Gram Flour Exfoliant

by Naina

This is a very easy to make exfoliant with items you usually have in your kitchen. I use this to clean my skin and also use it during the bath. I have observed that this mix cleans my skin better than the soaps/ cleansers available in the market.

I generally make this mix just some time before I need it. It can be stored up to 2 days in the refrigerator and used safely. I take 4 tbsp of gram flour, add a pinch of turmeric powder, 5-6 drops of rose water and enough milk/yoghurt to make it a smooth paste. Mix all this in a cup till it becomes smooth.

If I am using this mix during summer I decrease the amount of milk as I have very oily skin. I replace the milk with more rose water and add a teaspoon of sandalwood powder to it. Alternately you can just mix it with cold water during summer. This gives me a clean and clear skin and I feel very refreshed after using it.

During winters when my skin turns dry I add milk or yoghurt to keep my skin moisturized and soft. This exfoliant can be applied all over the body during your bath. You can also just apply it to your face and leave it on to dry and then wash it off if you do not wish to use it all over your body.

I use turmeric as it improves the complexion and yoghurt is a good conditioner which also removes your tan. So use yoghurt only if you wish to get rid of your tan.

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Editor's Note:

Naina who was kind enough to submit the above exfoliant recipe also sent me this interesting info on Gram flour.

Gram flour is a very important ingredient in Indian kitchens. We use it to make different dishes like snacks and sweets. It is a very traditional thing and every hindu bride is massaged with a mixture containing gram flour before her marriage. We even bathe new born babies with this paste after doing a patch test with the child for any irritation.

You might find GRAM flour/ BESAN in shops selling Indian spices/ lentils. You can try to locate some Indian friends who might be able to supply you with gram flour. This flour is made from unroasted gram, a lentil similar to chickpeas, which is somewhat similar to peanuts. Peanuts have high oil content but gram flour is dry.