The skin soothing benefits of the tiny-but-mighty adzuki bean are anything but a tall tale. Also benefits of adzuki beans for skin and how to use , the ingredient is well-known in the food realm as a rich source of low-fat protein and fiber, but these also pack major benefits for your complexion, particularly if you’re dealing with excess oil and breakouts. The concept isn’t exactly new—legend has it that, since around the 18th century, women in Japan would grind the adzuki bean pod into a powder, place the powder into a silk bag, then scrub said bag onto the face and body while in the bath. And while the DIY route is effective, with many skincare brands realizing the power of adzuki beans, it’s even easier to incorporate the do-it-all ingredient into your daily routine.

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.

Benefits of Adzuki Beans for Skin

Because the saponin can do such heavy lifting, Dr. Cheung notes that adzuki beans are a common ingredient in natural skincare formulas, particularly those targeting oily or acne-prone skin. Thanks to their ability to gently exfoliate skin, they also play well with dry and dehydrated skin types to slough away flakiness from the surface without disrupting the skin’s natural moisture barrier. You can expect a tighter, brighter complexion with continued use,

Adzuki Beans for Gently Exfoliates Skin

Whether you opt for a physical exfoliant or a chemical formula, Kentary notes that the saponin in adzuki beans acts as a natural exfoliant, helping to remove dirt and dead skin cells sitting on the surface. Because adzuki beans are also entirely biodegradable, they’re a more Earth-friendly alternative than the plastic microbeads that were once the norm.
Kills Acne-Causing Bacteria: Because adzuki beans have antimicrobial properties, Kentary notes that using a formula rich in the ingredient packs benefits for acne-prone skin, as the saponin can help to kill bacteria that triggers a breakout.

Adzuki Beans for Draws Out Sebum, Oils, and Dirt:

Consider saponin a magnet for excess oil. It helps to draw out sebum and dirt, leaving the skin tight with a fresh-faced glow,.
Protects Against Sun Damage and Pollution: Rich in antioxidants, Kentary notes that adzuki bean-infused formulas can help to protect your skin against sun damage and pollution.
The manganese in the bean, in particular, works to find free radicals created by the aforementioned environmental aggressors and neutralize their impact on your skin.

Adzuki Beans for Side Effects of Adzuki Beans

Because many adzuki bean-rich formulas come in a powder-based exfoliating formula, both Kennedy and Dr. Cheung suggest opting for finely ground versions, as anything too coarse can irritate your skin. “Larger pieces of adzuki beans can cause micro-tears in the skin, which causes quite a bit of damage,” Kennedy says. “Additionally, if you have very sensitive skin, or are prone to rosacea, psoriasis, or eczema, you might not be able to tolerate chemical or physical exfoliation.”

Avoid areas where you have flare-ups, and keep the “less is more” mantra in mind. On the days you’re using adzuki beans, pull any other physical or chemical exfoliants out of rotation (here’s looking at you, retinoids, salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acids) to avoid irritating skin.

How to Use Adzuki Beans for Skin

While taking a nod from 18th century skincare practices and finely grinding your own adzuki bean powder is an option, a few beauty brands on the market already create their own exfoliating powders rich with the ingredient—as well as some glow-boosting extras. Pick the powder formula of your choosing (we’ve selected a few below for you), mix a small amount with a few drops of water, then gently work in using circular motions over damp skin. Aim to exfoliate twice a week at maximum to avoid over-scrubbing.

After exfoliating with adzuki beans, always make sure to apply a generous amount of moisturizer. “Since the beans are ground up into a powder, and can be a little irritating, use a gentle moisturizer after, containing niacinamide, to calm the skin,”.

Adzuki bean scrubs and products made with adzuki beans are great for those prone to acne and blackheads.

Keep reading to learn everything from what adzuki beans are to how they benefit your skin.

TYPE OF INGREDIENT: Exfoliant and cleanser

MAIN BENEFITS: Contains saponin, a natural exfoliant that’s been shown to draw out sebum and dirt, soothe the skin, and has both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

WHO SHOULD USE IT Those with oily or acne-prone skin, enlarged pores, or dry and dehydrated skin types.

HOW OFTEN TO USE: Up to two times a week, or however often you exfoliate.

WORKS WELL WITH: Other botanical extracts, enzymes, and oils.

DON’T USE WITH: Avoid additional physical exfoliants, chemical exfoliants like lactic, salicylic, or glycolic acids, and retinol.

Organic Natural Adzuki Bean Facial ScrubSimple 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.

Adzuki Powder Facial Mask

Place 2 teaspoons of Adzuki Micrograin Powder in the palm of your hand
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
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.

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 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

Adzuki bean are very familiar in Asian cuisine! Today, let’s find out 10 wonderful benefits of adzuki beans, the most unique and important health benefits of adzuki beans may include their ability to aid in weight loss, prevent and manage diabetes, optimize digestion, contribute to growth and repair, increase energy, lower blood pressure, reduce birth defects in infants, and detoxify the body.

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