it’s also a humectant—meaning it draws moisture into your skin—so it won’t dry it out while it’s helping fight and calm your zits. Although this recipe calls for either oils or yogurt, depending on your skin type, I’d stick with the dairy if you’re dealing with acne. Keep the mask on for 15 to 20 minutes, rinse with your regular face cleanser, then follow with moisturizer.”
This calming DIY turmeric face mask
The ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon almond oil
- 3 tablespoons milk
The instructions:
As a very important reminder, turmeric can stain your face (especially lighter skin tones) if you don’t have a fat-filled barrier in your DIY. Here, the tablespoon of almond oil is what’ll keep you stain-free, and bonus, it’ll also help soften and calm irritated skin (thanks to its high dose of vitamin E). Mix all the ingredients until smooth and creamy—not too runny, apply to your face, then rinse after 15 minutes.
This DIY turmeric face mask for sensitive skin
The ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon rose water
The ingredients:
All hail the mighty aloe vera gel! This turmeric face mask is pretty much a dream for sensitive skin, since it’s part aloe vera gel (which helps calm redness and irritation) and part rose water (which is a natural anti-inflammatory). The mixture will be pretty runny, so don’t expect a drying mask here. Just gently apply it to your skin, let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse off. If you’re worried about staining, apply it over your favorite face oil or add a few drops of oil to the mixture before applying it.
I <3 these turmeric cleansers and moisturizers
If you want even more turmeric in your life, try adding a turmeric-based cleanser or moisture to your daily routine in addition to a weekly mask. Sound good? Good.
Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, overseeing the editorial content and growth strategy of the hair, makeup, and skin space on digital, while also obsessively writing about the best hair products for every hair type (curly girl here; whattup), and the skincare routines that really, truly work (follow her on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes pics of that magazine life). She brings nearly a decade of writing and editing expertise, and her work has appeared in Allure, Health, Fitness, Marie Claire, StyleCaster, and Parents. She also has an unhealthy adoration for Tom Hanks and would like to please meet him one day, if you could arrange that. Thanks.
