Adzuki Bean Face Scrub

This homemade adzuki bean face scrub is a well-kept secret from Japan and is very easy to make!

Who would not trust Japanese women for their traditional ways of taking care of their beautiful and flawless skin? One of their ancient secrets is the adzuki bean (also called azuki beans) which, when ground and made into a scrub, gently exfoliates and removes dull skin.

I happened to have some organic adzuki beans (red beans) leftover in my pantry and I was looking for a new kind of face scrub. It’s amazing how many DIY beauty products come from what you might have in your healthy kitchen! This is a  very simple, easy and cost efficient way of making a homemade face scrub. All you need is azuki beans and a powerful blender like this one.

Adzuki Beans Benefits for the skin

Adzuki beans contain a compound called saponin, which is a natural cleaning and foaming agent. It naturally dissolves excess oil and cleans pores. No need to say more…

This adzuki bean face scrub exfoliates, brightens and nourishes the skin. It’s a great exfoliant if you are looking for something relatively gentle, and it won’t disrupt your skin’s pH balance or strip it of its natural oils.

Even better, these beans are just as good for your skin topically as they are for you nutritionally., while the powdered granules naturally buff away dead skin cells to reveal a healthy glow. Their mineral content, including zinc, provides a powerful anti-inflammatory effect.

This is a great scrub for individuals with any skin type but can be especially beneficial for enlarged pores, redness, irritation, and acne. You can start by using this scrub twice a week, and you can work up to doing it four or more times per week as you wish. Just remember to listen to your skin and to pay attention to seasonal changes. You may find that you need to use the scrub less in the cooler months.

Nutrition-wise, adzuki beans are a good source of magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and very rich in folic acid so don’t hesitate to include them in your daily diet! Here is more info on adzuki beans.

Adzuki Bean Face Scrub  Recipe

How to use Azuki beans Face Scrub Recipe

1. Take one tablespoon of the azuki flour and add enough water or aloe vera juice to make a thick paste.
2. Apply on your face and massage gently for a few minutes using your fingertips in a circular motion.
3. I like to leave the scrub on for 5 to 10 minutes while I shower so the benefits of the adzuki beans can soak into my skin.
4. Rinse well with water.
5. Afterwards, moisturize with a dab of camellia seed oil like the Japanese women used to do!

Camellia seed oil originated in China and is made from the seeds of the camellia flower.

This is the same plant that tea comes from, so you may also see it referred to as tea oil. It is a delicate oil with a pleasant scent and helps to bring out a glowing complexion. A little bit of camellia oil goes a long way, so do as the Japanese do and only use a few drops.

This face mask scrub recipe can last a few months as long as you don’t introduce water into it.

Arigatō!