Oatmeal has been a staple breakfast to some, but what we did not know, oatmeal has good benefits to your skin. To be honest, it created miracles for most of the people I know.
Oatmeal can be useful for a variety of beauty and skin needs. Oatmeal can soak up excess oil from your skin and help treat acne. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help treat dry skin and remove dead skin cells. Many people use oatmeal as a home remedy to soothe dry, irritated, or itchy skin. Ground oats can act as an exfoliator, removing dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. People can also use oatmeal to cleanse, hydrate, and reduce inflammation.
What are the benefits of oatmeal to your skin?
1. It reduces acne
Oatmeal has skin-protecting, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory benefits, says Zeichner. “It's not specifically effective in treating acne, but it can help soothe dry, inflamed skin. I commonly recommend oat-based moisturizers for my patients who use potentially irritating acne treatments,” he further notes. Oatmeal contains zinc, which is believed to reduce inflammation and kill the bacterial effects that cause acne. It also helps absorb excess oil from the skin that can trigger acne.
How to? Boil a cup of oatmeal in a cup of water. Set aside and let it cool. Mix it until it is well incorporated and form like a paste. Apply it to your face and let it sit for at least 20 minutes.
2. It moisturizes
Oatmeal is another natural ingredient that can help treat dry skin. Adding oatmeal powder to a bath or using creams that contain oatmeal can help soothe dry skin. A 2015 study found that oat extracts had anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, suggesting that they may help treat dry skin.
Oatmeal can remove dead skin cells and act as a natural moisturizer. Its anti-inflammatory properties help keep skin exfoliated. The mild pH of oatmeal can help cool down inflamed skin, which may have been caused by a rash or infection and causing dry skin.
How to? Create yourself a simple oatmeal bath. Add uncooked oatmeal and baking soda to your bathwater. Soak yourself for at least 20 minutes and scrub your skin with oatmeal. Pat yourself dry. You can also use colloidal oatmeal in your bathwater. Colloidal oatmeal is a specially blended product, which is designed for baths.
Oatmeal is rich in protein and lipids, oatmeal has powerful emollient properties, making it a great moisturizer. It also contains anti-inflammatory vitamin E, along with phenols and starches to aid in hydration.
3. It reduces blackheads
Oats are packed with chemical compounds called saponins, which are known for their natural cleansing properties. Blackheads are nothing more than clogged pores on the skin. Oatmeal helps clog pores and leaves skin soft and clear. Oatmeal is a natural exfoliator, which means it can remove dead skin cells that can clog pores and lead to blackheads.
How to? Mix 3 tablespoons of powdered oatmeal, 1 tablespoon of powdered green clay, and 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt and honey in a bowl. Apply the paste on your skin and let it air dry for 15 minutes.
4. Relieves itching
According to a 2012 study, colloidal oatmeal can protect the skin and relieve the itchiness and irritation of eczema. The same study shows that colloidal oatmeal can also act as a buffer to help maintain the pH of the skin's surface. Colloidal oatmeal sticks to the skin and forms a protective barrier. It also helps retain moisture and calm inflammation. If that's not enough, it will also cleanse your skin. People have used it to soothe irritated skin for centuries.
How to?
Add the water to your bowl of oatmeal and mix together until you have a thick paste.
Apply the paste gently to the affected areas.
Let it dry.
Rinse and apply moisturizer.
Oatmeal has great health benefits for your body, but it can also be used for your overall skin health! It hydrates, protects, exfoliates, and cleanses your skin. Oatmeal also helps increase collagen production, improve skin complexion, and reduce skin inflammation.
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