Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract
Also known as Turmeric root extract, Curcuma longa extract, Turmeric extract
“CIR Expert Panel says: restricted.”
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract (CAS 84775-52-0) is the whole-extract preparation of the rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. (family Zingiberaceae). The principal bioactive constituents are the curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin) plus essential-oil sesquiterpenes (turmerones); curcumin is responsible for the deep yellow color and most claimed cosmetic bioactivity. No CIR final safety assessment is currently published for this INCI: Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract appears on the CIR 2024 Final Priority List (FOU=177, the highest of 5 Curcuma longa preparations grouped for a planned assessment with total FOU=220), and is verified absent from the September 2022, October 2024, and December 2017/July 2018 Quick Reference Tables. The packet conservatively codes the cir regulatory status as 'restricted' pending the CIR final report — paralleling the SODIUM HYALURONATE CROSSPOLYMER and Acacia Senegal Gum priority-list pattern. Topical clinical evidence is moderate: a systematic review of 18 clinical studies (Vaughn 2016, PMID 27213821) found 10/18 turmeric/curcumin trials reported statistically significant improvement across acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, and hyperpigmentation; a 2023 review focused on topical curcumin (Di Lorenzo et al., PMID 38008088) characterizes topical curcumin as a 'safe and well-tolerated natural substance' with documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity. A topical Curcuma longa whole-extract formulation study (Kaur & Saraf 2011, PMID 22151933) demonstrated improved skin hydration and sebum content in transfersomal cream over 6 weeks. The well-documented yellow-staining property of curcuminoids (skin and fabric) is a real cosmetic-formulation concern but not a toxicological hazard.
Antioxidant activity: curcuminoids are potent radical scavengers and chelators; documented in topical UV-protection research (PMID 22151933 demonstrates photoprotective effect of topical Curcuma longa extract vesicular formulation).
Anti-inflammatory activity: curcumin modulates NF-kB, COX-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokine pathways; supports topical claims for acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (Vaughn 2016 PMID 27213821 systematic review found 10/18 clinical trials with statistically significant skin-condition improvement).
Anti-microbial activity: curcuminoids show in vitro activity against acne-relevant bacteria; supports cosmetic positioning for blemish-prone skin (Di Lorenzo 2023 PMID 38008088).
Skin brightening / hyperpigmentation: curcumin inhibits melanin synthesis pathways; a recurring topical-clinical-trial endpoint with mixed-but-positive efficacy across small studies (Vaughn 2016 review).
Skin hydration / barrier: whole-extract formulation (transfersomal cream) improved hydration and sebum content over 6 weeks of topical application (Kaur & Saraf 2011 PMID 22151933).
Plant: Curcuma longa L., family Zingiberaceae (ginger family); cosmetic INCI preparation is the whole-rhizome extract (curcuminoids + turmerones + polysaccharides) — distinguished from isolated CURCUMIN (single-molecule, separate INCI).
- · Yellow staining: curcuminoids strongly stain skin (transient) and fabric (persistent). This is a documented cosmetic-formulation handling concern, not a toxicological hazard.
No CIR final safety assessment published — Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract is on the CIR 2024 Final Priority List for new assessment (FOU=177, group of 5 Curcuma longa preparations, total FOU=220). Verified absent from the September 2022, October 2024, and December 2017/July 2018 Quick Reference Tables. Packet conservatively codes cir status as 'restricted' pending final report.
Contact dermatitis and sensitization potential reported in the literature — turmeric/curcumin has been implicated in occupational and patch-test-positive contact allergic reactions, though incidence in cosmetic use is low. A 2025 randomized controlled HRIPT clinical protocol (PMID 40721249, BMJ Open) is currently evaluating turmeric/EGCG emulgel sensitization in 60 healthy volunteers — results pending.
Plant-part identity discipline: Curcuma longa has multiple distinct INCI preparations (Root Extract, Root Oil, Root Powder, Rhizome Extract, Leaf Extract) with different FOUs (177, 17, 15, 6, 5 respectively per CIR 2024 priorities). This packet covers ROOT EXTRACT specifically — formulators using other Curcuma longa preparations should not inherit this packet's evidence wholesale.
Curcumin oral bioavailability is famously poor; the extract's whole-curcuminoid profile (with co-extracted turmerones) is documented in research literature as a different pharmacological profile than isolated curcumin alone.
CIR 2024 Final Priority List — Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract listed for new safety assessment, FOU=177, CAS 84775-52-0; group of …
“Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract FOU = 177 Definition: Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract is the extract of the roots of Curcuma longa.”— 2024_Final_Priorities.pdf, p. 9