With the festive season of Navarathri, Dussehra, Diwali right around the corner, women all over the Indian subcontinent are scurrying around for beauty products, looking for ways to miraculously heal all their skin woes and flaunt a radiant complexion.
However, besides investing in personal grooming supplies that are suitable for each skin type, containing specific components to combat acne, dryness, wrinkles etc., three basic ingredients, found right at home, when combined, can work wonders for uplifting appearance. These are nothing but turmeric - haldi, chickpea flour - besan and sandalwood – chandan, which confer cooling traits to inflamed regions, besides infusing a luminous skin tone to a damaged, lacklustre face.
Termed as “Ubtan” or “Ubvartan” in Ayurveda, this 100 per cent pure organic cosmetic product from Mother Nature possesses magical properties, to vanquish myriad skin problems – be it pimples, dark spots, suntans, oiliness, drying, sagging or fine lines. Used since time immemorial, by womenfolk for beautifying purposes, ubtan formulations contain, besides turmeric, chickpea flour, sandalwood, additional constituents such as rose water, milk, almonds, yoghurt, which vary depending on the specific occasion and region in India. Ubtans are especially popular for bridal skincare routines, entailing extensive application of haldi-based pastes all over the face and body.
And no matter if you can’t attend any grand weddings or puja ceremonies, or even visit a beauty parlour, amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions this year. You can still revamp and condition your skin, all in the comfort of your own abode, with some basic DIY ubtan preparations. This article enlists some fantastic ubtan home remedies - cleanser, toner, face scrub, moisturiser, tan removal pack, imbued with beneficial elements, so you can flaunt vibrant skin and, in keeping with the times, a festive glow as well.
Ubtan-Based Natural Concoctions For Ravishing Skin:
For Clear Skin
Mix 1 tbsp each of sandalwood powder, chickpea flour and milk. Gently rub it into completely dried face and neck in circular motions. Leave on for 10 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.
This ubtan cleanser is the best organic blend, which is even suitable for daily use, thereby effectively replacing all soaps and face washes. Sandalwood powder lightens dark spots, while chickpea flour exfoliates and milk hydrates the skin, providing a velvety soft, supple feel.
For Oil-Free Texture
In a bowl, pour 3 tbsp rose water and add a pinch of turmeric, along with a few mint leaves. Spread an even layer all over cleansed face and neck and allow the turmeric-rose water infusion to soak in.
Dabbing on this ubtan toner at least 2 – 3 times a week works wonders in controlling sebum secretions, lessening very oily and sticky surface on the face. Rose water preserves optimal pH of skin and turmeric diminishes blemishes.
For Treating Acne
Combine 2 tbsp each of chickpea flour and oatmeal, with some crushed neem leaves. Post cleansing and toning, smear all over the face and neck. Let it stay for 15 minutes, then rinse off with water.
This ubtan face scrub comprises chickpea flour and oatmeal, which not only exfoliate the skin to remove dead cells, dirt, grime, but also cleanse pores of microbes and pollutants, to prevent pimple outbursts. Neem is a proven cure for acne, boils, possessing anti-inflammatory traits to soothe irritated, reddened skin.
Also Read: 4 Amazing Ways You Can Use Neem For Skin And Hair
For Reducing Dryness
Take 3 tbsp of sandalwood powder in a dish, add the mashed paste obtained from 7 almonds soaked overnight in water and a bit of aloe vera gel. Apply this ubtan hydrating lotion on to a cleansed face and let it penetrate the deeper layers of skin.
Almonds, being packed with vitamins and antioxidants, confer terrific merits for overall skin texture, instilling moisture and nourishment to parched regions. Aloe vera pacifies skin infections, breakouts, while sandalwood powder imparts a sparkling appearance.
For Even Skin Tone
To 1 tbsp of chickpea flour, merge 2 tbsp sandalwood powder, 1 tsp turmeric powder, along with 3 tbsp yoghurt and 2 tsp honey. Use this creamy tan removal pack for 20 minutes, once a week, to attain brilliant, shiny skin.
While chickpea flour rids skin of impurities and tones the pores, turmeric powder, sandalwood powder and yoghurt function as natural bleaching agents, to remarkably brighten the face and eliminate all tans, brown patches, discolouration. Honey is renowned for its emollient and antimicrobial qualities, which avert acne, dryness, peeling, to bestow smooth, immaculate and plush skin.
Cooling Mask For Sun Tans:
The natural ingredients present in ubtan – namely sandalwood, rose water and curd, possess a wealth of powerful phenol antioxidants that shield the skin from damage by harmful UV rays of the sun.
In a bowl, mix 5 – 7 tbsp sandalwood powder with 5 tsp rose water and 1 tbsp curd. Smear an even layer of this cooling mask all over the face, neck, arms, legs and other exposed body parts that have undergone tanning owing to prolonged direct sunlight. Once the paste dries, wash it off with cold water and pat dry skin gently with a clean towel, to banish darkened areas and skin discolouration.
Healing Pack For Skin Allergies:
Ubtan comprises turmeric root extracts famed for their powerful antimicrobial effects that combat allergies, rashes, boils, as well as gram flour that works wonders as a natural exfoliant, removing dead skin cells, dirt and grime from the dermal tissues.
Combine 1 tbsp turmeric powder, with 3 tbsp gram flour and 2 tbsp milk. Apply this paste on to irritated skin regions with rashes. Let it stay for 10 minutes, then rinse off with cold water, pat dry and dab on a gentle natural moisturizer like aloe vera gel. This natural pack aids in soothing itching, rashes, redness from allergies and repairs peeling, dry skin.
Skin Healing Benefits of Ubtan
- Ubtan gently exfoliates the skin making the skin feel refreshed and brightening the skin complexion
- Ubtan cleanses the skin from deep within thereby bringing out the natural radiance
- The goodness of wonder ingredients in ubtan helps reverse the signs of ageing, restore moisture, and heals the skin from sun damage and pollution
- Using this face scrub is the best way to naturally clear ingrown and facial hair
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ubtan Face Pack Works Best For Fair Skin?
Ubtan can be incorporated into your regular beauty regimen, depending upon your skin woes. To get a fair skin blend ubtan with besan, oatmeal or cucumber to exfoliate dead skin cells and render you supple, nourished, and radiant skin.
What Should I Apply After Using Ubtan Pack?
You should apply a mild moisturizer after rinsing off ubtan pack to keep your hydrated, smooth, and healthy.
Is There A Best Time To Apply Ubtan?
Ubtan face pack or scrub should be applied every morning to get rid of excess oil and dead skin cells and wash it off with water after 10 minutes.
Multani Mitti Or Ubtan Better For Skin?
Well, both ingredients work wonders in uplifting skin beauty and confer numerous skin benefits. You can use either ingredients separately or blend them both as per your needs.
