How to Fully Use Your Oats for Beautiful Skin?

Oats are probably one of the most ordinary ingredients in DIY beauty recipes. And the change on my skin recently from using oats has me thinking that it’s an ingredient that is worth revisiting. If you want to know how you can fully use this ordinary ingredient for amazing result, read on!

Benefits of Oats
Rich in fiber, protein, iron, and Omega-3 fatty acids, oats are known for its ability in reducing unhealthy cholesterol levels. They have anti-inflammatory properties, which makes them effective in healing acne. Oats’ rough texture is also an effective agent for removing dead skin cells. Oats are widely considered to be mild and can be used for even the most sensitive skin, though it’s also not unheard of that some have irritation after using oatmeals on their skin.

There are three simplest ways you can use oats.

Oats Facial Scrub
Because of its exfoliating properties, oats are often used as a scrub. I experimented with oats as a facial scrub for a couple of times, and I find that it works better on my skin than the pricey Issahra Gentle Face Scrub or the natural sugar scrub. My face bounced back to its rough state one day after using either of these methods. However, with oats as a facial scrub, the buildup on my face can be kept at bay for up to a couple of days. But that’s just me. You may experience a different result.

Oats Facial Cleansing Mask

Oats are versatile that you can mix them (for whatever purpose) with ingredients like honey, yoghurt, rice flour, fruit, or your favorite oil (does it sound like I’m teaching cooking?). Alternatively, you can also use it alone (in case you are curious, I always mix my oatmeal with honey). There is basically no difference between oats as a scrub or a mask, except that you leave the mask much longer on your face.

Oats Hand Scrub

If oats can be used as a facial scrub, it’s a no-brainer that it can be used on your hands. Well, I guess not many of you would have thought of spreading some sticky paste on your hands. But if you have never done any hand scrub (like me), you’ve got to try this. My hands took on a finer and smoother look and is improving with every use. I have experimented with this for a few weeks, and I’m happy to say I’m satisfied with the progress. If not for the blue veins, my skinny hands may even look better. So my conclusion is, if oats can produce amazing result on your face, the result would be even greater on your hands.

Pull it off in a Go!
If you are still reading by now, you may think my suggested ways of using oats may not qualify for “fully” as you see in the title of this post. Oh, we are only halfway through. What really makes the difference is when you do all the above steps in a go. Here are the how-to:

1. Prep: Add water and your preferred ingredients to your oats (the portion of water and oats is something you have to learn by experience). Don’t pour too much water, or else it will result in a watery paste, which can’t stay on your face. Let the paste steep. The duration will depend on what kind of oats you use. I use rolled oats, which take about one hour to soften. Use oatmeals if you want to be quick.

2. Exfoliate: Use a spatula or your finger to get some paste on your face. Exfoliate as usual.

3. Mask: Clean the residue on your face. Apply a new layer of oats on your face. Wait for 15 to 20 minutes.

4. Hands: Five minutes before you rinse your face, get a pinch of paste between your palms and massage your hands. When you are done, rinse your hands.

5. Rinse: Finally, clean your face.

Simple, isn’t it?

Enjoy it, but don’t overdo
You may be allured to give your face and hands that extra round of exfoliation, hoping that it will further “polish” your skin. But remember your skin is fragile. Too much exfoliation can result in setbacks like redness and irritation. Don’t overdo, and you would be proud of your skin.

Do you use oats in your beauty routines? I would like to know how you use them in your beauty regime.