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instantly produces a milk-like substance that gives the water a slimy consistency. This is because the oatmeal acts as a colloid, which means the molecules spread through another substance and permanently change its consistency. In this case, the molecules of oat spread through the water and permanently change the consistency of the water. Since the two substances combine together permanently, no oatmeal particles sink in the tub or float on the top of the water.

The edible grains of a widely grown cereal grass, oats (avena sativa) appear in many beauty products. People appreciate their soothing, anti-inflammatory properties. Come to think of it, that’s another childhood memory. When I got the chicken pox my mom popped me into an oatmeal and baking soda bath to relieve the itching. Oats are also highly absorptive, hypoallergenic, and help to soften skin. They have the best amino acid balance of all the cereal grains (amino acids work as water-binding agents in skin care products). Oats have also been clinically shown to help heal dry, itchy skin. Oat grains and straw appear in shampoos, dusting powders, moisturizers, and cleansing bars and that’s just the start of a list!

Always be careful when using natural skin care products to note all ingredients and avoid any which you are allergic to (nuts, for example, are found in many recipes for facial scrubs). If any persistent stinging or redness occurs, thoroughly cleanse your face and rinse well with cool water.

Sometimes skin sensitivities can develop seemingly out of the blue. If this happens, discontinue use. When working with essential oils, remember how potent they can be. It takes perhaps 10 pounds of lavender to make just one ounce of the essential oil. Also, it is best to consult your doctor before using essential oils if you are pregnant or epileptic.

Many people swear by oatmeal as a natural remedy for acne. One easy recipe is to cook up some of the stuff, let cool until lukewarm, then apply to the affected areas. Let stand for several minutes, then rinse. Some people prefer to use oatmeal-based scrubs (see slide 6). Others bathe with “colloidal oatmeal,” which is made by mixing oatmeal that has been ground into a very fine powder in water.

Soothing of other minor skin irritations is another benefit of oatmeal. The discomfort caused by insect bites can be relieved naturally with a topical oatmeal application. A poison ivy rash or poison oak rash will be less uncomfortable when oatmeal is applied onto the skin. In fact, oatmeal helps with most types of skin rashes that individuals commonly suffer from.

Oatmeal benefits for skin also include helping skin retain its natural moisture balance. When oatmeal is applied to the skin and then removed, a protective barrier preventing moisture loss from the skin is left behind – a natural and effective moisturizer for healthy skin care.

Oatmeal can be used as a natural and gentle cleanser. It can actually lift dirt effectively from the surface of the skin. It is also a mild skin exfoliant to help remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and leave it soft and smooth.

To get the most from an oatmeal bath, just add a couple of cups of colloidal oatmeal right under the running bathwater. Be sure to keep the water temperature warm, rather than hot. Hot water feels great, but it will just add to the itchy irritation of your skin.

You can make your own colloidal oatmeal by processing the oatmeal in a coffee grinder or blender until it is a fine powder. You can use slow-cooking oats, fast-cooking oats or even instant oatmeal – stick with the unflavored kind – and test the fineness of the powder by mixing a bit in a glass of warm water.

One word of caution when you step into your oatmeal bath: it will make the tub and the water more slippery than usual, so be careful you don’t slip and fall.

You’ll love the silky smooth skin, free from irritation and itching, that a colloidal oatmeal bath will give you. You can use colloidal oatmeal baths up to two or three times a day, if you need to. It is safe on all types of skin, even baby bottoms.

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