Among the fitness-conscious, nothing says good morning like a bowl of oats. It packs in quite a punch.
Being a great source of dietary fibre, iron, protein and vitamin B1, consuming oats can help prevent heart diseases, lower blood sugar and improve the functioning of the nervous system.
What’s best, however, is that its superpowers go beyond health. It has a range of beauty benefits. Here are all the things you can do with oats to update your beauty regime.
1. Repairs your skin
Long hours of exposure to the sun, along with pollution and dust, can damage the skin, making it dull and dry. This dryness also results in other skin problems such as itchiness and infections. What better way to provide your skin with nutrients, vitamins and other supplements than pampering it with oats, which is known for its moisturising, cleansing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties?
Make yourself a royal bath by grinding one cup of dry oats in a blender. Add this powder to your bathtub and fill it with warm water. Use your hand to swirl the water a few times and evenly distribute the mix. Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil such as rose, lavender or lemongrass. Soak in this for 15 to 20 minutes, and pat yourself dry with a soft towel. It is best to draw this bath twice a week.
2. Offers deep cleansing
Instead of opting for a facial or nose strips, get rid of pesky blackheads and dead skin cells with the help of oats. It makes for an excellent exfoliator, leaving the skin soft and supple in spite of the harsh scrubbing. To get started, mix one tablespoon of unpasteurised yoghurt to a tablespoon of ground oats powder. Add a few drops of honey and mix to form a smooth paste.
Apply this on your face, leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse off with warm water. You could also mix two tablespoons of oats powder with one tablespoon each of milk, honey and olive oil. Apply directly on your face and leave it on for five to 10 minutes. Then massage it on your face in circular motions. Rinse with lukewarm water. Pat dry.
3. Banishes acne
If you want to score a clear and healthy complexion, it’s important that you have a closer look at your plate. Begin your day with a bowl of oats, as it is one of the best sources of fibre and antioxidants.It helps detoxify the body from the inside out.
For topical application, mix the juice from half a lemon with an egg white and one tablespoon of oats powder to make a smooth paste. Apply it on to your face and neck, and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash and pat dry. Do this twice a week, and your skin will thank you.
4. Balances the oil in your skin
Is blotting paper your best friend? Lead the fight against oily skin with oats, which acts as a great natural absorbent that helps get rid of excess oil. Additionally, owing to its saponin content, it works wonders as a natural skin cleanser for sensitive or dry skin.
Grind two tablespoons of oats into a fine powder. Next, purée one tomato and add this to the oats powder along with two tablespoons of rose water. Apply this on your face and neck, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Wash with lukewarm water.
5. Combats oily and itchy scalp
Treating your itchy and oily scalp can be as easy as picking up a bottle of an anti-dandruff shampoo. But it doesn’t necessarily treat the underlying cause of itching. You can solve this problem by treating your scalp with some oats, which also doubles up as a natural soothing and moisturising agent.
Mix one tablespoon each of oats and raw milk in a bowl. Next, add one tablespoon of organic almond oil to it and mix well. Apply this on your scalp and roots, and leave it on for 30 minutes. Wash your hair with cold water and a mild shampoo.
6. Gets rid of facial hair
Facial hair can be quite a task to remove. You have to go all the way to the parlour and then deal with the pain that comes with threading or waxing. Get rid of unwanted facial hair at home simply by mixing one mashed banana with two teaspoons of oats.
Massage this paste on your face for 15 to 20 minutes in circular motions and wash it off with water. For best results, use it twice a week.
