Many people enjoy an oatmeal bath because it is very relaxing. But did you know that the oatmeal could help ease skin irritation? The fact is that oatmeal baths are a natural remedy that has been in use among practitioners of folk medicine for years. Here are some examples of what the bath can do for your skin, as well as how to make one.
It is not unusual for people to resort to an oatmeal bath after becoming sunburned. When blended into lukewarm water, the oatmeal in the bath water helps to accomplish two things. First, the oatmeal helps to soothe the irritated skin, effectively drawing heat out of the top epidermal layers. From this perspective, the oatmeal is facilitating the body’s own natural ability to begin recovery even as it provides a measure of relief from the pain.
A second benefit is that the bath helps to prevent the skin from losing any more essential oils. Since sunburns tend to dry out the skin, the loss of any more oil will only exacerbate the problem. By helping the skin to lock in those oils as they are manufactured, the oatmeal makes sure the skin has what is needed to begin repairing the damage.
The oatmeal bath is effective with skin conditions like eczema for the same reasons. By soothing the top layer of skin and also helping the epidermis to retain essential oils, there is less of an opportunity for the skin to become rough, dry, and scaly. The oatmeal can also help to minimize the itchiness that accompanies many types of skin conditions.
Even if you do not have some type of ongoing skin condition, enjoying an oatmeal bath at the end of a long day can help ease both the mind and the body. In addition to helping you unwind, the oatmeal will help even healthy skin to retain a proper balance of essential oils. This will help keep the skin supple and smooth, as well as maintain a healthy glow.
Preparing an oatmeal bath is very simple. The first step is to grind rolled oats into a fine powder. This can be accomplished using a blender, coffee grinder, or food processor. As the lukewarm water begins to fill the tub, scoop the powder into your hands and allow the water from the faucet to wash it gently into the bath water. Doing so will help to evenly blend the powder throughout the bath water. You will know the bath is ready when the water takes on a milky appearance.
