Oats are one of my of my all-time favorite nourishing, soothing and calming Skin Food ingredients.
They can be applied in many different ways for skincare, and are especially useful for cleansing because of their naturally occurring soap-like chemicals called 'saponins'.
When ground oats are activated with water, they release their saponins along with an abundance of other nourishing properties, to provide a gentle cleansing effect without stripping the skin.
Cleansers have a reputation of disrupting the skins protective barrier, which is often the beginning of an array of skin conditions.
If the skins barrier is compromised, it can no longer protect itself from the external environment efficiently.
For this reason, I like to stick with oil cleansing and homemade cleansing powders.
Over-cleansing/exfoliating can be damaging, even when you are using gentle, homemade products.
Remember...over-doing it is over-doing it.
Learn to trust your skin and it's innate functions.
The information on this page is shared to support and enhance (not override) the skin's intelligent, natural processes.
About the ingredients
| OATMEAL |
Oats are an ideal cleanser because they gently, yet effectively remove dirt/debris, prevent the spread of bacteria and soak up excess oil.
The best part is, oats do all of this without stripping away the good bacteria, leaving your the skin feeling refreshed and balanced.
Oats also help the skin retain it’s moisture, are wonderful for improving inflamed, dry and rough skin conditions, and are especially famous for their soothing effects on eczema and psoriasis.
Oatmeal is affordable, readily available and works wonders for every skin type/condition.
| CHAMOMILE |
Soothing chamomile helps to calm inflammatory conditions and relieve itchy, irritated skin.
Rich in anti-oxidants, these flowers help to protect the skin from environmental stress.
Chamomile is also well known for its calming properties when consumed as a tea.
| CALENDULA |
This potent healing flower has excellent cleansing, restorative, regenerative and protective properties.
Calendula is a famous skin healing herb, especially in the case of wounded or damaged skin.
You can research other herbs and get creative with this recipe.
Some of my favorites include lavender, rose, rosemary and thyme.
You can grow and dry your own herbs, purchase at health food stores or online stores such as Biome and Mountain Rose Herbs
Start by combining the ingredients...
- 4-6 TBSP organic oats
- 1 TBSP dried calendula petals
- 1 TBSP dried chamomile flowers
If you'd like to use other measurements (e.g. cups/grams) I suggest a rough ratio of 2 parts oatmeal to 1 part dried herb
Blend the ingredients (or just the oats) in a grinder or food processor.
Run through a fine sieve 2-3 times to get a finer consistency and store in a clean, dry jar away from sunlight.
As long as you're careful to prevent any water from entering the jar, this blend can last for 1-2 years.
To use
- Wet face with warm water
- Put about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cleansing powder in a small bowl or in the palm of your hand
- Slowly add a small amount of warm water and blend until you reach a creamy consistency
- Gently massage all over the face and neck
- Leave on for a minute or so (I spend this time brushing my teeth)
- Rinse off with water or a gentle face cloth
- Rehydrate and moisturise
I hope you enjoyed this recipe!
Please leave any questions below : )