This ancient, re-energized, shockingly gorgeous ingredient is a staple among some of the healthiest populations on Earth from thousands of years ago in Southeast Asia to tonight's foodies shopping at Erewhon in LA. The brightly-colored, stunning, flowering plant co-evolved with people, including its own defense mechanisms which we now use for our own health + beauty. Ginger and turmeric are in the same family, alongside 1600+ of the world's most dramatic flowers.
Turmeric has been used in skin treatments as far back as spa treatments themselves, with a history more than 4000 years old. Before labs and scientific method, people saw the brightening and soothing effects, but had to deal with intense staining to reap the rewards. In the late 90s, scientists began digging deeper into the active compound, curcumin, hoping to find a way to retain all of the benefits but removing the pigment molecules. There are over 3000 publications in the last 25 years alone that attempt to understand and benefit from turmeric's magic.
In 2001, our founder/esthetician Melissa Picoli Philips had recently returned from extended meanderings gathering beauty secrets from far-fetched corners of the globe, and began experimented with a then-novel isolate sent to her by a chemist friend. Melissa was the first to to incorporate this fantastic innovation into a body care product. She challenged her cosmetic chemist partnerships to create the most effective anti-aging body care, in order to address the signs of her own life spent in harsh outdoor environments. This resulted in the original BijaBody Anti-Aging Body Treatment, which has evolved into our even more effective strengthening body creme.
A TINY SNIPPET OF THE DATA
Protective role against various pollutants and cytotoxic agents
Induces apoptosis (death) of damaged cells
Causes rapid replacement of injured cells by normal healthy cells
Heals acute skin injuries more rapidly with less or no scarring
Rapid repair of sun-burns reduces malignant potential
Significant improvements of skin texture, fine lines and wrinkles
As effective and a safe alternative to 4% hydroquinone
Potentially more effective topically at conducting curcumin into the bloodstream than oral supplementation
The ridiculously long name, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, is a chemical explanation of how all of the active elements of turmeric were isolated from the ochre color. (We need to ask Frannie and James, over at Blue Marble, to help us further understand the chemical structure). It can now be found in a range of niche and mass beauty products, generally in very low concentrations due to high production cost, but we continue to rage against the snake oil and pave our own revolutionary path in skincare development to ensure the most effective, intelligent and ethical age-defying formulas.
THE DIRECT TRANSLATION FOR YOUR SKIN + BEAUTY
Brighter, smoother, healthier, softer, stronger skin. Reduces existing hyper-pigmentation. Significant disruption of dark spot formation. Potential reduction of likelihood of skin cancer. Reduced damage from pollution + sun exposure. Younger looking skin which bounces back more quickly from sunburns and other damage. Less itchiness and scarring.
More Balance. More Luminous. More Supple.
More Glow. Less Damage. More Strut.
Enticing? Ready to start slowing down your skin's roll? Get some!
Data-Results are based on 1-3x/day usage. Visual signs of reversal begin after 28 days usage. True results visible obvious 20 years down the road when your skin is still strong and glowing.
THEN USE ITNightly. Throughout the Day during times of excessive exposure or stress. When massaging a loved one's hands. Before Netflix-and-Chill. After skin has been suffocated all day under sweaters and tights. Regularly.
We'd love to hear from you! How is your skin doing as the weather quickly changes?If you need advice backed by real experience, schedule a 15 minute convo with Melissa to discuss any skincare concerns + questions. See our contact page.
Here's to our wild and precious life!
May the scars be worth it, and the glow well-cared for. xo, SSB
A few recipes to incorporate Turmeric's defense into your life
TURMERIC HOT CHOCOLATE
Ingredients:
1/4 t black or red pepper
1 T raw honey or coconut sugar
Sprinkle of cinnamon and vanilla
1 T cacao powder
Mix dry ingredients well then add honey. Add 1/4 cup warm milk of choice and blend/mix/whip (you have to put some elbow grease into this one). Once mixture becomes a paste, separate into two mugs, top off with warm milk of choice and enjoy. Extremely calming and fortifying.
FANCY FALL BUTTER: Melt butter over stove or microwave in a glass bowl with lid. Add 1/4 tsp each of turmeric, pepper, cumin, and sea salt to 2 cloves garlic finely chopped. Mix well, cover and allow to solidify. Use for a variety of fall/winter dishes. Omit garlic and use for Bullet Coffee.
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Nguyen TA, Friedman AJ. J Drugs Dermatol. 2013 Oct;12(10):1131-7
Yokota T, Nishio H, Kubota Y, Mizoguchi M. The inhibitory effect of glabridin from licorice extracts on melanogenesis and inflammation. Pigment Cell Res. 1998;11(6):355–361
Mauricio T, Karmon Y, Khaiat A. A randomized and placebo-controlled study to compare the skin-lightening efficacy and safety of lignin peroxidase cream vs. 2% hydroquinone cream. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2011;10(4):253–259
J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018 Feb; 11(2): 28–37
Sahdeo Prasad and Bharat B. Aggarwal Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects.