How to use turmeric (kurkum scrub) to get glowing and flawless skin

By Falmata Zanna

Turmeric also called ‘Kurkum’ in Kanuri is widely used in the North part of Nigeria, especially Maiduguri. It is mostly used for brides before their wedding. It is used 2 to 3 weeks before the wedding to give the bride glowing and flawless skin. This process is referred to as ‘Gyaran Jiki’ in Hausa language, which literally means “fixing the body.”

In the context of a wedding, it’s a series of body treatments the bride has to go through so that she can look super glamourous during her wedding. It is important to note that the turmeric process doesn’t bleach the skin.

It is a process that creates a soft and acne-free skin as well as a yellow undertone that gives the illusion of a glow and then gradually fades out after a few weeks. Kinda like what henna does, although unlike henna, turmeric isn’t as pigmented and in most people, you don’t really see a difference in skin colour.

Here is what you need

The quantity of turmeric to be used varies according to your needs. If your skin is too dry, add more oats! If your skin is sensitive, add extra turmeric. Just make sure you don’t put too much lemon/lime juice because it’s acidic.

Main ingredients

Turmeric – 2 tablespoons

Honey – 2 tablespoons

Yeast – 1 tablespoon

Lemon or lime juice 1 tablespoon

Optional

Oats – 2 tablespoons

Humrah – a dash

Lotion – enough amount to last a week.

Plain flour – if consistency is too runny, add flour, one teaspoon at a time to make a thick paste.

• Pour all the dry ingredients into the bowl and mix them

2. Then pour the lemon juice and honey and mix to a paste
3. Add lotion to your desired quantity, make sure you add just enough and not too much otherwise your scrub will be runny.
4. Add humrah
5. If your paste is too runny, you can add plain flour, one teaspoon at a time and mix thoroughly till you get the desired consistency.

How to use it on your face

• Wash your face with warm water

2. Apply the paste all over your face
3. Leave it to dry for about 30 minutes, then scrub it off for the dry kurkum to peel off
4. Then wash it with water

How to use on your whole body

• Take a shower

2. Get a towel or wrapper then tie it
3. Start applying the kurkum all over your body, massage it very well to enter your pores
4. Leave for about 40 minutes to dry off
5. Scrub the dry paste on your body

Take a shower, you can put humrah in your bathing water to give you a nice smell