Ubtan Review: What Users Report and What to Expect
A more even complexion, refined texture, but sometimes a tight feeling: here is what ubtan users most often report, and what the science can honestly tell us.
Our ubtan buying guide covers the quality criteria for this traditional scrub powder, and our article on the technique itself explains how to apply it. One common question remains before buying: what do users actually report, and what can you honestly expect?
What users most often report
Experience reports converge on a few recurring points. In the short term (from the first use), many describe immediately smoother skin, the expected mechanical effect of any gentle scrub. Over the longer term, after several weeks of regular use (once or twice a week), a more even complexion and a refined skin texture come up often in reviews. On the flip side, a tight or dry feeling is frequently reported on already-dry skin, particularly when the ubtan is left to dry out completely on the face before rinsing — a point we cover in detail in our article on the technique. These reports remain personal accounts, not clinical data: they should be read as observed trends rather than guaranteed results.
What the research says about its ingredients
Chickpea flour (besan), the base ingredient of most ubtans, was the subject of a study published by Felisiak, Przybylska, Tokarczyk and a team of Polish researchers in 2024 in the journal Foods, on incorporating chickpea flour into shortbread cookies (see the study on Google Scholar). The authors measure a polyphenol content and antioxidant activity clearly higher than in wheat flour. This is, honestly, food-science data, obtained from cookies rather than a cosmetic skin application: it confirms that chickpea flour is rich in antioxidant compounds, without directly proving a measurable effect on skin applied as a mask. To our knowledge, no clinical study dedicated to cosmetic ubtan use has been published to date — worth keeping in mind against the sometimes enthusiastic marketing claims.
Which skin type is it best for?
| Skin type | Typical experience | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Combination to oily | Generally well tolerated, mattifying effect appreciated | Weekly frequency, without overdoing it |
| Dry skin | Tight feeling frequently reported | Rinse before it dries completely, moisturize afterward, space out applications |
| Reactive skin or active eczema | Possible discomfort | Test on a small area first, avoid during an active flare |
Precautions
Ubtan remains a cosmetic scrub, not a medical treatment: it does not treat severe inflammatory acne, eczema, or psoriasis, conditions that call for a dermatologist's advice. A patch test on a small area of skin is advisable before the first application, especially on reactive skin. Some formulations contain turmeric, which can temporarily stain skin and light-colored clothing — a harmless but worth-anticipating effect. Cross-cutting guidance is in our safety guide.
Your questions about ubtan review
Does ubtan actually work?
User reports often mention a more even complexion and refined skin texture after several weeks of regular use, but no clinical study has tested ubtan itself: these effects remain personal accounts, not scientific proof.
Why does ubtan sometimes dry out the skin?
This mostly happens when the mask is left to dry completely before rinsing. Rinsing as soon as the paste starts to dry, rather than waiting for it to crack, noticeably reduces this tight feeling.
Does chickpea flour have proven antioxidant properties?
Yes, a 2024 study measured high polyphenol content and antioxidant activity in chickpea flour, but in a food context, not a cosmetic one. This does not prove a direct effect on skin applied as a mask.
Is ubtan suitable for acne-prone skin?
Many combination-to-oily skin types tolerate it well, with an appreciated mattifying effect. In cases of marked inflammatory acne, a dermatologist's advice remains preferable to a homemade scrub as a first step.
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