Besan Facial with Grapefruit & Honey

I'll bet when you think of Chickpea Flour skin care isn't the first thing that comes to mind. Falafel? Yes. Facials? Not so much.  Though you might find it surprising, Chickpea Flour is actually a super traditional beauty ingredient in other parts of the world. In India, Chickpea Flour is called Besan, and acts as a main ingredient in an endless variety of facials and masks that promise everything from younger looking skin to the lightening of age spots and the clearing of acne. You'll also find Chickpea Flour going under the alias of Gram Flour.

These recipes are based on the notion that Chickpea Flour contains vitamins and minerals that benefit beauty. Most of the articles you'll find on Besan make some pretty interesting claims, but the science behind them can be a little vague. After a little digging I was able to find a few nuggets of solid information on what makes Chickpea Flour such a popular ingredient for skin care.

• Chickpea Flour contains plenty of folate which is known to have anti-aging benefits.
• It also contains magnesium, which may help prevent wrinkles and fight acne.
• A hefty dose of Vitamin B-6, which is purported to help fight sensitivity and acne, is also found in Chickpea Flour.

Besan Facials can be as simple as Chickpea Flour mixed with water. They can also be complex, including a long list of natural ingredients. The most common ingredients you'll find in Besan Facials, besides Chickpea Flour, are Lemon, Honey, Yogurt, and Turmeric. This recipe combines Chickpea Flour with freshly squeezed Grapefruit Juice and a dollop of local Honey. The combination is meant to help cleanse and brighten the skin, lightening age spots, disinfecting disruptive bacteria, and leaving skin soft and glowing. It worked well for me, and I hope you'll like it too. 

Besan Facial with Grapefruit and Honey
Makes enough for two masks

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons chickpea flour
• 1 – 2 tablespoons grapefruit juice
• 1 tablespoon honey

Directions

1. Combine the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together until smooth. You can add a little extra juice if the mixture seems too thick or sticky.
2. Prep your skin for the facial by cleansing it, then steaming it under a hot (but not scalding) damp washcloth.
3. Apply the facial directly to your skin – avoiding your eyes, lips, and nostrils. You can also apply the mixture to your neck and decolletage.
4. Let the mixture set on your skin for about fifteen minutes, then rinse with warm water.
5. Follow with your favorite toner and moisturizer.