Oatmeal beauty goodness

We all know that a hot bowl of oatmeal is just what the doctor ordered for breakfast. But did you know that the popular breakfast food can also work wonders on your skin?

1. Oatmeal is known for its anti-inflammatory, skin-healing, properties which will leave your skin glowing.

2. It has gentle exfoliating and cleansing properties.

3. Is packed with antioxidants, proteins and lipids.

4. Effective in moisturising dry skin.

5. Repairs damage caused by pollution, UV rays and chemicals.

Oatmeal, milk and honey

Can’t wait to apply oatmeal to your skin? Here are some powerful oatmeal masks you can try at home.

1. Treat acne

If you have oily skin prone to acne breakouts, oatmeal face mask might be the answer you’ve been seeking.

It will:

1. Absorb the excess oil, leaving your skin’s pores clear and less irritated, hence less likely to have acne

2. Soothes any existing acne and prevents inflammation

3. Removes excess dead cell build-up, and helps maintain skin’s natural pH level

This oatmeal face mask will take care of acne prone skin:

  1. Mix two tablespoons each of oatmeal and honey in a clean bowl.
  2. Add ½ tablespoon of lemon juice
  3. Apply the mask to damp skin with your fingers in slow, circular motions.
  4. Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
  5. You can use this mask once or twice a week.

2. Brighten skin

If you want to safely lighten your skin again, an oatmeal facial mask can help. With its exfoliating properties, oatmeal will remove the damaged skin cells while also moisturising your skin and encouraging growth of new skin cells. Phenols in oatmeal are also said to be powerful ultraviolet absorbers.

Use this recipe to brighten suntanned skin:

  1. Create a thick, smooth paste using a cup of oatmeal and milk.
  2. Add ½ a tablespoon of lemon juice and/or a tablespoon of honey.
  3. Apply the paste onto damp skin (especially the tanned areas) and leave in on for 15-20 minutes.
  4. Rinse with warm water.
  5. Use this mask once or twice a week for best results.

3. For dry skin

Those with dry skin can also benefit from oatmeal’s potent moisturising benefits. When applied to the skin, oatmeal forms a protective layer which traps in moisture and keeps your skin from being irritated.

To reap the moisturising benefits of oatmeal, try this mask:

  1. Mix ½ a cup of hot water with ½ a cup of oatmeal.
  2. Leave it to settle for about three minutes
  3. Add 2 tablespoons of plain yoghurt, 2 tablespoon of honey, and one egg white.
  4. Apply a thin layer of the mask on your face and leave it on for about 15 minutes.
  5. Rinse off with warm water.

4. Bath soak

You can also soak some oatmeal into your bath for a full-body treatment. It will soothe and exfoliate your skin leaving it feeling soft and refreshed.

  1. Put a cup of oatmeal in a blender and blend it to a flour-like texture.
  2. Combine it with one cup of Epsom salt.
  3. Add a handful of lavender buds and mix well.
  4. Take a few spoonfuls of this mixture to a warm bath and soak for 30 minutes.
  5. Store the remaining mixture in a jar or a cloth bag.