Oatmeal – A Luxurious Skin Care Treatment

Oatmeal in skin care products has been around as long as I can remember and I will say that I am now over 50 years old. As a teenager I recall using facial masks and bath and body products that contained oatmeal. I loved oatmeal skin care products then, and to this day I still use oatmeal in my skin care routine. The only difference now is that I make my own oatmeal scrubs and masks and will soon try my hand at making some oatmeal bar soaps.

Oatmeal has wonderful properties that can nourish and heal and good for all skin types. It is hypoallergenic and contains amino acids which will keep the skin will hydrated. As we all know amino acids have a positive effect upon cells. They can help improve skin that has been scarred and I have read that they are more powerful than alpha-hydroxyls in terms of smoothing the skin and improving tone and color. Another plus is amino acid is not photosensitive and does not cause irritation that alpha and beta hydroxyls have.

Additionally you may have seen the term colloidal oatmeal listed in your oatmeal bath and skin care products, this is simply oats that are ground into an extremely fine powder. The oatmeal is ground so fine that it blends easily with water, such as in a bath, or in lotions and creams.

Also, did you know that oats are recognized by the Food and Drug Administration for its natural skin protection? Furthermore, oats are so versatile; you can mix and match your ingredients depending on your skin type and skin care need.

So without further ado, get out the oatmeal and prepare for a wonderful facial mask. If a soaking bath is in order, get out the grinder and grind up some oats and add a little to your bath water. I suggest that you use old fashioned rolled oats.

Basic Oatmeal Facial mask with exfoliating properties

• 3/4 cup dry Oatmeal
  1/3 cup warm water

Mix the ingredients together until a paste is formed. Spread evenly over face and neck avoiding the eye area. Sit back and relax, maybe through a couple of sliced cucumbers on the eyes for the ultimate spa experience. When the mask starts to feel a little itchy, because the oats are drying, rinse with warm water then cool water. Follow with toner and moisturizer.

Oatmeal Dry Skin Facial Mask

• 1 Egg (naturally if allergic to eggs do not use)
• 1/2 cup Oatmeal
• 2 teaspoons extra virgin Olive oil or almond oil (do not use almond oil if allergic to nuts)

Mix all the ingredients to form a paste. Adjust oatmeal or oil so that you have a thick paste that will not run. Apply to face and neck avoiding the eye area. Leave on 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water then cool water. Follow with a homemade toner and moisturizer.

Oatmeal Oily Skin Mask

• 1 Egg white (has astringent properties)
• 1 tablespoon Oatmeal
• 1/2 teaspoon Lemon juice (has astringent properties and skin whitening properties)

Beat the egg and slowly add the oatmeal then lemon juice. Adjust if needed so that you have a good paste that will not run. Apply over face and neck avoiding the eye area. When the oatmeal starts to dry and slight itching begins rinse with warm water then cool water. Follow with a toner and moisturizer. Note: lemon has photo-sensitivity properties so best used in the evening.

These are just a few of the facial masks you can make with oatmeal. There are a variety of other ingredients you can use such as honey, yogurt, milk, baking soda, etc. However, as with all skin care products a patch test is always recommended.

The Author:

Carol Belanger