Curcumin, a yellow coloring ingredient derived from Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae) is one of the most extensively investigated and well defined chemopreventive, antioxidant and antiinflammatory phytochemicals. Curcumin appears to protect skin and mucous membrane by quenching free radicals and reducing inflammation, and the primary target of cu'rcumin is found to be NFkB inhibition. It inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells by arresting them in the various phases of the cell cycle and by inducing apoptosis. Curcumin is quite safe and the varied biological properties and the lack of toxicity even at higher doses makes it attractive to explore its use in various disorders like tumor of skin, colon, duodenum, pancreas, breast, and other skin and mucous membrane diseases.