11 Traditional Beauty Rituals Gen Z Is Bringing Back

7. Ubtan/besan (chickpea-flour) face scrubs and packs

Ubtan — a paste made from besan (chickpea flour), turmeric, and sometimes ground nuts or milk — has been used traditionally for gentle exfoliation and brightening before weddings and festivals. Gen Z appreciates ubtan for its gentle, natural exfoliating properties and for being DIY-friendly. A simple ubtan: mix two tablespoons besan with a pinch of turmeric and enough plain yogurt or milk to form a paste. Massage in circular motions for 30–60 seconds, then rinse. Don’t scrub too hard; the goal is gentle buffing, not abrasion. Use ubtan once a week for most skin types; people with sensitive or rosacea-prone skin should either skip the turmeric or test a very small patch first. Modern variations leave out turmeric to avoid staining and instead use papaya or papaya enzymes for a similar brightening effect. Ubtan is a gentle way to get tactile satisfaction from a skincare routine while honoring a family recipe.