There are so many uses to the humble oats/oatmeal/colloidal oatmeal that is a staple in many households pantry. You can have it for breakfast or add it to your rice for additional fibre, minerals and vitamins, add it to your bake goods and many more. You can also use it to scrub your face. Or use the oatmeal water to wash your face.
Whether oats are in it's original form as roll oats or colloidal oatmeal, it is beneficial to providing relief to many common skin problems. It has been proven to provide relief to atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, drug-induced rash and other conditions (source). Oats has properties of anti-inflammatory and antihistamine. This is largely due to the phenol component in oats, avenanthramides. The usage of oats can help to reduce reliance on steroids creams. Oatmeal also provide some form of protection against UVA light.
Oats are especially beneficial in providing relieve for infants' nappy rash. Not only are they anti-inflammatory, they are also great moisturiser (because of the presence of beta-glucan) and also act as a barrier on babies sensitive skin.
Here are some simple ways that you can use colloidal oatmeal/roll oats. Be sure to use organic ones.
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Oats bath for babies or adults
Add 1/2 cup to 1 cup of roll oats to warm bath water. Soak for about 15-20 minutes and gently pat dry. Oats naturally have saponins properties and it will gently cleanse the skin so there is no need for additional soap.
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Oats facial water
Soak about 10g of roll oats to a cup of warm water for about 10-15mins. You can use the water to gently cleansing and also use the soften oats as a mild scrub for your face.
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Colloidal oatmeal mask
You can use either chamomile hydrosol (floral water) or rose hydrosol for this mask. Put about 10g of colloidal oatmeal in a clean ceramic/glass bowl and slowly add the hydrosol to soak the colloidal oatmeal. You can control the consistency of the mask. If you want a paste, then don't add too much hydrosol. If you like it a bit more runny, then add more hydrosol. Note: Chamomile hydrosol is anti-inflammatory and soothing for sensitive skin. Rose hydrosol is good for aged skin and can help to balance the skin.
- Colloidal oatmeal body powder
To make a 30g of body powder, add 15g of colloidal oatmeal to 15g of arrowroot powder/tapoioca starch/rice flour in a clean ceramic/glass bowl and mix well. Store in an airtight container and keep in a cool dry place. It should be used within a month.
References:
- http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/5708/2
- Colloidal oatmeal: history, chemistry and clinical properties
- Oatmeal in dermatology from the Department of Dermatology, Jundishapur University of Medical Science, Ahvaz Iran by Reza Yaghoobi, Amir Feily, Nader Pazyar, Afshin Kazerouni
For educational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
