Way back when, I bought a natural facial scrub from one of those fancy skincare stores. It was touted as a "Japanese beauty secret." It consisted entirely of ground Adzuki beans. After moving far from that store, I ran out of the scrub and it slipped from my mind.
Until I bought a bag of Adzuki beans from the natural food store recently and set it next to my blender... Hmmmm, I thought....
I appreciate simple and natural skincare products---they are cost effective and healthy for both our bodies and our planet. This one happens to be the epitome of simplicity and frugality, and it's so easy to make at home!
Just grind up a cup of Adzuki beans in either your blender, coffee grinder, or food processor. Grind the beans until they resemble a very fine cornmeal---almost flour. After grinding, allow the mixture to settle for a moment before opening the lid, as it creates a fine powder.
The mixture is simple to use: place a tsp of the ground Adzuki beans in the palm of your hand or a small bowl and mix in enough warm water to form a paste. If you have dry skin, add a little water soluble moisturizer to the mixture. Using more water and your fingers, very gently scrub your face and/or body with the paste. Rinse.
You can also use the paste as a mask. Mix it a bit thicker and spread over your face. Leave on for a bit and then rinse with plenty of water.
This article about Adzuki bean scrubs warns against using the paste too often, as it might irritate the skin. However, I have very sensitive skin and I use the paste two times a week with no problems. I suggest seeking out organic Adzuki beans for this scrub, as they are free from residues that might cause skin irritation. They are easily found in bulk at natural food stores, as well as online. (They're also yummy to eat, too)! Here's a tasty recipe...
