(G)OAT, why oats are the greatest of all time for skincare

If you’re into health (and let’s face it, we can guess you probably are), you are likely to be a big fan of oats. Because, as you might know, they’re pretty much superstars when it comes to health. We eat them in The Apple Protein Overnight Oats(or the Blueberry & Ashwagandha or the Almond Butter & Chaga), we nibble on them in our Raw Blueberry & Oat Cookies, we indulge in them in our Peanut Butter & Salted Caramel Oats and we even toss them into the smoothies we make at home when it’s too early to stop into The Cold Pressed Juicery. Oh, and let’s not forget about the delicious oat milk we use to whip up our morning lattes.

Basically, oats are having a moment. In fact, they’ve pretty much always been having a moment when it comes to feeding and fuelling ourselves. And while we love to eat as many oats as we can, there’s an oft-overlooked use that we should be tuning into: skincare. Trendy ingredients may have overshadowed oats in the skincare realm for quite a while now, but finally, it’s the humble oat’s chance to shine.

We can guess what you’re thinking: sure, oats taste good, but are they really effective for skincare? Trust us, they are. Studies have shown that oatmeal cream is effective for reducing the symptoms of both eczema and atopic dermatitis, while others have indicated that avenathramides (polyphenyls found in oats) have been shown to greatly reduce inflammation and itching.

Whenever we eat oats, we feel calm and soothed, and funnily enough, this extends to their skin-improving properties. Oats actually have soothing and anti-inflammatory effects, so they are particularly fantastic for people who have sensitive or irritated skin. Doesn’t sound like you? That’s ok! Oats will still make you glow like there’s no tomorrow.

Additionally, oats are great at soaking up the excess oil on your skin; this also means they’re ideal for helping to treat acne. Their antioxidant properties aid in remedying dry skin, and, when used properly, they can also remove dead skin cells to ensure there is no dullness in your complexion. The saponins present in oats also ensure that oats are ideal as natural cleansers.

Alright, are you ready to get oaty? Here are some of our favourite methods to take oats from kitchen to beauty counter in no time.

For acne: Bring half a cup of oats to a boil in half a cup of water. Let cool and then stir until you get a fine paste. Apply to your face as a mask and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

For blackheads: Mix three tablespoons of plain yogurt, two tablespoons of oats and the juice of half a lemon in a small bowl. Apply this to areas most affected by blackheads. Let rest for 15 minutes then remove with a warm, damp washcloth.

For itching skin: Blend oats into a powder in your food processor and mix with water until a fine paste forms. Smooth paste onto the itchy area and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with cold water.

For dry skin: Add some uncooked oats and a little bit of baking soda to your bathtub filled with warm (not hot!) water. Slip in and soak for 20 minutes. You may have to rinse off in the shower after.

For exfoliation:In a small bowl, mix together oats, sugar, coconut oil and some water. Scrub your face with the paste and let sit for 10 minutes. Remove gently with a warm, damp washcloth.