You probably know turmeric as a spice for cooking, but it also has a long history of being used within skincare. Its distinctive orange-yellow color comes from naturally occurring compounds in the turmeric root. 1 2
In soap, turmeric is mainly used as a natural botanical ingredient which acts as a colourant but also for its advantages on the skin.
What is turmeric?
Turmeric comes from the rhizome, the underground stem, of the Curcuma longa plant.1
The rhizome can be dried and ground into the bright yellow powder commonly used in cooking. Turmeric naturally contains a group of compounds called curcuminoids. The best known of these is curcumin, which in short is just the active compund inside the root turmeric.2
What are the benefits of turmeric in soap?
Turmeric has become a popular ingredient in skincare because of its naturally occurring compounds and its long history of topical use.2
When used in soap, some of its main benefits are:
- Contains antioxidant compounds: Curcumin and other curcuminoids found in turmeric have demonstrated antioxidant properties in scientific research. 2
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Naturally derived colour: Turmeric can give soap a warm yellow, golden or orange colour without relying on synthetic colourants.
- Plant-based ingredient: Turmeric powder is produced from the rhizome of a plant and can be incorporated directly into soap formulations. Completely natural which is what we like!1
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Used in skincare: Turmeric and curcumin are found in a variety of topical and cosmetic formulations, and their use on the skin has been studied scientifically.2
It is important to distinguish between the properties of an ingredient and those of the finished soap. The fact that curcumin has antioxidant properties does not automatically mean that a turmeric soap has the same demonstrated antioxidant effect on the skin.3
Soap is also a rinse-off product - it is intended to be removed from the skin after application rather than remain in prolonged contact with it. Its effects therefore should not automatically be compared with those of a leave-on butter or lotion.
Why do we use turmeric in soap?
For us, turmeric is interesting because it does more than simply make the ingredient list look good, it fills a purpose.
First, it has anti-inflammatory features that can make the skin temporarily brighter and also help the skin with its inherent oil-control. Several of our customers that use our soap with turmeric, note that their oil levels in their skin are very controlled and some even say they feel a glow in their skin after showering.
Second, it gives the soap a naturally warm colour and works well alongside other ingredients commonly used in traditional soapmaking.
It should be noted that turmeric in soap has recently been going viral to the point where the benefits might be exaggerated. Each person reacts differently to turmeric in soap and it is therefore not a guarantee that turmeric for soap is the right natural soap bar for you.
Does turmeric soap stain your skin?
Turmeric itself is strongly pigmented, which is why anyone who has cooked with it knows that it can stain surfaces, fabrics and fingers. Just a tad bit of turmeric can change the color of whatever you are cooking.
Similarly in soap, turmeric is dispersed throughout the complete formulation and is normally used in relatively small amounts. Our recipes use very small amounts of turmeric which are proportioned based on the color but also its skin benefits.
A properly formulated turmeric soap, such as our turmeric soap, does therefore not leave your skin yellow or stained.
Is turmeric soap good for your face?
Turmeric and curcumin have been studied for a variety of topical skincare applications, including their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
However, whether a particular soap is suitable for your face depends on the entire recipe rather than one ingredient.
The oils, cleansing strength, fragrance, exfoliating ingredients and overall recipe are all important. Paired with your skin type of course. For our body soap bars, we always recommend testing the bars on the body first before moving to the skin. However, our bars are completely fine to use on the face directly as they are made to be used on the entire body.
How is turmeric added to soap?
Turmeric powder can be added during the soapmaking process, usually in relatively small amounts.
In our cold-process method, we first disperse the turmeric powder in a small amount of oil and caolin clay before mixing it into the soap batter. This makes it easier to distribute the powder throughout the soap.
During curing, the final colour may differ from the bright yellow of turmeric powder itself, resulting in shades ranging from soft yellow to deeper golden, orange or brown tones. We always cure our soap to the right time when the color is at just the right hue.
How to use turmeric soap
Turmeric soap is used just like any other bar of soap.
Wet the soap and your skin in the shower, work the bar between your hands or directly onto the body until a foam forms, wash and then rinse thoroughly with water. No need to scrub for any longer than usually with the turmeric soap.
After use, allow the soap to dry properly between washes with a soap tray. Keeping a bar of soap away from standing water helps it last considerably longer.
Should you use turmeric soap daily?
The short answer is, yes you can use turmeric soap daily. It is completely safe to do so. Whether you should however, depends on your individual skin type and how your skin responds to the soap bar.
If you have sensitive or reactive skin, we recommend starting with a few uses per week and gradually increasing frequency as you observe how your skin responds. Most likely you will experience the positive benefits of it. However, if you notice that your skin reacts negatively, simply stop using it and try switching to more milder variants such as our almond soap amoretto.
Is turmeric soap natural?
Turmeric itself is a plant-derived ingredient, but the presence of turmeric does not automatically make a finished soap "natural." However, our turmeric soap is completely natural (as all of our other soaps). Other than turmeric, it also includes shea butter, coconut oil and orange peel.
Turmeric is simply one of the natural ingredients we use to create our completely natural soap.
Sources
[1] European Medicines Agency (EMA). Curcumae longae rhizoma – herbal medicinal product. European Union herbal assessment of Curcuma longa L. rhizome. Describes turmeric as the underground stem of Curcuma longa and covers preparations obtained by drying and powdering the rhizome.
[2] Panahi et al. / Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, Karger Publishers. Clinical Studies on Topical Curcumin. 2023;36(5):235–248. Review of the topical use of turmeric and curcumin and research concerning their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Karger is based in Basel, Switzerland.
[3] European Commission. Commission Regulation (EU) No 655/2013 laying down common criteria for the justification of claims used in relation to cosmetic products. Requires cosmetic claims to be supported by adequate evidence and specifically states that properties of an ingredient should not be presented as properties of the finished product unless adequately supported.