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Turmeric is a yellow spice usually used in making curry, but turmeric also helps exfoliate your skin and prevent acne. [1] 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. 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]
    • 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]

  2. 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]
    • Avoid putting the mixture near your eyes since it could damage your vision.
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  3. 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]
    • 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. 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]
    • 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.
  2. 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]
  3. 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]

    Tip: If you can’t use a cotton pad, use a dark-colored towel so it hides any stains.

  4. 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]
    • If you still have stains on your skin, repeat the process again.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Sugar Scrub

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  1. 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]
    • You can use either white granulated sugar or organic cane sugar for your scrub.
  2. 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]
    • Don’t scrub too hard or you may cause skin irritation.
  3. 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]
    • If you still notice stains on your skin, make more sugar scrub and clean the area again.
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Expert Q&A

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      Tips

      • Use organic Kasturi turmeric if you want to avoid staining your skin. [14]
      • 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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      Things You’ll Need

      Using Oil

      • Vegetable or coconut oil
      • Cotton pad
      • Soap

      Making a Sugar Scrub

      • Sugar
      • Water
      • Small bowl
      • Soap

      Mixing Lemon Juice and Baking Soda

      • Baking soda
      • Lemon juice
      • Soap

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about skin care, check out our in-depth interview with Mohiba Tareen, MD .

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To remove turmeric stains from your skin, start by warming 2 tablespoons of vegetable or coconut oil in the microwave for 15 seconds. Once the oil is warm, gently massage it into the stained area of your skin for about 30 seconds. Leave the oil on your skin for another minute before wiping it off with a cotton pad. Alternatively, mix equal amounts of sugar and warm water in a bowl until it forms a thick paste. Then, gently scrub the paste onto your skin in circular motions, which will get rid of your turmeric stains while exfoliating your skin. For more tips, including how to remove turmeric stains with a lemon juice and baking soda solution, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Amelia Brennan

        Jul 5, 2021

        "I tried doing all of them, it worked after all. Probably didn't need to do all but yeah. (I stained my armpit ..." more
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