| By :
Marcella Campbell
Oats are not just breakfast cereals such as porridge and muesli. Yes, they are often added in to baked goods such as biscuits, cereal bars and flapjacks and can also be used to make a non dairy milk substitute. But the beta glucan found in oats appears to help speed up healing by enhancing the ability of certain human immune cells to navigate to the site of a bacterial infection. This is why it has long been used for skin care treatment. The Egyptians and the Arabians used them as a skin beauty treatment as early as 2000 BC. The ancient Romans and Greeks also used oat baths to heal skin problems because it is soothing and anti-inflammatory. So here is your guide to beautiful glowing skin: To enjoy the beauty benefits of oatmeal skin care you will need rolled oats (not instant and preferably organic), as found in the supermarket cereal section. You will also need a blender, food processor, clean coffee grinder or pestle and mortar Directions: Grind oats in blender or food processor until oats have the consistency of flour. Pour into a jar, cover tightly, and use as follows: - Mix with cornstarch and/or arrowroot powder. This makes a very mild dusting powder for you or baby. - Run a lukewarm bath (not hot because hot water can irritate the skin and the water will absorb moisture from the skin instead of lubricating it). After the water is at the correct temperature, several cups of oatmeal should be added to the bath as it fills. Once the tub is full, soak in the water for 10 minutes. Afterward, pat the skin dry. Do not rub it, as this will also irritate the skin.Take care when getting out of the bath as skin can become very slippery and avoid the eyes, as oatmeal can irritate them. - Oat and Brown Sugar Scrub: Mix 2 Tbsp. ground oats 2 tsp. brown sugar in a clean bowl until you have a smooth paste. Gently massage onto damp skin, and rinse off with warm water. Make more and cover more of your body. Smells great. - Banana Mask: ½ really ripe mashed banana, 2 Tbsp. ground oats and milk or cream. Add a pinch nutmeg, 2 Tbsp. whole wheat flour. Whip ingredients together, adding cream or oat flour as necessary to get a smooth, paste-like consistency. Spread on clean face and leave for 5-10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and pat dry. - Oat Mask: 2 tablespoon of oats/oatmeal, 2 tablespoon of natural yogurt. Stir oats or oatmeal into yogurt and place in the fridge for several hours. Apply the contents thickly to the face and leave on for 30 minutes before rinsing off in lukewarm water containing a little lemon juice if you have it. The benefits of oats plus the the lactic acid and enzymes in the yogurt soothes, softens and hydrates the skin, leaving it soft and smooth. Add honey if you wish. - Oatmeal Facial Mask: Pour a small amount of ground oatmeal into palm, and add a little water to make a paste. (For a more moisturizing mask, use milk instead of water.) Apply to face and throat and leave on skin for about 5 minutes. Rinse. Follow with moisturizer. - Oatmeal Lemon Facial Mask: For greasy skin, add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to oatmeal and make a paste. Apply to face and throat and leave on skin for 5 minutes. Rinse. Follow with moisturizer. Weekly use of Oatmeal Lemon Facial Mask can help to bleach dark spots and freckles naturally. Lemon juice contains citric acid and vitamin C that functions as natural alpha hydroxy acids to help dissolve dead skin cells for brighter, more even toned skin. For sensitive skin, dilute lemon juice with an equal amount of water before mixing into oatmeal and applying to skin. If tingling becomes severe, rinse skin immediately with warm water. For more information about gentle cleansing then visit Marcella at www.feedyafacecosmetics.co.uk
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