No one likes to deal with blackheads. They’re easy to see and very unsightly! Many products claim to remove blackheads and are usually full of chemicals. Save your money and use oatmeal instead. It’s cheap, natural, and simple.
Oatmeal helps control excess oil, the reason behind a blackhead. Blackheads form when a pore clogs up with extra oil and then opens. If it stays underneath the skin, it becomes a whitehead. Both blackheads and whiteheads are also known as comedones or plugged pores. Many people think the black dot is dirt, but it’s actually oxidized oil. That’s why people with oily skin have more blackheads.1 With oatmeal, you can get rid of excess oil and blackheads with ease.
How To Use Oatmeal For Blackheads
Oats can be used as is. However, the chunky bits might be too harsh for your skin. You can use a coffee grinder to turn oats into a fine powder. This is completely optional.
1. Oatmeal Is A Natural Scrub
By itself, oatmeal works as a natural face scrub. The abrasive texture removes excess oil without causing dryness. As an added bonus, oatmeal does away with dirt and dead skin. Your face will feel as good as new.
- Combine 1 tablespoon oatmeal and 3 tablespoons hot water.
- Mix into a paste.
- Apply on your face, massaging in circular motions.
- Focus on oily areas like the nose and chin.
- To use as a mask, leave on for 10 minutes.
- Rinse off and pat dry.
2. Oatmeal And Honey Fight Bacteria
Honey is a must for natural skin care. It absorbs extra sebum, fights acne-causing bacteria, and moisturizes the skin.2 With oats, honey acts as the perfect carrier.
- Mix 1 tablespoon oats and 1 tablespoon honey.
- Stir until combined.
- Spread onto your face and massage.
- Wash off and pat dry.
3. Oatmeal And Green Tea Decrease Oil
While oats remove dirt and oil, green tea decreases oil production. Together, these benefits will keep blackheads at bay. Green tea can even lighten hyper pigmentation and kill bacteria, giving your skin a stellar treatment.3 4
- Brew 1 strong cup of green tea.
- Mix 1 tablespoon hot tea with 1 tablespoon oats.
- Stir into a paste. Apply to your face.
- Wait for 5 to 10 minutes, and enjoy a cup of tea.
- Rinse off and dry.
4. Oatmeal And Baking Soda Are Exfoliators
Why use one exfoliator when you can have two? Baking soda is a mild yet powerful scrub. On the skin, it’ll naturally lighten pigmentation and remove extra oil.
- Combine 1 tablespoon oats and 1 tablespoon baking soda.
- Add 3 to 5 drops of water, green tea, or olive oil.
- Stir well.
- Massage onto your face.
- Wash off and pat dry.
5. Oatmeal And Cornstarch Remove Dead Skin
Like baking soda, cornstarch is a gentle scrub. This combination will do away with oil, dirt, and dead skin. Plus, with regular use, this mask will absorb excess oil and manage blackheads.
- Mix 1 tablespoon oats and 1 tablespoon cornstarch.
- Add 3 to 5 drops of water, green tea, or olive oil.
- Stir until combined.
- Massage onto your face.
- Rinse away and pat dry.
6. Oatmeal And Sugar Remove Excess Oil
If you’re craving a stronger scrub, use sugar. The large granules will easily get rid of excess oil. You can even use it on your lips for a full facial.
- Combine 1 tablespoon oats and 1 tablespoon sugar. Any kind works.
- Add 3 to 5 drops of water, green tea, or olive oil.
- Mix well.
- Apply on the skin.
- Wash and pat dry.
7. Oatmeal And Papaya Decrease Melanin
According to the Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, papaya decreases oil production. It also destroys acne-causing bacteria and decreases melanin. This is great news if you’re trying to fight blackheads, acne, and hyperpigmentation.
Despite these benefits, it won’t dry out your skin. Researchers found that papaya also boosts hydration, so your skin will feel silky smooth.5
- Using a fork, mash one bite’s worth of papaya.
- Add 1 tablespoon ground oats.
- Stir until the paste is uniform.
- Apply onto clean skin. Leave for 20 minutes.
- Wash off and pat dry.
Remember, the goal is to control oil, not get rid of it. Some oil is needed for soft and hydrated skin. So, always moisturize after using an oatmeal scrub or mask.
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