Manjistha (Indian Madder) Powder for Skin: Benefits, Uses & DIY Face Pack Recipes
For healthy skin, a proper skincare routine with the right products and ingredients help. But there is something other than the cleansers and moisturizers we are using on an everyday basis. In ayurveda, botanical herbs are part of skincare and one such valuable herb is "Manjistha". Manjistha, also known as "Indian Madder" comes from the plant where their roots are being used in traditional Ayurvedic preparations and are popularly available in powder format for various skincare applications.
From one single face mask to using this powder in skincare products, there are quite a lot of ways the powder has been used. In this guide, let's know in detail about the benefits, ways to use, along with simple DIY recipes to incorporate in your everyday routine.
What Manjistha Powder Really Is?
The Manjistha is derived from "Rubia Cordifolia" roots, which is a climbing plant that has been used in Ayurveda. The roots are made into fine powder, for easily incorporating in DIY skincare or herbal preparations.
The powder is known for their natural deep red color, which obviously comes from the plant compounds present in the root. According to ayurvedic skincare, the powder helps in supporting healthy looking skin and while promoting a balanced complexion. However, there is no clinically proven treatment for skin diseases or pigmentation.
Manjistha Powder for Skin: Benefits
It's a most preferred ayurvedic ingredient especially been used in most of the beauty practices
1. Supports a Healthy-Looking Complexion
The powder is used in Ayurvedic skincare preparation which is intended to support and enhance skin health. Browse our dark spots & pigmentation collection for more picks aimed at this concern.
2. Provides Antioxidant Support
The powder has naturally occurring plant compounds, which when investigated showed better anti-oxidant properties present in them. The presence of anti-oxidants helps in protecting the oxidative stress caused by the molecule reactions.
3. May Help Support Skin With Excess Oil
For people with oily or congested skin, using manjistha with neem powder or multani mitti, helps in working a cleansing face pack. Avoid if your skin is extremely dry or sensitive. See our oily & congested skin collection for more picks.
How to Use Manjistha Powder for Skin
Manjistha powder is most commonly used externally as part of a face pack, and you can play with formulations based on the availability or skin needs.
Take a tablespoon of "Manjistha Powder.
Use Aloe Vera gel, curd, honey, or even water, to make a smooth paste.
Apply a thin layer over your face and neck (cleaned face)
Let them sit for 10 - 15min, until it's about 50 - 80% dry.
Wash off and follow with hydrated moisturizer.
Note: Manjistha has a naturally strong colour; So, using a small amount can be enough for a DIY application.
DIY Manjistha Face Pack Recipes
1. Manjistha & Aloe Vera Face Pack
Suitable for: Normal to combination skin
Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon Manjistha powder
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
How to use
Mix the ingredients together to achieve a smooth paste (Add a few drops of water if needed to adjust the consistency). Apply on clean skin and leave for about 15 minutes, and follow with moisturiser.
2. Manjistha & Multani Mitti Face Pack
Suitable for: Oily skin
Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon Manjistha powder
1 teaspoon Multani mitti
Water or rose water as needed
How to use
Mix the powder together first and gradually add the rose water to get a spreadable consistency. Apply a thin layer and rinse when it's about 50% dry.
3. Manjistha & Yoghurt Face Pack
Suitable for: Dry skin
Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon Manjistha powder
1 teaspoon plain yoghurt
How to use
Mix well and apply a thin layer to clean skin. Leave it for around 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly. Because of the creamy texture in the yogurt, it helps skin to be quite moisturized. If dryness is a regular concern, browse our dry & dehydrated skin collection for more picks.
4. Manjistha & Papaya Face Pack
Suitable for: All Skin Type
Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon Manjistha powder
1 teaspoon mashed Papaya
How to use
Mix well and apply a thin layer to clean skin. Leave it for around 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly. This face pack will give you a gentle exfoliation to the skin.
How Often Can You Use Manjistha Powder on Your Face?
For DIY skincare, you can use the "Once or Twice/Week"
This is because herbal powders sometimes make skin dry, which will obviously irritate and damage your skin barrier. If you want to use them on an everyday basis, you can mix a tablespoon with your bath powder, mix, and you can use them daily.
Is Manjistha Powder Good for Pigmentation?
Manjistha is traditionally used in promoting and supporting even looking complexion, which is why they are used majorly in DIY recipes for pigmentation. But know that, the powder is not a proven treatment for hyperpigmentation.
Dark spots in the skin develop due to several reasons like acne, sun exposure, hormonal changes, inflammation, and more. So, treating the underlying cause is more important than focussing on a single herbal ingredient.
Manjistha Powder for Different Skin Types
| Skin type | Manjistha + |
|---|---|
| Oily | Multani mitti |
| Combination | Aloe vera |
| Normal | Yoghurt or aloe vera |
| Dry | Honey, yoghurt or a moisturising base |
Conclusion
Manjistha powder for skin, one of the traditional, ayurvedic, botanical skincare ingredients which can be mixed with aloe vera, rose water, honey, or any other ingredient based on your choice for achieving an even skin tone.
When used thoughtfully and with a patch test, Manjistha can be one small part of a simple botanical skincare routine.
FAQs
Can I apply Manjistha powder directly to my face?
It is better to mix Manjistha powder with the right base (based on your skin type). For eg, Aloe vera gel, yoghurt or even plain water helps it to spread easier.
Can Manjistha powder remove dark spots?
Its traditional use is to maintain an even-looking complexion; but age-old pigmentation scars require targeted skincare or professional treatment.
Can I use Manjistha powder every day?
Daily use isn't necessary for a DIY face pack. You can use them once a week and increase to twice or thrice based on how your skin reacts.
Can I mix Manjistha powder with other Ayurvedic powders?
Yes, Manjistha is commonly incorporated into traditional herbal combinations. For DIY skincare, however, keep the formulation simple and avoid combining many potentially irritating powders at once.
