Tutorial: Turmeric Mask

Turmeric isn't just for curry and other foods, it's for your face and body too. I use it to help prevent acne while preserving the contents of my poor wallet. 

Ingredients:

Powdered turmeric

Calamansi juice (or lemon juice)

Honey

Powdered turmeric can be bought in a supermarket very easily and cheaply with the spice selection (at least in the Philippines, you may have to go to an asian food store). For the tutorial, I used half a singles sachet or 1.5 grams of ground turmeric by McCormick. The 36g - 12 sachet pack itself costs around P40 (around $1 dollar). While there are cheaper versions available, the packet is less messy and allows me to better control the amount of product i put in.

Calamansi, being native to the Philippines, is easier to find and far less expensive than lemon. I used only 10 drops of freshly squeezed calamansi juice on this mask. I've forgotten how much the honey costs but you'll need 1-2 tablespoons. I started with 1 tablespoon's worth then added as I went.

Here's one way to use turmeric as a mask:

1. Place all ingredients in a small container.

Honey (left), Calamansi juice (top), Powdered turmeric (right)

2. Mix until it turns into a  thick paste, as shown below (add more honey if needed).

3. Apply onto face and leave on for 20-30 minutes. You may wish to provide blemishes or blemish-prone areas with a second coat.


4. Rinse off with water.




Tips/Warnings

• Turmeric STAINS nearly everything so use clothes and objects you don't care for: I used a cheap chinese calligraphy brush that you can buy from National Bookstore  for P7.25 (Less than $0.25) to mix and apply the mask (remember to wash it before use). I also used an old plastic cap as the container.
• Turmeric may stain your face and hands as well, leaving a yellow cast on your skin even after rinsing.
• If your face ends up staining, it can be easily removed with your next shower (which is why I prefer this to be done pre-shower).
• You will only need a few drops of calamansi/lemon juice as using more will make the mixture runnier, which makes it more prone to dripping.
• You can adjust the amount of honey and turmeric you use until you are comfortable. Some people prefer to use just a pinch of turmeric.  I prefer to start with a lot of turmeric and less honey and add more when needed in order make the paste as thick as possible.
• Use a tissue to get rid of the excess turmeric before rinsing your face (extra caution as this may look like poop of the worst kind). You can also use a washcloth you don't mind getting stain in order to wipe it off.