Amazing Beauty Benefits of Oatmeal for Your Skin and Hair

Many of us start our day with a warm bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh fruits and nuts for breakfast. The use of oatmeal for health issues, such as high cholesterol, low energy, high blood sugar and coronary heart disease, is very common.

Along with the health benefits, this staple kitchen ingredient has amazing skin benefits that you could be taking advantage of right now.

In addition to your overall health, the vitamins and minerals in oatmeal are good for your skin and hair as well. It contains both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help treat a variety of skin disorders.

Nutrients in oatmeal like protein, B vitamins, copper, zinc, selenium, thiamin, and omega-3 fatty acids also support skin health.

Here are some amazing beauty benefits of oatmeal for your skin and hair.

1. Fights Acne

Oatmeal is a great facial treatment for people who have acne-prone skin. It helps absorb and remove excess oil that causes acne. In addition, it exfoliates dead skin cells and helps maintain the skin’s pH level.

1. Mix 2 tablespoons each of oatmeal and honey, ½ tablespoon of lemon juice and a few drops of tea tree oil to make a paste.
2. Rub this paste gently on the affected areas in a circular motion.
3. Wait a few minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
4. Use this face mask once or twice a week.

2. Treats Eczema

Oatmeal’s anti-inflammatory as well as anti-irritating and soothing properties help ease eczema symptoms like inflammation, redness, pain, itching and dry skin.

Moreover, being a natural cleanser, it helps remove dirt and dead skin cells, which is essential to enjoy eczema-free skin.

1. Put 1/3 cup of oatmeal in a bowl, pour in ½ cup of hot water and allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
2. Mix in 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt.
3. Apply this mixture on the affected skin and leave it on for 30 minutes.
4. Use a damp cloth to remove the mask, then wash your skin with warm water.
5. Pat dry and apply a good moisturizer.
6. Use this remedy a few times a week to notice improvement.

You can also use oatmeal to treat dermatitis.

3. Soothes Suntanned Skin

You can use oatmeal to treat suntanned skin caused by overexposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) sunrays. Its exfoliating property helps remove dead skin cells. Plus, it helps soothe the skin.

1. Mix 1 to 2 cups of oatmeal powder (depending upon the amount of suntanned skin) with enough milk or buttermilk to form a smooth paste.
2. Optionally, add some lemon juice.
3. Rub this paste onto the tanned areas.
4. Wait 15 minutes, then wash it off with cold water.
5. Repeat once or twice a week.

4. Softens Dry and Rough Hands

Oatmeal is a great healer for dry and rough hands as it helps soften and moisturize your skin. Moreover, the protein in oatmeal prevents water loss to help keep the skin moisturized longer.

1. Prepare a mixture with 2 tablespoons of ground oatmeal, ½ teaspoon each of honey and olive oil, and a little water.
2. Rub this mixture on your hands, wait 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.
3. Use this remedy once a week.

5. Exfoliates Skin

Oatmeal works as a natural exfoliating agent for any skin type, thanks to the saponins in it. It can help remove dead skin cells, excess sebum and other impurities.

In fact, oatmeal is a powerful ingredient in many facial scrubs and cleansers.

1. Mix 1 teaspoon each of ground oatmeal and lemon juice along with 2 teaspoons of plain yogurt.
2. Apply the mixture on your face and neck area.
3. Allow it to dry, then gently rub off the mask.
4. Wash your face with lukewarm water, pat dry and apply some moisturizer.
5. Use this scrub once a week.

6. Treats Dry Skin

You can enjoy a soothing oatmeal bath to keep your skin hydrated. It can even soften your skin and promote younger-looking skin. Its moisturizing property also helps fight skin problems like psoriasis.

1. Pour a cup of plain oatmeal into your bath filled with warm water.
2. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil.
3. Soak in it for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Rinse your body with lukewarm water, pat dry and generously apply a good moisturizer.
5. Enjoy this relaxing bath 1 or 2 times a week.

7. Heals Cracked Heels

Oatmeal is one of the best treatments for cracked and dry heels, thanks to its humectant property. In addition, its exfoliating property helps remove dead and skin cells from your feet.

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of powdered oatmeal with some honey and jojoba oil to make a thick paste.
2. Apply it on your feet, with special attention to the cracked parts.
3. Leave it on for about 30 minutes, then rinse it off with cold water and pat dry.
4. Use this remedy every other day until your feet are soft and smooth.

8. Works as Dry Shampoo

If you have oily hair and do not have time to wash your hair, oatmeal works as great dry shampoo. Finely ground oats help soak up oil from your hair, leaving it clean and smelling fresh.

1. Grind 1 cup of oatmeal into a fine powder.
2. Mix in ½ cup of baking soda.
3. Put this mixture in an old talcum powder bottle.
4. Sprinkle it into your greasy hair and then brush your hair thoroughly.
5. Keep the remaining mixture in an airtight container to use as needed.

Resources:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17373175
http://jddonline.com/articles/dermatology/S1545961612P0804X/1