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Beauty products have evolved through the ages to become the booming skin care and cosmetics industry seen today. (1)(2)
Yet, most of the skin care products available nowadays are all derived from traditional natural remedies. Take, for example, coconut cream moisturizers, rice water cleansers, and citrus or vitamin C serums.
No matter what your skin type is, natural is the best way to go when it comes to caring for your skin. Homemade, traditional beauty remedies are effective yet gentle since they are free of preservatives and chemicals.
This article will bring you the recipe for ubtan, an ancient Indian skin care remedy that helps brighten your skin and get rid of dullness, pigmentation, and uneven skin texture.
What Is Ubtan?
Ubtan is a paste made of ground turmeric, sandalwood, gram flour, saffron, rose water, raw milk, and many other organic ingredients.
It is an Ayurvedic product specially used by brides to achieve a natural glow in Indian wedding rituals. Ubtan helps soften the skin and get rid of tan, acne, and many other skin problems, and it has been used for hundreds of years.
Various Benefits of Ubtan
Ubtan is highly beneficial for people suffering from acne, uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, etc.
Here is a list of all the proven benefits of ubtan: (2)(3)
1. Enhances skin texture and glow
Ubtan contains raw milk, which is rich in lactic acid and helps exfoliate the upper layers of dead skin cells. It softens the skin and gives it a smooth texture. Milk also brightens your complexion. (3)
2. Fights skin aging
Turmeric powder, an ingredient of ubtan, has potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Its high antioxidant content helps keep acne at bay and also improves fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Naturally exfoliates the skin
Gram flour is a natural exfoliant that helps get rid of dirt, dead skin cells, oil, and debris from the skin’s surface. (3)
4. Removes suntan
Turmeric, milk, and sandalwood powder (chandan) are all skin-brightening ingredients that help give a natural glow to the skin and reduce hyperpigmentation and tanning.
5. Provides hydration and makes the skin soft and supple
The rose water and milk present in ubtan help keep the skin hydrated and moisturized. Regular use of ubtan makes your skin soft and smooth.
6. Clarifies the skin
Ubtan helps in making your skin tone even by reducing pigmentation and skin tanning problems.
7. Removes blackheads, whiteheads, and other imperfections
Regular use of ubtan reduces oil accumulation and dirt on the skin surface. This helps get rid of pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads by unclogging pores.
8. Cleanses the skin naturally
Ubtan contains turmeric and saffron, which act as natural cleansers that help get rid of tan and dirt. These ingredients also help in regulating sebum on the skin surface.
9. Soothes skin irritation, inflammation, and swelling
Turmeric, saffron, and rose water have anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe irritated skin and help fight against infections. (4)(2)
10. Calms the body
Ubtan paste is massaged all over the body, relaxing the body and soothing the skin.
How to Make and Use Ubtan at Home
Ubtan paste can easily be prepared at home by following this simple recipe: (2)
Ingredients:
- ½ tbsp turmeric powder
- 3 tbsp gram flour powder
- 1 tbsp sandalwood powder
- 1 pinch saffron
- 2 tbsp raw milk
- 2 tsp rose water
How to use:
- Mix all the dry ingredients well in a bowl.
- Add rose water and milk to form a thick paste. Make sure that the ubtan paste is neither too runny nor too hard. It should have the consistency of a thick body scrub with fine granules.
- Apply this paste to your face (and arms or legs, if you want to).
- Wait for the paste to dry up, which will usually take 20 minutes.
- Scrub your skin gently using your fingers to remove the dried ubtan.
- Wash your skin with normal-temperature water.
Ubtan According to Your Skin Type
You can also customize ubtan paste to suit your skin type. Here are some ways to do so:
- For oily skin: If you have oily skin, you may add a tablespoon of Fuller’s earth (multani mitti), another traditional Indian skin care hack to your ubtan paste. Fuller’s earth helps absorb excess oil and dirt from the skin.
- For dry skin: If you have dry skin, adding a little bit of honey, extra milk cream, or plain yogurt to the ubtan paste can go a long way in hydrating the skin.
- For dull, tired, and aged skin: You may add a tablespoon or two of green tea to the ubtan paste to help rejuvenate your skin and make it young looking. (5)(4)
- For sensitive and acne-prone skin: Use ubtan paste with turmeric and gram flour as given above. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help treat acne. Gram flour helps exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells and oil from the surface.
Ubtan for Bridal Skin Care at Home
Here is a brief list of some more traditional Indian skin care remedies and face packs to impart a healthy natural glow to your face.
For oily skin:
- Red lentil face pack: This face pack helps absorb excess sebum and dirt from the face. Soak 2–3 tablespoons of red lentils in ½ a cup of water overnight. In the morning, grind the lentils to form a thick paste and add a few drops of milk or almond oil.
- Fuller’s earth, sandalwood powder, and rose water face pack: This rejuvenating face pack fights oil and dirt accumulation. Mix a few tablespoons of Fuller’s earth and sandalwood powder with rose water.
- Dry orange peel face pack: This is a vitamin C-loaded nourishing face pack. Grind some dried orange peels, and add 1–2 tablespoons of plain yogurt.
For dry skin:
- Almond oil and fuller’s earth: Almond oil and fuller’s earth make for a hydrating face pack that leads to soft and supple skin.
- Rice, gram flour, and oil face pack: Grind some cooked rice, and add 1 tablespoon of gram flour and 1–2 tablespoons of coconut oil to make a nourishing and hydrating face pack.
- Fresh milk: Wash your face with fresh milk and then rinse it off with water. Do this remedy once a week to combat dryness.
- Red lentil and ashwagandha face pack: Make a paste of soaked red lentils, ashwagandha, raw milk, and ghee. Apply this face pack once a week for best results. (6)
Other Ayurvedic Face Packs
Here are other traditional Ayurvedic face packs and powders used by Indian brides for glowing skin:
1. Ghalliya
Ghalliya is another traditional Ayurvedic skin care remedy made of fenugreek seeds, turmeric powder, and cucumber. It helps nourish and rejuvenate the skin and provides a cooling effect and relief from skin irritation.
2. Ghaaza
Ghaaza is a powdered mixture of lavender petals, lemon, turmeric, and purple fleabane that has a distinct fragrance. It is sprinkled on the face to give it a natural glow.
Most-Asked Questions About Ubtan
Can I use ubtan every day?
No. You can use ubtan paste once or twice a week only. Using it every day may lead to overexfoliation and skin irritation.
Can I use ubtan during winter?
Yes. Ubtan paste moisturizes the skin and helps avoid skin dryness.
Final Word
Ubtan is an extremely beneficial Ayurvedic recipe in the Indian culture that has been handed down through several generations. It contains all-natural ingredients and can be used on all skin types. Do give it a try for clear, glowing skin.
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