Are you tired of using chemical-laden soaps and body washes that leave your skin feeling dry and stripped of its natural oils? Look no further than your own kitchen pantry for a natural alternative – gram flour, also known as besan.
This versatile ingredient is not only a staple in Indian cuisine, but it also has numerous benefits for your skin. From reducing tan to fighting acne, gram flour can do it all.
In this article, we’ll show you how to incorporate gram flour into your bathing routine for soft, glowing skin. Say goodbye to harsh soaps and hello to the wonders of gram flour!
How To Bath With Gram Flour?
There are several ways to use gram flour in place of soap during your bath. Here are a few DIY recipes to try:
1. Basic gram flour bath: Mix a handful of gram flour with water to form a paste. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. Gently rub the mixture onto your wet skin and wait for a minute or two before rinsing off. Pat your skin dry and follow up with a good moisturizer.
2. Tan removal bath: Mix gram flour with yogurt and turmeric powder to form a paste. Apply the mixture onto your skin and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off. This will not only remove tan but also leave your skin feeling soft and supple.
3. Acne-fighting bath: Mix gram flour with neem powder and rose water to form a paste. Neem has antibacterial properties that help fight acne-causing bacteria, while rose water soothes and hydrates the skin. Apply the mixture onto your skin and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off.
4. Exfoliating bath: Mix gram flour with ground oats, cornflour, and milk to form a paste. This mixture will gently exfoliate your skin, removing dead skin cells and leaving it feeling smooth and soft.
What Is Gram Flour And Why Is It Good For Your Skin?
Gram flour, also known as besan, is a type of flour that is made by grinding raw or roasted chickpeas. It is a rich source of protein, unsaturated fatty acids like linoleic and oleic acids, and vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, folate, and beta-carotene. These nutrients make gram flour an excellent ingredient for maintaining healthy skin.
Gram flour has alkalizing properties that help restore the natural pH balance of the skin. This makes it an effective remedy for brightening the skin and restoring its natural glow. It also has exfoliating properties that help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, preventing acne, pimples, and dark spots.
Using gram flour in place of soap during your bath can help maintain the natural moisture balance of your skin. It is gentle on the skin and doesn’t strip away its natural oils like soap does. Gram flour can also be used in various DIY recipes to treat different skin issues like tan removal, acne-fighting, and exfoliation.
How To Prepare A Gram Flour Bath
To prepare a gram flour bath, you will need the following ingredients:
– Besan or gram flour – 1/3 cup
– Green gram flour or hari moong ka atta – 1/4 cup
– Neem leaves powder or neem patti powder – 2 teaspoons
– Turmeric or haldi powder – 1.5 teaspoons
– Kasturi manjal powder (optional) – 1.5 teaspoons
Method:
1. Mix all the ingredients using a spoon until well combined.
2. Store the bath powder in an airtight container.
3. Before using the bath powder, mix the required amount with a little water, curd, milk, or rose water to make a paste.
4. Apply the paste on your skin and massage it gently.
5. Let it sit for a few minutes until dry.
6. Rinse off with water and pat your skin dry.
Note:
– Kasturi manjal powder helps reduce hair growth and does not stain clothes or hands.
– Use good quality and finely powdered ingredients to prepare the bath powder.
– If grinding the powders at home, sun-dry them before grinding and ensure they are ground to a fine powder.
Using this gram flour bath regularly can help reduce oiliness, blackheads, whiteheads, and acne while leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth. Give it a try and see the difference in your skin within a week’s usage!
Tips For Using Gram Flour In Your Bath Routine
When using gram flour in your bath routine, keep these tips in mind:
1. Test it out: Before making the switch from soap to gram flour, do a patch test on a small area of your skin to make sure you’re not allergic to it.
2. Use it regularly: For best results, use gram flour in your bath routine regularly. You can start by using it once or twice a week and gradually increase the frequency.
3. Customize it: You can customize your gram flour bath by adding other natural ingredients like honey, yogurt, turmeric, neem powder, or rose water to suit your skin’s needs.
4. Be gentle: When using gram flour as a scrub, be gentle and avoid rubbing too hard as this can irritate the skin.
5. Moisturize after: After using gram flour in your bath routine, make sure to moisturize your skin well to lock in hydration and keep it soft and supple.
Benefits Of Using Gram Flour For Your Skin
Gram flour is a versatile ingredient that offers numerous benefits for your skin. Here are some of the top benefits of using gram flour in your bath:
1. Absorbs excess oil: Gram flour is known for its absorbent properties, making it an excellent ingredient for oily skin. It helps to absorb excess oil and cleanse your skin, leaving it looking matte and fresh.
2. Balances pH levels: Gram flour has alkalizing properties that help to balance the pH levels of your skin. This is important because when the pH levels of your skin are imbalanced, it can lead to various skin problems such as acne, dryness, and irritation.
3. Removes tan: Gram flour is an effective ingredient for removing tan from your skin. It helps to lighten the skin tone and gives it a natural glow.
4. Exfoliates dead skin cells: Gram flour is a gentle exfoliator that helps to remove dead skin cells from your skin. This leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth.
5. Fights acne: Gram flour has antibacterial properties that help to fight acne-causing bacteria. This makes it an excellent ingredient for those with acne-prone skin.
6. Hydrates and nourishes: Gram flour is rich in nutrients such as linoleic and oleic acids, riboflavin, niacin, folate, and beta-carotene. These nutrients help to hydrate and nourish your skin, leaving it looking healthy and radiant.
Precautions And Potential Side Effects To Keep In Mind
While gram flour is generally safe to use on the skin, there are a few precautions and potential side effects to keep in mind:
1. Allergic reactions: Some people may be allergic to gram flour, especially if they have a chickpea allergy. If you experience any itching, redness, or swelling after using gram flour on your skin, stop using it immediately and consult a doctor.
2. Dryness: Gram flour can be drying for some skin types, especially if used too frequently. If you have dry or sensitive skin, limit your use of gram flour to once or twice a week, and always follow up with a moisturizer.
3. Staining: Gram flour can leave a yellowish stain on clothes and towels, so be sure to rinse it off thoroughly before drying yourself.
4. Eye irritation: Avoid getting gram flour in your eyes as it can cause irritation and redness.
5. Consult a doctor: If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any underlying medical conditions, it’s best to consult a doctor before using gram flour on your skin.
By keeping these precautions and potential side effects in mind, you can safely enjoy the benefits of bathing with gram flour.
