Oatmeal masks are pretty amazing when it comes to treating a number of skin conditions, like eczema, rashes, acne, atopic dermatitis, and inflammation. But that can't come as a surprise. If you've been searching for an oatmeal mask as an easy and effective solution for acne, then you've probably already heard a bunch of people swearing about the wonders of this ingredient. People often use it alongside their usual skincare routine.
Colloidal Oatmeal Vs. Regular Oatmeal
When we say oatmeal, what most likely comes to your mind are breakfast oats. Well, you're not completely wrong since colloidal or not, we're talking about oats. The difference is that colloidal oatmeal is a term that refers to ground, powdered oats that are processed to allow the molecules in the oats to be better absorbed by the skin. So, when we say colloidal oats, we mean powdered oats used in skincare - not the instant oatmeal you use to make your breakfast.
You can make colloidal oats by grinding raw oats and mixing them with water or another substance.
Why is Oatmeal Good For Your Face?
Evidence shows that oats have been used in skincare for thousands of years. And if you think that doesn't mean anything, oats are also one of the few natural ingredients recognized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as skin remedies. Their beneficial effects have been confirmed by numerous studies.
Oatmeal contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an amazing ingredient for sensitive skin. It can repair damaged skin and handle a variety of skin concerns like sunburn, eczema, atopic dermatitis, and poison ivy. It's also rich in zinc which is said to reduce redness and kill acne-causing bacteria.
Oatmeal also absorbs the excess oil from the skin that may trigger or worsen acne. And don't worry - it won't make your skin dry since it also acts as a natural moisturizer.
All these combined factors prove exactly how good oats can be for our skin. If by any chance you're still skeptical, take a look at how many cosmetic products and homemade masks include oatmeal in their formula. If there's any ingredient you can safely use on your face and neck as part of your skincare routine, it's oatmeal.
How Does Oatmeal Work on the Face
When applied to the skin, oatmeal's micronutrients interact with the skin's cells on the surface of the epidermis, as well as penetrating deeper into the skin's tissue. These nutrients can produce diverse reactions from the physiological processes happening in our skin.
For example, oatmeal is rich in chemicals known as saponins - characterized by their intense cleansing properties. These chemicals may kill disease-causing bacteria, scavenge oxidative stress and inhibit the growth of damaged cells. Because of their foaming properties, they are regularly added to shampoos, soap, household cleaners, and makeup products.
One of the most researched and cited benefits of oatmeal is its potential to reduce inflammation. Most often, inflammation happens because of the release of cytokines proteins from the cells. Oatmeal can shut off cytokine production, a common trigger for acne inflammation. Here is one study that provides further evidence of the anti-inflammatory properties of colloidal oatmeal.
How to Make Effective Oatmeal Masks For Acne
Oatmeal is powerful on its own. But, to help you get the results you're searching for, it's best to combine it with other natural remedies. Depending on your skin type and your skin condition, you can use many different substances in an oatmeal face mask.
Here are the most frequently used ingredients combined with oatmeal:
- Lemon Juice
- Honey
- Green Tea
- Essential Oils (Tea Tree; Lavender, etc.)
- Egg Whites
- Baking Soda
Below, we'll share the recipes for some of the best oatmeal face masks for various acne-related skin issues.
Oatmeal Mask For Blackheads
Almost everybody, at some point, has tried to get rid of blackheads and failed. It's so annoying, isn't it? They're one of the most common skin problems and are often present even on skin types that don't suffer from acne. Not to mention, they can make a severe acne condition even worse.
Oatmeal masks can help the skin get rid of the dirt, pollutants, and other chemicals present on our skin's surface, which can effectively improve the whole blackhead situation. Combine it with baking soda, and you'll get a powerful combo that quickly unclogs the pores, shrinks them, and removes dead skin cells.
You Will Need:
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2 tablespoons ground oatmeal powder
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1 tbsp of baking soda
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Water
The first step is to grind your oats to make a fine powder. After that, mix 2 tablespoons of the power with 1 spoon of baking soda. Start adding water to the mixture until you make a smooth paste. Be careful not to add too much water; if it's too runny, it won't stay on your face.
Apply the face mask with an applicator brush and leave it to act for 10-15 minutes. After that, wash your face with cold (not warm) water. To get rid of blackheads for good, use this oatmeal face mask 2-3 times a week.
Oatmeal Mask For Acne Prone Skin
Oatmeal acts as an excellent absorbent of excess oil on the skin's surface, making it the perfect solution for oily skin. Its soaking-up abilities can quickly reduce sebum production and give your face a smooth, clear, and matte-looking appearance without acne breakouts.
We already mentioned that oatmeal contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help blemished skin by soothing redness, treating inflammation, and calming angry-looking pimples. Combining it with other potent ingredients like green tea, honey, and tea tree oil, can give you a further, super-powerful boost in the battle against oily skin.
You Will Need:
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1 cup of ground, powdered oatmeal
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2 tablespoons of green tea
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One tbsp of honey
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A few drops of tea tree oil
It's so easy to make this oatmeal and honey face mask. First, you need to grind your oatmeal until it becomes a powdered consistency. This way, the oats will be most absorbent. Put the oatmeal in a bowl and add two tablespoons of green tea and one spoon of honey. Mix well to get a pasty texture. Next, apply the face mask evenly on your face (and neck), and leave it to dry for around 20 minutes. The final step: wash your face with warm water.
Use this oatmeal face mask at least twice a week to see the best results.
Quick tip - An alternative ingredient you could use in combination with colloidal oatmeal is white wine vinegar! This ingredient has antiseptic properties.
Oatmeal Mask For Acne Scars
If active breakouts are not frustrating enough, the possibility of scarring and skin damage afterward can make you feel completely depressed and seriously shake your self-esteem. Aside from new skin-smoothing treatments and other dermatology techniques, here is one powerful and all-natural homemade face mask you can use to help your skin heal faster.
This magical facial mask consists of oats, lemons, and honey. The oatmeal will penetrate deep into the pores and cleanse your skin. It will also soothe the surface and calm irritation. Lemon juice has antiseptic properties, against which bacteria don't stand a chance. The citric acid in the lemon also has bleaching powers that act on the scar tissue, making it less visible. Honey contains powerful antioxidants and active enzymes that fight free radicals that damage skin cells.
You Will Need:
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One tbsp of oatmeal powder
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One tbsp of honey
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Half a lemon
First, ground the oats to make the oatmeal powder, then extract fresh juice from the lemon. Don't use bought lemon juice! Next, take a small mixing bowl and mix all the ingredients together. Blend until you turn the mixture into a thick paste. You're going for a little liquidy texture, but you don't want it to be too drippy.
Apply the oatmeal face mask on a clean face, massaging gently for a couple of minutes - especially around the affected areas. Let it sit for five to ten minutes, and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
Oatmeal Mask For Glowing Skin
If you want to give yourself that extra shine, try this wonderful oatmeal mask for glowing skin.
You Will Need:
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An egg white
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One tbsp of almond oil
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Oatmeal
Egg white can draw out excess oil without leaving the skin dry. It's rich in nutrients, which help overall skin health and provides moisture. Thanks to its Vitamin E content, the almond oil will protect your skin from harmful sun rays and repair any damage. Vitamin E is essential and will make your skin look smooth, soft, and free of fine lines.
Grind one cup of oats, put them in a bowl and add one egg white and one tbsp of almond oil. If the mixture is too thick, add a few drops of water until you get a fine, smooth paste-like consistency. Apply the blend to your face and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. After that, rinse off with warm water. You can repeat the procedure every second day.
Oatmeal Face Mask Benefits
You may be used to having instant oatmeal for breakfast, but this ingredient is so much more than a tasty meal. Using colloidal oatmeal on the face and body can help with several skin conditions and issues.
It’s Good For Sensitive Skin
Colloidal oatmeal is amazing for all skin types. When combined with ingredients that are more suitable for a specific skin type, oatmeal can provide moisture or act as a deep exfoliator. And it won't irritate that sensitive skin barrier!
Treats Acne And Eczema
Ground oatmeal has many healing and soothing properties for treating acne and acne scars. It will help improve the appearance of damaged skin from acne and moisturize dry skin. In fact, an oatmeal bath may help soothe dry skin on the body. Just make sure to use lukewarm water.
Oatmeal Cleans The Skin
The saponins found in ground oatmeal help to remove dirt from your skin pores. Oatmeal's moisturizing properties give your skin a soft glow when combined with its cleansing properties.
It’s a Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Ingredient
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds found in colloidal oatmeal will soothe your itchy, dry and irritated skin.
Combine Oatmeal Face Masks with the Best Acne Treatment
Homemade face masks can only go so far. If you're looking to effectively treat acne and get the healthy, glowing skin you deserve, try Misumi's Complete Clear 3-Step System. This skincare routine is designed to soothe inflamed skin, kill acne-causing bacteria, eliminate dead skin cells and unclog pores, calm breakouts, and leave you with a beautiful complexion.
Final Thoughts
The benefits of oatmeal are endless. We've included a range of oatmeal face masks, all with different properties, to try out on your skin. So whether you're looking to soothe dry skin, calm acne-prone and oily skin, reduce inflammation, promote healing, or make yourself glow, you can find the perfect recipe for you.
Remember: use colloidal oatmeal, as this will absorb better in the face and neck. You can use most of our oatmeal face masks more than once a week. They're also suitable for all skin types (from oily to dry skin), making them the perfect addition to your skincare routine.
FAQs
How long should you leave an oatmeal mask on your face?
How long you should leave an oatmeal mask on your face depends on the recipe. Some oatmeal face mask recipes contain ingredients that shouldn't be left on your face for very long as they might disrupt your skin barrier (such as lemon). To be safe, we recommend leaving an oatmeal face mask on your skin for no longer than 10 minutes.
Can I use an oatmeal mask every day?
Oatmeal masks, in general, are gentle enough to use on your face every day. If you're using an oatmeal paste as a mask without any other ingredients, it won't cause any problems. However, be aware of other types of masks. Oatmeal face masks that contain lemon, tea tree oil, and other ingredients may not be suitable for use on your face every day, especially for sensitive skin types. Frequent use of these ingredients may cause more skin ailments than they'll fix.
