HOMEMADE UBTAN

AUTHOR:
MAE

This recipe is for something a little different, its for nourishing your skin from the outside. IT IS NOT TO BE EATEN! Its a recipe for a homemade face mask using all natural ingredients. 


"Ubtan" is an ancient face cleanser/mask/rub that has been used in the indo sub-continent for countless generations. It is especially used prior to marriage as a beautifying ritual for the bride-to-be.

One can buy or make all sorts of ubtans, I am here to share a simple ubtan recipe that we make at home using very basic natural ingredients.


PLEASE NOTE:

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Different ubtans have different ingredients which may or may not suit everyone, before using any ubtan please do a small patch test and observe for 24 hours before using it all over.

Please do not use if you have any irritation/allergies from any of the ingredients.
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This recipe calls for four simple ingredients:
Orange peel- any orange: satsumas, tangerines or even big oranges doesn't matter much
Turmeric
Plain Flour
Water (or Rose water if you want to get extra fancy, but plain water works just fine!)


The first step is the longer step, collect a lot of (washed) orange peel, (pst, easier to wash prior to peeling!), then leave them in the hot sun to dry, this can take varied lengths of time depending where you live and how much Sun you get. The peels need to be completely dried out and no not in an oven, in the Sun! No shortcuts for natural things!

Once dried they need to be powdered with either a pestle and mortar or electric spice grinder. Once powdered the ubtan can now be prepared.




Ubtan powder mix:

Orange peel powder 1/2 cup
All purpose/plain flour 1/2 cup
Turmeric powder 1/4 tspn

Mix well and store in an air tight container, can be stored for up to a year.




When you want to use the Ubtan:

In a small bowl/plate/lid take out 1 tblspn of the dry powder mix and mix with water/rose water to make a smooth thick paste (about 1-2 tblspns of water). Apply the paste to your face.

-The ubtan can be left on like a mask or rubbed all over the face like a exfoliating scrub.


If you are using it as a rub:
You can rub it all over the face and neck for 5-10 minutes, then gently dust off the excess and then leave it to dry for further 15-20 minutes before washing it off. Your face can be left for longer before washing and the ubtan can be re-applied several times before washing, as is what is done with brides. 


If using as a mask:
Leave on your face till it is dry then dust off any dried on powder and either wash your face straight away or leave it for a bit longer period before washing off.


One can easily leave the face unwashed for several hours, but normally it is not practical and most likely it is washed within 2 hours. 


This Ubtan is safe to use several times a day, everyday, or can be used once a week/month however it suits your needs. 


This ubtan should give a clean, tighten and glowing look to your skin. Insha Allah.


Much love
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