Long before ghee became a kitchen staple, it had a place in Indian beauty routines too. While no home remedy replaces a dermatologist for serious skin or hair concerns, a few traditional uses are worth knowing about.
As a deep moisturiser: A small amount of ghee rubbed into dry patches of skin, especially on elbows, heels and lips, can help lock in moisture thanks to its fatty acid content. Many people use it as an overnight treatment for very dry skin in winter.
For chapped lips: A dab of ghee is a traditional alternative to lip balm, and works well for lips cracked by cold, dry weather.
As a hair mask ingredient: Warm ghee massaged into the scalp, left on for 20–30 minutes and then washed out, is a traditional remedy for dry, frizzy hair, often mixed with a few drops of coconut or almond oil.
Under the eyes: A tiny amount of ghee dabbed gently under the eyes before bed is an old remedy for dry under-eye skin and dark circles, though results vary from person to person.
These are gentle, traditional uses rather than clinical treatments, and a little goes a long way — a thin layer is enough. As always, patch-test on a small area first, and if you have oily skin or acne-prone skin, these remedies may not suit you as well.