Besan, also known as gram flour, is a staple in Indian diet. It is one of the most commonly found ingredients in any Indian kitchen. Made either from raw or roasted chickpeas or Bengal gram, besan is super rich in protein and is often used as a vegan substitute for eggs.
So how exactly does this kitchen staple fit into a beauty regimen? It has been known to be used as an exfoliant since ancient times. Besan body masks were a common thing in cleansing routine. Continuing the tradition, besan provides several benefits for skin and hair health. Here’s a list of beauty benefits of besan:
* Exfoliates dead skinThe age old beauty secret, besan scrub,works very well to remove dead skin cells all over your body and to remove excess sebum and dirt. All you have to do is mix 3 teaspoons of the flour with 1 teaspoon of ground oats and 2 teaspoons of corn flour. You can add a little raw milk too. Mix thoroughly. Apply this mask to your body and scrub.
* Helps treat acneImbalanced blood sugar levels can stress your hormones, causing breakouts or pimples.The zinc in gram flour can fight infections that cause acne. And the fibre stabilizes blood sugar levels. You can create a brilliant face pack with gram flour for acne. Combine equal parts of gram flour and turmeric. To this, add a teaspoon each of lemon juice and raw honey. Mix in a bowl. Apply this mask to your damp and makeup-free face and neck and leave it on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Your skin might have a slight orange tint until your next wash.
* Removes tanWell, mix 4 teaspoons of besan with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and yogurt. Add a pinch of salt and mix to form a smooth paste. Apply the mask all over your face and neck and wait until it dries. Rinse with cool water. You can repeat this procedure daily before you take a bath.
* Removes fine facial hairBesan works effectively for facial hair removal. Mix equal parts of besan and fenugreek powder. Prepare a paste. Apply the mask over your facial hair and wait for it to dry. Post this, you can wash it off.
* Reduces oilinessB cleanses your skin and reduces the oiliness.Mix equal parts of besan and yogurt or raw milk. Apply it to your face. Leave it on and wash your face after 20 minutes.
* Fights dandruff and cleanses hairMix 6 tablespoons of besan with the required amount of water. Massage this mask into your hair and leave it on for 10 minutes. Rinse with cold water.You can follow this procedure once in 2 to 3 days. It helps in gently exfoliating the scalp to get rid of the dandruff while cleansing the hair stands.
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Aids hair growthThe protein in besan can benefit your hair immensely.You can mix gram flour with almond powder, curd, and a teaspoon of olive oil. Mix it with some water to get a smooth paste. In case you have dry and damaged hair, add 2 capsules of vitamin E oil. Apply to your hair and rinse it with cold water after it dries. Repeat twice a week.
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Nourishes dry hairTake 2 tablespoons of besan and water as required. Mix with them 2 teaspoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil.Massage the mixture to your damp hair while in the shower. Leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse with warm water. It locks in the moisture and nutrients, keeping your hair hydrated and nourished.