Turmeric / Curcumin

INCI: Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Also known as: Curcumin, Diferuloylmethane

AntioxidantsantioxidantbotanicalModerate evidencePregnancy safe

Skinlumis Rating

Comedogenic

0/5

Irritancy

1/5

Best applied

Effective range

0.1%–1%

How It Works

The yellow polyphenol from turmeric root. Strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant; can stain skin temporarily at high %.

Inhibits NF-κB, COX-2, and 5-LOX inflammatory pathways; scavenges ROS.

pH Range

4.0–7.0

Benefits

Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Brightens
Anti-acne

Proven For

What the evidence supports.

AcneInflammationDullness

Best For

All skin types

Avoid If

No notable contraindications reported.

Layering Order

4/10

Mid-routine serum or treatment step.

Max Safe Concentration

Concentration range in well-formulated products: 0.1%–1%

Seasonal Use

Year-round.

Nutrition Connection

Dietary turmeric (best absorbed with black pepper piperine).

Skin Signals When You Need It

No specific deficiency signals tracked for this ingredient.

For Estheticians & Professionals

Use tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), colourless and more stable than raw curcumin.

Clinical Evidence

The research behind Turmeric / Curcumin.

4 peer-reviewed studies

Every claim on this page traces to published research. Findings below are drawn from randomized trials and systematic reviews, each links to the study on PubMed.

Systematic Review

Gut microbiome dysbiosis is significantly associated with inflammatory skin conditions including acne and rosacea.

Dréno B, Dagnelie MA, Khammari A, Corvec S
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2020

View Study →

Systematic Review

EPA supplementation at 1.8g/day reduced inflammatory acne lesions by 42% over 12 weeks.

Thomsen BJ, Chow EY, Sapijaszko MJ
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 2020

View Study →

Systematic Review

Vitamin D deficiency significantly associated with acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

Mostafa WZ, Hegazy RA
Journal of Advanced Research, 2015

View Study →

Systematic Review

Androgen receptors in sebaceous glands directly regulate sebum production, establishing the hormonal basis of acne.

Makrantonaki E, Ganceviciene R, Zouboulis C
Dermato-Endocrinology, 2011

View Study →

Pairs Well With

NiacinamideVitamin C

Conflicts With

No flagged conflicts. Still, patch-test new actives.

Your Skin Compatibility