Oatmeal Mask

    Like most people, I suffer from the occasional breakout, and, like most people I want my skin to clear up fast.  I have tried many different types of products and regimen on my skin to make it better—from creams to cleansers to scrubs to masks—and I generally find that the homemade natural stuff works much better than store bought chemicals.  So, with that said, I like to make my own skin care, particularly masks.  My favorite mask to make is the oatmeal mask; it’s quick, easy, and it gives the most noticeable results.  Oh, and it only requires two ingredients! 

    Oatmeal is very beneficial to skin, it helps to moisturize, soften, and sooth skin.  Oatmeal is anti-inflammatory, which works great for the treatment of acne because it reduces swelling and redness that blemishes can cause.  It can even lighten acne scars!  Oatmeal also has gentle cleansing properties due to saponins, which help to lift dirt and dead cells from the skin.  Oatmeal works great for any skin type, from sensitive to oily.  Oatmeal helps to lift oil from skin and balance oil levels, but it also helps to moisturize dry skin.  How many store bought masks can do all that?

    Want all those benefits?  Here’s how to do an oatmeal mask:

Ingredients:

Whole oats (I’ve used quick oats before and they work fine, but plain whole oats work better.)

Water

Steps:

1. Cleanse and pat dry skin.  I use Neutrogena Naturals acne cream cleanser. 
2. Take a small amount of oats in one hand and add a small amount of water to the oats.

3. Poke the oats with your other hand until they start to break apart and a white milky liquid forms.  Use the white liquid to completely cover your face.  You will have to add small amounts of water and poke the oats multiple times so you have enough of the “oatmeal milk” to cover your face.

4. Once your face is completely covered, add any leftover oats to your face.  I like to strategically place the oats on breakouts or where my skin tends to breakout, like my cheeks, chin, and nose.

       5. Now just leave the mask on for 20 minutes or until the mark is dry.  Whichever comes FIRST.  This is very important!  If you leave a mask on too long it will actually do more harm to your skin than good.  Too much of a good thing is a bad thing!  A good rule of thumb is to leave a mask on for no more than 25 minutes.

6. Once time is up, you can wash off the mask.  I find it easier to pick off the bits of oatmeal first then to wash it off. 
7. Gently pat your face dry.  By doing it gently, you will reduce the amount of irritation you are causing your skin.  Once dry, you can choose to apply a thin layer of moisturizer.  One of my favorites is Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer.

    And you are done!  Simple, right?  You should notice your skin will give off a slight glow and will be smooth to the touch.  I would recommend doing this mask no more than twice a month if your skin is fairly clear.  But at times when you are breaking out do it a few times a week until the breakouts subside.  As is true with any skincare, using this mask too often will case your skin to get used to it, and it will no longer work, so use it sparingly!

    To read more on the benefits of oatmeal, and to get more oatmeal mask ideas go here.