Do-It-Yourself Oatmeal Facial

Oatmeal is not just good for the body. It's great for your skin, too. Oats are rich in Vitamin E and zinc. Vitamin E plays a major role in fighting off the early signs of aging on your skin, such as fine lines and wrinkles, while zinc is a nutrient that helps prevent acne and oily skin. To be honest, if it weren't for these many benefits, I wouldn't want oatmeal for breakfast EVERY DAY.


If you can't eat it, wear it

Fortunately, there are other ways I enjoy my oatmeal, like turning it into a beauty mask, for instance. I try to exfoliate once a week to get rid of dead skin cells and sport a natural, healthy glow. Although there are great exfoliating products around, I like to indulge in homemade beauty regimens because I don't have to spend much and I know exactly what's in it. One of my favorites is my sister's recipe for oatmeal facial mask. It leaves my skin feeling fresh as well as smooth and supple to touch.

My sister's oatmeal facial mask recipe


1-2 tbsp dry oatmeal or oatmeal powder
1 tbsp egg white
lemon juice

 Mix the oatmeal and egg white together in a clean bowl. Add 2 to 3 drops of lemon juice. If you're within Southeast Asia, you can use calamondin orange, also known as calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa), as this is more common in the region. Mix all the ingredients together and set aside for application.





Instructions

Wash your face with mild soap or facial wash and lukewarm water. Pat dry with a towel. Slather on the oatmeal facial mix onto your face, making sure that it's applied evenly. Leave on to dry for 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.


gonegaga's Notes
 
Calamansi has skin-whitening properties, so if you have dark elbows and knees, you can use the mixture to exfoliate these areas as well. If you have dry skin, include the egg yolk in the mixture because it's great for moisturizing. I'll share variations to this recipe in future entries. Try this at home!


Photo credits:
www.dkimages.com
www.bellybytes.com
americanindavao.com/blog/