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How to Use One Thing for Amazing Skin and Hair (You Already Have Some at Home!)
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Do you enjoy a big bowl of warm oatmeal in the morning? Maybe you top it with fruit or nuts and bit of honey? You know that oatmeal is good for your insides, and that it has numerous benefits such as lowering cholesterol levels, regulating blood sugar, and fighting heart disease.
But did you know that oatmeal is perhaps one of the best things you can use to get beautiful, healthy hair and skin? It’s true! This kitchen staple has vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds that not only support healthy skin and hair, but also can help solve some common problems.
You don’t need to buy all those expensive and chemical-filled beauty products to have clear, beautiful skin or soft, healthy hair. All you really need is a bit of oatmeal.
You probably have some in your pantry right now! Why not grab that box of oatmeal and get ready to have gorgeous skin and hair to die for?
Are you ready? Keep reading and find out how you can use oatmeal in your daily beauty routine!
1. Gentle, Natural Cleanser
Oats contain a natural cleanser called saponin, which removes oil and dirt from the skin without any irritating or drying chemicals. Oatmeal will gently remove dead skin cells and reduce pore size, leaving behind soft and silky skin. You can soak some oats in milk overnight to make a natural cleanser and skin toner. Keep it in the refrigerator and then apply it to your face with a cotton pad or washcloth to gently cleanse and naturally soften the skin on your face.
2. Great Acne Solution
Oatmeal is a great way to naturally stop acne. It will remove excess oil from the skin by absorbing it. Oatmeal is also a great way to remove dead skin cells that can clog pores. It will also help to maintain your skin’s natural pH level. You can make your own oatmeal mask to fight acne by mixing together 2 tablespoons of oatmeal, 2 tablespoons of honey, three or four drops of tea tree oil, and ½ a teaspoon of lemon juice. Mix together well and then apply to the face. Rub it in a bit for a minute to two, allow it to sit for another two or three minutes, and then rinse well with warm water. Using this mask twice a week will go a long way toward fighting acne and giving you beautifully clear skin.
3. Stops Poison Ivy or Chicken Pox Symptoms
Is there anything more irritating than the itch from poison ivy or poison oak? It’s enough to drive you crazy! And if your little one has the chicken pox, those tiny sores also itch as they start to heal. Oatmeal has been used for perhaps thousands of years for treating itchy skin. This natural substance works so well because of its anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, and antioxidant compounds. To get the most from oatmeal, simply grind about 2 cups of oats into a powder and then pour it into cheesecloth. Gather up the cheesecloth and secure the top with a rubber band, then tie the bag around your tub faucet so that it dangles into the water. Once the tub has filled and your cheesecloth bag is fully submerged, allow it to soak for about 5 minutes, and then squeeze the bag to release the oatmeal’s healing compounds. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes, squeezing the bag every 5 minutes or so to release more of the oatmeal “water.” This soothing soak should stop the itch within minutes.
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4. Treats and Heals Eczema
With all of its anti-itch, anti-inflammatory, and super skin soothing compounds, it’s no wonder that eczema responds so well to this treatment. Using oatmeal regularly can greatly help to relive symptoms such as redness, pain, itching, inflammation, and dry skin. For relief of your symptoms, add 1/3 of a cup of oatmeal to a bowl and pour ½ cup of very hot water over it. Allow this mixture to sit for about 5 minutes. Then mix in 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt. Mix well, and then apply this solution to the affected area. Allow it to work for 20 to 30 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water. Pat dry. Repeat this process two or three times each week to get relief from your symptoms. You should notice an improvement in your condition after two or three weeks’ time.
5. Naturally Lightens Skin
Oatmeal will not only give you softer, clearer skin, it can also lighten your skin as well. This is perfect for those who have age spots or irregular skin tone. Soak some oatmeal overnight in some whole milk. Use just enough milk so that it makes a paste. Scrub your face gently each night with this paste and rinse well. Use it every night to help lighten your skin tone naturally. It might take 4 to 6 weeks before you see results, but you will have more even skin tone and a beautiful complexion to show for it.
6. Soothes Sunburns
Sunburns hurt like a son of a gun, but with just a bit of oatmeal, you can soothe and ease one in minutes. Mix about two cups of powdered oatmeal with just enough milk or buttermilk to form a paste. Apply this paste to the affected areas. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. You should start to feel the relief within minutes! Then rinse well with cool water. Do this every day (or even twice a day if the sunburn is severe) until it heals.
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7. Natural Skin Moisturizer
Oatmeal is a well-known skin moisturizer because it contains beta-glucan, which penetrates deep into the skin as well as forming a thin layer on the top, providing much needed moisture that is sealed into the skin surface. This will improve the collagen levels of your skin as well as activating the immune cells within the skin surface, allowing for improved wound healing. Add two cups of oats to one cup of milk and a tablespoon of honey and use this mixture all over your skin about 5 minutes before you hit the shower for a super body moisturizer.
8. Soften Rough, Dry, Overworked Hands
Oatmeal is a terrific way to heal rough, dry hands. It will soften and deeply moisturize as well as gently exfoliate the skin, removing callouses and hard, dry patches. The protein in oatmeal will help prevent loss of moisture from the skin. Add two tablespoon of ground up oatmeal to ½ teaspoon of olive oil and honey. You can add a couple drops of water if you need to in order to make a paste. Rub this solution over your hands, allow it to soak into your skin for 10 or 15 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water. Use this solution at least once each week for the softest hands you can imagine.
SEE ALSO: What is Dry Skin Brushing and Why You Should be Doing It!
9. Makes a Great Dry Shampoo
If you suffer from oily hair but you don’t want to shampoo every day, oatmeal can help to absorb that excess oil, leaving your hair clean and fresh smelling. Grind about 1 cup of oatmeal in to a fine powder and add ½ cup of baking soda. Mix well and put this solution into an old powder bottle. Sprinkle this solution into your hair. Don’t use too much or it will be difficult to remove. Allow it to sit for one minute, and then brush your hair thoroughly. This works remarkably well, especially for those with lighter hair colors.
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10. Fights Hair Loss
Although there are many reasons for hair loss, including vitamin deficiency, alopecia, hormonal imbalance, or an unhealthy lifestyle, one of the major underlying problems is malnutrition. Oats are high in potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron, all of which are known to encourage hair growth. In this case, you should consume oatmeal, rather than put it on your hair, in order to give your body all the nutrients it needs to stimulate hair growth. Add some fruit and a few nuts to your morning oatmeal to give your body a boost of vitamins C and A, both of which promote hair development.
11. Heals Those Dry Heels
Since oatmeal is a natural humectant (which means that it draws moisture to itself) it’s a powerful treatment for those dry, cracked heels. Oatmeal is also a natural exfoliator, which means that it will remove the dead, dry skin standing between you and beautiful feet. Mix a tablespoon of powdered oatmeal with a bit of honey and jojoba oil until you have a thick paste. Rub this solution on your feet, and pay special attention to your heels. Allow it to work for about 30 minutes, and then rinse off with cool water. Repeat every other day until you get the desired results. After that, a once a week treatment should keep your feet and heels looking smooth and super soft.
12. Treats Dry, Itchy Scalp
Most people who suffer from a dry or itchy scalp do so due to lack of moisture. You can solve this by making your own scalp rinse. Soak some oatmeal in whole milk overnight. Strain out the oatmeal. In the morning, after you shampoo, pour the oatmeal infused milk over your scalp and allow it to soak in for a few minutes, and then rinse with cool water. Do this every other shampoo for the best results.
Remember that oats, like all other grains, should be kept in an airtight container to prevent moisture loss. You can store your oats in a cool, dark place (such as a pantry) for up to three months, or in your refrigerator for as long as 6 months. You should buy your oats in smaller quantities as this type of grain has a high fat content, which means that it can go rancid rather quickly.
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