If you are from India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh, you probably would have heard the advice of using gram flour or besan pack to handle skin issues. Homemade besan face packs are a part of the traditional skin care regime. Besan or gram flour was a go-to ingredient for our grandmothers to tackle various skin issues like tan or oily skin. From the post below, you will get a clear idea about gram flour and how it improves your skin health.
Gram flour is a common ingredient in many of our kitchens. It is said that gram flour can tackle many skin issues like pimples, tan, blemishes, dull and dry skin effectively and imparts a glow if used regularly. Even some of its benefits were backed up by science. For instance, it is used as a cleanser as it has alkalizing properties and maintains the skin’s pH (1). It is also proven that gram flour can effectively remove toxins from the skin and clears the dirt (2). Regular application of besan to the skin removes the excess oil, but it will not dry out (3). It gives the skin a smooth and supple look by maintaining moisture levels.
Besan has excellent bleaching properties. It can also act as a mild exfolianti XA chemical or mechanical agent that helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin with an abrasive ingredient. and gives you a toned, replenished, and tighter skin. With regular use, your skin might also become lighter (4, 5).
If you include it in your regular skin care regime, the tone of your skin will be improved, and it will be more even. It also imparts a radiant glow to your skin (6).
To some extent, it can also aid in the removal of unwanted hair, though this effect is not very significant.
Gram flour can be a valuable addition to your skin care regime. Scroll down to know more!
In This Article
Homemade Besan Face Packs
Dr. Aanand Geria, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, says, “If you have oily skin, mix an equal portion of besan and yogurt together for glowing skin. For those with dry skin, use raw milk rather than yogurt.” Let’s take a look at the best besan packs to make at home:
- Aloe Vera And Besan Face Pack
- Besan And Turmeric Face Pack
- Besan And Multani Mitti Face Pack
- Besan And Tomato Face Pack
- Besan And Banana Face Pack
- Curd And Besan Face Pack
- Egg White And Besan Face Pack
- Green Tea And Besan Face Pack
- Besan And Lime Juice Face Pack
- Besan And Orange Juice Face Pack
- Besan And Neem Face Pack
- Besan And Oats Face Pack
- Besan And Papaya Face Pack
- Besan And Potato Face Pack
- Besan And Baking Soda Face Pack
- Besan And Rose Water Face Pack
- Milk And Besan Face Pack
- Besan Ubtan
- Honey And Besan Face Pack
- Besan And Sandalwood Face Pack
- Besan And Cucumber Face Pack
- Besan And Almond Face Pack
- Besan Exfoliating Face Pack
Besan – The Answer To All Your Skin Problems
1. Aloe Vera And Besan Face Pack
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon gram flour (besan)
- 1 teaspoon aloe vera
What You Have To Do
- Mix the two together to get a smooth paste.
- Apply on the face and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Rinse it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this twice or thrice a week.
Why This Works
Aloe vera soothes and nourishes the skin. It contains a wide range of vitamins, minerals, polysaccharidei XThe most abundant carbohydrates made of many simple sugars that serve as essential sources of energy in plant and animal cells. , and antioxidants (7). Healthy, nourished, and supple skin is what you can easily get by adding aloe vera to your skin care routine. This face pack works well for removing sun tan, relieving sunburn, reducing dark spots, and hyperpigmentationi XA harmless skin condition in which the skin becomes darker in patches due to excess melanin production. .
Skin Type Suitable For
Oily skin and combination skin
Related: Aloe Vera For Acne: 9 Ways To Use Aloe Vera For Pimples
2. Besan And Turmeric Face Pack
You Will Need
- 2 teaspoons besan
- A pinch of turmeric powder
- Rose water
What You Have To Do
- Add the turmeric powder to the besan and mix it in.
- Make a paste by adding some rose water to this.
- Apply this as an even layer on your skin and leave the pack to dry naturally.
- Rinse it off after 10-15 minutes.
If you have extremely dry skin, add half a teaspoon of fresh cream to the face pack.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this twice a week.
Why This Works
Use this face pack to brighten up your complexion. Turmeric is a perfect ingredient to achieve this in combination with the gram flour. It has skin brightening properties. It is also antimicrobial in nature and can benefit people whose with acne prone skin (8).
Skin Type Suitable For
All skin types
Related: 18 Health Benefits Of Turmeric, How To Use It, & Side Effects
3. Besan And Multani Mitti Face Pack
You Will Need
- 2 teaspoons multani mitti (Fuller’s earth)
- 1 teaspoon besan
- Rose water
What You Have To Do
- Mix the dry ingredients together first.
- Then, add some rose water and mix thoroughly to get a smooth paste free of lumps.
- Apply this on the face and leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This
Reapply up to twice a week.
Why This Works
Multani mitti is a type of cosmetic clay that absorbs all the excess oil and impurities from the skin. It clarifies your pores and also has a cooling effect. It can also improve circulation to the skin’s surface (9).
Skin Type Suitable For
Oily skin, combination skin, normal skin
Related: Benefits Of Multani Mitti For Face, Skin, And Health
4. Besan And Tomato Face Pack
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons besan
- 1 small ripe tomato
What You Have To Do
- Blend the tomato and add this pulp to the besan.
- Mix well and apply as a face pack.
- Wash it off after 10-12 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this twice or thrice a week.
Why This Works
Adding tomato pulp to besan makes it a skin lightening and de-tanning face pack. The natural acids found in tomato act as bleaching agents and can lighten tan, dark spots, and hyperpigmented areas (10). Tomato pulp also helps to rebalance the skin’s pH and the associated natural sebum production. The vitamin C content of tomato proves beneficial to make the skin smoother and firmer by getting rid of wrinkles and fine lines (12).
Skin Type Suitable For
All skin types
5. Besan And Banana Face Pack
You Will Need
- 3-4 ripe banana pieces
- 2 teaspoons besan
- Rose water OR milk
What You Have To Do
- Mash the banana pieces thoroughly and add besan to it.
- Mix the besan in and add some rose water to adjust the consistency of the face pack.
- Apply this evenly on the face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes
- Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this once or twice a week.
Why This Works
Banana is full of rich fats that deeply nourish the skin and moisturize it. It also minimizes scars and wrinkles by boosting the production of collagen and elastin (13).
Skin Type Suitable For
Dry skin
6. Curd And Besan Face Pack
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons gram flour (besan)
- 1-2 teaspoons curd (yogurt)
What You Have To Do
- Mix yogurt with gram flour and get a smooth paste for the face pack.
- Apply on the face and keep it on for about 15 minutes.
- Wash it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply this twice a week.
Why This Works
Yogurt is a wonderful cleanser and skin moisturizing agent because of the natural oils and enzymes present in it. Its lactic acid content also helps to exfoliate the dead skin cells and brighten up the complexion. The zinc found in it can clear up your zits (14). Zinc is often used in over-the-counter formulations for acne treatment.
Skin Type Suitable For
Dry skin, normal skin, combination skin, acne-prone skin
7. Egg White And Besan Face Pack
You Will Need
- 1 egg white
- 2 teaspoons besan
- ½ tablespoon honey
What You Have To Do
- Beat the egg white until it becomes slightly fluffy.
- Add besan and honey to it, and mix well.
- Apply this on the skin and let it dry for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with tepid water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once in every 4-5 days.
Why This Works
The enzymes present in egg white unclog and tighten the skin’s pores. This will, in turn, diminish fine lines and wrinkles (15). It also improves the process of rebuilding your skin cells. Your skin will feel firmer and radiant just after one application.
Skin Type Suitable For
All skin types except dry skin
Stylecraze Says Don’t forget to moisturize your face with a gel moisturizer after using this besan face pack. The moisturizer can hydrate your face without clogging the skin pores.
8. Green Tea And Besan Face Pack
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons gram flour
- 1 green tea bag
- A cup of hot water
What You Have To Do
- Steep the green tea in hot water for a couple of minutes.
- Remove the tea bag and let the decoction cool down.
- Now, add this herbal tea to the gram flour until you get a paste of medium consistency.
- Apply on the face and let it dry for 15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with water and pat your skin dry.
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How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this twice a week.
Why This Works
The antioxidants present in green tea are not only beneficial when you drink it, but also when applied topically. Direct application on the skin surface will help the antioxidants to repair the skin that has been damaged by oxidative stress (16). This will remove dullness and improve your skin’s health manifolds.
Skin Type Suitable For
All skin types
9. Besan And Lime Juice Face Pack
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons besan
- ½ teaspoon lime juice OR lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon yogurt
- A pinch of turmeric
What You Have To Do
- Mix all the ingredients together. Make sure no lumps remain!
- Apply the pack on the face and leave it on for about 20 minutes.
- Wash off and pat dry. Follow up with a moisturizer.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this twice a week.
Why This Works
Both lime and lemon juice can work effectively towards lightening the skin tone as they are natural bleaching agents. Their vitamin C content helps to improve collagen formation and reduce oxidative damage as well (17). Use this face pack to brighten up the complexion, lighten dark spots and pigmentation, and also firm your skin.
Skin Type Suitable For
Oily skin, combination skin, normal skin
10. Besan And Orange Juice Face Pack
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons besan
- 1-2 tablespoons orange juice
What You Have To Do
- Add fresh orange juice to the besan powder and combine them.
- Apply this paste on the face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
- Wash it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2-3 times a week.
Why This Works
This face pack will leave your skin with a wonderful glow. Orange juice’s mild acids will exfoliate and tone your skin. It is a commonly used natural astringent. It contains vitamin C, just like lemon juice, that can make your skin firm and reduce pigmentation too (18, 19).
Skin Type Suitable For
Oily skin, combination skin, normal skin
11. Besan And Neem Face Pack
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon dried neem powder
- 1 tablespoon besan
- 1 tablespoon yogurt OR rose water
What You Have To Do
- Mix the neem powder with besan thoroughly.
- Add yogurt to this and mix well. Adjust the consistency by adding some more yogurt or just plain water.
- Apply this and let it sit on the face until it dries, usually 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this twice a week.
Why This Works
The antimicrobial properties of neem can clear up the acne infection on your skin effectively. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the swelling seen at the acne sites (20).
Skin Type Suitable For
Acne-prone skin, oily skin
Caution
If you are sensitive to dairy products, use rose water instead of yogurt to prepare the face pack.
Stylecraze Says Avoid using a bean face pack on your face if you have an acne breakout. The pack may leach moisture and natural oils from the skin and dry it out.
12. Besan And Oats Face Pack
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon ground oats
- 1 tablespoon besan (gram flour)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Rose water
What You Have To Do
- Combine all the ingredients together with some rose water.
- Apply this carefully on the face and let it dry for 15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this once or twice a week.
Why This Works
Oatmeal can thoroughly cleanse your skin and get rid of all the dirt, grime, and impurities. While the cleansing action is underway, it soothes the skin and moisturizes it (21).
Skin Type Suitable For
All skin types, especially dry skin
13. Besan And Papaya Face Pack
You Will Need
- 4-5 ripe papaya pieces
- 1 tablespoon gram flour
- Rose water
What You Have To Do
- Mash the papaya and then add besan to it.
- Mix them together. Add some rose water if required.
- Apply this face pack.
- Wash it off after 10 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply this once every week.
Why This Works
Papaya’s enzymes exfoliate the skin and remove the accumulated dead cells. This leaves the skin brighter and radiant (22). It can also unclog and shrink the skin’s pores (23). Use this remedy if you suffer from large pores and blackheads.
Skin Type Suitable For
All skin types
14. Besan And Potato Face Pack
You Will Need
- 2 teaspoons besan
- 1 small potato
What You Have To Do
- Grate the potato and squeeze out some fresh juice from it.
- Add a tablespoon or so of this to the gram flour and mix well.
- Apply this paste on the facial skin.
- Let it dry for about 15 minutes and then rinse it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2-3 times in a week.
Why This Works
This is an excellent face pack for skin brightening and lightening. The natural bleaching properties of potato juice remove tan and lighten pigmented areas of the skin (24). It is also an emollienti XA substance or ingredient that helps moisturize the skin by forming a protective barrier on it. and an analgesici XA drug that helps relieve pain without the need for numbing the nerves or altering sensory perception. . These properties can help treat dry patches and skin redness (25).
Skin Type Suitable For
All skin types
15. Besan And Baking Soda Face Pack
You Will Need
- A pinch of baking soda
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons gram flour
- A pinch of turmeric
What You Have To Do
- Firstly, add the baking soda powder to the water and mix well.
- To the gram flour, add turmeric powder and enough of this baking soda water to get a face pack consistency.
- Apply this on the entire face or affected areas.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes and then rinse it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this once or twice a week.
Why This Works
The astringent and pH neutralizing properties of baking soda help to bring down the excess sebum being produced by the skin. The bacteria causing acne are also killed because of baking soda’s antimicrobial effect (26).
Skin Type Suitable For
Oily skin, combination skin, normal skin
16. Besan And Rose Water Face Pack
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons besan
- 2-3 tablespoons rose water
What You Have To Do
- Mix the besan (gram flour) and the rose water until it becomes a smooth paste.
- Apply it on your face and neck. Let it dry for about 20 minutes.
- Wash with cool water in circular motions.
- Pat your skin dry and apply a moisturizer.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this twice a week.
Why This Works
Rose water is a great toner, and refreshes the skin (27). The combination of rose water with besan nourishes your skin and restores its oil balance. Your skin will look bright and full of life after a few applications.
Skin Type Suitable For
Oily skin, combination skin, normal skin
17. Milk And Besan Face Pack
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons besan
- 2 tablespoons milk
What You Need To Do
- Mix the besan with the milk to form a thick paste.
- Apply the paste on your skin and leave it on for about 20 minutes.
- Once the pack dries, wash it off with cold water.
- Pat your skin dry.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once in every 4-5 days.
Why It Works
Milk is an age-old skin cleanser. It removes impurities from your skin and unclogs pores. It is also a natural emollient (28).
Skin Type Suitable For
All skin types
Caution
Do not use this face pack if you are allergic to milk.
18. Besan Ubtan
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons besan
- 1 tablespoon fresh cream
- 1 teaspoon milk
- 1 teaspoon honey
- A pinch of turmeric
What You Need To Do
- Mix all the ingredients until you get a smooth paste.
- Apply evenly all over the face. Gently massage your skin with it.
- Leave it on for about five minutes, and then wash it off with cool water.
- Pat your skin dry.
How Often You Should Do This
For best results, repeat this cleansing regime twice a week.
Why It Works
Fresh cream (or malai) is a natural moisturizer that has been used since time immemorial. It hydrates and nourishes dry skin, and its results can be seen almost instantly (29). Turmeric works as an antiseptic and also maintains your skin’s pH. Honey moisturizes and heals the skin. Together, these ingredients will surely make your dry and lifeless skin glow.
Skin Type Suitable For
Dry skin, normal skin
19. Honey And Besan Pack
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons gram flour
- 1 tablespoon honey
What You Need To Do
- Warm the honey in a microwave for about 10 seconds. Make sure it does not get too hot.
- Mix the besan and honey, and apply it on your skin evenly.
- Allow the pack to dry and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
- Gently towel dry your skin.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply this twice a week.
Why It Works
Honey has antibacterial properties that cure and dry out pimples with regular use. It cleanses and tones the skin, while soothing inflammation and moisturizing it too (30, 31).
Skin Type Suitable For
Acne prone skin, oily skin, combination skin, normal skin
20. Besan And Sandalwood Face Pack
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon gram flour
- 1 teaspoon sandalwood powder
- 2 tablespoons rose water
- A pinch of turmeric
What You Need To Do
- Mix all the ingredients to form a smooth paste.
- Apply the paste evenly on your skin and let it dry.
- Wash off the pack after about 20 minutes.
- Pat your skin dry.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this once or twice a week.
Why It Works
We already know that rose water helps to cleanse and hydrate the skin, and soothes and cools the irritated skin. Turmeric is a natural healer that also contains antibacterial properties. Sandalwood purifies the blood and can hence treat pimples. It also lends the skin a wonderful glow (32).
Skin Type Suitable For
Acne prone skin, oily skin, combination skin, normal skin
Caution
Be on guard while buying sandalwood powder. Not many brands sell authentic sandalwood powder, and using something that is not authentic will worsen the condition.
21. Besan And Cucumber Juice Pack
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons besan
- 2 tablespoons cucumber juice
- 5 drops lemon juice (optional)
What You Need To Do
- Mix both the ingredients together.
- Apply this smooth paste evenly across your skin.
- Keep the pack on for about 20 minutes and then wash off with cool water.
- Pat your skin dry.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this twice a week.
Why It Works
Cucumber has astringent properties that help in closing the pores. It also hydrates the skin and lightens marks, scars, and your complexion. It also works well to tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles (33). This is an excellent face pack for treating blemishes at home.
Skin Type Suitable For
Acne prone skin, oily skin, combination skin, normal skin, dry skin
22. Besan And Almond Pack
You Will Need
- 4 almonds
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon besan
What You Need To Do
- Grind the almonds and add this powder to the besan.
- Add the other ingredients and mix all of them together to form a thick paste. Add more milk to the mixture if it seems too thick.
- Apply the paste evenly all over your face and neck, and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
- Wash it off with cool water, and then pat dry your skin.
A substitute for milk is rose water! Use the latter instead on a sensitive and acne-prone skin.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this once or twice a week.
Why It Works
Almond has the necessary vitamins and minerals that nourish and hydrate the skin. It is rich in vitamin E which is essential for a healthy skin. Almonds also rejuvenate and refresh the skin around the eyes. Its mild bleaching properties can help reduce dark circles and pigmentation (34).
Skin Type Suitable For
Dry skin, normal skin
23. Besan Exfoliating Face Pack
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons gram flour (besan)
- Water
What You Need To Do
- Mix the besan with some water to form a thick paste.
- Smear your face with this paste, and rub gently in circular motions for about 10 minutes. Use upward circular motions.
- If the pack starts to become dry, simply keep wetting your fingers and continue scrubbing.
- Once done, rinse it off with cool water.
- Pat your skin dry and apply a suitable moisturizer.
This can also be used to scrub the entire body. All you need to do is take more quantity of besan. Add a few drops of your favorite body oil for a nourishing effect.
How Often You Should Do This
Use this exfoliating face pack/scrub once every 4-5 days.
Why It Works
This is another age-old practice, wherein mothers used a mixture of besan and water on their daughters’ skin to lighten the skin and remove unwanted facial or body hair. Exfoliating your skin with this paste cleanses your skin and lightens your complexion while gently pulling out fine hair from their follicles.
Skin Type Suitable For
All skin types
NOTE
Some natural ingredients mentioned above might suit your skin, while some might not. If you have never used a particular ingredient before, it is best to do a patch test to check for allergic reactions before you smear your face with the pack. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Another point to be kept in mind is the usage of recommended face packs to treat acne. It is critical that you consult a dermatologist before you treat skin issues like acne at home. Without proper investigation, you might end up aggravating the problem.
We have given you a plethora of options to choose from for a besan face pack. Pick the ones that suit your skin type and issue the best. They contain simple ingredients that combine with each other and help you get rid of your skin issues in no time.
Using besan in the right way in accordance with your skin type will make it healthy and glowing. Try these besan face packs, now!
Grandma is always right! Well, almost always!
Infographic: Easy DIY Besan Face Packs To Try!
Besan is a traditional Indian remedy for rejuvenating your skin. Your skin will glow like never before if you combine this incredible flour with some pantry ingredients. Having trouble deciding where to begin? Let us guide you.
We have compiled a roundup of the best and simplest besan face pack recipes in the infographic below.
Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.
Download Infographic
Gram flour, or besan, has been traditionally used in skincare regimes for its many benefits. It can help get rid of pimples, tan, and blemishes and even rejuvenate dry and dull skin. It has alkalizing properties that help maintain the skin’s pH levels, and it works as a great exfoliant for removing toxins, dirt, and excess oil from the skin without drying it out. To make a besan face pack at home, you can combine it with various ingredients, depending on your purpose. Common ingredients used in besan face packs include aloe vera, turmeric, yogurt, milk, honey, baking soda, green tea, and sandalwood powder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can besan remove acne scars?
Dr. Aanand Geria says, “This would depend on the severity of the acne scars. It is highly unlikely that a pockmark scar will be removed without a more invasive treatment, such as micro-needling or laser resurfacing. If you wish to use besan as an adjunct to treatment or for very mild acne scarring, the best way is to exfoliate two times a week. Be sure you do not have active acne.”
Can we apply besan face packs daily?
No, daily use of besan face packs may dry out the skin excessively.
Is besan good for skin whitening?
Yes, besan helps clear tan and lighten the skin tone.
Are there any side effects of using besan on the face?
“If used daily, besan can be harsh on the skin. The application sucks all natural oils and moisture from the skin, which causes dryness. That’s why it’s important not to overuse DIY remedies such as besan,” says Dr. Geria. Besan is generally safe for use on the skin. However, it may cause skin damage if rubbed too hard on the face or lead to allergic reactions in individuals who are allergic to it.
Can besan lighten dark circles?
Yes, besan can help lighten dark circles when used regularly due to its skin-lightening effect.
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Dr. Monali Pattnaik, MBBS, MD, DNB, MRCPSCE (UK)
Dr. Monali Pattnaik is a skin specialist with 11 years of experience. After finishing her MBBS from MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, she did her MD in Skin & VD from SCB Medical College, Cuttack. Her thirst for knowledge propelled her to pursue another degree in Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology from NBE (Diplomate of National Board). She has worked in AIIMS…View Profile ›
Kushneet Kukreja, Health & Wellness Writer
Kushneet holds a postgraduate degree in biotechnology from Kingston University, London, and is an ISSA Certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition with 2 years of experience. Her scientific background, coupled with her passion for writing, propelled her towards content writing. She writes articles on home remedies and ensures to present a balanced perspective to the reader. When she is not…View Profile ›
Dr. Aanand Geria, MD, FAAD
Dr. Aanand Geria, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist with over 12 years of experience. He specializes in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology and he founded Geria Dermatology in Rutherford, NJ, with the mission to provide the highest level of dermatologic treatment using innovative technology and evidence-based practice in a customized and compassionate environment.
Dr. Aanand Geria, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist with over 12 years of experience. He specializes in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology and he founded Geria Dermatology in Rutherford, NJ, with the mission to provide the highest level of dermatologic treatment using innovative technology and evidence-based practice in a customized and compassionate environment.