Let’s talk Autumn and dry skin. Well, really we’re just going to talk about dry skin today but I do find myself slathering on more lotion as summer fades into fall. The air is dryer and any moisture my skin held is now drying up quicker than a droplet of water in the Serengeti sun. Yup, that quick.
Feel the heat.
Before I go too far, you will hear me referring to colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal {kuh-loid-l} is just a fancy way of saying ground. Like in a food processor. I like fancy words. The world needs more fancy words… and colloidal oatmeal.
Around 3000 years ago in Europe, Oats were the last of the major cereal grains to be domesticated and apparently originated as weeds that grew within cultivated fields of various other crops.
In a nutshell, dry skin is due to lack of moisture on the surface of your dermis. Surface of your dermis. On on the surface of your dermis. Sounds like a rap song..
Picture of my skin just before oatmeal bath.
So when moisture is lacking your skin feels just like… a nutshell. Dry and kinda crackled looking. No bueno.
Yes, you can slather on lotions as I did in the past. I say past because those lotions were store bought and had chemicals in them that I don’t understand and I certainly don’t want to rub chemicals into my skin on purpose. See my post here to understand my hatred dislike of chemicals.
I would pass on rubbing the blueberries all over my face. Just sayin’
Oatmeal is something almost all of us have in our cupboards and it’s a great dry skin remedy. I’ve used oatmeal with much success for myself, family members and even our dogs! If you’re not on board yet let me give you a few more reasons to break out the oatmeal!
- Balances the pH of your skin
- Can guard against sun damage
- Helps with acne because it contains saponins which remove dirt from pores
- Evens out skin tone and texture
And its inexpensive. It sure makes sense why so many over the counter beauty products contain oatmeal.
Here’s how easy it is to create your own glowing, moisturized skin whether it’s just your face or your whole body.
My hero. Oatmeal.
Take 1 cup oatmeal and place in your food processor, coffee grinder, blender… whatever you use to pulverize things. Grind into a fine powder. Place powder into an airtight container.
When you are ready to make a mask take:
½ cup of your collodial oatmeal and mix with 2-3 teaspoons of honey. Add 1 ½ teaspoons of warm water and mix. Feel free to add more water until it reaches a consistency you like. Using your fingertips, gently apply the mask to your face being sure to avoid your eyes. Resist licking your face. Leave on no more than 15 minutes then using luke warm water gently wash the mask off. Pat dry with a towel and dab on a bit of your favorite moisturizer. I typically use a bit of coconut oil.
If you need all over relief from dry skin:
Fill your tub with warm water. NOT HOT! Hot water will dry your skin more. Don’t make me yell again. Add 1 cup of collodial oatmeal to the warm water and mix it around with your hand. Soak for no more than 10-15 minutes. Why? Because soaking in the water for too long and actually dry your skin! When you’re done your skin should feel nice and smooth. Dry off by patting gently with a bath towel and take care stepping out of your tub. The oatmeal will make the bottom of the tub slippery.
A great way to relieve dry itchy skin.
- 1 cup Oatmeal
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Take 1 cup oatmeal and place in your food processor, coffee grinder, blender... whatever you use to pulverize things. Grind into a fine powder.
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Put powder in an airtight container for future use.
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For Face Mask:
½ cup of your collodial oatmeal and mix with 2-3 teaspoons of honey. Add 1 ½ teaspoons of warm water and mix. Feel free to add more water until it reaches a consistency you like.
Using your fingertips, gently apply the mask to your face being sure to avoid your eyes. Resist licking your face.
Leave on no more than 15 minutes then using lukewarm water gently wash the mask off.
Pat dry with a towel and dab on a bit of your favorite moisturizer. I typically use a bit of coconut oil.
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For all over relief from Dry Skin:
Fill you tub with warm water. NOT HOT! Hot water will dry your skin more. Don't make me yell again. Add 1 cup of colloidal oatmeal to the warm water and mix it around with your hand. Soak for no more than 10-15 minutes.
Why? Because soaking in the water for too long and actually dry your skin! When you're done your skin should feel nice and smooth.
Dry off by patting gently with a bath towel and take care stepping out of your tub. The oatmeal will make the bottom of the tub slippery.
My favorite use of oatmeal.
So pop open your cupboard, scoot aside the Lucky Charms and dig way back to find that old bag of oatmeal that you just knew you’d eat someday. Now you can face Fall with a well moisturized dermis!
Have you tried oatmeal as a skin moisturizer before? What other kitchen cupboard ingredients have you used to help your skin?
Wow! The oatmeal face mask worked amazingly! 🙌🏼 I’m definitely sticking with the oatmeal to help my dry skin this winter! ❄️ ..but unfortunately my dog is allergic to grains. 🐶 Do you have an alternative recommendation to help my dog with his itchy dry skin during this time of year? 🐾 Any suggestions would be appreciated! You sure do know your stuff! 🙋🏼
YAY! I’m so happy you tried and enjoyed the oatmeal face mask. We have our 5 dogs on grain free diets. Not all are allergic but I won’t cook two separate meals for my human family so my pups are no different. One meal one happy doggie mommy. There are MANY delicious grain free dog foods to choose from. We swear by Fromms dog food but truly it’s a personal choice. Prices range from affordable to OMG and it does take some research to discover what brands really offer a healthy grain free choice and those that offer… well… not so healthy. Lastly, you may find a brand you think is perfect and your dog turns their snout up at it. Many pet stores offer sample bags and I’d say after you narrow down your choices, ask for a sample of each choice and let your dog make the final decision!
Regarding dry skin, try apple cider vinegar! It can be sponged onto a dog’s coat after a bath to remove soap residues and will help to maintain their skins pH and leave their coat soft and shiny. Vinegar’s acidity and live enzymes are said to kill bacteria that cause flaking skin conditions. Soak the coat to the skin and let it air-dry. No they won’t smell like a tossed salad 🙂 (as I thought when I heard about this years ago). If that doesn’t help try this: apply a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle and applying directly onto itchy spots, but NOT open wounds – the vinegar will sting if the wound is raw. If you can’t apply topically put ACV in your pet’s food or water. ~ Niki
The information on oatmeal as a remedy for dry skin was interesting. Had never heard of that. Had heard of oatmeal cookies before, the the cookies in the photo….that’s art!