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For decades, Indian households have valued besan, sometimes referred to as chickpea flour or gram flour, for its many skin care benefits. Bentonite, rich in minerals and with mild exfoliating qualities, is a multi-purpose ingredient that can help solve skin care problems, especially in summer. This in-depth tutorial will cover the value of besan in skincare, what to mix it with and not to mix it with, what to add to it for better summer results and important advice on using it in your regimen.
Importance of besan in skincare
Gram flour is a great addition to your skincare routine as it is full of nutrients that are good for the skin. Following are some of the main arguments why gram flour is essential for glowing, healthy skin:
Exfoliation: Microbesan seeds gently exfoliate the skin, removing the outer layer of dead cells, debris and pollutants. Regular use of besana helps in clearing pores, protects against acne and makes the face smoother, brighter.
Oil Control: Gram’s ability to absorb oil is beneficial for oily skin. It helps remove excess oil from the skin’s surface, reduces shine, and prevents sebum build-up that can lead to breakouts.
Besan flour is known for its skin lightening properties. Its enzymes help lighten pigmentation, dark spots and uneven skin tone, revealing a more radiant complexion over time.
Gentle Cleansing: Gram flour acts as a natural cleanser, gently removing oil, debris and makeup without stripping the skin of moisture. Since it is non-abrasive and soft, it can be used on all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Tightening pores: The astringent properties of gram flour help tighten pores, reduce their visibility and promote a smooth, polished skin texture.
What to add to besan in summers for better results
Adding more ingredients to besan-based skincare formulations can improve their effectiveness, especially in the summer heat. To improve the results of besan, you need to add the following ingredients:
Turmeric: Turmeric is well known for its antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Together, turmeric and gram flour can help reduce acne, reduce irritation, and promote a brighter complexion.
Rose water: Rose water is a great complement to face masks or cleansers that contain gram flour because of its soothing and moisturizing properties. It tightens pores, rejuvenates tired skin and balances the skin’s pH level.
Lemon juice: The citric acid in lemon juice helps exfoliate the skin and lighten pigmentation and dark spots. It makes a powerful brightening and clarifying mask that works well for oily and acne-prone skin when mixed with gram flour.
Yogurt: Rich in lactic acid, yogurt helps improve skin texture, stimulate collagen synthesis, and gently exfoliate the skin. Yogurt and gram flour together provide a nourishing and moisturizing mask that reduces irritation and balances oiliness.
Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera gel is known for its healing, soothing and hydrating properties. When added to besan-based skincare formulations, aloe vera gel can help reduce inflammation, reduce redness, and encourage skin regeneration.
What not to mix with besan
Although gram flour is a flexible ingredient, some foods may not work well with it or have negative effects. Do not combine gram flour with any of the following:
Chemical exfoliants: Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA) are examples of chemical exfoliants that can be too harsh on the skin and can cause irritation or excessive exfoliation when used with gram flour.
Harsh scrubs: Besan used with abrasive scrubs that have large grains or coarse particles can result in microtears in the skin that cause sensitivity and discomfort.
Alcohol-based products: Since gram flour and alcohol tend to dry the skin, using these products together can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause skin irritation or dryness.
Things to Keep in mind when using besan in skincare
For best results, take into account the following advice when adding besan to your skincare routine:
Patch test: To ensure there are no allergies or negative reactions, test a tiny section of skin on your face before using skincare products containing besan.
Regularity is essential when it comes to skincare. Regularly use besan into your regimen to observe observable improvements over time.
Sun protection: Always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen after your skincare regimen, especially if you’ve used materials that might make you more sensitive to the sun, like turmeric or lemon juice.
Hydration: To avoid dryness or dehydration, especially in hot weather, keep your skin hydrated by drinking lots of water and applying moisturizers.
Remove thoroughly: Make sure you rinse off gram-based products thoroughly with warm water, to prevent any build-up of residue that could possibly block pores.
Head of Blossom Kocher Group of Business Dr. Contributed by Blossom Kochhar
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