The rise of the superfood in recent times has seen turmeric shoot to the top of health conscious shopping lists the world over.
A relative of ginger, the Ayurvedic spice has well and truly secured itself a place in the zeitgeist of modern food and drink (think turmeric lattes, turmeric supplement pills and straight shots sprinkled with black pepper to boost the immune system).
Researchers are analysing the remedial effects of turmeric on medical complaints from toothache to tuberculosis.
But now it seems the ancient ingredient may be the fresh faced star of the cosmetic world too.
Turmeric has been used in ancient Indian Ayurvedic tradition for hundreds of years for its medicinal and beautifying benefits
Used for centuries across China and India to purify the skin, turmeric is overflowing with rich anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
Turmeric-laced facial products have been popping up on beauty counters from Sydney to San Francisco, bringing with them promises of smoother, calmer and brighter skin.
A growing number of cosmetologists and beauty brands are harnessing these mystical benefits to create next level makeup products – but the power of the golden spice can come at a heavy cost to your bank account.
So, is it worth the money?
Kiehl’s Turmeric and Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque (left, RRP $58) and the Verso Skincare Antioxidant Turmeric Booster (right, $139)
At $58, Kiehl’s Turmeric and Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque appears to be a great return on investment.
Proving a major hit around the world, beauty lovers have credited the yellow potion with improving the luminosity of their visage as well as leaving skin clean, refreshed and revitalised the morning after.
A warrior in the fight against blemishes, turmeric’s antiseptic and anti-inflammatory components are the perfect antidote to troublesome acne for all skin types.
Swedish skincare brand Verso offer an Antioxidant Turmeric Booster serum enriched with vitamin E which promises an instantly nourished, more youthful complexion with long lasting benefits. Shell out $139 on Mecca.com for this bottle of liquid radiance.
Beauty blogger and celebrity makeup artist Huda Kattan (aka Huda Beauty) has long endorsed the seemingly mystical powers of turmeric (seen here applied as a face mask)
Independent reviewers on global beauty marketplace MakeupAlley praise turmeric face masks for their hydrating, glow-enhancing effect, while others credit the spice with evening out their skin texture, reducing scarring and speeding up the healing process for spots.
Australian makeup reviewer POPSUGAR Beauty is a long time fan of all things turmeric, calling the ingredient a ‘miracle for skin’.
Huda Kattan, US mega-blogger and founder of the makeup brand Huda Beauty, has endorsed the benefits of regular household turmeric on her YouTube channel, calling it ‘an inexpensive, super-beautifying superfood from the earth’.
For Ms Kattan, using the pure form of yellow herb seems to be just as effective as shelling out big bucks for brand name potions.
Huda Kattan (pictured), recommends using household ground turmeric spice for serious benefits to your skin
Makeup giant NARS have developed a way for us to reap the benefits of turmeric all day, every day, thanks to their Sheer Glow Foundation ($69) which is laced with turmeric extract and continues to be a firm favourite among makeup lovers everywhere for its lightweight, invigorating coverage.
Taking this queue, professional makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift mixes turmeric into her own-brand RMS products, including her antioxidant lipsticks and facial oil.
Hair specialists Aveda have even cottoned on to the magic of turmeric, with their Invati Advanced Exfoliating shampoo ($49) promising thicker, fuller locks as well as a healthier, energised scalp, all thanks to the golden herb.