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A zit-zapping face mask & other surprising beauty uses for oatmeal

BLEMISH MASK: Mix 1/2 cup raw or instant oats with enough water to form a paste. Set aside for 5 minutes before stirring in 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil. Apply to skin and relax for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water. The concoction removes dead skin and fights the bacteria that cause breakouts. DRY SHAMPOO: Use your blender, coffee grinder, or food processor to pulverize oatmeal. Mix
Beauty Uses of Oatmeal: Oatmeal Mask, Oatmeal Bath
Beauty Uses of Oatmeal: Oatmeal Mask, Oatmeal BathiVillage.com / Today

BLEMISH MASK: Mix 1/2 cup raw or instant oats with enough water to form a paste. Set aside for 5 minutes before stirring in 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil. Apply to skin and relax for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water. The concoction removes dead skin and fights the bacteria that cause breakouts.

DRY SHAMPOO: Use your blender, coffee grinder, or food processor to pulverize oatmeal. Mix the powder with an equal measure of baking soda. Massage onto the roots of your hair, then brush out.

FACIAL EXFOLIATOR: Its natural whole grains make oatmeal the ideal base ingredient for an at-home scrub. Grind 2 tablespoons oatmeal to a grainy consistency and add in 1 teaspoon baking soda. Store the mixture in an air-tight container. When ready to use, scoop a couple tablespoons into your hand and add very small amounts of water until spreadable. Gently scrub face using a circular motion for 60 seconds, then rinse.

BODY SCRUB: Combine 1/4 cup ground oatmeal, 1 tablespoon local honey and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Mix while drizzling in additional oil as needed to create a paste. Scrub the mixture immediately over arms and legs.

SKIN SOOTHER: For relief from sunburn, poison ivy, or even chicken pox, try an oatmeal poultice. Cook up some oats and then let them cool until tepid. Spread a layer on a damp cloth and lay it oatmeal-side-down over the affected area. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before rinsing off.

REJUVENATING FACE MASK:
Mix 1 tablespoon of oatmeal with 3 tablespoons of warm, organic whole milk. When the oats expand a little, add a splash of carrot juice and a capsule of Vitamin A. Apply to skin and sit for 30 minutes.

BATH SOAK: Look for colloidal oatmeal at your health food store—it’s oatmeal that’s been ground into a very fine powder. This allows it to stay suspended in water, rather than sinking to the bottom of the tub. Sprinkle 1 cup of the stuff into the stream of running water. Step in and soak for 15 minutes.

Kate Winick is a contributing writer on iVillage. Follow her on Twitter and Google+.

A version of this story originally appeared on iVillage.