If you are looking for a soothing and detoxing bath treatment that calms dry and itchy skin while also moisturising it, then you must try these Oatmeal Bath Melts.
Benefits of an Oatmeal Bath
Oatmeal has been used as a remedy for a variety of skin and hair ailments in people of all ages for many, many years. Independent medical studies have also shown that oatmeal baths are able to help with some skin issues.
Lotions and creams that have added oatmeal have shown to keep skin moisturised, lessening dry and cracking skin, as well as itchiness, irritation and redness.
Oatmeal baths can help with conditions such as:
- dry skin
- cradle cap
- eczema
- heat rash
- dandruff
- sunburns
- hives
- poison ivy rashes
- mosquito and bug bites
- dry, itchy feet
- cracked heels
Soothing Oatmeal Bath Melts
These easy to make, luxurious bath melts are a wonderful soothing bath treatment that will moisturise your skin while helping calm any skin irritations that you may have.
Made with shea and cocoa butter as well as oatmeal, these creamy bath melts will leave your skin feeling soft and silky. For those who suffer from eczema, this treatment can help relieve itchiness and inflammation.
What oatmeal to use in the bath?
Plain oatmeal, steel-cut oats or quick oats can be used for oatmeal baths, though colloidal oatmeal offers the best benefits.
Colloidal oatmeal can easily be made by finely grinding whole, steel cut or old fashioned oats to a uniform powder in a grinder or food processor before using. To test them before using, drop a teaspoon of the ground up oats into a glass of water. The water should quickly turn a milky white colour.
Rolled oats are larger oats, which makes them great for exfoliating the skin when they are left in their original shape.
Quick oats are smaller and softer, which makes them beneficial for soothing irritated skin. These oats are also gentle enough for those with more sensitive skin.
Oatmeal Going Down the Drain
Oatmeal baths are a common treatment for many skin irritations, so can this oatmeal be washed down the drain? Yes, it can, though there are a few things to keep in mind.
Oatmeal does expand when it comes into contact with water, so only use a small amount.
It can also clog drains if it is not properly strained, so using a fine-mesh strainer will stop this from happening.
Another thing to keep in mind is that oatmeal may attract bugs, so don’t leave it in the drain. Make sure to flush the drain out after use.
Using colloidal oatmeal will also help with keeping your drain clean and clog-free.
Using Oatmeal Baths
Add one or two of these creamy bath melts to your bath while the lukewarm water (not hot water) is running. This will help melt the butters and release the oatmeal.
Soak in the bath for around 15 minutes as soaking any longer may dry out your skin.
After your bath, you may rinse if needed – sometimes the oatmeal may leave you feeling sticky – pat dry and then moisturise with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser.
Soothing oatmeal bath treatments should only be used once or twice a day.
Making Oatmeal Bath Melts
These bath melts are quite easy to make. When finished, they will be solid at room temperature. When they are placed in warm water, they melt.
To make these soothing oatmeal bath melts, you will need:
- 3/4 cup bicarbonate of soda
- 1/4 cup citric acid
- 1/4 cup shea butter
- 1/4 cup cocoa butter
- 1/4 cup oatmeal
- Cylinder mould
In a small bowl, stir the bicarbonate of soda with the citric acid to combine.
In a microwaveable jug or bowl, add the shea butter and cocoa butter.
Heat the butters on high in 30 second intervals, stirring between each heat session until fully melted.
Once melted, slowly and carefully add the butter mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring the entire time. Do not add the mixture too quickly as it will cause the mixture to fizz, which will ruin it.
Set aside 1 Tablespoon of the oatmeal.
Gently stir the rest of the oatmeal into the mixture.
Divide the mixture between the mould cavities and sprinkle a small amount of the oatmeal that was set aside on the top.
Let sit in the mould until set before removing.
Store in an airtight container.
Due to the heat and humidity in the area I live in, I prefer to store these in an airtight container in the fridge.
Other Soap Recipes
Soothing Oatmeal Bath Melts
Ingredients
- ¾ Cup Bicarbonate of Soda
- ¼ Cup Citric Acid
- ¼ Cup Shea Butter
- ¼ Cup Cocoa Butter
- ¼ Cup Oatmeal
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir the bicarbonate of soda with the citric acid to combine.
- In a microwaveable jug or bowl, add the shea butter and cocoa butter.
- Heat the butters on high in 30 second intervals, stirring between each heat session until fully melted.
- Once melted, slowly and carefully add the butter mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring the entire time. Do not add the mixture too quickly as it will cause the mixture to fizz, which will ruin it.
- Set aside 1 Tablespoon of the oatmeal.
- Gently stir the rest of the oatmeal into the mixture.
- Divide the mixture between the mould cavities and sprinkle a small amount of the oatmeal that was set aside on the top.
- Let sit in the mould until set before removing.
- Store in an airtight container.
- To use: Add one to two bath melts to your bath while the lukewarm water is running.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on this website.
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