Chandigarh, Nov 24: Besan has lived in Indian households for centuries, tucked quietly in kitchen jars yet carrying the wisdom of generations of women who trusted it more than any store-bought scrub. In the world of modern skincare trends and chemical-heavy exfoliators, gram flour has retained a place of its own—simple, grounding, and surprisingly luxurious when used with intention.
While most people know besan as a basic ingredient for pakoras or chillas, its role in beauty rituals is far richer. The texture of finely ground chickpea flour makes it a natural exfoliant, gentle enough for daily cleansing, yet effective in lifting away dullness, sweat, oil, and surface impurities. When mixed with the right ingredients, it can soothe, brighten and refresh tired skin without stripping the face of its natural moisture.
Many women use besan in its purest form as a quick scrub. A small spoon mixed with a few drops of water creates a soft paste that can be massaged lightly onto the skin in circular motions. It removes dead skin cells, polishes the surface, and leaves a velvety touch afterwards. For those with oily or acne-prone skin, it can absorb excess sebum, helping reduce clogged pores and shine through the day. Dry skin benefits as well, especially when besan is blended with curd or a little honey—it becomes creamy, nourishing, and comforting, like a home-spa treatment made from ingredients already sitting in your kitchen.
In traditional beauty routines, besan is rarely used alone. A pinch of haldi turns it into a brightening mask. Rose water transforms it into a refreshing morning cleanser. Mixed with milk, it becomes a softening treatment that mothers swear can bring back the glow lost in long days and sleepless nights. Even as a tan-removal pack, besan holds a reputation passed quietly from grandmother to granddaughter.
Modern lifestyle practices are beginning to borrow from these old rituals. Some use it in gentle weekly exfoliation to reset their skin. Others mix it with oats or ground almonds for a richer scrub. During humid weather, a besan-and-lemon cleanse helps fight stickiness. In winter, besan blended with malai is deeply hydrating and aromatic, almost like a warm hug for the face.
Beyond cleansing, besan carries a sense of nostalgia and care—something that reminds us of simpler beauty traditions that worked without fancy packaging or excessive promises. It represents the idea that skincare can be mindful, slow, and rooted in culture.
In a time where shelves overflow with products, besan remains the humble classic—always available, endlessly adaptable, and deeply personal in the way each household prepares it. With every wash, it brings not just clarity to the skin, but a quiet connection to heritage, memory, and the comforts of home.
