Oats - the natural skin saviour

Don't underestimate those dry looking oats. It has one of the highest lipid content of any grain cereal and an amazing source of vitamins and proteins.

Oats are also a rich source of avenanthramides. It is this particular class of polyphenols that makes oats such a superstar when it comes to helping reduce redness and inflammation and sunburn. 

Oats contain manganese, selenium, phosphorus, fiber, magnesium and zinc. Oats are also rich in carotenoids, tocols (Vitamin E) and flavonoids.

The saponins in oats; which are also naturally occurring in many grains and legumes are nature's ideal cleansers because they absorb dirt and debris from the skin without disrupting the skin's barrier. Oats are also a great gentle natural exfoliant, removing dead skin cells from the skin's surface.

These tiny dry grains contain amazing humectant properties that lock in moisture to your skin and is home to dozens of amino acids that help build healthy skin tissue.

Your skin can benefit from oats in a number of ways at home. Make your own colloidal oatmeal by grinding organic oats in a grinder or food processor. Mix this oatmeal with water or into your bath and allow your skin to soak up the benefits.

Make sure you use organic oats to ensure they are free from herbicides, pesticides and harmful chemicals.

Alternatively mix colloidal oatmeal with honey, yoghurt or milk for a natural soothing mask on your face on any area that needs some soothing attention. If you prefer to use oatmeal as an exfoliant then simply crush it with a mortar and pestle and apply as a face mask with a liquid of choice (e.g. green tea, water, honey, yoghurt) and wash off after 15 minutes.

Another easy option is to add 1:3 ratio of oats to boiling water. Turn off heat, cover and let sit for 15 minutes. You want it to look quite watery and more like a broth as opposed to a gluey consistency (see image below) .You will love this nourishing 'poached' oats as a meal but be sure to leave some aside, let cool and apply on your skin. There is so much skin loving nutrients in the oat 'milk'. 

Oats are such a gift of nature that benefits the skin in so many ways; helping alleviate itchiness, eczema, psoriasis, bug bites, acne and redness.  

xo

jo