Ubtan: India's original face pack
Where the ubtan comes from, what goes into it, and how to use a herbal face pack well.
2 min read · Updated 2026-11-14
From lepa to ubtan
Classical Ayurvedic texts describe many ways of applying herbs to the skin. Reviews of Sushruta and the Ashtanga texts list lepa (pastes), pradeha and udvartana, a massage with herbal powders. The ubtan that Indian grandmothers mix in a steel bowl is the household heir to these: a paste of powdered herbs and grains, applied, gently rubbed and rinsed away.
What goes into an ubtan
There is no single recipe. Families and regions each have their own. Common building blocks are:
| Ingredient | Role in the paste |
|---|---|
| Gram flour (besan) | Gentle cleansing and a soft, grainy texture |
| Turmeric (haldi) | Colour, fragrance and a long ritual history |
| Sandalwood | Cooling fragrance; one of the classical varnya herbs |
| Rose water or milk | The liquid that turns powder into paste |
| Manjistha, lodhra, liquorice | Herbs from the classical skin groups |
Ubtan and ceremony
The best-known ubtan is the one applied at a haldi ceremony before a wedding, when family members smear turmeric paste on the bride and groom. The ritual is about blessing and togetherness as much as skin. Read more in our guide to haldi and turmeric.
What science says about the ingredients
Turmeric is the most studied. A 2016 systematic review found early, limited clinical evidence that turmeric products may benefit skin health, while calling for better studies. For gram flour and most other ubtan staples there is little formal research; their use rests on tradition and on how the paste feels.
How to use a ready ubtan
- Mix a spoonful of powder with rose water, aloe water or milk until it is like thick cream.
- Apply to clean, damp skin, avoiding the eyes.
- Leave for 10 to 20 minutes, until it is almost but not fully dry.
- Wet your hands, rub gently in small circles and rinse.
- Follow with a toner and a light moisturiser.
Kart Naturals' lepas are made to be mixed this way. Insta Glow Lepa, for example, is mixed with rose or aloe water.
A note on sensitive skin
Turmeric can stain lightly for a few hours, and any herb can irritate some people. Patch test on the inner arm first, and use less often if skin feels tight afterwards.
Questions
What is ubtan made of?
Most recipes combine gram flour, turmeric and sandalwood, with additions such as rose petals, neem, manjistha or liquorice, mixed to a paste with milk, curd, rose water or aloe juice.
How long should ubtan stay on?
Usually 10 to 20 minutes, removed before it dries completely, with a gentle circular rub and plenty of water.
Can ubtan make skin lighter?
No. Kart Naturals does not make fairness claims. A face pack can cleanse and leave skin feeling fresh and soft; it does not change natural skin tone.
Sources
- Dakhole SS, Mishra BR, Purohit HJ. A review on cosmetology in Ayurveda. J Ayurveda Integr Med Sci 2023;8(5):165-172
- Kandpal R, Joshi SC. Cosmetic care with special emphasis on Varnya Bhava in Charaka Samhita. J Ayurveda Integr Med Sci
- Vaughn AR, Branum A, Sivamani RK. Effects of turmeric on skin health: a systematic review of the clinical evidence. Phytother Res 2016;30(8):1243-64
This guide is general information about traditional and natural care. It is not medical advice. For a skin, scalp or health condition, speak to a dermatologist or qualified practitioner.
