Ubtan for Glowing Skin: Ingredients, Benefits and Homemade Recipes

A traditional Indian paste consisting of flours, herb and spices, for cleaning, gentle exfoliation and brightening the appearance of the skin. Most of the versions consist of a paste made by mixing besan (gram flour) with turmeric and sandal wood and then adding milk, curd, rose water or plain water to make a paste which is spreadable.

It can be used when the skin appears dull, tan or uneven - it's a valid use. The herbs have long been recognized for the tone of the skin and Besan removes surface oil and dead skin. 

This guide covers what goes into ubtan, what it can realistically do, four recipes by skin type, how to apply it, how often to use it, and what to check before you start.

What Is Ubtan and Where Does It Come From?

Ubtan is a traditional Indian skincare blend made from ingredients such as besan (gram flour), turmeric, sandalwood, and other herbs mixed with milk, rose water, or water to form a paste. 

Applied to the face and body, it is traditionally used to cleanse the skin, gently exfoliate its surface, and improve the appearance of dull skin. In Ayurvedic practice, herbal powder massage is also associated with udvartana. 

Part of regular pre-wedding rituals such as haldi and ubtan. A similar paste is known as pithi in Gujarati weddings.

Which Ingredients Are Commonly Used in Ubtan?

There is no single fixed recipe. Most blends have a base flour, one or two herbs for tone or oil control, and a liquid to bind everything.

The liquid matters as much as the powder. Water suits oily skin. Raw milk or thick curd suits normal to dry skin. Aloe vera gel or buttermilk are other options. A few drops of almond or coconut oil can be added for dry skin.

One ingredient left out on purpose: lemon juice. Many online recipes add it, but it is acidic, can irritate, and can cause a sun-triggered skin reaction (phytophotodermatitis) in some people. None of the recipes below use it.

What Are the Benefits of Ubtan Powder for Skin?

Used on the face, ubtan mainly works as a gentle cleanser and mild exfoliant. It can leave skin feeling smoother and looking fresher. It is a skincare ritual, not a treatment for any skin condition.

• Cleansing and oil control. Besan and other flours absorb surface oil and dirt, which is why ubtan can stand in for soap in traditional bathing routines. 
• Smoother texture. Most of this comes from the rub-off step. As the paste dries and you wet and rub it away, it takes dead skin cells with it.
• A fresher, brighter look. Clearing away dead skin and buildup makes the complexion look less dull. This is a surface effect, so it shows up quickly and fades if you stop.
• A calming, cooling feel. Sandalwood and rose water are traditionally used for this, and the paste feels cool and light on the skin.

How to Make Ubtan at Home for Glowing Skin

Make one serving at a time. The amounts below are enough for one face and neck application. Mix the dry ingredients first, then add liquid until you get a paste about the thickness of thick yoghurt. Application steps are in the next section.

Classic Ubtan Recipe for Glowing Skin

Best for normal and combination skin.

What you need

• 2 tablespoons besan
• 1 teaspoon sandalwood powder
• A generous pinch of turmeric (about ⅛ teaspoon), or kasturi haldi
• 1 tablespoon rose water
• 1 to 2 tablespoons raw milk or water, as needed

How to make it

• Add the besan, sandalwood powder and turmeric to a clean, dry bowl.
• Mix the dry ingredients well so the turmeric spreads evenly.
• Pour in the rose water, then add milk or water a little at a time.
• Stir to a smooth paste, about the thickness of thick yoghurt.
• Apply right away as described in the next section.

Hydrating Ubtan Recipe for Dry Skin

Besan alone can be drying, so this version uses a softer base and adds fat. 

What you need

• 1 tablespoon fine oat flour
• 1 tablespoon besan
• 1 teaspoon sandalwood powder
• 2 tablespoons raw milk or thick curd
• ½ teaspoon almond or coconut oil
• A tiny pinch of turmeric (optional)

How to make it

• Mix the oat flour, besan and sandalwood powder in a bowl.
• Add the turmeric now if you are using it.
• Stir in the milk or curd until the paste is smooth.
• Add the oil last and mix again.

Rinse this one while it is still slightly damp rather than waiting for it to dry fully.

Ubtan Recipe for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin

A lighter, oil-absorbing mix for shine and clogged-looking pores.

What you need

• 1 tablespoon besan
• 1 tablespoon multani mitti (fuller's earth)
• 1 teaspoon sandalwood powder
• ½ teaspoon neem powder
• Rose water, about 2 tablespoons

How to make it

• Mix the besan, multani mitti, sandalwood powder and neem powder in a dry bowl.
• Add rose water a spoonful at a time.
• Stir until smooth. Multani mitti thickens quickly, so add a little more rose water if the paste turns stiff.

Use a light hand, or simply wash this one off with water instead of rubbing. Do not rub over inflamed pimples. Ubtan is a cleansing step, not an acne treatment, and painful or persistent acne is a reason to see a dermatologist.

Traditional Ubtan Recipe for Bridal Skincare

Wedding ubtans are richer than everyday ones and often include milk cream, almonds and saffron.

What you need

• 2 tablespoons besan
• 1 teaspoon sandalwood powder
• 1 teaspoon almond powder
• A pinch of turmeric
• 3 to 4 saffron strands
• 1 tablespoon warm milk
• 1 teaspoon fresh cream (malai)
• Rose water, as needed

How to make it

• Soak the saffron strands in the warm milk for about 10 minutes.
• Mix the besan, sandalwood powder, almond powder and turmeric in a bowl.
• Add the saffron milk and the cream.
• Add rose water a little at a time until the paste is smooth and spreadable.

Bridal skin timeline

• At least 3 weeks before: try it once to see how your skin reacts.
• Weeks leading up: use it once or twice a week.
• Day before and day of: skip it, since freshly rubbed skin can look flushed under makeup.

For the full pre-wedding routine, see our guide on how to take care of your skin before your wedding.

How to Use Ubtan Powder on Your Face

Mix one to two teaspoons of ubtan powder with enough liquid to make a spreadable paste. Apply a thin layer to clean, damp skin and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes until it turns tacky. Then wet your fingers, rub it off in gentle circles and rinse.

• Patch test first. See the precautions below. Do this before the first full application.
• Start with a clean face. Ubtan cleans on its own, but if you are wearing sunscreen or makeup, rinse it off with a quick wash first.
• Mix the paste. Use water for oily skin, and milk, curd or rose water for normal to dry skin. For a ready-made ubtan powder, follow the quantity on the pack.
• Apply upward and outward over the face and neck on damp skin. Keep it away from your eyes and lips.
• Wait 10 to 15 minutes. Take it off when the paste turns tacky, before it dries hard and cracks. Fully dried besan pulls moisture from the skin.
• Rub off, then rinse. Wet your fingertips, use small circles with light pressure, and finish with lukewarm water. Do not scrub the dry powder.
• Moisturise. In the morning, follow with sunscreen as well.

How Often Should You Use Ubtan for Glowing Skin?

A full ubtan mask suits most skin types once or twice a week. Using it daily is more likely to dry or irritate the skin than to add glow.

• Oily skin: up to three times a week.
• Dry or sensitive skin: once a week or once a fortnight.
• Daily use: a pinch mixed with water as a one to two minute wash is much milder than a 15-minute mask, and can be used more often on skin that tolerates it. This is why online advice differs.
• Between sessions: a gentle cleanser such as Gaurisatva's Oil Balancing Face Wash is an option. It is A2 cow ghee based, sulphate-free, meant for twice-daily use, and needs the same patch test as any new product. Follow it with a moisturiser such as the Oil-Control Face Cream.
• Winter: use milk, curd and a little oil.
• Humid summers: use plain water and a shorter wait time.
• Results: no fixed timeline. Skin often looks fresher after the first use. Changes in tan or tone, if any, build slowly and fade if you stop.

What Precautions Should You Take Before Applying Ubtan?

Do a patch test, avoid broken or inflamed skin, and stop if you feel burning or itching. "Natural" does not mean it suits every skin.

• Patch test. Mix a small amount of the paste and apply it to the inner forearm or behind the ear. Wait 24 hours. 
• Turmeric does not suit everyone. Some people react to it with redness or itching. If that happens, leave it out and try a blend without it.
• Expect some staining. Turmeric can tint skin, nails and cloth. Use a pinch rather than a spoonful.
• Use fine powders. Coarse besan or dal can scratch skin during the rub-off.
• Make it fresh. A paste made with milk or curd spoils quickly. Mix only what you need and throw away leftovers.
• Wear sunscreen the next morning. Exfoliated skin is more sun-sensitive. 
• Rinse off immediately if you feel burning or stinging. See a doctor if you get swelling, blisters or a rash that does not settle.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I use Ubtan daily for naturally glowing skin?

Not as a full mask. A turmeric mask can be used as a daily skin wash, but if it is not tolerated by the skin then a pinch may be more suitable. Refer to the above section for spacing out.

Is ubtan good for sensitive skin?

Not automatically. Some people may find that turmeric, sandalwood, saffron and besan can irritate or cause allergies. A milder one that uses oat or rice flour and doesn't include turmeric would be a safer beginning, plus a patch test. 

Can ubtan lighten skin or remove tan?

It will not change your natural skin colour. Traditionally Ubtan has been used for tan and eliminating dead skin and buildup can help create a fresher tanned face. 

Can I store ubtan powder?

Yes, it is the dry mix, not the paste. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry location and use a dry spoon for every use. Fill up with liquid after you are ready to apply. A homemade mixture is preferable and can be used for a couple of weeks but if it smells off, it clumps or appears damp, discard it.

Can I leave ubtan overnight?

No. It will dry out, cause skin irritation and turmeric will stain your pillow. This should take about 10-15 minutes.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any Ayurvedic treatment or remedy.