Although this DIY oatmeal body scrub is an excellent exfoliator, it is also kind to the skin.
The oatmeal soothes the skin, the sugar exfoliates and the oil provides moisturizing benefits.
It leaves the skin smooth and glowing and can be applied to all skin types, even sensitive skin.
Oatmeal protects the skin and is particularly effective in moisturizing dry skin.
Those with skin issues such as eczema can benefit from using oatmeal on their skin as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
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Homemade Oats Scrub For Glowing Skin
This recipe can be tailored to your individual taste. You can either use a carrier oil such as jojoba, grapeseed, or olive oil or if you prefer something less oily, you can also use honey as the base.
Ingredients
- 1 measuring cup of brown or white sugar (250 gr)
- 1/2 measuring cup of sweet almond oil or fractionated coconut oil (125 gr)
- 1/4 measuring cup of rolled oats, finely ground (60 gr)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 10 drops of essential oil such as lavender, chamomile, or citrus (optional)
Directions
Step 1: If you are using whole oats, you will need to grind them up.
A food processor, blender, or coffee grinder works great. If you don’t have one of those, you can buy finely ground oatmeal.
Step 2: Combine sugar, oats, and honey in a bowl. Mix well.
Step 3: Add the carrier oil (I have used coconut oil) and the essential oil (I have used lavender essential oil).
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
Step 4: Store in an airtight container.
This could be a glass jar or something like a Mason jar.
How To Use It
Using this scrub is super simple.
Use a spatula or spoon (never your fingers) to take the amount you are going to use and rub it in circles all over the body.
It is best to use the scrub while in the shower.
When you are done scrubbing, you want to wash it off with warm water.
Even though all of these ingredients are great for the skin, you don’t want to exfoliate every day.
Use this body scrub once or twice a week.
How Long Does It Last?
When properly stored this scrub will last for a few months, depending on the oil you are using.
- For instance, if you use sweet almond oil it will last up to 6 months approx.
- Coconut oil can last for up to 1 year approx.
- Grapeseed oil from 3 months to 1 year approx.
- Apricot Kernel oil for up to 6 months approx.
- Sunflower oil will last from 3 months to 1 year approx.
- If using honey, this scrub will last 1 or 2 months approx.
The time it will last is approx. If the oil smells rancid is a sure sign that the scrub is spoiled, throw it out and make a new one.
What means properly stored?
Keep it in an airtight container and don’t introduce water into the scrub.
Don’t keep the scrub close to the shower, instead keep it in a cool, dry place.
Find more about how to store essential and carrier oils here.
Don’t Forget to Clean the Shower or Bath
Because this is an oil-based scrub, you need to always clean the shower floor when done using it.
Oil can stick to surfaces and make them slippery.
You don’t want to leave your shower in that condition after you are done making your skin feel amazing.
Use a degreaser to clean it, and if you don’t have a degreaser, you can also use a 1:1 mix of dawn dish detergent and white vinegar.
It is best to use an anti-slippery mat, but it will need to be cleaned after you use your scrub.
RELATED READING: 50+ DIY Skin Care Recipes
Oatmeal Body Scrub Benefits
The next and main ingredient is oatmeal.
You look at this and wonder, can a boring breakfast item be used to make a moisturizing exfoliating body scrub?
Yes, yes it can.
This is because of the properties of oatmeal.
Oatmeal acts as a mild cleanser, moisturizer, and exfoliator.
It contains saponin which helps get rid of oil and dirt that has built upon the body.
The lipids and protein in oatmeal are also moisturizing your body as it gently exfoliates.
Oatmeal also has anti-itch, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties to help fight age.
Brown Sugar Skin Benefits
To start, you want to exfoliate to help get rid of all the built of dead skin cells.
The best way to do that is with an exfoliating substance.
Many of the body scrubs on the market will use sugar or salt as the exfoliating ingredient.
The problem with that is those can be very harsh on the skin.
When the grains rub against the skin they can cause tiny little tears called micro-tears.
Brown sugar is less likely to cause micro-tearing because the grains of sugar are much finer.
Brown sugar also has other benefits. It is a natural humectant.
This means it pulls moisture from the air into your skin. It also has antibacterial properties and plenty of antioxidants to fight aging skin.
Brown sugar also has glycolic acid which is a gentle exfoliator.
Other scrubs you can make at home for smooth and glowing skin:
- DIY orange sugar scrub recipe with orange peel
- homemade sugar scrub cubes with lemon and orange essential oils
- lavender and rose sugar scrub cubes recipe
- 3 DIY coffee face scrub recipes
- 5 easy sugar scrub recipes such as lavender, peppermint, and vanilla
Finally
Just like you don’t want to exfoliate every day, you don’t want to take super hot showers either.
This breaks down the barriers on your skin and will dry you out quicker.
The best thing is to shower in warm water and moisturize every single day.
In combination with the DIY oatmeal body scrub twice a week, your skin will be soft and smooth in no time.
