DIY Japanese Washing Grains for the Face

Years ago, The Body Shop used to sell an amazing little product called Japanese Washing Grains. It came in a plain, white sturdy cardboard container that looked unlike any of their other product packaging-it seemed to be a remnant from their earlier, less commercial days. Alas, soon after I discovered the fabulous product, it was to be found no more, I assume discontinued.

Luckily, the name of the sole ingredient stayed with me-adzuki beans. When I was using the product in the early 1990s, I had probably assumed it was some impossible to get exotic, expensive Asian bean. Thankfully, though, a couple years later I found these not-so-hard-to-get, and inexpensive beans in the bulk foods section of Wild Oats. They are still commonly found in bulk sections, and dry bean sections of natural foods grocery stores like Whole Foods, or even natural food sections of mainstream grocery stores.

I was elated. A constant source of the fabled and elusive Japanese Washing Grains! And-it's true. All you need are the Azuki beans (the Wikipedia entry states Adzuki is a former spelling, and Azuki is the new correct spelling. There is also a common misspelling of 'Aduki.') , and a coffee grinder. The Body Shop product used to cost $4.00, and was worth every penny. But, making the washing grains yourself-it's about 40 cents for a similar amount!

Of course, because of their wondrous nature, ease of preparation, and inexpensiveness, you're going to want to make a lot more than came in that tiny little shaker. Below are directions and notes for making your own Japanese Washing Grains.

What you'll need

Azuki beans-1/2 cup to 1 cup (or more), depending on how much you'd like.

Coffee grinder

Container with lid

Directions for making the washing grains

Simply grind the beans in batches, in a coffee grinder until they are about the same texture of commercially ground coffee, or cornmeal. Place in some sort of container with a reseal-able lid. Remember this will be used and stored in the bathroom, so plastic is probably the best material for the container.

Directions for using the washing grains

Use the washing grains in the same manner as you would wash your face with soap, or any other facial scrub. Simply pour some into your hand (about the size of two quarters) rub around with a little water, and smooth around your(wet) face. The grains will become rather paste-like with the water; use enough water so that you can manipulate it easily around your face. Rinse off well, using a tiny bit of soap if necessary, to get every last bit of grain.

Notes

One of the issues with these washing grains is that they are unlike contemporary commercial scrubs. There is no binding agent, so you will have to take a bit of care in getting the consistency right (with the water) before applying it to your face. There's no reason you can't mix it in your hand with a little of your regular facial cleanser, though, to create a more traditional scrub consistency.

Also, make sure you shake the grains into your palm, rather than placing wet hands into the container (as with some commercial scrubs.) The grains should remain dry until combined in your hand with water. .

I'm convinced part of the magic of these azuki bean grains is the alkaline or acidic, particular starch-whatever-they contain. I have used the grains, ground a lot finer, and mixed with water, as a facial mask treatment. It was spectacular. Apply thinly, and leave it on for about 20 minutes, then rinse well.

Azuki beans can also be used as an ingredient in any other homemade scrub recipe you may have, and even used in larger amounts for a body scrub.

A final note about the grinding process: You can use any appliance that will grind the beans efficiently. I use a coffee grinder because, well, it's all I had, and it works! If you do, make sure you clean the grinder fairly well before grinding the beans (but a little coffee residue mixed in will be just fine,) and of course, clean the azuki bean dust off before using the grinder again.

Sources:
Azuki Bean, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azuki