Oatmeal...It's not just for your belly

Oats (Avena Sativa) 

We all think about food as a source of sustenance that we intake to survive. We eat because we have to  and because we enjoy it,  some foods more then others. I love food and am willing to try all ethnic types of food at least once. Food keeps us strong from the outside in providing the body with much needed nutrients and vitamins. When done right, your bod can thrive, becoming strong and healthy from inside out. However, did do you know that you can nourish your body, particularly your skin from the outside in with food?

Yes, it is true. Certain foods when placed on the skin can aide in healing, rebuilding and nourishing it. If you have been reading my blog long enough, you know this already. If you're new to the blog, (Welcome!)here you can benefit from some of the DIY remedies and treatments that I have posted for skincare.

Food is an amazing thing and elements of nature can absolutely help the skin from the outside in. Sunburn? Everyone knows that Aloe is great for soothing sunburn. They even use it in hospitals for burn victims. It's that powerful. From inside out, it's great for those dealing with stomach issues among other things. 

Oatmeal is a great way to nourish yourself at breakfast because it fills you with less for a longer period of time, proven to help lower cholesterol and aid in increasing lactation for breastfeeding mothers. However this grain isn't just for eating. It is used in many skin care products, from your soaps to lotions and more. It's scientific name is Avena Sativa or colloidal oatmeal. "Colloidal Oatmeal is finely ground oatmeal. It is often used to relieve minor skin irritation and itching due to poison ivy or insect bites. It can also be used as a soak, compress or wet dressing. When oatmeal is used in cosmetic and personal care products (rather than OTC skin protectant drug products), it may be called Avena Sativa (Oat) " Learn more click here 

Popular brands that use Avena Sativa in their products, Aveeno (Most known for using Oatmeal), Kheils, Dove. JĀSÖN and way more. Why do they use it? What is it that they know about Oatmeal for skin care that more of us are learning or already know?

Well here are some of the top reasons:

it has anti-inflammatory properties, helpful for even the most sensitive skin types

contains saponins, a cleansing agent, and can therefore be used as a mild soap

is moisturizing and helps remove dead skin cells. i.e. skin scrub (exfoliant)

it can help treat acne, eczema, rosacea and rashes

After all this, are you still not convinced? Well here is a DIY recipe that you can try to see just how wonderful oatmeal on your skin can work. 

Oatmeal Olive Oil Mask

2 Tbsp Organic Oatmeal  (Ground into fine powder. I use my coffee grinder.)
1 Tbsp Organic Olive Oil  

Combine into a paste and brush a think coat onto skin in upwards motion
Let dry completely and rinse with Luke warm water. You can use a cloth if having trouble taking mask off. Just rub off with gentle upwards circles.
Follow with your favorite skin toner & moisturizer.

Even before you put your moisturizer on, you will notice your skin softer and brighter. Any redness you had prior should be less noticeable or gone. This mask can be used daily to ease dryness or inflammation on face. This winter has done its best to dry out my skin but I have been combating it with masks like this one. If you are worried about your skin being to greasy from Olive Oil, you can substitute with Plain yogurt. However, I find that the Olive oil works well especially when followed with the skin toner afterwards. 

Alternative mask check out past post Oatmeal Fig and Papaya Mask

Hope you try it out and let me know what you think. Have an issue with your skin? Drop me a line with your question. I am happy to help solve your skin care issue. 

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Until my next post,...

Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Post Thanksgiving Mask

My inspiration for mask.

Manuka (Raw) Honey

So I hope we all survived Thanksgiving better then most turkeys did. As I enjoyed a slice of pumpkin pie, it was more like I scarfed it down because I had to rush home with kids. 2/3 were crying because they were so tired. In any case, I thought of a relaxing Pumpkin Mask that would be wonderful for the skin.

Nutmeg - Anti-inflammatory/Acne reducer

Pumpkin Puree

Try 2 tablespoons of Pumpkin Puree mix with 1 tablespoon of raw honey(I love Manuka Honey) and a pinch of Nutmeg.  After washing your face, use this as a dual scrub/mask for about 10 minutes. Gently scrub skin in a circular motion from neck up to forehead. Try not to lick it off your face until then. You will be tempted but don't do it. Then wash off with Lukewarm water and pat dry with clean cloth. Follow with toner, serums, moisturizer and SPF for daytime. 

It's a great mask to moisturize skin, reduce inflammation from perhaps to many eggnog's and heals acne inflammation or pain. You could add a bit more nutmeg to left over mask and you can use as a body scrub. Waste not, want not. 

Please take a moment to comment, Like, Share and Subscribe. Thanks so much for coming by.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Looking for ideas and products to review

Since I am now pregnant, I am cautious with which products I use that aren't otherwise considered to be "Natural". Recently, I posted about a Shea butter that I tried out and am still using. Now that I am on bed rest, I am wondering what products I can try that are actually in the house.

Placed on bed rest, they recommended that I occasionally drink Milk of Magnesia. Magnesium is known to reduce or prevent premature labor as well as help the body expel faster. Gross, I know but then I remembered reading something about Milk of Magnesia for oily skin in one of the natural skincare books I've read. After some research, I discovered that my pregnancy brain hasn't forgotten everything. I was correct in thinking that you could use Milk of Magnesia on your skin, not just as a stimulant/laxative. Yes, I know gross. It is useful for anyone with oily, acneic skin problems or seborrheic dermatitis.

*It is important to note that if you have an allergy to Magnesium this is not the skin care product for you.

How it works:

To understand why it works, I think we should look at the active ingredient in this case Magnesium. Some contain Zinc as well which is also great on the skin. It is important to mention that you want to use a sugar free, flavor free Milk of Magnesia. Flavored brands have added mineral oils that can be contradictory for someone trying to manage oily skin. Magnesium is great for detoxification of the body so theoretically, it would work well for the skin. And that is just what it does. It absorbs all the excess oil from the skin and dries out pustules (pimples) much like a clay mask would do, drawing out all the impurities while also calming skin. Great on sensitive skin because you don't have to rub as hard to get the mask off, therefor not aggravating the skin. Suggested use of this mask is no more than one to two times a week as you do not want to over dry your skin.

D.I.Y. Milk of Magnesium Mask:

1. Shake bottle to make sure all of the ingredients are mixed together.
2. Pour about 1 tbs of Milk of Magnesia into a small container.
3. Apply to face (chest, back, upper arms) with a cotton pad or a facial brush.
4. Leave on for 20 minutes and remove using lukewarm water and a soft washcloth.
5. Follow up with a oil free moisturizer.

*This mask is only recommend for oily/acneic skin. Do NOT use if you have dry skin. Do NOT use if you are allergic to Magnesium or Zinc.

Surfing the web, I seen that some people use it as a skin toner or a make up primer. If you suffer from oily skin or acne, it is worth trying so long as you place a very light amount on. It is chalky and leaves a white film. As a toner, you can rinse gently after a minute. For make up use, I would suggest you use an extremely light amount using your finger or cotton ball.

A reminder that I have not used this mask. I do not suffer from oily skin as my skin tends to be on the drier side. I only have read about it. I will do my best to try it tonight on my mom and update with her comments. Reminder, I'm on bed rest with limited mobility, so it may not happen tonight. If you try this out, please share your thoughts.

I'll do my best to try more products out, find more ideas or suggestions for all that are reading. Feedback and ideas are always welcome.

As always, Be Blessed, Be Happy, Be Beautiful!