Adzuki Beans in Natural Skin Care
Adzuki beans (also known as aduki or azuki beans) have been used in Japanese skincare regimens for centuries to cleanse and exfoliate the skin and rejuvenate and brighten the complexion.
Japanese noblewomen would place adzuki powder inside a small silk bag which was then moistened with water to create a creamy gentle scrub to cleanse the face and body. Today most people apply it directly to the face as a paste.
When crushed into a powder, these non-abrasive exfoliating micrograins gently buff away dull, dry, flaky skin without damaging the surface of the skin. This leaves you with a soft, smooth texture and a radiant glow.
Adzuki beans contain a natural foaming agent called saponin that helps cleanse pores by removing dirt and dead skin cells, drawing out impurities, and promoting circulation.
Adzuki bean scrubs and products made with adzuki beans are great for those prone to acne and blackheads.
This is a great scrub for individuals with any skin type but can be especially beneficial for enlarged pores, redness, irritation, and acne.
Adzuki bean powder is very gentle, but start out by using the scrub once or twice a week. You can work up to doing it four or more times if you skin is happy. Always remember to listen to your skin and to pay attention to seasonal changes.
There are so many ways to use versatile Adzuki Beans—below we share some of our favorites:
Simple Adzuki Powder Facial Scrub
- Place ¼ teaspoon of Adzuki Micrograin Powder in your palm
- Add a few drops of warm water* and mix to form a paste
- Apply to wet face with fingertips, gently scrubbing in small circles, avoiding eye area
- Rinse with warm water and pat dry
As I described above, the powder can also be placed inside a small cotton or muslin bag which is then moistened and used as a washcloth.
Get the added benefits of fresh goat milk, aloe juice, apple juice or any water-based liquid as a replacement for the water in the facial scrub or face mask.
Adzuki Powder Facial Mask
- Place 2 teaspoons of Adzuki Micrograin Powder in the palm of your hand
- Add a few drops of warm water as describe above, but make into a slightly thicker paste
- Apply to wet face with fingertips, gently scrubbing in small circles, avoiding eye area
- Allow the paste to remain on the face until it begins to tighten (about 10 -15 minutes)
- Gently rinse
For a moisturizing mask add a few drops of your favorite face oil.
To Exfoliate & Moisturize Your Skin . . .
- Place ¼ teaspoon of Adzuki Powder in the palm of your hand
- Add a few drops of warm water and mix to form a paste
- Add a dollop of your favorite facial cream or oil*
- Slowly and gently massage into wet skin, moving in small upward circles
- Gently rinse with lukewarm water
*You can also simply add a few drops of any organic oil that your skin likes. Sesame, jojoba, sunflower or even extra virgin olive oil for very dry skin.
To Exfoliate & Cleanse Your Skin . . .
- Lather your favorite natural Chagrin Valley Soap in your hand (or try some of our Buttercream Cleansing Cream Face Wash)
- Mix in a small amount of Adzuki Powder
- Slowly and gently massage into wet skin, moving in small upward circles
- Rinse
Yogurt & Adzuki Bean Cleanser
Yogurt's antibacterial properties make it a great cleanser, its lactic-acid content soothes irritation, clarifies the pores, and softens the skin, and the live active cultures help treat acne and eczema.
- Place ¼ teaspoon of Adzuki Powder in the palm of your hand
- Add a dollop of yogurt (or goat milk yogurt) and mix it together
- Slowly and gently massage into wet skin, moving in small upward circles
- Gently rinse with lukewarm water
Honey & Adzuki Bean Cleanser
The potassium in honey helps with acne and the natural glycolic acid smoothes skin and prevents premature aging. Adzuki bean powder is gentle, but everyone’s skin is unique. Start out using it once or twice a week.
- Place ¼ teaspoon of Adzuki Powder in the palm of your hand
- Add a dollop of honey and mix it together
- Slowly and gently massage into wet skin, moving in small upward circles
- Gently rinse with lukewarm water
Additional Chagrin Valley Products With Adzuki Beans
Loofah Adzuki Bean Soap
Our Loofah Adzuki Bean is an exfoliating soap with the double scrubbing power of shredded loofah and Japanese adzuki bean powder.
Exfoliation, a renewal process for your skin, helps shed the top layer of dead skin and unclog pores.
The creamy coconut milk and shea butter soothe and moisturize. The essential oil blend delivers a warm herbal scent.
Adzuki Bean Complexion Soap
Our Adzuki Bean Complexion Natural Soap is a moisturizing, natural complexion soap made with adzuki bean powder that gently exfoliates without damaging the surface of the skin, leaving a soft, radiant glow.
Adzuki beans contain saponin, a natural foaming agent, that helps cleanse pores by removing dirt and dead skin cells. Exfoliation helps draw out impurities and promotes circulation
Customer Testimonials About Adzuki Bean Products
"For my extremely dry yet acne prone skin, I seem to have settled on the Adzuki bean soap which is like a miracle in a bar!!! For my face, I use the Whipped Squalane moisturizer which doesn't clog my pores (another miracle). My dry lips love your lip balm. I am trying even more items this month. I am now a customer for life!" Elisabeth, Vermont
"I am loving the adzuki bean micrograin a TON. I really love a good exfoliant but often find them too harsh, especially in harsh NY winters. This one I use a few times a week either mixed with the carrot soap and water or straight honey and a bit of water. It shrinks my pores and leaves very smooth looking skin." Katie, New York
Do you use adzuki beans in your natural skincare regimen? Let us know in the comments below.
Learn More Blog: The Nitty Gritty of Exfoliation
