Beauty at home

Using natural products is in vogue and is also a good option for beauty care. “Ubatan”, a natural facemask that is filled with ingredients like turmeric (haldi), sandalwood powder (chandan), gram flour (besan), milk and rose water. It is an important part of Indian Wedding ritual called “Haldi Ceremony” in which the bride-to-be is anointed with “ubatan” for radiant, glowing, and lighter skin on an auspicious day. It eliminates dead skin cells, removes accumulated tan, removes facial hair revealing a younger, beautiful smoother skin.

This paste can be applied to the neck, face and even the entire body. When repeated regularly over some time, its effect is even more magical. Most women around the world want to look dazzling and glamorous but are tired of long sessions in beauty parlours. Also because of costly beauty products, lack of time, and hectic lifestyle. If you are tired of using skin brightening creams as there are no results. Then, you should look for “ubatan” for all your skin related problems.

Since the olden days, “ubatan” has been made at home for skin care. As it is a crucial part of “haldi” ceremony, “ubatan” consisted of wheat bran (choker), gram flour, yoghurt or cream of milk (malai) and a pinch of turmeric. All these were mixed together and applied on the body, along with oil. The “ubatan” was washed off after 20 to 30 minutes while bathing. It helped to cleanse the skin, leaving it smooth and bright.

“Ubatan”, therefore, is a traditional method of removing dead skin cells, softening the skin and enhancing skin beauty. When it is washed off with water during the bath, it helps to remove dead skin cells, making the skin soft and smooth. It also helps to remove tan and brighten the skin, producing an even colour tone. Actually, the body should first be massaged with sesame seed (til) oil. Did you know that sesame seed oil has sun-protective properties and counteracts sun damage? After the oil massage, “ubatan” may be applied and then washed off after half-an-hour, while bathing. The washing off and scrubbing away of the ingredients, leave the skin clean, bright and glowing, with a translucent quality.

Exfoliation or removal of dead cells is an important treatment for body and face, as it helps in improving skin texture, accelerating the cell renewal process, minimising dark patches and blemishes, and also producing an even colour tone. It is a powerful cleansing procedure and keeps the pores free of hardened oil.

You can try out the traditional “ubatan” with these simple kitchen ingredients. Take wheat bran (choker), add ground almonds, ground dried orange and lemon peels, along with honey and curd, as well as a little turmeric. Mix all these into a paste that does not drip. Apply on the body and wash it off after half-an-hour.

“Ubatan” can also be applied on the face. Here is a facial “ubatan” for all skin types. Take one teaspoon ground dry orange and lemon peels, one teaspoon oats and one teaspoon ground almonds (almond meal). Add one teaspoon each of honey and yoghurt. Apply on the skin and rub gently with circular movements. Then wash off with water. Egg white can also be added to this face pack. Orange and lemon peels should be dried thoroughly in the sun and kept in a tightly closed container.

Oats work wonders on oily, blackhead prone skin. Mix oatmeal with egg white and apply on the skin. When it is dry, dampen with water and gently scrub it off the skin. The face should be rinsed off with water. Then soak cotton wool pads in rose water and wipe the skin with it. Oatmeal added to curd can also be applied on the face if you do not wish to use egg, washing it off when it is dry. It’s great for oily and combination skin, cleansing and softening the skin effectively. For dry skin, one tablespoon oatmeal can be mixed with honey, milk and a few drops of almond oil. Apply it on the face. After 15 minutes, dampen with milk and scrub off, rinsing well with water.