Madhuri Dixit Nene, at 52, looks as stunning as ever. According to the actor, dancer and mother admission, her skincare routine is heavily inspired by her grandma’s favourite hacks—many of which are from the kitchen.
The star had once told Vogue in an interview that one of her go-to skincare remedies is right in her pantry—gram flour. “Besan mixed with honey and lemon juice works amazingly for your skin,” she said. If you love grandma-approved skin concoctions or at the bottom of the jar of your favourite face mask, Dixit Nene’s beauty tip can be executed in under a few minutes for a glowing complexion.
Besan, or gram flour, is made from ground chickpeas. The staple kitchen ingredient has been used in India for centuries for its myriad skin and hair care benefits. Take, for example, the skin smoothening formula made for young kids or the ubtan made for brides-to-be, with turmeric, for radiant skin. Besan is a natural exfoliating agent, making it the perfect element to form the base of a scrub. The zinc in besan helps combat acne, add radiance to lack-lustre skin and is also a dandruff-fighting ingredient. Since it exfoliates the skin, it can help reduce pigmentation, dark spots and scars in the process. Another major plus? Besan works for all skin types. If you’re applying it on dry skin, mix it with milk. Got an oily complexion? Blend it with curd.
Here’s how you can use besan in your skincare and haircare DIY recipes
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An exfoliating face pack
Sun exposure, dehydration, vitamin deficiency, stress, dead cells and many other factors can take a toll on the skin. With the help of this at-home-made mask, your skin health can be reset in no time. Make a concoction using besan, turmeric powder, lime juice, milk and water, whipped into a paste. Apply this all over your face for 30 minutes and wash off. The lactic acid in the milk along with the lime juice and besan will help to exfoliate and brighten, and the turmeric looks after any persisting acne.
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A brightening mask for acne scar removal
Looking for an effective product to lessen the marks left behind by breakouts? We have all been there. This simple mask will become your go-to to minimise acne scars. Mix two tablespoons of gram flour with two tablespoons of sandalwood powder, milk and a pinch of turmeric. Apply the paste to your face, and wash it off in 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water. Turmeric has been found to inhibit the enzymes that are responsible for producing melanin (dark pigment) in skin cells. It is also an antioxidant and helps to protect your skin against environmental toxins.
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A DIY paste to reduce oiliness
Endless supply of blotting papers, powder compact and several grease-combatting products, keeping up with oily skin can be high-maintenance. But your skincare doesn’t have to be. Consider this two-ingredient mask, made with two tablespoons of besan and four tablespoons of rosewater until you obtain a smooth paste. Apply it to your face and neck, and leave it on for 15-20 minutes till it dries. Wash with cool water in circular motions for an oil-free complexion.
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A moisturising mask for dull hair
Maybe your tresses need some extra moisture after colouring them so often or all the heat caused by your tools, or maybe your split ends are out-of-control—either way, this mask is here to help. Take some gram flour and whisk an egg in it. Then, add lemon and honey to the mixture to turn it into a smooth paste. Apply it to your scalp and wait for 15 minutes before washing it with tepid water.
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A growth-boosting hair mask
This besan mask will make sure you reach new heights (with your hair volume). Mix besan, almond powder, lemon juice and honey into a paste. Apply the mask on your hair for a few minutes before washing it off. The concoction will help improve hair texture, retain its natural colour, and give volume. You can add Vitamin E oil capsules to the mixture if you are suffering from hair damage.
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