Mulethi, Masoor Dal & Raw Milk — 3 Natural Masks That Actually Fade Pigmentation

Most home remedy advice for pigmentation is vague. “Apply turmeric.” “Use lemon juice.” The turmeric stains and the lemon juice burns — and neither produces the results the advice promises.

Mansi Gulati’s topical recommendations are different because they are specific about what each ingredient does, how to prepare it correctly, and what to pair it with to get the right effect. The three masks in this blog are the ones she returns to most consistently across different skin types and pigmentation patterns. They work through different mechanisms, which is why using them in rotation rather than picking just one produces better results.

One important note before starting: if you are currently using multiple synthetic serums and actives, the skin barrier may need a reset before these masks can work as effectively as they should. The chemical break from synthetic skincare blog explains why and how to do this first.

Mask 1 — Mulethi and Rice Flour (The Daily Brightening Mask)

Mulethi, also known as licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), is one of the most studied natural ingredients for hyperpigmentation. The active compound, glabridin, is a potent tyrosinase inhibitor — it blocks the enzyme that catalyses the first step of melanin synthesis. Research published in dermatology journals has shown glabridin’s effectiveness to be comparable to kojic acid (a common synthetic brightening agent) but with significantly fewer side effects and no risk of rebound hyperpigmentation.

Rice flour provides the second half of this mask. Rice bran contains gamma-oryzanol and ferulic acid — antioxidants that protect against UV and blue light-induced oxidative stress. Rice flour also contains inositol hexaphosphate (commonly found in niacinamide-adjacent compounds) that supports skin cell renewal and evening of tone.

How to make it:

• 1 tablespoon Mulethi (licorice) powder
• 1 tablespoon rice flour
• Enough rose water or raw milk to form a smooth paste

Mix to a paste consistency that spreads easily without dripping. Apply to clean skin in a thin, even layer, avoiding the eye area. Leave for 15–20 minutes until the mask dries completely. Rinse with cool water using gentle circular motions — the rice flour provides mild physical exfoliation as it comes off.

For stubborn pigmentation: Add a small pinch of Fitkari (alum) powder to this mask twice a week. Fitkari has mild astringent and melanin-suppressing properties that strengthen the mask’s effect on deep or resistant dark patches. Use it only twice a week — daily use can be drying.

The Sunlight Ritual: Apply this mask and sit in the early morning sun for 10–15 minutes before rinsing. The morning sun (before 9am) provides Vitamin D without the UV intensity that triggers melanin production. The Mulethi mask simultaneously works topically to inhibit melanin while the Vitamin D deficiency — one of the root causes of pigmentation — is being addressed. It is one of the few skincare rituals that combines sun and topical treatment productively rather than in opposition.

Frequency: Daily or 5 times a week. This is gentle enough for daily use.

Mask 2 — Masoor Dal (The Deep-Action Pigmentation Mask)

Masoor Dal — red lentils — is one of the most nutrient-dense ingredients for skin in Indian Ayurvedic tradition. Mansi describes this mask as a “Ramban” (ultimate remedy) for pigmentation, and the ingredient profile supports that claim.

Red lentils are rich in folate, zinc, and B vitamins — all of which support skin cell renewal and repair. They contain naturally occurring niacinamide precursors (nicotinic acid) that have the same melanin-transfer inhibiting effect as synthetic niacinamide serums. Zinc specifically supports wound healing and has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation cycle that comes from acne and inflammation.

The soaking and grinding process releases enzymes from the lentils that provide gentle enzymatic exfoliation — softening the surface layer of dead skin cells that make dark spots look more prominent.

How to make it:

• 2 tablespoons Masoor Dal (red lentils), soaked in water overnight
• Drain and grind the soaked lentils to a smooth paste using a blender or stone
• Add 1 teaspoon raw milk
• Add half a teaspoon of honey
• Add a small pinch of turmeric powder

Mix to a consistent paste. Apply to clean face and neck. Leave for 20–25 minutes. Rinse with cool water using circular motions to take advantage of the exfoliating texture as it comes off. Pat dry — do not rub.

This mask has a stronger exfoliating effect than the Mulethi mask, so daily use is not recommended. Two to three times a week is the right frequency, alternating with the Mulethi mask on other days.

Frequency: 2–3 times a week.

Mask 3 — Raw Milk Cleanser (Daily Brightening Without Any Product)

This is the simplest of the three and perhaps the most consistently underestimated. Raw milk — full-fat, unhomogenised, unpasteurised — is a complete skin care product in itself.

It contains lactic acid in low, naturally-occurring concentrations. At these concentrations, lactic acid provides gentle chemical exfoliation that fades surface pigmentation, encourages cell turnover, and improves skin texture without the barrier damage that synthetic AHAs cause at higher concentrations.

Raw milk also contains fats (triglycerides and fatty acids) that restore and support the skin’s lipid barrier — the barrier that synthetic cleansers most commonly strip. It contains Vitamins A, D, B2, B6, and B12, all of which are relevant to skin repair and brightness. And it contains proteins — casein and whey — that provide a gentle film over the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss.

How to use it as a cleanser: Pour a small amount of chilled raw milk onto a cotton pad. Wipe over the face in gentle outward strokes. Use a second pad if needed. Do not rinse — allow the milk residue to sit on the skin for 10–15 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Or rinse immediately if you prefer.

Chilled milk (kept in the fridge) has a tightening and soothing effect on inflamed or sensitive skin that room-temperature milk does not. Most women prefer the chilled version, particularly in warm weather.

Used consistently for 7 days: Most women notice visible brightening and a more even tone. This is the lactic acid doing gentle work on surface hyperpigmentation without triggering any reactive inflammation.

Frequency: Daily, morning and evening, in place of synthetic cleanser.

How to Combine All Three

A practical weekly rotation:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Mulethi and rice flour mask (daily brightening). Include the Fitkari addition twice a week.
• Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: Masoor Dal mask (deep-action pigmentation treatment).
• Every morning and evening: Raw milk cleanser instead of synthetic face wash.
• Sunday: Rest — just the raw milk cleanse, nothing else.

This gives the skin consistent brightening and melanin-inhibiting topical work every day without overloading it. The masks address active pigmentation; the raw milk cleanse maintains the baseline and provides gentle daily brightening.

These topical rituals work best as part of a complete internal and external approach. The Ayurvedic drinks covered in Manjistha, turmeric and liver detox juice address the internal drivers simultaneously, which is what makes results lasting rather than temporary.

For a fully guided programme that combines all of this — masks, internal rituals, and face yoga specifically designed for pigmentation — Mansi’s Pigmentation Correction Challenge brings it together in a structured 30-day format. The 14 Day Ultimate Glow Face Yoga Challenge is a strong complement for building the daily facial practice alongside.

Frequently Asked Questions