This post has been updated since its initial publish date to include more expert insight.
For better or for worse, what you eat really does impact your skin. If you’re experiencing inflamed skin this winter, we’ve reached out to health experts, doctors, and dietitians and learned more about two surprising natural everyday ingredients that are not only antioxidants but also have the power to reduce skin inflammation.
To learn more, we spoke with dermatologist Dr. Purvisha Patel, M.D., registered dietitian and nutritionist Susan Kelly, Director of Dermatology at BowTied Life Dr. Cheryl Rosen, dietitian and wellness Professional Holli Rovenger, and medical expert Dr. Jennifer Silver. Read on for more information on the many skin and health benefits of these special ingredients.
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Health benefits of turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that derives from the root of the Curcuma longa plant and is a perennial in the ginger family. It is cultivated in many states in India and other East Asian nations. As Patel explains, it is a beloved and historically used tool in skincare and healthy eating.
"Turmeric has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine to combat cancers, auto-immune diseases, and skin conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and acne," says Patel. "It has been shown in scientific studies time and time again to help skin conditions, both when ingested and used topically."
Patel notes that turmeric's bright yellow color can be attributed to Curcumin, its active ingredient. "Curcumin is anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-neoplastic, and has antioxidant properties, as it combats free radical damage," says Patel.
Kelly reiterates that turmeric contains the component Curcumin which gives it a distinct color and taste. It is used in various modern-day medicines, she says, because of its strong anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties.
"Aging and other skin inflammatory diseases are caused by oxidative damage," says Kelly. "In this process, free radicals react with organic substances, which can cause skin damage."
Curcumin, Kelly says, not only fights these radicals but also "stimulates the antioxidant mechanism in our body," which makes it the "best choice" to fight against skin inflammation and other skin concerns.
Rosen says that turmeric is one of the most widely studied natural remedies, with research showing it can help treat skin inflammation caused by eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
She also agrees that curcuminoids are responsible for turmeric's healing properties because "they're able to reduce pro-inflammatory molecules in our bodies" while increasing antioxidant levels. "This spice is definitely worth trying if you have any inflammatory issues," says Rosen.
Adding turmeric to your diet
Now that you know the many skin and health benefits turmeric and its component Curcumin can have, it's time to think about adding it to your own diet. Rovenger suggests adding it to "a variety of foods" such as scrambled eggs, omelets, frittatas, soups, casseroles, vegetables, and even in smoothies. The possibilities are truly endless!
Health benefits of oregano
Another ingredient, which is specifically a Mediterranean herb, oregano can do more than just season your foods to perfection—it also has a slew of skincare benefits when applied topically. "Due to its antifungal and antibacterial qualities, oregano oil is a natural treatment for eczema, psoriasis, and other skin disorders. Additionally, it may reduce irritation and itching," says Silver.
The aromatic cooking herb has a ton of chemical compounds inside like carvacrol, thymol, rosmarinic acid, phenols, terpenes, and terpenoids that are great for the skin. Oregano contains antioxidants, can encourage collagen production, and it's anti-inflammatory. "Oregano [essential] oils have anti-inflammatory properties since it contains substances like carvacrol and thymol," adds Silver.
"Additionally, the antioxidant and wound-healing effects of oregano essential oil are claimed," Silver notes. "These advantages result from the high concentration of substances with natural antioxidant and antibacterial characteristics including rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid." A great way to use oregano in your skincare routine is in the form of essential oils. Before you try using it on your face, try applying it on only a small patch of skin on your hands.
Bottom line
So, there you have it! These two surprising ingredients, turmeric, and oregano are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. And, if you're still struggling from inflammation on the skin, make sure to check out other anti-inflammatory foods you can add to your diet and foods you should avoid that could lead to skin irritation.
