Oatmeal is often touted as a nutritious and filling dish we should eat daily, but there's more to it than mere consumption. Oatmeal's texture and natural chemical makeup make it beneficial for use on skin and hair as well. This versatile grain is also useful around the house and for creating art projects.
Skin Treatment
The texture of raw oatmeal makes it ideal as a facial or body scrub and pore refiner, as well as a natural acne treatment. After grinding to a grainy consistency, combine 1/2 cup of oatmeal with 1/2 cup hot water and 1/4 cup honey and let it cool slightly before spreading onto your skin. Let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing off. Oatmeal is also known for anti-itching properties. Doctors often recommend that parents give children with chicken pox an oatmeal bath to help relieve itchy skin.
Hair Treatment
Those looking for natural hair-care treatment can try oatmeal to help repair damaged, dull-looking locks. Many commercial hair-repair products include oatmeal as well. Combine 1/2 cup of oatmeal with 1 to 2 tablespoons of almond oil and 1/4 cup milk. Apply the mixture to dry hair and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. Thoroughly rinse the mixture out of your hair, then shampoo and condition as usual.
Odor Neutralizer
Oatmeal absorbs odors and you can place an open container in your refrigerator as an alternative to baking soda. You can also line an ashtray with oatmeal to help absorb unpleasant smoking odors, or use it to remove odors from carpet. Mix together 2 cups of oatmeal and 1 cup of Borax, then sprinkle over the carpet. Let it sit for an hour before vacuuming.
Arts and Crafts
Use oatmeal to make natural non-toxic clay for your children to play with. Combine 1 cup of rolled oats with 1/2 cup water and 2/3 cup flour, adding more flour as needed. Give the oatmeal clay color by adding a few drops of food coloring. After your child makes a desired shape, let it air dry overnight. It'll harden so that they can paint the creation.
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