Oats are well recognised for their inherent nutritional benefits but many might not know that due to their rich vitamin and mineral make up, they are as good for your skin as they are your diet. In fact it’s becoming increasingly clear that what you eat can adversely affect the ageing of your skin. Of the many benefits of oats, these are our top 4 for boosting skin health:-

• Manganese- contains strong antioxidant properties
  which help protect against free radicals that can cause damage to cells in the body and lead to premature aging. https://www.healthline.com/nut...
• B vitamins- provide a host of benefits to the skin, not least in helping to combat skin diseases such as rosacea, acne and eczema. They’re also a wonderful skin moisturiser; vitamin B3 has been shown to improve the epidermis (outermost layer of the skin), to retain moisture. We’ve never needed a moisturising boost more, to replace all the moisture lost from continuous washing. Combined with vitamin C, B vitamins can be effective in healing cracks and breaks on the skin, not that we needed an excuse to pair a glass of orange juice with our porridge. https://www.womenworking.com/?...
• Zinc- many of us will have heard of collagen but you probably didn’t know that zinc plays a vital role in collagen synthesis, and because of this it is necessary for healing skin. Zinc can also help in reducing inflammation by suppressing oily gland activity. Porridge with nuts & seeds is a great way to give your skin a much needed boost.  
• Phytochemicals- plant based foods are rich in phytochemicals and none more so than oats. Saponins exhibit anti-inflammatory properties as well as antibacterial effects. It’s these anti-bacterial effects that are nature’s natural cleansers. They help remove the dirt and oil that clog the skin and lead to breakouts. https://healthyeating.sfgate.c

Convinced yet? Why not give these oat beauty hacks a try:

For Dry Skin

Draw yourself a simple oatmeal bath. Add some uncooked oatmeal and baking soda to your bath water. And simply soak in the antioxidants for about 20 minutes. Pat yourself dry. You can also use colloidal oatmeal in your bathwater. Colloidal oatmeal is a specially blended product, which are designed for baths.

To Relieve Itching

Blend some oats into powder; mix it with water until you get a fine paste. Apply this paste on your skin and itchy area. Leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water. You can also make a paste of oats and milk and follow the same regime, for effective results.

Exfoliate

Prepare a simple scrub of oatmeal, lukewarm water, sugar and coconut oil. Apply this scrub on your face and let it stay for 20 minutes. Clean your face with soft wet tissues. For best results, use the scrub at least twice in a week. 

For Black Heads

Take two tablespoons of oatmeal, three tablespoons of plain yogurt and a half lemon juice. Mix it well until you get a fine paste. Apply this on to your nose and the most affected area. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water.

Acne/Ezcema/Psoriasis

Boil half cup of oatmeal in the same amount of water and let it cool. Stir the mixture together until you get a fine paste. Apply this mask on your face. Let it sit for 20 minutes and rinse it off with warm water. You can also add blended tomato paste to the mask, but make sure you are not allergic to tomatoes.  

DIY Hair Mask

Simply add one cup of oats to one cup of whole milk and work into your hair from the scalp to the roots. Leave in as you would any other conditioner, and rinse well. This is an effective treatment option for dandruff and itchy scalp—plus, it will give your hair the most amazing shine. For best results, do this hair mask twice a month.