Besan or gram flour is commonly found in Indian kitchens. The flour has long been used in dishes both savoury and sweet. But what if we told you that this flour was also a beauty staple for your grandma as she used besan powder for face. It could easily be your go-to ingredient for resolving many skin issues, from acne to dry skin and more.
Sounds unbelievable?
No matter what your skin type, Dr Neena Chopra, Director Beauty & Technical, has a besan-based home remedy for you
Let’s refresh our beauty basics and learn about some besan benefits.
Benefits of Besan for Skin
Besan or gram flour is made by powdering chickpeas. High in nutritional content, such as proteins, unsaturated fatty acids like linoleic, and vitamins like riboflavin, it is a staple in Indian cuisine. With its inherent properties, besan also makes for an excellent beauty enhancer!
Regular application of besan can effectively-
- Remove surface dirt and toxins from the skin.
- Remove sebum (oil on the skin) without drying the skin
- Maintain pH balance of the skin
- Maintain skin moisture giving it a smooth texture
- Act as a mild exfoliant to bleach the skin imparting an even tone
- Add a radiant glow to the skin
We could go on and on about the besan benefits for the skin with packs made using besan as a key ingredient. But it would help if you use these quick, simple, and easy methods and see the difference for yourself.
Here are some besan packs for glowing skin. Hope you will enjoy these home remedies using besan ( gram flour) – a commonly used ingredient in kitchens across India.
Home remedies using Besan for Dry skin
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Besan & Honey with Milk Cream Face Pack
This honey and cream-based formula will lock the moisture and keep your skin hydrated, ensuring that your face doesn’t feel too tight or irritated after application.
“Take 1 tbsp of besan powder in a bowl and add an equal amount of almond powder and lentil powder (red masoor dal). Add 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder, 1tsp of milk cream and 1tsp of honey. Make a paste by adding raw milk (kaccha doodh) according to your requirements and apply it on your face and leave it to dry. Wash it off with lukewarm water and use on every alternate day for a week, for considerable difference,” she says.
Apart from this, we have curated a list of besan packs recommended by her for you to try:
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Besan & Banana Face Pack
Bananas promote collagen production and nourish the skin from within. The riper the bananas, the better will be its benefits. Ripe bananas are richer in minerals like magnesium.
Mash 2 to 3 bananas and add 2 teaspoons besan to it. Make a paste using rosewater or milk. Apply evenly and leave for 10 to 1 5 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.
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Curd & Besan Face Pack
Curd contains enzymes that moisturize and cleanse the skin, while the zinc in curd can help clear acne (1)
Make a smooth paste using 2 tablespoons of gram flour and 1 to 2 teaspoons of curd or yoghurt. Apply on the face and leave for around 10 minutes. Wash off with mildly warm water.
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Besan & Oats Face Pack
Oats cleanse the skin by removing both surface and deep grime. Mix 1 tablespoon grounded oats with 1 tablespoon besan, add 1 teaspoon honey and make a smooth paste using rosewater. Apply on the face and leave for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.
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Besan ubtan Using Turmeric, Honey, milk & Fresh Cream
Fresh cream and honey hydrate and moisturise the skin, while turmeric is known to have antiseptic properties. Make a smooth paste using 2 tablespoons besan, 1 tablespoon fresh cream, 1 teaspoon milk, 1 teaspoon honey, and a pinch of turmeric. Apply to your face and gently massage it. Leave on the face for about 10 minutes and wash off with cool water.
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Besan & Cucumber
Cucumber has cooling properties, clears blemishes, and closes open pores. It is also suitable for acne-prone skin.
Grate a cucumber and extract about 2 tablespoons of juice. Add 2 tablespoons besan and 5 to 6 drops of lemon if you want to reduce tan also. Make a smooth paste without lumps, apply to the face and leave for about 20 minutes. Wash off with cool water.
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Besan & Almond
Almonds rich in vitamins and minerals nourish the skin and help reduce pigmentation. Grind 4 to 5 almonds to powder, add 1 teaspoon besan, 1 tablespoon milk, and half a teaspoon lemon juice to make a thick paste. Apply this pack to the face and leave for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash off with cool water. Alternatively, using rose water instead of milk could help acne-prone and sensitive skin.
Home remedies using Besan for Oily skin and Combination Skin
Dr Neena offers suggestions for a few other besan packs that you could make for your skin type, depending on the ingredients readily available.
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Besan & Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a great bleaching agent and the citric acid will help you get rid of the extra oils on your face, so don’t worry about disturbing your sebaceous glands.
“Mix 1 tbsp of besan powder with an equal amount of barley powder. Add 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder and 1/4 tsp of lemon juice. Add yoghurt to give it a paste-like consistency, and apply it to your face. Once it dries, wash it off with lukewarm water and use on every alternate day for a week, for considerable difference,” she suggests.
Home remedies using Besan for Combination skin
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Besan & Cucumber Juice
A combo of the refreshing cucumber juice and turmeric is your best bet to de-tan if you have combination skin, as both substances are known for their skin-lightening properties.
“Mix 1 tbsp of besan powder with an equal amount of orange peel powder. Add 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder and 1 tsp of cucumber juice. Make a paste using rose water and apply it on your face, leaving it on till it dries. Wash it off with lukewarm water and use every alternate day for a week, for considerable difference,” she suggests.
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Aloe Vera & Besan
Aloe vera contains minerals and antioxidants to nourish the skin.
Mix 1 teaspoon besan and 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel into a smooth paste. Apply on the face and leave for about 10 minutes. Wash off with water.
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Besan & Multani Mitti
Coolant fuller’s earth helps improve blood circulation to the skin.
Make a lump-free paste using 2 teaspoons of Multani mitti and 1 teaspoon of besan by adding the required amount of rose water. Apply on a clean face and let it dry for 15 minutes. Wash off with water.
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Besan & Orange Juice
Orange juice full of vitamins is a natural astringent that can reduce pigmentation.
Squeeze around 1 to 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice and add to 2 tablespoons besan. Mix thoroughly in a smooth paste, and leave for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash off with water.
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Besan & Baking Soda
Baking soda has anti-microbial properties that reduce sebum production and kill acne-producing bacteria.
Combine a pinch of baking soda with ¼ cup of water. To this mixture, add 2 tablespoons of gram flour and a pinch of turmeric to get a smooth consistency. Apply on the face and leave for 10 minutes and wash off.
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Besan & Rose Water
Rose water tones and refreshes the skin to restore oil balance.
Take 2 tablespoons of besan and make a smooth paste using 2 to 3 tablespoons of rose water. Apply on your face and leave for about 20 minutes. Wash off with cool water.
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Honey & Besan
Mildly warm 1 tablespoon of honey for about 10 seconds while checking that it does not get too hot. Add 2 tablespoons of besan to it, mix well and apply to your face; leave to dry and wash off with lukewarm water.
Home remedies using Besan for Acne-prone skin
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Besan & Orange Peel Powder
While anyone with acne-prone skin is wary of trying anything new, give this pack a go-ahead, as it contains sandalwood powder–one of the most well-known weapons in your arsenal when it comes to tackling acne, pimples and blemishes.
“Mix equal amounts of besan powder, orange peel powder and sandalwood powder (we have taken 1tbsp each). Add 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder and 1/4 tsp of lemon juice. Make a paste using yogurt (curd) and apply it on your face. Let it dry before washing it off with lukewarm water. Use every alternate day for a week, for considerable difference,” she says.
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Besan & Turmeric
Honey has anti-inflammatory properties that also cool and moisturizes the skin, curing pimples.
Add a pinch of turmeric to 2 teaspoons of besan. Mix well using rose water. Apply on the face and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash off with water.
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Besan & Sandalwood
Sandalwood treats pimples and adds a glow.
Take a teaspoon of sandalwood powder and 1 tablespoon of gram flour. Add a pinch of turmeric powder and 2 tablespoons of rose water. Make a smooth paste, apply it to your face, and leave for 20 minutes. Wash off with water.
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Besan & Neem Face Pack
Neem has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties to clear acne and reduce infection.
Mix 1 tablespoon yoghurt or rose water to make a smooth paste. Add 1 teaspoon dried neem powder and 1 tablespoon besan. Apply this on your face, leave for 10 to 15 minutes and wash off with water.
Home remedies using Besan for Sunburnt skin
Sunburnt skin tends to be extra sensitive (and even painful in some cases), so anything gentle with cooling properties helps soothe the skin.
“Mix equal amounts of besan powder, ground oats and sandalwood powder (we have taken 1tbsp each). Make a paste with an infusion of green tea and add 1tsp of honey. Give it a good mix. Apply it on your face and let it dry. Wash it off with lukewarm water and use everyday to help your skin relax,” she adds.
Pro Tip
Besan is a natural product and is used in face packs with other ingredients. The packs may or may not suit your skin or may cause allergic breakouts, especially if you are using them for the first time. It is best to do a patch test and wait for at least 48 hours before applying it to your face.
Conclusion
Besan is a versatile ingredient that can be used safely regardless of skin type. Besan flour's benefits for the skin are enhanced when it is used in combination with other ingredients. However, for specific issues such as acne, or sensitive or itchy skin, ensure to consult a dermatologist to avoid aggravating the problem.
Choose from the options available depending on your skin issues and skin type for a glowing resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is besan good for sensitive skin?
Besan is a good cleanser and a natural product. It can be used on sensitive skin but shouldn’t be massaged vigorously or left for a long time.
2. Can I apply besan on my face every day?
Besan absorbs excess oil leaving the skin dry. Daily application on dry skin can leave it more dehydrated, making the skin more wrinkle-prone. It is best to apply 2 to 3 times a week if you have dry skin and 3 to 4 times if you have oily skin.
3. Is besan good for anti-ageing?
The fine granules of besan act as a mild exfoliator giving a smooth glow. At the same time, the anti-oxidants in the chickpeas make for an effective anti-ageing material, making it a win-win inside and out.
4. Can we apply besan overnight?
Though besan can be applied overnight but it tends to dry out on the skin. Hence, It is best not to leave it overnight. Leaving it overnight might also irritate the skin as granules might fall off the pillow as our face brushes against it while we toss and turn in sleep.
This blog post has been reproduced from an article on the India Today website. Link to the full article here.
References:
- https://bit.ly/2Ke2E67
- https://www.healthline.com/health/lemon-for-face
- https://beautyhealthtips.in/how-to-remove-tan-with-cucumber/
- https://www.aurorahealthcare.org/patients-visitors/blog/4-ways-to-treat-a-painful-sunburn