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. 

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

Until my next post,...

Be Blessed, Be Healthy and Be Beautiful!

Homemade body oil spray

Moisten skin after shower

With the winter fast approaching my skin has been starting to dry out at bit. Plus, I am super guilty of taking the occasionally long hot shower. I know its horrible for my skin but sometimes my muscles are just screaming for it.

In any case, I like to lather on Coco or Shea butter or both sometimes. In addition to my normal routine, I wanted to use something while still in the shower or just after the water gets turned off. So I made my own oil body spray. It works great and is made with natural ingredients. Only problem is that it has a short shelf life. I remedied that by placing the product in a smaller spray bottle. The kind you use for the air travel. Only make small batches at a time.

1 part Glycerin
4 parts Grape seed oil
and 2-3 drops of any essential oil of your choice.
4 oz travel size spray bottle

Pour directly into bottle while making. You can eye ball really since it is only 4 oz or if you like to be precise, you can use a measuring cup to be exact.

Shake and spray directly on your body after showering or taking a bath. Or apply to hands and rub in to avoid the slippery tub. Pat skin dry. Moisturize as normal. It's just an added layer of moisture for your skin. It is really great to do especially after exfoliating using a scrub or luffa.

NOTE: Spray tub with a tub cleaner after spraying in shower otherwise, it can be slippery for the next person who has to use the shower/tub.

Ordinary Bar of Soap

While training to become an Aesthetician, I had a teacher once ask "Would you use the same bar of soap that you wash your butt with?" Seriously, that is exactly how she posed the question. This changed the entire way I look at skin care and the products I would use from now on.

So ask yourself, do you use the same bar of soap to cleanse your face that you use on your body? I am sure some of you reading this do. However, I like to think that most of my readers are educated enough in skin care to know this is a major no, no.

Here is why.

Your basic bar of soap even if it has added moisturizers is stripping the skin of its natural oils and moisture. Especially if you like to shower with hot water. You leave the skin dehydrated and dull from having washed away natural oils. A necessity in order to get rid of the daily grime that accumulates through out the day. This can easily be remedied by using an exfoliater like a loofah in the shower followed by a creamy moisturizer  or oil for the body. I recommend exfoliation and moisturizing all year round but you can change the thickness of your moisturizer by season or need of your skin.

However, for you face you want to be a bit more gentle. Since you technically should be washing your face at least twice a day, morning and night, you want to be careful not to dry it out. Also, the change of season needs to be factored in as well. Your basic bars of soap that are not produced for the skin can leave skin itchy and dry. So focus on buying facial cleansers that are mild and moisturizing. I recommend Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser which works well for all skin types.

If you prefer a bar of soap, then try Neutrogena® Naturals Face & Body Bar. It gently cleanses, conditions and softens your skin without over drying. This way your covered head to toe by one product. It is important to say that I do recommend that you use a loofah for your body and a gentle cleansing cloth or pad for your face. Otherwise, I just think thats gross.

Be sure to use a body oil directly after showering while skin is still damp to lock in moisture and a thicker facial cream to lock in and provide long lasting moisture through out the day. And an extra thick night cream for body and face will help your skin replenish at night. Look for one with humectants that will bring moisture directly into the skin, i.e. aloe.

Hope you all find this helpful.

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

Winters dry skin repair routine

Well the winter is fast approaching and for many of us, that means dealing with dry dehydrated even cracked skin. It is important to avoid dry skin so that cracks don't develop. Moisturizing properly  prevents damaged dry skin, itch, infection or inflammation of other underlying skin disorders that can break out as a result like eczema.

STEP ONE:
Change your cleanser - Face
Choose a product with oils (moisturizing products)
Avoid dyes and alcohol products

STEP TWO:
Exfoliating - Face and Body
Use loofah or scrub with microbeads 2-3 times a week
Chemical exfoliation like lactic acid, once a month

Exfoliate your lips once a week as the cold air can damage the skin cells causing cracking. Follow with a moisturizing lip balm that replenishes lip moisture. I like to use olive oil followed by L'BEL Lip Moisturizer, Smith's Rosebud Lip balm or Nivea Lip balm.

STEP THREE:
Toner - Face
Witch hazel works great and is affordable toner.

STEP FOUR:
Moisturize your face with Virgin Coconut oil or a creamier moisturizer of your choice after you cleanse and tone. Try Eucerin Pro Repair for body, apply directly after showering to lock in moisture.

Remember that your skin is your first defense against unwelcomed bacteria or infection. Cracked skin is an open doorway for germs to be introduced into the body. So do your best to keep it healthy.

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