First, my apologies to those who have yet to receive the newsletter. There has been a frustrating technical glitch, which I’m trying to fix, and I will be re-broadcasting the newsletter to everyone again today. Please bear with me as I’m one person trying to do everything and I’m not exactly technical savvy. Now, moving along, I’m going to share a new DIY homemade recipe today that I’ve been using of late. The main ingredient is mung beans or green beans, also known as green grams in some places. I was lucky to chance upon readily available powder and I didn’t have to take the trouble to grind the beans.
Great for acne-prone skin
I’ve tried using Ah Yuan Organic Mung bean & Job’s tears Soap, but I’ve not thought about using the beans raw on my skin until I read Jacqueline Ambrose’s entry on using mung bean paste as a body scrub. Then I remembered reading that mung beans are great for acne-prone skin because of their detoxifying quality and ability to soothe irritation while supplying protein-rich moisture. In fact, further research suggest that mung bean works better than vitamins C and E in improving the condition of pigmentation, freckles and ugly spots. In India, apparently, the flour of the green gram is an excellent detergent and are used as a substitute for soap.
Easy recipe
I am pretty lazy so I was very pleased to find this packet of green gram detergent powder while shopping in Four Seasons Organic Market located on level 3 of City Square Outlet. It’s only S$6 and can last me a long time as I only need to use one teaspoon each time. So what I do is to add one big teaspoon of this powder with about two teaspoons of yogurt. After mixing them into a thick paste, I apply it over my clean face and leave it on for about 30 minutes before rinsing off thoroughly and then moisturizing.
No mess
I like using this very much because unlike my cinnamon nutmeg acne mask, this one leaves no mess! Plus, I can use this on my entire face and there is no irritation whatsoever. And if I like, this mask can even double up as a face scrub! There is a slight raw vegetable smell to the mask but it’s not unpleasant.
Mung bean powder with Yakult
Because of my acne issues, I used this every day and yesterday, when I was out, I was quite pleased to notice that my complexion seems to have improved. Although I wore foundation, but the acne scarring were less noticeable and my skin tone also seem fairer. I’m really hoping this DIY recipe can clear up all my blemishes, like this girl from Soompi forum I read about. What was interesting was that she used mung bean with Yakult and her acne cleared out completely after two months, based on the pictures she posted. I did try using with Yakult but I decided to stick to yogurt.
If you like to try this recipe and can’t get hold of the mung bean powder, you can get the beans and grind them yourself. A little troublesome but they work the same.
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About Sesame Blog editor of Viva Woman, Sesame is a skin care addict who is fond of using natural & organic beauty products. She also enjoys ogling at handmade jewelry & cute stationery.
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i’ve used a variation of this too – a natural mung bean powder that i can mix to form a scrub or mask – lovely effects and non-irritating. but why is this one that you have, from 4 seasons, called a ‘detergent’? it sounds very abrasive/strong – but is it just a mis-translation or sth and the product doesn’t hv any foaming/detergent ingredients?
It’s a direct translation. I asked the pple at the store too cos I had similar concerns. But this is natural mung bean powder and is edible – just cook and it’s ready to eat.
I didnt know we had mung bean powder! or at least, not mixed with other stuff. Mung bean masks and scrubs are really good, there was a period of time i used it for my back and it worked, but it was troublesome back then because of the prep process (didnt know there was powder). Might want to try this mixed with 100% Pure’s purifying seaweed mask since both are in powder form.
Yes, there is but I’m not sure if this is the only one in the market here. I really like this cos it’s quite effective and I can use on my entire face.
wow, i looked at Soompi Forum and the results were great! I’m so gonna try it out because i have really sensitive skin, on Accutane too + the red marks are really obvious. Being exposed to the sun often due to my job, doesnt help me much too
btw, i love reading your blog! <3
Accutane is very harsh…not good for long term usage. I know for a fact several pple who used this had more issues with their skin later. So be careful with this one.
Remember to use sunscreen since you’re out in the sun so often.
I just tried this tonight and after washing it off, the left side of my face has random patches of red..my skin feels very clean though and my pores do appear a bit smaller..the left side of my face looks horrific though. I kept the mask on for around 20 minutes. Was that too long??
Shouldn’t be. I used it for 30 mins each time. Was there anything on your left side of the face? Is it better now?
Hi Sesame,
i have the same case as Linh too, after washing it off i have little red dots on my face. but you only can see the dots if you look at it close.. but my skin feel very clean after the mask. is normal right? is my 2nd day trying out this mask and i really hope it works on my face.. how long did yours take to see visible result?
Michelle: It should not leave red dots…if that’s the case, it sounds like allergy and you should stop using. I always feel my skin clean and soft using this. Took me about 3 weeks or more to see results. I was also using nutmeg and honey at the same time though.
Oh, the red patches don’t feel itchy though..the intensity has also faded a tiny tiny bit after a few minutes.
Okay, didn’t read this. Then you got to decide if this mask is suitable for you. But mung beans are very mild and suitable even for sensitive skin. It’s either you have really sensitive skin or there was some intense detoxifying there.
One more thing…did you apply a thick layer? If your skin is sensitive, best to wash as soon as you feel the mask drying.
hmmm.. another DIY recipe for mask.. love all ur recommendation for them.. thks a lot, sesame! =)
I hope you’ll like it if you try this.
hi sesame , can this mung bean + yogurt mask suitable for sensitive skin ? Want to try it but scare of sensitivity.
It’s supposed to be suitable but Linh mentioned she had a reaction so perhaps the best is to do a patch test just to be sure.
I definitely want to try this. I also like how it can be a scrub too.
unlike the cinnamon nutmeg, i felt that it was too harsh on my skin when i try to wash it off. it rubs off my skin like slate.
In terms of results, I would say the cinnamon nutmeg one is more effective but I think this one works beautifully on the entire face.
Hi Sesame, I think the Soompi girl used mung bean starch instead of mung bean powder? It’s supposed to be a white starch, from what I read on that thread.
Don’t think they’re the same thing?
The starch still comes from mung bean so you can use the mung bean powder with Yakult if you like.
So the magic is in mung beans ^^
But believe ought to be careful. Reading soompi web, there’s one girl who faced red patches after use. Must try on a small area rather to the whole face at first time.
While searching for the mung beans powder, I went to Faceshop to buy the mung bean mask today. Hope it gives some positive result.
Mung bean is actually quite mild and I can’t figure out why it’ll give red patches. Not sure if it’s the mixture.
The mask you obtain from Faceshop would contain other additives I believe?
thanks for replying. think I will try it on a part of my face and see hows the reaction. If it’s ok, then will only apply on whole face.
oh one more thing , sesame , did you apply on area around your eyes ?
No, I avoided the eye area but yesterday, I tried to put a bit more closer to the undereye area with the hope it might help to lighten the skin tone there.
Hi again Sesame! I took an antihistamine (along with applying manuka honey underneath my moisturizer) and when I woke up the red patches were gone! I did use a really thick paste of it last night but I’ll be more mindful to take it off as soon as I feel it drying (and I’ll grind up my mung beans smoother so it won’t be as thick). I think maybe you’re right (intense detox)..the left side of my face had more acne scars and more clogging (thank good no active pimples there)..I’ll try it again later this week!
Okay, be more careful then. I wasn’t expecting a reaction on this mask unlike the cinnamon nutmeg one which may burn some skin so I was also surprised. The mung bean powder I use is very fine though so not sure if that made a difference.
Should I wash my face before using this mask since you said it had a detoxing like quality ?
Yes, you have to wash your face. Mask is to clear out any impurities that your cleanser can’t do.
Thanks for the mention Sesame!
I tried a similar homemade mung bean mask when I was in China and it was excellent for my oily skin.
You can also buy soy bean powders and make a mask out of that I did it and it helped even skintone and faded the acne scars I had ^^
is “Hoen Kwe” flour also known as green bean flour? =|
Love your DIY masks
I was so lucky when I got hold of a bag of mung beans in an store here in Austria. Didn’t expect I will find some. I grinded them in a coffee mill and it worked great. Will try out the mask now ^^
Hope you’ll love it!
Hi, I’ve tried the mask 2 times already… and have yet to see results but I’m willing to persevere. One thing though, when you said “rinse off and moisturise” do you mean washing off with cleanser or just water?
You should wash your face first and then thereafter apply the mask. After 20 mins or so, you can rinse off and moisturize. No need to wash with cleanser again.
Yes, with DIY beauty recipes, you need to persevere.
can i use it every day?
You can or you can use it twice a week.
ok, how many times u used it in a week? How was the réult?
At least 3 times and my blemishes lightened quite a bit.
after using that mask, my pimples and scars turned red although i found my skin really clean. huxhux, is that abnormal? i use it 3 times a week and wash after 30 min. Can i continue using this mask?
Hmm…that’s strange. Your pimples turn red all the time? Maybe you should stop for awhile before continuing and cut down the usage to twice a week.
what kind of yogurt should i use?…i mean…i can use any kind of brand?…then…uhm,,, can it be yogurt + yakult + mung bean?,,,, how long have u been seen the results?
I used St Paul’s, non-fat. Yes, you can use yogurt + yakult + mung bean. I tried just yogurt + mung bean and saw some positive results in about two weeks.
first of all i have to say my enlish is not good i am not english native speaker. i am from thailand just came across your website pimple and scar turn red after using mask i think that
because that pimple and scar still new and fresh. when you use mung bean powder to rub or scrub at your acne it will irritate acne/scar that why it turn red. just put tiny amount on pimple and scar better scrub on it
I’ve been using Yakult Mask for quite a while. I have eczema on some spots of my face which is why it turns pink after I use this mask. However, I no longer use it on those spots. I used this mask on and off so I haven’t been keeping track of changes. My acne has left many scars on my face and hopefully the Yakult Mask will take care of it with continual use. I use this mask every other day now that it’s summer. When the Yakult Mask dries on my face, I usually like peeling it off. It’s much easier because when I would rinse it, it would irritate the eczema spots on my face–causing it to turn pink.
The Yakult Mask lightens my complexion and is slowly fading my acne scars away.
Oh that’s great to know. I’ve not been using the Yakult mask for awhile now cos am just so tied up. Must go back to trying again.
My auntie actually just gave me a look of this packet of mung bean….its exactly the same….what’s the name of the brand and is it only sold at four season??
I saw it at some other organic food stores.
Hi, where to purchase mung bean powder? Can i get it in ntuc?
No, haven’t seen it…you can get green bean to grind into powder form if you want. If not, get from the Four Seasons Organic Market, which is located at Parkways Parade, City Square Mall, Suntec City and Great World City.
Hey, i managed to get it from OG…
Oh they sell this at OG too…I didn’t know.
Oh yes! I only realized it when i was shopping in OG…
i cant seem to find it at city square mall
mind telling me which section of the store you found it ?
It’s on the 3rd level…opposite Metro. An organic food store. Unless they’ve moved.
thanks but i mean the mung bean powder, i cant find it.
is it at the bottom of the shelves or middle ?
Oh…then maybe they’ve sold out and did not replenish. You can ask the staff.
Hi! I’ve read your post, is there a substitute for mung bean powder? I can’t find it here in the Philippines.
Hi everyone. I’ve visiteed this blog for quite sometime now. I am very interested in this topic since I have an acne prone skin too. I haven’t tried this mung bean mask yet but I will soon. I am also interested for the yakult mask that Shae mentioned. Meaning the one available in the supermarket can be directly applied on the face? By the way, thank you sesame for you are such a genius putting up this blog. thank you.
Thanks for your comments.
Yes, yakult that you buy from the supermarket can work…I’ve tried it myself.
Amazing ! I would like to try this mask as well !
So far , has your skin gets better or recover by using this mask ??
I’ve stopped using this mask because my skin condition has improved tremendously since then. Could have been the mask but also the products I used.
hi, i was wondering can you simply use any yakult drink? because the yakult i have seems to have a different packaging..and i don’t have to add anything when grinding the mung beans right? except a little water? thanks
Yes, any yakult drink should work…the packaging might differ by country. As for the mung beans, don’t add water when you grind. It should be dry.
by grinding do you mean blend? sorry for the questions, really^^”
I took it that you were grinding the mung beans into power in your earlier entry. If that is what you mean, then it should be dry. But if in powdered form, you can add it straight to the Yakult without water to blend.
I used to use it when I am sec 1 and 2 and probably sec 3.
so depress so I finally rmb why I use to have occasional pimple instead of ance prone skin that’s part of it bcos I use green bean w milk to wash my face! Hope to regain back my normal face after using tis
Yes it wonderful and when I used this I usually have occasional acne when puberty reach and usually leave no scar or scar that last awhile only. Then until 2 yr now I stop using and use normal soap like neutrogena for eg and i suffers from acne all over face and with deep scar
Ah…you have used it before. Well, try it again and maybe it’ll help your skin condition.
I feel like im stalking on ur blog….hahah…its just too many good and beneficial infos on skin care..love it..i just want to know how does yakult help with pimple n blemishes n whether it cn be used when there is no breakout?
You can use it when you have no breakout too but I would recommend using non-flavored, non-fat yogurt instead.