If you’re a regular here on TBC, you’ve probably figured out that I’m a bit of a beauty addict. I love the thrill of finding a new fave product or dupe, and I’m even more excited when I can incorporate my passion for natural/healthy living into my overall routine.
…and lately that overall routine has been a bit lacking.
The cold winter winds have been absolutely destroying my skin, and I’ve had so much on my plate I can barely keep my head on straight, let alone come up with a solution. But…as per usual, just when it feels like I’ve tried every product I can think of to fix a beauty blooper, in walks an alternative that’s way less complicated than I’d ever dreamed of.
Like oatmeal.
I’ve recently become a bit of a health nut and have been incorporating oats into my diet in all sorts of ways (overnight oats, energy balls, sweet potato burgers, etc.). After all, the health benefits of oatmeal are invaluable thanks to the nutrients that are famous for giving us the energy we need to get through those 8 a.m.’s. However, it wasn’t until recently that I realized just how useful this insanely budget-friendly food can be when it comes to beauty.
So, after a bit of experimentation, here’s the five best ways I’ve found to incorporate this superfood into your beauty routine:
1. Eat it (duh)
According to this source, oatmeal is a great choice if you’re looking for clear skin (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?). Oats contain a specific compound that reduces inflammation, and studies also show that they may also increase endurance. This article from Good Housekeeping also agrees that oats are the way to go, especially due to evidence that they may help burn fat more quickly (eat them 3 hrs. before a workout for an extra boost) and even work to prevent cancer! So basically, eating oatmeal provides a powerhouse of health and beauty benefits. ALSO: if you’re in NYC, you have to check out OatMeals (the world’s first oatmeal bar). They recently partnered up with St. Ives to create the St. Ives Radiance Boost Bowl (inspired by the natural ingredients in the products above/below), and it’s absolutely delicious!
2. Take a bath
Not feelin’ a trip to LUSH? You can still have an all-natural, spa-like experience. Dump a cup of oats into a hot bath and add your favorite essential oil. The oats will soothe dry and/or irritated winter skin, and the essential oil will help to create that spa-like experience, while also providing unique aromatherapy benefits depending on which type of oil you use.
TBC Tip: If you’re an essential oil newbie, opt for lavender! It’s perfectly calming and is great right before bed, especially if you have trouble falling asleep.
3. body scrub
You guys know I’m a fan of St. Ives (from this post). I’m obsessed with their use of natural ingredients, and I’m particularly loving their new oatmeal infused skincare products. They sent me both their body scrub and lotion (more on that below) to try, and I am absolutely in love. The scrub is made with 100 percent natural exfoliants including walnut shell, silica, oatmeal, honey, and glycerin to smooth away dullness and promote radiance (but don’t worry, it’s not rough on sensitive skin either). What’s not to love about that?
4. diy dry shampoo
I’m not someone who particularly loves DIYs, but I’ll do them if it means incorporating natural products into my beauty routine. According to this article from Buzzfeed, simply mixing baking soda and oats makes for the perfect DIY dry shamp. The article says that, “Oatmeal is PH balanced with antibacterial and antioxidant properties that are going to help those locks from encountering too many toxins in between your washes that make hair look dull. The baking soda will actually help remove dirt and excess oil.” Not to mention, oatmeal has anti-itch properties that can help soothe any itchy or dry scalp. And brownie points for only requiring two ingredients! Simplicity almost always wins in my book.
5. lotion
Like I said above, I’m obsessed with the new oatmeal infused products from St. Ives. I’ve had a lot of issues with dry skin this winter, so this lotion is seriously a blessing. Plus, it’s made with 110 percent natural moisturizers including shea butter and glycerin, which gently soothe dry skin and restore it to its natural radiance. Love it!
Which option are you guys most likely to incorporate into your beauty routine? Would you try any at all? Do tell!
