How to Remove Turmeric Stains from Skin

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Co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: May 28, 2024 Fact Checked

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Lemon Juice and Baking Soda

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Warm Oil

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Sugar Scrub

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Video

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Expert Interview

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Tips

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Things You'll Need

Turmeric is a yellow spice usually used in making curry, but turmeric also helps exfoliate your skin and prevent acne.^{[1]
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Research source} However. when you use turmeric, the natural pigment can stain your skin a yellowish color. If you accidentally stain your skin, face, or nails while using turmeric, you’ll be able to scrub the pigment off with common household items.

Things You Should Know

Mix baking soda and lemon juice
Heat up vegetable or coconut oil in the microwave and rub it on the skin
Mix equal parts sugar and water into paste; use that as a sugar scrub on the skin

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Lemon Juice and Baking Soda

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1
Mix equal amounts of baking soda and lemon juice. Pour the baking soda and lemon juice into a bowl and mix it together with a spoon. Keep stirring the mixture until it forms a paste that you can easily spread with your hands. If it’s too thick, add more lemon juice, but if it’s too loose, add more baking soda.^{[2]
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- Baking soda and lemon juice will also help brighten and exfoliate your skin.
Tip: If you don't have lemon juice, you can substitute using white distilled or apple cider vinegar.^{[3]
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Put the baking soda paste on the stains for 2-3 minutes. Apply a thin layer of the baking soda paste onto the stained area. Let it set and dry onto the stain for 2-3 minutes so it can lift the stain from your skin.^{[4]
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- Avoid putting the mixture near your eyes since it could damage your vision.
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3
Wash the paste off under soapy water. After the paste has set, run warm water over it to rinse it away. If some of the paste still sticks to you, use a paper towel or one made from dark-colored fabric to scrub the rest off of your skin. The baking soda should have lifted the stains and brightened your skin!^{[5]
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- Clean the paste off thoroughly since lemon juice can cause extreme sensitivity to the sun.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Warm Oil

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1
Warm vegetable or coconut oil in a microwave for 15 seconds. Put 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vegetable or coconut oil into a microwave-safe bowl. Put the bowl in your microwave and heat the oil on high for 15 seconds. Make sure the oil is warm but not scalding hot.^{[7]
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- Only use 1 tablespoon (15 ml) if you only have a small stain.
- The pigment in turmeric is more soluble in oil than it is in water, meaning it will lift the stains off easier.
Gently rub your skin in circles over the stained area. Work the oil into the skin to lift the pigment from the stain. After scrubbing for about 30 seconds, let the oil sit on your skin for 1 minute so it can draw out the stain even more.^{[8]
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Use a disposable cotton pad to pat the oil off of your skin. Rotate the pad after each pat so it can absorb the most oil. Continue patting your skin dry until the oil is completely removed. You should notice the lifted pigment on the cotton.^{[9]
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Tip: If you can’t use a cotton pad, use a dark-colored towel so it hides any stains.
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Wash your skin with warm soapy water. Lather a body or hand soap in warm water and apply it to the area that was stained. Work the soap in circles on your skin to scrub any residual stains. Rinse the soapy water off your skin and pat it dry with a towel.^{[10]
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- If you still have stains on your skin, repeat the process again.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Sugar Scrub

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1
Mix equal parts sugar and water in a bowl to form a paste. Combine equal amounts of sugar and warm water in a bowl. Stir the mixture together until it forms a thick paste that you can easily spread in your hands.^{[11]
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- You can use either white granulated sugar or organic cane sugar for your scrub.
2
Scrub your skin with the paste in circular motions. Gently apply the sugar paste to your skin and scrub in small circles over the stain. The sugar will lift the turmeric stains and exfoliate your skin at the same time.^{[12]
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- Don’t scrub too hard or you may cause skin irritation.
3
Rinse your skin with warm soapy water. Mix hand soap and water together until you bring it to a lather. Rinse the paste completely off of your skin to get rid of the turmeric stains for good. Once your skin is clean, pat it dry with a soft towel.^{[13]
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- If you still notice stains on your skin, make more sugar scrub and clean the area again.

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Tips

Use organic Kasturi turmeric if you want to avoid staining your skin.^{[14]
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Instead of mixing turmeric with water to make a paste, try using honey or milk instead. The thicker mixture will cause fewer stains.^{[15]
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