Turmeric isn’t a spice I cook with much, but I’m all about it in my beauty routine. The spice rack is a great source of skin care, as it turns out. Chances are, you’ve seen this bright yellow, almost orange, Indian spice popping up lately as more than just an ingredient in food. Throughout history, it’s been used as a beauty product but it’s more recently seen as a modern day miracle for skin. It’s “anti” everything – bacterial, inflammatory oxidant, septic – and is said to naturally brighten and smooth skin. With a resume that strong, it is worth experimenting with turmeric.

Here are a few tips to turmeric-ing.

First, go ground. You can purchase a high quality spice rather inexpensively on your next SOCIALrun at Mariano’s (if in Chicago!) in bulk. It’s easier to work with in powder form, but you’re more than welcome to experiment with it in root form if you like a challenge.

Mix it up. Take a creamy medium – like greek yogurt or Manuka honey and – and blend it with a teaspoon of ground turmeric and apply as a face mask. Leave on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off.

Add your daily dose of vitamin C. Try mixing turmeric with orange juice and creating a paste that you can cleanse with or use as a mask (for 3-5 minutes). It will be extra bright in color but a powerhouse for treating blemishes.

Not into the DIY? Not to worry. Kiehl’s Tumeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masqueis an excellent alternative. The cranberry seeds lightly exfoliate skin as you rinse off and the combo reveals an instantly brighter complexion.