Anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing and anti-acne - using nutmeg for skin comes with a wide range of promises meant to make your skin glow and stay healthy. Nutmeg, also called Jaiphal in India, is used to add a different flavour to many culinary dishes. However, besides its ability to enhance the flavour of a particular dish, nutmeg also has many other health benefits. Using nutmeg for skincare can help in exfoliation and increase the vibrancy of your skin. However, it is important to understand how to use nutmeg for your skin, as using it in the wrong manner can leave you with harmful reactions on your skin, as well as its toxicity can be dangerous for you. Choosing the right kind of nutmeg is also crucial. Here is your guide on how to use nutmeg for skin, its benefits and what you need to be careful about.

What is nutmeg?

Nutmeg is not a nut, but a seed from the Myristica plant. “This spice seed is widely recognized for its numerous health benefits, including its positive effects on the skin,” explains dermatologist Dr Raina Nahar. Nutmeg contains volatile oil, a fixed oil, proteins, fats, starch, as well as mucilage. It is used against skin diseases such as eczema as well as scabies, states this Essential Oils in Food Preservation, Flavor and Safety study.

Benefits of nutmeg

Besides spicing up our food, nutmeg has a range of other health benefits that one cannot miss. It is sleep-inducing and helps you relax and de-stress. It also releases happy hormones and can be used to treat depression. Besides this, nutmeg can offer relief from chronic pain, and helps to reduce inflammation. It can also act as a detoxifying agent. Check out the other benefits of nutmeg and why we must include it in our diets.

Nutmeg for skin

Nutmeg offers several benefits for the skin, primarily due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing, anti-acne, and exfoliating properties:

1. Anti-inflammatory

Nutmeg is anti-inflammatory and that makes it effective in soothing skin conditions like dermatitis, sunburn, and eczema, providing relief from irritation. A study, published in the Journal of Coastal Life Medicine, states that nutmeg-based gel has high potential in anti-inflammatory activity and shows less cytotoxic activity, an activity that kills cells.

2. Slows down ageing process

Nutmeg acts as a scavenger of free radicals, which helps slow down the ageing process, keeping the skin youthful. A study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine observed that nutmeg exhibits qualities that increase muscle mass or prevent decrease of muscle wasting in ageing rats.

3. Anti-acne

It has anti-acne properties that help reduce oil secretion, making it beneficial for acne-prone skin. Nutmeg contains myristicin, a substance that helps to combat acne. A study published in Molecules, states that it helped fight against bacteria Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus that cause acne.

It is important to grind nutmeg to a fine powder and apply it as a mask. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

4. Exfoliating qualities

These qualities aid in removing dead skin cells, further preventing acne outbreaks. It also helps to promote skin renewal and helps in improving the texture of your skin. Check out this guide on how to exfoliate your skin.

5. Reduces pigmentation

Nutmeg can reduce pigmentation by decreasing melanin production. This helps to make the skin look clearer by reducing skin blemishes. It also helps to promote a more even skin tone, making skin look healthier.

How to use nutmeg for skin?

Incorporating nutmeg into your skincare routine can be done in several ways.

• To soothe inflamed skin, such as in cases of eczema, you can mix nutmeg powder with coconut oil and apply it to the affected area.
• For facial treatments, a mixture of 1 teaspoon of nutmeg powder with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and honey can be applied to the face for 15 minutes before rinsing off, which helps reduce acne and rejuvenate the skin.
• Another option is to mix nutmeg powder with a small amount of milk to create a paste, which can be applied to the face twice or thrice a week to enhance skin clarity and glow. It's crucial to grind nutmeg to a fine powder and apply it as a face mask, avoiding the use of coarse scrubs to prevent skin damage.

Risks of using nutmeg for skin

While nutmeg is generally well-tolerated in skincare, it can cause sensitivity in some individuals. Therefore, it's important to conduct a patch test before using it extensively. “Signs of adverse reactions include rashes, itching, and inflammation. Additionally, it’s essential to use high-quality, organic nutmeg to avoid any harmful reactions caused by adulterants,” says Dr Nahar.

Nutmeg also acts as a brain stimulant, and excessive use, even when applied topically, can lead to toxic effects like delirium and other health hazards. “Therefore, it’s advised to limit the quantity used on the skin to no more than 1 tablespoon at a time, staying well below the toxic dose of 5 grams,” says Dr Nahar.

It is important to not use nutmeg every day for skin. Twice a week should be sufficient. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

What to remember while using nutmeg for skin?

When incorporating nutmeg into your skincare routine, it’s important to remember the following points

• Use sparingly—no more than 1 tablespoon at a time.
• Daily application is not recommended; instead, using it twice a week is sufficient to see benefits without risking overexposure.
• Grind nutmeg to a fine powder and apply it as a mask rather than a scrub to prevent skin irritation.
• Conducting a patch test before full application is crucial to avoid any adverse reactions.

FAQs

How much nutmeg should I use in one go?

It is recommended to use no more than 1 tablespoon of nutmeg in one application.

Can I use nutmeg for my skin every day?

No, it is not advisable to use nutmeg daily. Twice a week is sufficient to gain its benefits without risking skin irritation.

Can nutmeg make my skin fair?

Yes, nutmeg can help in clearing blemishes and promoting a fairer skin tone by reducing melanin production, but it should be used carefully and in moderation.

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