Chandan can be used as a natural treatment for the skin. Chandan comes in different forms (Chandan powder or Chandan Oil). Chandan powder or oil can be applied to the skin for making it glow. There are many Chandan products like soaps, cosmetics and powders. Chandan is natural and can be used daily. In Ayurveda, Chandan has its own prominence and has been in use for ages in Skin care. Chandan also has some prominence in Hindu Mythology.
Chandan prominence in Hindu Mythology
According to Hindu Mythology, “Lord Shiva’s wife Goddess Parvati created Lord Ganesha by mixing Chandan and clay. She made a beautiful doll out of the mixture and breathed life into it”. Since then Chandan tree itself is worshipped as a sacred object. Chandan is the Indian name of sandalwood. Chandan carvings are also used to decorate houses and sometimes women use Chandan extract as a beauty product. It is also considered sacred and used in many Indian rituals and ceremonies. The wood itself has a pleasant aroma and it is burned to fill the house with fragrance. Many people also burn Chandan sticks to create fragrant ambiance in homes and temples. In earlier days the wood of Chandan tree was used for building houses as it prevents white ants from destroying houses. Chandan is extracted from branches of the trees.
Chandan for Skin Care
For smooth Skin : Mix 1 teaspoon of Chandan powder, half teaspoon of turmeric powder and 2 tablespoons of honey. Apply it on the neck and face, leave this “pack” for 20 minutes and then use cold water to wash it off. Using it twice a week will make the skin look fresh and smooth.
For Fair Skin : For fairer skin tone, mix one teaspoon Chandan powder with milk and add almond powder. Apply it on neck areas and face daily. It also helps match the skin color with other parts of the body.
For Acne Treatment : Take One teaspoon of Chandan powder with 1 teaspoon of black gram powder and mix it using distilled water. Apply the mixture on the areas of acne and pimples and wash the mixture after half an hour using cold water.
For Glowing Skin : Add the following to Chandan powder: turmeric powder, Multani Mitti and Rose Water, and mix it well. Apply it on the face, hands and legs 30 minutes before the bath. If the skin is dry, use milk instead of rose water. Regular use of this Chandan “face pack” will make the skin soft and glowing.
For Clear Skin : Mix equal amount of Chandan, lime juice, and coconut oil and apply it over the acne affected areas for a night. This will also help treat the acne. The mixture works full night by decreasing the unwanted materials and clearing the face. In the morning, wash the mixture off with cold water.
For Sun tan treatment : Take one tablespoon of crushed cucumber or powder, curd, lemon juice, honey and Chandan powder. Mix the ingredients with fresh tomato juice and apply it on the affected parts. Leave the mixture for one hour and wash it with water. The skin cells absorb all the vitamins and then the skin feels fresh and tan is reduced.
For Body Fragrance : Chandan also helps in reducing body odor. It has a natural fragrance that cleans the air in its surroundings. Perfumes and Soaps made with Chandan help remove the body odor for many hours. Till a century ago or so, women used to boil Chandan wood in water and used the water for a bath. This gave their bodies a pleasant fragrance.