If you have rather sensitive or easily irritated/inflamed skin, then using lots of complicated, scented, multi-ingredient products can end up doing more harm than good. When it comes to scrubs on the body, those with sensitive skin should steer clear of harsh, abrasive scrubs that can damage the skin more and even cause pain.
The beautiful thing about natural ingredients is how gentle they are to the skin. Many live by the saying, 'if I can't eat it, it shouldn't be on my skin!'. Now, I'm not advising you to eat this scrub (even though you can, it just wouldn't be the most appetising thing in the world!), but it's just an analogy of how good this scrub is for the skin.
This recipe is a super easy one. It's just a mixture of oats, honey and coconut oil!
Oats are great for:
- Soothing Irritated Skin: Oats are known in skincare for their soothing anti-inflammatory properties that can provide relief to various skin irritations such as dryness, itchiness, eczema, and even sunburns. The beta-glucan present in oats forms a protective barrier on the skin, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
- Gentle Exfoliation: Oats make an excellent natural exfoliant, gently sloughing away dead skin cells and impurities. Unlike harsh exfoliators, oat-based scrubs are mild enough for sensitive skin types, leaving your complexion soft and smooth without causing irritation or damage.
- Maintains Skin's Moisture Balance: Oats are incredibly moisturising and work wonders for dry and dehydrated skin. The lipids and proteins in oats help to strengthen the skin barrier, preventing moisture loss and keeping your skin hydrated throughout the day.
- Calms Skin Allergies: If you're prone to skin allergies or have sensitive skin, oats can be a game-changer. The natural compounds in oats, such as avenanthramides, have anti-allergic properties that can alleviate itching, redness, and allergic reactions.
- Reduces Acne and Blemishes: Oats possess natural cleansing properties that can effectively absorb excess oil from the skin's surface, making them beneficial for those with oily or acne-prone skin. Additionally, their anti-inflammatory nature helps to calm down redness and inflammation associated with acne breakouts.
- Anti-Ageing Effects: Oats are packed with antioxidants like vitamin E and polyphenols, which combat free radicals and protect the skin from premature ageing. Regular use of oats can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving your skin looking so soft, youthful and radiant.
Honey is another age-old ingredient, and for a very good reason! Honey is perfect for the skin when it comes to:
- Moisturising and Nourishing: Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture. This makes it an excellent moisturiser, keeping your skin hydrated and supple. It also helps to nourish the skin, as honey is rich in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that promote a healthy complexion.
- Heals and Soothes: Honey has remarkable healing properties, making it ideal for soothing various skin irritations. Its antibacterial nature helps prevent infections and aids in the healing of wounds, acne, and minor cuts. Additionally, honey's anti-inflammatory properties can calm redness, irritation, and inflammation, providing relief to sensitive or inflamed skin.
- Antioxidant Powerhouse: Loaded with antioxidants, honey helps protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. These antioxidants fight against oxidative stress and help reduce the signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone, giving you a youthful and radiant complexion.
- Natural Cleanser: Honey is a gentle yet effective cleanser that can help remove impurities and unclog pores. Its antibacterial properties make it particularly beneficial for acne-prone skin, as it helps control bacterial growth and reduces the occurrence of breakouts. Regular use of honey as a cleanser can leave your skin clean, fresh, and free from blemishes.
- Exfoliates and Brightens: The enzymes present in honey help to gently exfoliate the skin, removing dead cells and promoting a brighter complexion. This is why it's such a great ingredient in a scrub! Regular exfoliation with honey can improve the texture of your skin, leaving it smoother and more radiant.
- Balances Skin pH: Honey has a slightly acidic pH, which is beneficial for maintaining the natural pH balance of your skin. By balancing the pH, honey helps to keep your skin healthy, less prone to infections, and better able to retain moisture.
- Anti-Inflammatory Wonder: Honey's anti-inflammatory properties make it an effective remedy for conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. It can help reduce itching, redness, and inflammation associated with these skin conditions, providing much-needed relief.
* Raw, unprocessed honey is always best, as it retains its natural enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, ensuring you get the most out of its skincare (and health) benefits!
Lastly, why coconut oil? Well, coconut oil is amazing for:
- Moisturising: Coconut oil is an exceptional moisturiser that penetrates deep into the skin, leaving it soft, smooth, and hydrated. The fatty acids in coconut oil help to strengthen the skin's natural barrier, preventing moisture loss and promoting long-lasting hydration. That's one of the reasons why I love adding it to soap recipes! If you want to check out the coconut oil soaps, click here.
- Skin Repair and Healing: Thanks to its rich composition of vitamins E and K, as well as lauric acid, coconut oil aids in skin repair and accelerates the healing process. It can help soothe and reduce inflammation, making it beneficial for conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis.
- Antibacterial and Anti-fungal Properties: Coconut oil contains antimicrobial compounds like lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid, which have potent antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties. Applying coconut oil topically can help combat acne-causing bacteria, reduce the risk of infections, and keep your skin healthy and clear.
- Natural Anti-Ageing Effects: The antioxidants found in coconut oil, such as vitamin E, protect the skin against free radicals and oxidative stress, which can lead to premature ageing. Regular use of coconut oil can help minimise the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots, promoting a youthful and radiant complexion.
- Soothes Sunburned Skin: The cooling and moisturising properties of coconut oil make it an effective remedy for sunburned skin. Applying a thin layer of coconut oil to the affected areas can help soothe the skin, reduce redness, and promote faster healing.
- Enhances Skin Elasticity: With regular use, coconut oil can improve skin elasticity and firmness. The essential fatty acids present in coconut oil help to strengthen the skin's connective tissues, promoting a more youthful and toned appearance.
Okay, so that's all of the information on the benefits. Did you know just how much healing goodness each of these wonderful ingredients had? Now, let's go on to making the scrub. Bear in mind, for this demonstration, I used leftover oats from my Oat Milk Recipe to avoid wasting all of that healing nourishment. If you're using regular oats, grind them into a softer, finer 'powder' (or just buy ground oats!).
Here's how to make the scrub.
Recipe:
- 1/2 cup of oats (ground or softened)
- 1-2 tablespoons of honey (I used rose-infused)
- 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- Optional: Chamomile flowers for decoration (and for added soothing goodness)
Directions:
- It's super easy! Just mix the ingredients together.
- Place into a jar for use. (Add extra decoration if you want.)
- Apply on the skin! After massaging the oats into the skin, wash off! It's that simple.
Note: If your oats have been in contact with water (e.g. if they've been soaked or if water has dripped into the container while in the shower) then use the scrub in one go, as mould will grow if you try to keep it for a longer time frame. If not, your scrub should last around a week!
This is a really easy recipe that you can tweak to add your own preferences and ingredients. I opted for no scent as it is better for those with eczema, sensitive skin or other skin concerns to avoid too much fragrance or different kinds of essential oils. However, if you desire to add a scent, then go for it! Have a try of this recipe and give some delicious, healing nourishment to your skin!