Buzz
If you think oatmeal is just a basic breakfast dish, think again. The soothing properties of oatmeal can be used to treat itchy, inflamed, and sensitive skin, while replenishing essential moisture and minerals. Oatmeal is also a fantastic natural remedy for skin infections caused by plants like poison ivy. To prepare an oatmeal bath, simply add one cup of oatmeal powder directly to warm bath water or soak a bag of whole oats in the water. Either way, preparing an oatmeal bath only takes a few minutes but can provide relief for hours, leaving your skin refreshed and protected.
Steps
Add Oatmeal Directly to the Bath
Grind Oats into Fine Powder. Place about 1 cup of plain, unflavored oatmeal into a food processor or coffee grinder. There's no need to use premium oats; regular supermarket brands will suffice. Grind until the oats reach a fine powder consistency. This fine oatmeal powder will dissolve more easily in the bath.
- The oats should be ground small enough to disperse evenly throughout the bath without sinking to the bottom.
- If you're unsure whether the oats are ground fine enough, test by mixing a teaspoon of the powder into a bowl of warm water. If the water turns cloudy and smooth like milk, the oatmeal will dissolve properly in the bath.
Pour the oatmeal into the bathtub. Turn on the warm water faucet. Once the oatmeal reaches a smooth consistency (meaning it will fully dissolve into the water), you can sprinkle the powder into the tub filled with water. If you like, you can add other ingredients, such as whole milk to soften the skin, sea salt for exfoliation, or essential oils for hydration and a pleasant fragrance.
- About 1 cup of oatmeal powder, along with any other ingredients you choose, should be enough to fill a tub of water.
- Try combining oatmeal with soothing essential oils that nourish the skin.
Stir until the oatmeal fully dissolves in the water. Use your hands to stir in the bathtub until the oatmeal and other ingredients have dissolved completely. The water will begin to turn milky. This is a good sign that the oatmeal has been evenly distributed in the water.
- The soft oatmeal may form a thin film on the surface of the bathtub after draining the water.
Soak for 15-30 minutes. Step into the bathtub. The oatmeal will make the tub slippery, so be careful. Relax and soak until the water cools down to room temperature. If you feel a bit sticky after the bath, you can rinse off with warm, clean water once you’re out of the tub. Gently pat your body dry with a towel, ensuring the oatmeal still stays on your skin as a protective barrier.
- For individuals suffering from persistent conditions like chickenpox, frequent oatmeal baths may help relieve discomfort significantly.
Create a bath pouch with oatmeal.
Place oatmeal into a pair of stockings or a thin cloth pouch. Instead of grinding it into powder, you can use whole oats. Prepare a thin bag, a pair of nylon stockings, or a large coffee filter and pour 1/2-3/4 cup of oatmeal inside. When dropped into the tub, the oatmeal pouch will act like a tea bag, releasing its natural compounds into the water to nourish your skin.
- Prepare multiple oatmeal pouches in advance for when you want to add them to your bath.
Add your favorite ingredients. Depending on the purpose of your oatmeal bath, you can mix in additional ingredients into the soaking bag. A bit of powdered milk can help soften the skin. A few drops of olive oil can assist in locking in moisture during the soak. A spoonful of baking soda may help restore your skin's natural pH balance. There are many ingredients you can add to the soaking bag, and choosing the right one is entirely up to you.
- If you're taking an oatmeal bath to treat infections, itchy skin, inflammation, or pain, it's best to skip this step or proceed with caution, as adding extra ingredients might irritate the skin.
Ensure the bag is securely fastened. Tie a thin cloth bag tightly or tighten a pair of old stockings to prevent the oatmeal and other ingredients from spilling into the bathtub, causing an uncomfortable sensation. If you're using a coffee filter or other soft container, secure it with an elastic band, ribbon, or shoelace. The bag needs to be tightly closed as it will be submerged in water during the bath.
- Be careful when handling coffee filters or any other paper bags when wet, as they are prone to tearing and breaking apart if left in water for too long.
- Stronger materials, such as nylon stockings, are a better choice for many purposes as they can be cleaned and dried after each use.
Place the oatmeal bag into the running hot water. Start by turning on the hot water to fill the bathtub. Once the water reaches about halfway, drop the soaking bag in. The high temperature and the movement of the water will help release the beneficial components of the oatmeal and other natural ingredients. Wait for the water to cool to a comfortable temperature before getting in, keeping the soaking bag in the tub throughout the bath.
- The soaking bag is easy to make and won't create a mess because the ingredients are infused in the water instead of being added directly to it.
Explore other benefits of an oatmeal bath.
Soothes rashes, itching, and irritation. An oatmeal bath is the perfect remedy for relieving the discomfort of skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, as well as infections from poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. The power of oatmeal helps eliminate itching, reduce redness and swelling, while also forming a protective layer on the skin's surface. Soak in an oatmeal bath 1-3 times a day until symptoms improve.
- An oatmeal bath doesn't cure chronic skin conditions but temporarily alleviates symptoms.
Treating diaper rash in newborns. Giving your newborn a gentle oatmeal bath once or twice a day can help reduce redness and irritation caused by diaper rash. Simply add a small amount of finely ground oatmeal (about half of the adult dosage) to warm water while preparing the bath. Gently pat the baby dry with a towel. The oatmeal soak is much more effective than regular soap or powders for treating diaper rash. Oatmeal is also safe for repeated use.
- Allow the irritated skin to dry completely before applying a small amount of rash cream before putting on a fresh diaper.
Soothing sunburned skin. For mild sunburns, an oatmeal bath with a special formula can provide incredible relief. Just add a bit of powdered milk, peppermint, and aloe vera to the oatmeal while running the water. These ingredients can help reduce pain while speeding up the healing process of sun-damaged skin.
- An oatmeal bath with peppermint and aloe is an easier way to soothe sunburned skin compared to using topical creams.
- Severe sunburns require medical attention. See a doctor immediately if the sunburned skin is swollen, blistering, or changing color.
Moisturizing and exfoliating the skin. Regular oatmeal baths also offer immediate benefits, even for individuals without skin conditions. When combined with other ingredients like sea salt, lavender, baking soda, and essential oils, oatmeal helps restore skin health by drawing out dirt and oil from the pores. The best result you can achieve is soft, smooth skin.
- Coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil are excellent natural moisturizers that pair well with oatmeal.
- Plan to treat yourself to an oatmeal bath once a week to enjoy a spa-like experience at home.
Tips
- An oatmeal bath is gentle enough to be used as frequently as you like.
- Buying oatmeal in bulk can save you both time and money. Store the oatmeal mixture in a Mason jar or plastic container for future use.
- Colloidal oatmeal is available at pharmacies. Make sure to follow the instructions when purchasing ground oatmeal intended for medicinal use.
- If you experience skin irritation, carefully pat your skin dry and use a soft towel to gently absorb the moisture.
- Pour ground oatmeal or pre-packaged oatmeal under running water to maximize the foamy effect.
Warning
- Soaking in an oatmeal bath is an easy, inexpensive way to treat skin irritation, though it should not replace medical treatment.
- Do not place the soak bag directly under running water, as the water pressure could tear the bag and cause the contents to spill.
- Those experiencing painful skin conditions should opt for warm water instead of hot to avoid further discomfort.
What You’ll Need
- Plain, unflavored oats
- A blender, food processor, or coffee grinder
- Soothing essential oils or other optional ingredients
- A thin fabric bag, nylon stockings, or strong coffee filters (optional)
- Ribbon, string, or elastic bands (to secure the bath soak bag)
- Warm or hot water
