Face masks are one of my favorite skin therapies.
They are literally food for your face, specially if your skin is gently exfoliated and ready to absorb all the goodness.
Plus, the fact they can be homemade means you can adjust the ingredients to your specific skin type and dosha.
This time, we’ll focus on oatmeal as the main ingredient, since oats are well-known for their soothing, cooling, and softening properties.
Try one of these DIY oatmeal face mask for your Vata, Pitta, or Kapha skin type and achieve flawless skin, naturally.
Oatmeal and Ayurveda
You’ve probably heard how beneficial oatmeal is for the skin. At least from a western standpoint.
Oats are a wholesome cereal that contain avenanthramides, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory compounds, making it the ideal remedy for itchy, flaky, and irritated skin.
They are often recommended for all skin types, but more so for people with sensitive and dry skin or people with acne.
Now, from an Ayurvedic perspective, oats are sweet, cooling, and grounding, the perfect trifecta for Vata and Pitta skin types. Nutritionally, they are best for Vata and Pitta, but can aggravate Kapha.
Although Kapha dosha typically has a hydrated and beautiful complexion, the right face mask, occasionally, can help this constitution maintain and retain those highly coveted qualities and delay aging.
The secret of making the best DIY oatmeal face mask
We all agree that feeding your skin with oats can be soothing, deeply cleansing, softening, and anti-inflammatory.
Yet, the thick and lumpy texture of oatmeal face masks is for many of us very unpleasant. I know for me the feeling of chunks sliding off my face feels annoying.
So, this is my secret to improve its texture and the way it blends with other ingredients:
- Put 1/2 cup of old-fashioned oats, dry and uncooked, into a blender.
- Blend for at least 30 seconds in a coffee grinder or food processor.
- Combine with the other facial mask ingredients to address your specific skin concerns.
How to exfoliate with oatmeal
If you want to use oatmeal as a delicate exfoliator, do the following:
- Blend the oats for 10–15 seconds only or until you get a coarse powder.
- Add raw or Manuka honey and mix well.
- Cleanse your skin and pat dry.
- Apply the honey and oat mixture and scrub gently to get rid of all the impurities.
- Rinse off with a washcloth and warm water. This will help you open the pores and get ready for a face mask.
Vata dosha skin type
When unbalanced, Vata skin lacks glow. It can also be excessively rough, dry, and age prematurely.
Try one of these face masks to add moisture and reveal the smoother, clearer skin underneath.
I also suggest following my Nutrition Tips for Vata Dosha to heal from the inside out.
Milk & Oatmeal Face Mask
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp oatmeal powder
- 1 tbsp almond milk
Instructions
Mix well the ingredients and apply on your face. Leave on for 20–25 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.
Yogurt & Oatmeal Face Mask
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp oatmeal powder
- 1/4 tsp honey (raw)
- 1 tbsp greek yogurt
Instructions
Mix well the ingredients. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes and then apply on your face. Leave on for 20–25 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.
Pitta dosha skin type
Pitta skin tends to experience oiliness, acne, allergic reactions, rushes, redness, and inflammation. Therefore, applying oatmeal on the skin can act as a tonic and be incredibly restorative and refreshing.
I also suggest following my Nutrition Tips for Pitta Dosha to heal from the inside out.
Coconut Oil & Oatmeal Face Mask
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp oatmeal powder
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
Even though coconut oil is greasy and shares this characteristic with Pitta dosha, it can pacify a fiery, irritated skin as it is sweet and cold. Mix well the ingredients and apply on your face. Leave on for 20–25 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.
Pitta Pacifying Oatmeal Face Mask
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp oatmeal powder
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tbsp rose water
Instructions
Mix well the ingredients and apply on your face. Leave on for 20–25 minutes.
Rinse with aloe vera to remove the yellow color. Leave a layer of aloe vera for 20–30 minutes (or more) to further calm down your skin.
Kapha dosha skin type
Kapha skin is thick, soft, and moderately oily. It might suffer from cystic acne, deep wrinkles, and enlarged pores.
The following oatmeal face masks can improve these conditions or help Kaphas maintain a lustrous complexion.
I also suggest following my Nutrition Tips for Kapha Dosha to heal from the inside out.
Exfoliating Oatmeal Face Mask
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp oatmeal powder (scrubby texture)
- 1/4 ripe apple (grated)
Instructions
Mix well the ingredients. The juices of the apple might be enough to get a nice paste, but if not, add filtered water. Apply on your face. Leave on for 20–25 minutes.
Charcoal Powder Oatmeal Face Mask
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oatmeal powder
- 1/2 tbsp charcoal powder
- 2 tbsp rose water
Instructions
This facial mask will support the removal of toxins and alleviate a congested skin.
Mix well the ingredients and apply on your face. Leave on for 20–25 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.
More homemade Ayurvedic face mask recipes:
Best Ayurvedic facial mask for acne
