Oatmeal's Best Beauty Benefits

Oatmeal's Best Beauty Benefits
Oats are usually our go-to breakfast on a cold, winters morning. They're packed with protein and carbohydrates which will keep your hunger at bay right through to lunch time, but oats have many other benefits which can help skin, hair and health too. The natural addition to any skincare regime whether applied directly or as part of a product should leave your skin desirably softer, smoother and clearer. So how it this possible?

Skincare

One of the many uses you may see often is oats covering someone's face! This, apart from being super fun and a little bit messy, has a great purpose. Oats can protect, cleanse, moisturise and exfoliate in the skin - all in one! banner_07Dec16_2 Cleanser - No need for chemical soaps! Oats contain saponins, a cleansing agent and a natural alternative to harsh cleansers. It effectively removes dirt and impurities from the skin, without causing irritation. It leaves your skin feeling soft and silky, with reduced looking pores. Oats are combined with clay in The Organic Pharmacy Flower Petal Cleanser & Mask to draw out impurities and remove them deep from within the pores. Moisturiser - Thanks to their lipid and protein content, oats can be found in many moisturisers, including The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Face Cream, for it's emollient and humectant abilities. Exfoliator - The gentleness of oats make it the perfect ingredient for scrubs for people with sensitive skin or are irritated easily by harsher feeling ingredients. The ingredients in the Skin & Tonic Gentle Scrub combines oats, rose hip and French pink clay for a soothing, exfoliating experience. Anti-aging - Due to its antioxidant benefits, oats can contribute to the reversal of damage caused by UV rays, pollution, harsh chemicals. Sensitive skin - Oats are anti-inflammatory, so if you suffer from redness in the skin or are over sensitive the gentle nature of the ingredients can soothe your skin and reduce any redness caused by other products or skin agitators.

DIY Skincare

If you fancy giving your face an all-natural thorough cleanse using only oatmeal; it's very simple. Wash your face first with warm water, then take some oatmeal in your closed fist and run a little water over it. Give the oats a little time to soak up the water. Once it is damp, rub it in the palms of your hands and apply it over your face and neck. Leave on while you complete the rest of your evening routine and wash off to reveal smooth, cleansed skin. Alternatively, try a DIY mask by adding oats to honey or yoghurt and apply generously over your face. Leave for as long as you desire and wash off to reveal smooth, brighter looking skin. banner_07Dec16_1

Haircare

Oats have replenishing and structuring properties which make them a great addition to a hair care product. Not only do they help restore the hair back to a healthy condition, but oats also have the incredible ability to lock in moisture to hair. They're naturally packed with vitamins, nutrients and proteins - which is perfect to show your hair a little love! Weleda hair care has a range just for this including their Replenishing Shampoo, Replenishing Conditioner and Replenishing Treatment.

DIY hair care

Using oatmeal regularly on your hair works wonders if you have dandruff, itchy scalp or other scalp issues. An oatmeal mask is simple and cheap to make if you do not mind a little mess! Mix tablespoons of oats to fresh milk and a tablespoon of almond or olive oil and apply to dry hair. Judge a number of oats you add compared to how long your hair is and leave for 20-25 minutes before shampooing to reveal a calmer feeling scalp and soft hair.

Health Benefits

Beauty starts from the inside, so reap all of the benefits for your skin and hair that you can, but oats can also help on the inside too. Digestive health - Rolled oats aid in healthy digestion by cleansing the intestine to move food along quickly and more efficiently. Healthy weight - Studies show that starting your day with a nutritious, fibre rich meal such as oats can help with maintaining a healthy weight. Immune System - The beta-glucans in oats boost our immune system against viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi.

Breakfast Oats Recipe

As we love to reach for the oatmeal on a cold winters morning, it's great to know that it not only tastes great, looks funny on our faces and can help cure an itchy scalp - but it is also delicious and healthy. Oats are quick and easy, high in fibre, contain lots of protein and iron and are low in calories. Eating oats in the morning with the right additions should keep you happy right through to lunch time and are the ideal breakfast if you have had a heavy meal the night before.
  • 1/2 cups of Oats
  • 1-1 1/2 to cups of milk of your choice
  • 5-6 Walnuts
  • 1-2 Dried Figs
  • 1/2 Apple
  • 1 small Banana
  • 1 Tbsp of Sugar (optional)
  1. Cut all the dried fruits in small pieces, and cube all of the fresh fruit you wish to add.
  2. Cook the oats with 1 cup of milk and (optional) sugar on the hob for 5 minutes.
  3. Transfer your oats to a bowl to cool for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add all of your fruits and remaining milk - mix well and enjoy your fresh, healthy breakfast!

For more ingredient inspired skincare, shop here: Naturisimo

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