Curcumin is a bright yellow chemical produced by plants of the Curcuma longa species. It is the principal curcuminoid of turmeric, a member of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is sold as an herbal supplement, cosmetics ingredient, food flavoring, and food coloring.

As for a cosmetic purpose, curcumin is used as an active compound in skin care preparations because its antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antiaging activity. Since ages, the paste of turmeric powder has been used for treatment of inflammation and skin injury and also as an antiseptic mainly due to high curcumin content. Curcumin has also been traditionally used for cosmetic purposes as skin colourant