You’ve tried it all—homemade face masks, viral skincare hacks, and DIY remedies that promise to clear acne overnight. Social media is flooded with influencers claiming that rubbing tomato on your pimples or applying turmeric paste will magically heal your skin. But after weeks of trying these so-called "miracle" treatments, your acne remains the same—or worse, your skin feels irritated, red, and inflamed. So, do these home remedies really work? According to top dermatologists, the answer is a firm no.

Dermatologists call turmeric and tomato treatments a hoax

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Social media has created the illusion that natural ingredients like turmeric and tomato are effective cures for acne. But doctors strongly disagree, saying that these trends have nothing to do with real science.

Dr. Koushik Lahiri, a consultant dermatologist at Wizderm skin and hair clinic in Kolkata, completely dismisses these DIY treatments. “This has nothing to do with science. Some YouTube influencers induced hoax medicine and pseudoscience so far. This has got nothing to do with the skin. Tomato, turmeric or anything which is an edible substance should be taken by mouth, not applied on skin. These elements torture skin. None of these will cure acne as it has got nothing to do with science.”

Acne isn’t a one-size-fits-all problem. According to Dr. Lahiri, treating acne depends on gender, age, and underlying health conditions. In women, acne can be linked to hormonal issues like PCOD, ovarian cysts, or allergies. Without identifying the root cause, no amount of DIY treatments can help. In men, acne is usually treated based on severity—mild, moderate, or severe—using a scientific approach. Dermatologists follow established medical protocols, unlike influencers who promote unverified remedies.

Tomato and turmeric could make your acne worse!

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Many people believe turmeric’s curcumin content is anti-inflammatory and that tomatoes are rich in vitamins, but dermatologists warn that these ingredients do more harm than good when applied to the skin.

Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, director and chief dermatologist at MedLinks group of clinics in Delhi, explains why these home remedies can be dangerous. “Theoretically, turmeric has curcumin which is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and vitamin A. But the problem is, these are not the only things which are there in turmeric and tomato. In the majority of cases, people who use turmeric or tomato on the face may end up getting allergic reactions. Turmeric to a certain extent is a little safer option when nothing is available, but we don't recommend tomatoes at all because in many cases we have seen bad reactions on the face due to other compounds in tomatoes. The acne which is bigger in size, like cystic or painful acne, does not respond to either turmeric or tomato.”