Researchers have developed a tumeric cream - made of tumeric extract thats purified to remove its pungent smell and bright orange color. They tested this tumeric cream on 89 middle-aged women. The women were instructed to apply the cream to their faces twice a day for two months. Another group of women used a cream without tumeric as a control. Photos were taken before starting the cream and then every four weeks.
Did the group who used tumeric cream show any improvement in signs of aging? After experts reviewed the photos, the tumeric users were found to have reductions in fine lines and wrinkles. In a second study involving 105 Asian women, these women experienced lightening of pigmented age spots on their face. In these studies, tumeric skin cream reduced two of the most common signs of skin aging - wrinkles and pigmented age spots.
Its not surprising that tumeric could reduce signs of skin aging. This powerful spice has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation of the dermis, the skin layer that contains collagen, plays an important role in skin aging. When skin is exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun, it causes free radicals to form which leads to an inflammatory response. This inflammatory reaction causes enzymes to be activated that break down the collagen protein that helps keep skin firm and youthful. Tumeric may offset the effects of these free radicals and block skin damaging inflammation.
This new tumeric cream for reducing signs of skin aging is already being marketed under the name "Doctors Dermatologic Formula" and is available online. These products to improve the signs of skin aging are expensive - as you might expect. The DDF tumeric firming cream sells for $130.00. Unfortunately, it may not be as effective to put raw tumeric to your face and the orange color would certainly be a deterrent - but it does go to show what this Indian spice is capable of.
References:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/718563
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