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Turmeric extract (Curcuma longa)

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a Zingiberaceae, provides a rhizome extract declared in cosmetics as a skin conditioning agent1. Its curcumin is a yellow pigment, listed in Annex IV as a colorant3. Cosmetic trials are lacking5, and turmeric is a documented contact allergen6789.

Turmeric rhizome powder in macro view on a sage green ceramic surface

Turmeric at a glance

Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database12, restrictions and colorants under Regulation (EC) 1223/20093. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.

INCI name
CURCUMA LONGA RHIZOME EXTRACTUS name: CURCUMA LONGA (TURMERIC) RHIZOME EXTRACT1. A neighboring entry, CURCUMA LONGA ROOT EXTRACT, declares the "fragrance" function2
Other names
Turmeric, curcuma
CAS number
84775-52-0Same number for the rhizome extract and the root extract12
EC number
283-882-1
Botanical origin
Curcuma longa L., Zingiberaceae (rhizome)Rhizome extract for this CosIng entry1
Compounds of interest
Curcuminoids, including curcuminCurcumin is the main active component cited by the reviews611. It is a yellow pigment: curcumins are listed in Annex IV (colorants) under CI 75300, yellow shade3
CosIng function
Skin conditioningThe root extract entry declares "fragrance"2
Standardization
Varies with the extractThe curcuminoid grade, and therefore the color intensity, is set in the raw material specification
EU status
No restriction for the extractAbsent from Annexes II and III of the text consolidated on 1 May 2025. Curcumins used as a colorant follow Annex IV (CI 75300)3
Allergen to declare
Not listedNeither turmeric nor Curcuma longa appears in the fragrance allergen list of Regulation (EU) 2023/15454. Turmeric remains a documented contact allergen6
Safety
No CIR or SCCS assessment foundEFSA classifies turmeric extract, oil, oleoresin and tincture as skin and eye irritants and skin sensitizers (opinion on animal feed additives)12

What the research says

Each result shows the protocol and the level of evidence. The higher the level, the better the result carries over to a finished formula.

Clinical trialReview or consensusLaboratory

SkinSkincare

A clinical literature centered on skin conditions

Review
2023 systematic review18 randomized trials, turmeric or curcumin

The listed trials concern skin conditions outside the cosmetic scope and are not detailed here. The review notes excellent tolerance across the analyzed trials and states that the dose and conditions of use remain to be determined5.

Photoaging: mechanisms, low bioavailability

Review
2025 reviewCurcumin and UV radiation

The review describes how curcumin could limit photoaging: antioxidant action, regulation of metalloproteinases, pigmentation. It places low bioavailability at the center of the problem and summarizes improved formulations. Its abstract cites no controlled cosmetic trial on the rhizome extract10.

An interesting antioxidant, a recent cosmetic use

Review
2023 reviewCurcuminoids

Curcuminoids have antioxidant activities of interest for skin protection, but their use in cosmetics is recent. Derivatives, co-antioxidants and improved formulations enhance penetration and stability11.

Safety and allergyReviews and cases

Irritant and sensitizer according to EFSA

Expert assessment
EFSA FEEDAP opinion 2020Rhizome extract, oil, oleoresin and tincture

EFSA concludes that these additives should be considered irritants for skin, eyes and the respiratory tract, and skin sensitizers. The opinion concerns animal feed: the hazard classification applies to the material12.

Contact allergy: three published cases

Case reports
Publications from 1987, 1997 and 2016

One contact allergy to curcumin7, one to turmeric8 and one to the turmeric in a massage oil9 are described.

A spice widely used topically

Review
2023 reviewTurmeric allergy

The review recalls that turmeric is in common topical use, notably in South India, and that its allergenic potential is reported in several cases and studies. Dermatologists and consumers should be aware of it6.

This page summarizes published literature on a cosmetic ingredient. It does not describe the effect of a finished product, which depends on its formula, and it is not medical advice. Curcumin is mostly studied for skin conditions outside the cosmetic scope: these trials are not covered here. No controlled cosmetic trial on the rhizome extract was retained.

Which products use turmeric?

Our white label catalog includes 1 formula with turmeric: the key active in 1 of them, a supporting ingredient in the others. Every category can be customized (formula, fragrance, packaging).

1Face

Key active of the turmeric toner.

Frequently asked questions about turmeric

What is turmeric?
It is a plant of the Zingiberaceae family, Curcuma longa, whose rhizome is used1. In cosmetics, the extract is declared CURCUMA LONGA RHIZOME EXTRACT, with the skin conditioning function1. Its main component is curcumin6.
What are the benefits of turmeric for skin?
The cosmetic evidence is limited. The reviews describe antioxidant mechanisms11 and a possible role against photoaging, with low bioavailability10. Clinical trials mostly concern skin conditions and are not covered5.
Does turmeric stain the skin?
Curcumin is a yellow pigment: the regulation lists it among the Annex IV colorants (CI 75300, yellow shade)3. An extract rich in curcuminoids can therefore tint the formula and, depending on its grade, the vehicle and the contact time, leave a yellow tint on the skin. We found no published study measuring this skin coloring: it is checked with a color and stability test of the formula, then a test on volunteers.
What percentage of turmeric should you use?
The retained sources give no rhizome extract concentration tested on human skin for cosmetic use. The dose is set with the formulator, based on the curcuminoid grade, the acceptable color and the targeted tolerance.
What should you pair turmeric with?
In our toner, it is paired with Damask rose water, niacinamide, caffeine, licorice extract, panthenol and vitamin E. The stability of the color and of the final formula is checked with laboratory tests.
Does turmeric carry any risks?
Yes, it can sensitize: three cases of contact allergy are published789, and EFSA classifies it as a skin irritant and sensitizer12. No restriction appears for the extract in Annexes II and III3, but a tolerance test on the finished product remains the rule.
Can you manufacture a turmeric toner for my brand?
Yes. Our ISO 22716 certified lab offers a turmeric formula (toner) to customize, or a custom formula. Free samples are included.

Sources

Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 3, 2026.

  1. European Commission. CosIng, entry CURCUMA LONGA RHIZOME EXTRACT (CAS 84775-52-0, EC 283-882-1). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
  2. European Commission. CosIng, entry CURCUMA LONGA ROOT EXTRACT (CAS 84775-52-0, EC 283-882-1). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
  3. European Parliament and Council. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, consolidated text of 1 May 2025 (Annexes II, III and IV). EUR-Lex. eur-lex.europa.eu
  4. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 of 26 July 2023 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards labelling of fragrance allergens in cosmetic products (Annex III). eur-lex.europa.eu
  5. Patel P, Wang JY, Mineroff J, Jagdeo J. Evaluation of curcumin for dermatologic conditions: a systematic review. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023;316(1):37. doi:10.1007/s00403-023-02754-8
  6. Palaniappan V, Karthikeyan K. Turmeric: The Yellow Allergen. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2023;14(4):459-464. doi:10.4103/idoj.idoj_340_22
  7. Hata M, Sasaki E, Ota M, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis from curcumin (turmeric). Contact Dermatitis. 1997;36(2):107-108. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1997.tb00426.x
  8. Goh CL, Ng SK. Allergic contact dermatitis to Curcuma longa (turmeric). Contact Dermatitis. 1987;17(3):186. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1987.tb02706.x
  9. Lopez-Villafuerte L, Clores KH. Contact dermatitis caused by turmeric in a massage oil. Contact Dermatitis. 2016;75(1):52-53. doi:10.1111/cod.12549
  10. Nie Y, Li Y. Curcumin: a potential anti-photoaging agent. Front Pharmacol. 2025;16:1559032. doi:10.3389/fphar.2025.1559032
  11. Messire G, Serreau R, Berteina-Raboin S. Antioxidant Effects of Catechins (EGCG), Andrographolide, and Curcuminoids Compounds for Skin Protection, Cosmetics, and Dermatological Uses: An Update. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023;12(7):1317. doi:10.3390/antiox12071317
  12. EFSA FEEDAP Panel, Bampidis V, Azimonti G, et al. Safety and efficacy of turmeric extract, turmeric oil, turmeric oleoresin and turmeric tincture from Curcuma longa L. rhizome when used as sensory additives in feed for all animal species. EFSA J. 2020;18(6):e06146. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6146
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