Ayurvedic Ubtan for Glowing Skin: DIY Recipe & Skincare Guide

Ayurvedic Ubtan Recipes for Radiant, Clear Skin

Introduction: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Skin Care

In Ayurveda, the skin is more than just a physical layer — it reflects our inner health, balance of doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha), and harmony between mind, body, and environment. When our internal systems are in equilibrium, the skin naturally glows; when imbalanced, it shows signs such as breakouts, dullness, pigmentation, or dryness.

Among Ayurveda’s many natural skincare practices, Ubtan holds a special place. These traditional herbal powders — made from grains, pulses, clays, and flowers — gently cleanse, nourish, and rejuvenate the skin without harsh chemicals. Used for centuries in Indian households, Ubtan offers a holistic approach to skincare that aligns with your body’s natural rhythms.

This guide explores a time-tested Ayurvedic Ubtan recipe you can prepare at home, its benefits, how to use it, and how to integrate it into a sustainable skin care ritual.

Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or healthcare professional before beginning any new skincare or health regimen, especially if you have underlying conditions or severe skin concerns.

Understanding Ubtan in Ayurveda

What Is Ubtan?

Ubtan is a finely ground herbal mixture used as a cleanser, exfoliant, and face pack. It is deeply rooted in Ayurvedic skincare, often mentioned in classical texts like the Bhaishajya Ratnavali and Charaka Samhita for its rasayana (rejuvenating) and varnya (complexion-enhancing) properties.

Unlike modern cleansers that may strip the skin’s natural oils, Ubtan works gently, preserving your skin’s balance while drawing out impurities, nourishing the tissues, and improving circulation.

Key Ayurvedic Benefits

🌿 Varnya – Enhances natural glow and complexion.
💧 Tvachya – Supports skin hydration and nourishment.
🧼 Lekhana – Removes excess oil, dead skin cells, and buildup.
☀️ Raksha – Protects skin from environmental stressors and sun damage.
🪶 Snigdha and Ruksha Balance – Balances oiliness and dryness according to your skin type.

Step-by-Step: Preparing Your Ayurvedic Ubtan

This powerful yet gentle Ubtan is ideal for people who use rice daily and face common skin issues like breakouts, tanning, dullness, or dryness.

🌿 Ingredients and Their Ayurvedic Benefits

Ingredient	Ayurvedic Action	Benefit
Rice (Shali)	Lekhana – exfoliating	Removes dead skin, brightens tone
Masoor dal (Red lentil)	Ropana – healing	Reduces acne and scars
Oats	Snigdha – nourishing	Soothes dryness and irritation
Orange peel powder	Kapittha – detoxifying	Reduces tanning and pigmentation
Multani mitti (Fuller’s earth)	Shoshana – oil-absorbing	Controls sebum and purifies
Sandalwood powder	Shita virya – cooling	Calms inflammation, adds glow
Rose petal powder	Varnya – complexion enhancer	Hydrates, tones, and refreshes

🧪 Preparation Method (Step-by-Step)

Dry Roast the Base:
- Take equal parts of rice, masoor dal, and oats.
- Dry roast them on low flame until they release a mild aroma.
- This enhances their potency and shelf life.
Grind Into a Fine Powder:
- Once cool, grind the roasted mixture into a smooth, fine powder.
Add Herbal Powders:
- Mix in orange peel powder, multani mitti, sandalwood powder, and rose petal powder in equal parts.
- Stir well until evenly blended.
Store Properly:
- Transfer to an airtight glass jar and store in a cool, dry place.
- The powder stays potent for up to 2 months.

How to Use Ubtan: 3-in-1 Skincare Ritual

This versatile powder works as a cleanser, exfoliator, and face pack. Choose your application method based on your skincare needs:

1. 🌼 As a Daily Face Wash

Mix 1 teaspoon of Ubtan with plain water or rose water.
Massage gently in circular motions.
Rinse with lukewarm water.

Result: Clean, fresh skin without stripping natural oils.

2. 🌿 As a Weekly Scrub

Mix 2 teaspoons with milk or aloe vera gel.
Gently exfoliate for 2–3 minutes.
Wash off with cool water.

Result: Removes blackheads, dead skin, and dullness.

3. 🌸 As a Rejuvenating Face Pack

Combine 2 teaspoons with yogurt, honey, or rose water.
Apply evenly to face and neck.
Leave for 15–20 minutes, then rinse.

Result: Deep nourishment, improved glow, and softer skin.

Customizing for Your Dosha (Skin Type)

Ayurveda teaches that skincare should align with your prakriti (constitution). You can tailor your Ubtan to suit your dosha:

Vata (Dry, flaky skin): Add milk, honey, or ghee.
Pitta (Sensitive, red-prone skin): Add rose water or sandalwood water.
Kapha (Oily, acne-prone skin): Add lemon juice or tulsi water.

Tips for Best Results

🌞 Use Ubtan in the morning for cleansing and in the evening as a pack for deeper repair.
🪶 Always do a patch test before first use to check for sensitivities.
🌿 Avoid harsh soaps or exfoliants alongside Ubtan — they can irritate the skin.
💧 Stay hydrated and follow a balanced diet to support outer glow from within.

Holistic Skin Care: Beyond Ubtan

According to Ayurveda, external treatments are most effective when supported by internal balance. For radiant, clear skin:

🍃 Dinacharya (Daily Routine): Cleanse, oil massage (abhyanga), and moisturize regularly.
🫖 Ahara (Diet): Include skin-nourishing foods like ghee, turmeric, and seasonal fruits.
🧘‍♀️ Manas (Mind): Manage stress with meditation or pranayama — inner calm reflects as outer glow.

द्वारा लिखित

Dr. Maitri Bhavesh Kumar Acharya

Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, (Vadodara, Gujarat).

I am Dr. Maitri, currently in my 2nd year of MD in Dravyaguna, and yeah, I run my own Ayurvedic clinic in Ranoli where I’ve been seeing patients for 2 years now. Honestly, what pulled me into this path deeper is how powerful herbs really are—when used right. Not just randomly mixing churnas but actually understanding their rasa, virya, vipaka etc. That’s kinda my zone, where textbook knowledge meets day-to-day case handling. My practice revolves around helping people with PCOD, acne, dandruff, back pain, stiffness in knees or joints that never seem to go away. And I don’t jump to giving a long list of medicines straight away—first I spend time figuring out their prakriti, their habits, food cycle, what triggers what… basically all the small stuff that gets missed. Then comes the plan—herbs (single or compound), some diet reshuffling, and always some lifestyle nudges. Sometimes they’re tiny, like sleep timing. Sometimes big like proper seasonal detox. Being into Dravyaguna helps me get into the depth of herbs more confidently. I don’t just look at the symptom—I think okay what guna will counter this? Should the drug be snigdha, ushna, tikta? Is there a reverse vipaka that’ll hurt the agni? I ask these questions before writing any combo. That’s made a huge diff in outcomes. Like I had this case of chronic urticaria that would flare up every week, and just tweaking the herbs based on sheetala vs ushna nature... helped calm the system in 3 weeks flat. Not magic, just logic. I also work with women who are struggling with hormonal swings, mood, delayed periods or even unexplained breakouts. When hormones go haywire, the skin shows, digestion slows, and mind gets foggy too. I keep my approach full-circle—cleansing, balancing, rejuvenating. No quick fixes, I tell them early on. What I’m hoping to do more of now is make Ayurveda feel practical. Not overwhelming. Just simple tools—ahara, vihara, aushadha—used consistently, with some trust in the body’s own healing. I’m still learning, still refining, but honestly, seeing people feel in control of their health again—that’s what keeps me rooted to this.

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उपयोगकर्ताओं के प्रश्न

What are the best practices to follow after using a rejuvenating face pack for optimal skin care?

Paisley

54 दिनों पहले

Dr. Ravi Chandra Rushi

5 दिनों पहले

After using a face pack, it's key to be gentle with your skin. Pat dry, don't rub. Apply a light, natural moisturizer like aloe vera gel or almond oil if your skin feels a bit dry. If you know your dosha, adjust your routine: Vata types might add more moisture, Pitta might seek soothing ingredients, and Kapha might keep it light to avoid oiliness. Trust how your skin feels and responds, everyone's skin is a bit different, ya know?

What are some specific examples of skin-nourishing foods I can add to my diet for better skin?

Kennedy

70 दिनों पहले

Dr. Prasad Pentakota

9 दिनों पहले

Adding ghee, turmeric, and seasonal fruits to your diet is great for nourishing your skin! Ghee is packed with healthy fats, turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, and fruits provide vital vitamins. Consider also including nuts and seeds, like almonds and flaxseeds, for omega-3s and antioxidants. Keeps skin happy! 😊

How often should I use Ubtan as a daily face wash for the best results?

Connor

78 दिनों पहले

Dr. Ravi Chandra Rushi

12 दिनों पहले

You can use Ubtan daily as a gentle face wash, it's quite mild and great for regular cleansing. But if your skin feels a bit dry, you might want to reduce it to a few times a week and see how your skin responds. Always keep track of how your skin feels - it's all about balance and listening to your body!

How often should I use Ubtan as a daily face wash for the best results?

Matthew

85 दिनों पहले

Dr. Ravi Chandra Rushi

19 दिनों पहले

Ubtan can be used daily, but it depends on your skin type and dosha. If you have sensitive or dry skin, using it 2-3 times a week might be enough. For oily skin, daily use can help balance the oil. Just pay attention to how your skin reacts and adjust accordingly to keep your skin happy and balanced! 😊

What are some easy ways to incorporate ghee and turmeric into my daily diet for skin health?

Genesis

91 दिनों पहले

Dr. Sara Garg

27 दिनों पहले

An easy way to add ghee and turmeric to your diet for skin health is to mix them into warm milk. Try adding a pinch of turmeric and a teaspoon of ghee to a mug of warm milk before bed - it's soothing and great for the skin! You can also cook with ghee; it's tasty in veggies, rice, or even spreading a lil' on toast.

What ingredients can I use if I have oily skin for the rejuvenating face pack?

Leo

99 दिनों पहले

Dr. Prasad Pentakota

31 दिनों पहले

For oily skin, mixing 2 teaspoons of multani mitti (fuller's earth) with rose water is great. Both help balance excess oil. You can also add a lil' turmeric for its antibacterial properties. Just make sure to not overdo it, cause skin can get dry if used too often. Enjoy a refreshing glow! 😊

What are some good skin types for using a rejuvenating face pack with yogurt or honey?

Wyatt

105 दिनों पहले

Dr. Ravi Chandra Rushi

34 दिनों पहले

Yogurt’s great for Pitta skin—cooling & soothing! Honey works wonders for Vata skin, deeply hydrating. Mixed skin types can benefit, but consistency matters: check in how your skin reacts. Keep it gentle, respect your skin's unique needs, amd maybe mix 'em together if your feeling adventurous!

What are some specific benefits of using ubtan compared to regular commercial cleansers?

Anthony

111 दिनों पहले

Dr. Surya Bhagwati

50 दिनों पहले

Ubtan has several benefits over regular cleansers. It's super gentle, since it's made from natural ingredients like grains and flowers, so it won't strip your skin's natural oils. Plus, it's nourishing and can rejuvenate the skin, thanks to all those herbal goodness. It's like feeding your skin a healthy meal rather than just washing it! Also, no harsh chemicals which is great if you have sensitive skin. 🌿

What are some other natural ingredients I can mix with Ubtan for different skin types?

Mia

116 दिनों पहले

Dr. Narendrakumar V Mishra

53 दिनों पहले

For dry skin, mix ubtan with milk or almond oil to nourish deeply. If ya got oily skin, try adding some rose water or yogurt to balance sebum levels. Those with sensitive skin might like to blend with aloe vera gel to soothe it. Always tune into how your skin reacts, since everyone's unique balance is diff!