Oatmeal is so naturally soothing to the skin that it is often added to anti-itch lotions, cleansers, and shampoos. When coarsely ground, it also acts as an exfoliant. Use only whole raw oats, not instant oatmeal, in skin-care recipes.
REDUCE INFLAMMATION
Oatmeal contains natural emollients, which is why it should be your first choice when it comes to easing skin irritation. It not only cleanses and moisturizes, it also combats dryness by creating a protective layer that augments the skin’s normal barrier function. So the next time your skin feels tight, swollen, or scratchy, let the calming effects of oatmeal remove puffiness and inflammation from your face and body.
Oatmeal Beauty Mask: This rich formula will give you flawless skin. In a dish, combine 1/4 cup warm spring water with 1 teaspoon coconut oil, then gradually stir in 3 tablespoons raw oats. Mix into a paste, apply to face and neck, and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Dry-Skin Facial Rub: This rub will exfoliate gently, leaving dry skin moist and smooth. Pulse blend 1/4 cup uncooked oats to break them up, then mix in a small bowl with 1/8 cup honey and 1/8 cup olive oil. Apply a thick layer to face and massage for one minute, then leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing.
Oatmeal Soak: This bath treatment can ease the itching of dry skin, dermatitis, eczema, sunburn, insect bites, hives, and poison ivy. Finely grind a cup of raw oats in a blender and pour it into the tub as you run a warm bath. Blend well before entering the tub, then lie back and relax for 15 to 30 minutes. This bath recipe can also be safely used on dogs suffering from flea bites, hot spots, or seasonal itching. For an additional soothing scent, add 10 drops of chamomile and lavender oil. Whole oats can be placed in the toe of a knee-high stocking; knot it, and swirl it in the tub.
Homemade oatmeal mask
Soothing Eczema Soak: This bath additive is intended to relieve the relentless itching of eczema. Combine 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil with 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup finely ground oats. Mix the ingredients with your bathwater and soak for at least 20 minutes. During colder weather when eczema flares up, this routine should probably be repeated once a week.
Junior Version: Create a safe treatment for infants or toddlers who suffer from eczema by mixing 3 teaspoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon baking soda, and 2 tablespoons oats in a baby-sized tub of warm water. Let baby soak until the water cools.
Dry rolled and ground oatmeal in bowls