Oatmeal is delicious to eat and a lifesaver for those of us who eat gluten-free, but it’s also great for your skin! Its actives effectively soothe dry and sensitive skin when applied topically. People have used oats for centuries to ease irritated skin.
Oats contain polysaccharides, which have a gel-like texture when combined with moisture. This light gel leaves a protective layer over the skin that seals in skin’s natural moisture while also providing additional nutrients. The starches in oats are able to absorb water and bind it to the skin.
Oats are also a rich source of avenanthramides, a unique group of antioxidant compounds not found in other plant sources. Avenanthramides are the main actives in oats that reduce redness and inflammation, especially irritation from UV.
Oats contain saponins,that are an ideal, gentle cleanser for sensitive skin because they absorb dirt and debris on the surface of the skin. As a result, dirt can be easily rinsed away without disrupting the skin’s barrier.
So, taking an oatmeal bath is extremely beneficial for the skin. That is really great how oatmeal makes your skin feel after soaking in it. But it’s not always practical or economical to fill up the bathtub to get those benefits.
What if, just taking a shower you could get all the benefits of an oatmeal bath? Use a bag to take them into the shower with you! Just fill a small cloth bag with oatmeal and a little grated soap. The combination of oats with soap will make the bag give off a soft, soapy, nice-smelling cream. Plus, the cloth from the bag will provide a light scrubbing action to help clean and exfoliate your skin.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of oats,
- ½ bar of grated soap,
- any essential oil you like (optional),
- 6-8 cloth bags (cheesecloth, organza, muslin, or whatever you have on hand), just big enough to hold between ¼ to ½ cup of the mix.
How to make
- Put the oats, grated soap, and 5-10 drops of essential oil to a bowl and mix together with a spoon.
- Put the oatmeal mixture into the bags until they are about 3/4’s full.
- Tie the bags well to keep the contents from spilling out.
- Store the bags in an airtight container.
How to use
All you have to do is wet the bag and massage your skin.
After each shower, keep your oatmeal shower bag in a bright, ventilated spot. This will let it dry so you can use it over again. When you notice the soap has run out, wash the bags, refill and reuse them.