Step Three: Exfoliate (Ubtan – Second Cleanse)

For oily, acne-prone, or congested skin, a second cleanse is essential. Rather than using foaming washes, gels, or milk cleansers—which contain surfactants that can compromise the skin barrier—Ayurveda recommends ubtans, traditional herbal exfoliants.

Exfoliating daily is as fundamental as bathing or brushing your teeth. When done correctly, it keeps pores clear, balances oil, prevents acne, and maintains healthy skin without stripping natural oils.

Ubtans have been a cornerstone of Ayurvedic household skincare for generations. Nearly every Indian grandmother has her own recipe. The formulations shared here are classical, condition-specific recipes derived from Ayurvedic texts and teachers, many of which are ancient, rarely documented, and highly effective.

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Ayurvedic Ubtan for Oily, Acneic & Congested Skin

What You Need

• 10–12 pieces Shalmali kantak (Silk cotton tree) root

• 10–12 pieces Sariva root

• 4 inches Lakadong turmeric root (highest known curcumin content)

• 2 tablespoons Multani mitti (Fuller’s earth)

• 2 tablespoons Mysore sandalwood powder
  (Australian sandalwood can be used if Mysore sandalwood is unavailable)

• Mortar and pestle (Khalava Yantra) or grinder

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How to Make & Store

1. Pound all the crude herbs into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or grinder.

2. Mix thoroughly and store in a dark glass jar.

Shelf Life: Up to 1 year

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How to Apply

1. Take 1 tablespoon of the ubtan powder in a glass bowl.

2. Add cool A2 milk (or almond milk for a vegan option) to form a loose, smooth paste.

3. Wet the skin with milk. Avoid tap water, as it is alkaline and drying.

4. Gently massage the ubtan over the face.

5. Leave on for 1–2 minutes only.

6. Rinse off gently before the ubtan dries completely.

⚠️ Important:
Never allow the ubtan to crack or dry fully on the skin. Once dry, it loses potency and may begin to reverse its benefits, leading to dryness and irritation.

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What to Expect

This ubtan:

• Deeply cleanses without stripping natural oils

• Draws out excess sebum and congestion

• Reduces inflammation, acne, and redness

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Herbal Actions Explained

• Shalmali root: Kashaya (astringent) and sheeta (cooling). It pacifies Pitta, cools inflamed skin, and acts as a blood purifier, essential for acne control.

• Sariva: Potent for skin infections, acne vulgaris, dermatitis, and pimples. Cooling in nature and classified under Varnya Gana in the Charaka Samhita, promoting complexion and skin lustre.

• Manjishtha & Yashtimadhu: Purify the blood and enhance radiance when used topically or internally.

• Milk: Madhura (sweet) and sheeta (cooling), pacifies Pitta and Vata, while lactic acid gently resurfaces and refines the skin.

• Multani mitti: Provides kushtaghna (anti-skin disorder) and jantughna (antibacterial) benefits. Cooling and naturally brightening, it absorbs excess oil, leaving the skin fresh—reminiscent of petrichor, the fresh earth smell after rain.