How to make the best Oatmeal Soap for moisturized smooth skin in 4 easy steps

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If you have dry, sensitive skin, you need a gentle exfoliating and moisturising soap like this oatmeal soap. The oatmeal soap works so well because it is a super gentle and yet effective exfoliant, and it has a humectant like honey that would keep your skin moisturised and supple.

I have had my fair share of dry, itchy skin, and on days like that, I whip up this oatmeal soap and use it to take a warm bath. 

If you are still sceptical about using oatmeal on your skin, I get you! Oatmeal is excellent for breakfast, but the thought of putting gooey oat on your skin might not be tempting. 

Here’s the thing, using oat on the skin isn’t new. Oatmeal has been used to treat dry skin for hundreds of years. Research has proven that chemicals in oatmeal-like avenanthramides fight inflammation and redness, and Vitamin E and ferulic acid in oatmeal soothes the skin.

Ready to start using oatmeal soap? Here’s how to make yours

How to choose the right soap base

There are so many melt and pour soap base options out there. It’s important to choose a soap base that suits the needs of your skin at that time

Some of my favourite soap base options are

Goat milk soap base – Great for dry, sensitive skin and eczema. Like oatmeal, Goat Milk is also an excellent exfoliant that removes dead skin cells that can clog pores and eventually cause acne.

Shea butter soap base – If you have ever used shea butter, you know it’s super moisturising. Despite its oil nature, shea butter restores the balance of natural oils in the skin, which stop acne before it starts.

Cocoa butter soap base: Cocoa butter can protect the skin from damage, prevent and treat skin diseases. Its ability to nourish and hydrate the skin makes it an excellent soap base.

Olive oil soap base – Great for all skin types. Its antibacterial properties make it excellent for acne-prone skin as it can kill the bacteria that causes acne, and as a plus, it’s also hydrating and moisturising. 

Hemp seed oil soap base – Hempseed oil moisturises the skin without clogging the pores and causing acne. This oil is lightweight, hydrating and can balance out the skin’s natural oils. It can prevent flaky and itchy skin.

Honey soap base – Raw, pure honey packs a punch. As a natural exfoliator, it removes dry, dull and dead skin cells. If you find a soap base made with manuka honey, then you are in for a treat. Manuka honey is effective at reducing acne and inflammation and speeding up the healing of scars.

Aloe vera soap base –  I use aloe vera for every and anything I can. It is excellent for absorbing fast into the skin to reduce oil and moisturising dry skin. Aloe vera is made of mostly water. This means it is incredibly hydrating for dry skin without leaving the skin greasy.

Glycerin soap base – As a humectant, glycerin helps the skin hold on to moisture for longer. This can relieve dryness and itchiness. It also softens the skin. Glycerin may also have antiaging properties.

Benefits of Oatmeal

1. Reduce dry, itchy and scaly skin: This study carried out in 2015 on 29 females showed that dry, itchy skin reduced after using a lotion containing colloidal oat in just two weeks. 
2. Reduce acne: Oatmeal contains zinc that reduces inflammation and kills the acne-causing bacteria. Using this oatmeal soap or trying out these oatmeal facial scrubs are an easy way to reap the benefits.
3. Moisturise skin: Oatmeal is excellent for hydrating and moisturising the skin. Without getting too geeky, the beta-glucan in oat can form a film around the skin, keeping moisture in the skin and acting as a barrier to protect the skin.
4. Cleanse the skin: The oatmeal gel is a gentle cleanser for the skin. You can see how I make more natural gels that are also good for the skin and hair. Applying oatmeal gel and washing the face will naturally deep cleanse, soothe and tone the skin.

Benefits of Honey

1. Reduce dryness: The sugars in raw, pure honey that increase the water content and reduce dryness in the skin and soften the skin even after they have been rinsed off
2. Removes dead skin cells: Just like sugar, honey crystallises over time. This makes it a gentle and yet effective exfoliator. Honey also contains small amounts of gluconic acid and other alpha-hydroxy acids, gently removing dead skin cells and brightening the complexion regularly.
3. Cleanse the skin: Honey is gentle enough to cleanse the skin without making the skin dry and irritated. Its antioxidants, antiseptic and antibacterial properties make this ingredient an excellent go-to for fighting acne. Honey opens up the pores and can reduce blackheads.
4. Anti-ageing: Honey can plump and nourish the skin. While it doesn’t eliminate wrinkles, it does reduce their appearance. And the antioxidants in pure raw honey help reverse any damage that leads to visible signs of ageing.

Other ways to use Oatmeal on the skin

If the oatmeal soap feels like too much work or you want to add oatmeal to more than just your cleansing step, then I have some fantastic and simple ways of using oatmeal that will take less than 5 minutes to prepare

1. Using oat as a face mask: Oatmeal as a face mask is soothing to the skin. 

Try it: Add ½ cup oatmeal or colloidal oat powder to a bowl; add ⅛ cup of honey or glycerin and ⅛ cup of Sweet Almond or Jojoba oil. Add warm water and apply to clean face for 15 – 30 minutes before rinsing off—store excess face mask in the freezer.

2. Using oat as a body scrub: Oatmeal is a gentle exfoliant. If you have sensitive skin, I suggest using only oatmeal; otherwise, feel free to add finely ground sugar or sea salt. 

Try it: Add ½ cup oat. Add ½ cup sugar or sea salt (for non-sensitive skin). Add ¼ cup of oil like sweet almond, jojoba or rosehip oil. Apply in circular motions on clean skin and rinse off with cool water. See how I make different oatmeal body scrubs here.

A quick summary

There are so many great ways to use oatmeal. Still, this oatmeal soap is an easy, mess-free way to get all the hydrating, exfoliating and moisturising benefits of oatmeal combined with the brightening and anti-ageing benefits of honey.

Make sure you get a soap base that would benefit your skin goals too! Would you be trying out this oatmeal soap? Let me know in the comments below.

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