Toxic Free DIY Mini Series: Oatmeal Banana Scrub

Today we’re going to talk about clean & creamy banana oatmeal face scrub. I should warn you, however, that this title is a little bit of a nisnomer. You see, the scrub itself is anything but clean. It is, however, a fun, sticky, tactile experiment in clean skin.

Why oatmeal and honey?

Oats contain a protein which will leave a fine protective film on the skin, keeping moisture in and ensuring soft, smooth baby skin. They’re also with natural cleansers (called saponins) that remove dirt and oil from your pores.

Honey, like oatmeal, makes a great exfoliant. It contains acids that loosen bonds between dead skin cells, making it easy to release dead skin and leave only healthy, pretty cells in their place. Honey is also known to increase elasticity, balance out oily skin, stimulate collagen production, improve your circulation and minimize lines and wrinkles. So, yay for honey!

Why ACV?

Apple cider vinegar is best known for its ability to restore skin’s natural pH balance, as well as reducing red marks and blemishes. Oh, and did I mention that it softens skin as well?

Why banana?

Bananas are one of my favorite go-to sources for fighting acne. Applying a coat of mashed bananas to your skin should suffocate the bacteria in your cells, forcing breakouts from acne to heal quicker. Their anti-bacterial properties can also reduce swelling and infections.

OATMEAL BANANA FACE SCRUB

• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (find quality ACV here)
• 2 teaspoons warm water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
• 1/4 cup uncooked oatmeal (find quality oatmeal here)
• 1/2 ripe banana

Combine warm water and apple cider vinegar. Whisk in honey until dissolved.

I grind my oatmeal beforehand to make it a finer texture, although if you don’t have a coffee or herb grinder available you can use whole oats.

When everything’s nice and gooey you can muddle your banana in.

For the love of god, please do not comment on what a mess I am. I thought I would be a martyr and show you what this scrub this looks like in use: not your traditional cleanser, right?

Apply it to your skin in small circles, letting the oatmeal exfoliate. Then, if you don’t mind looking like a goof, let it sit for several minutes. After about 10 minutes wash it off using a soft towel to ensure that there’s no residue. I also like to do this before I get into the shower, letting the hot water loosen up the mask.

Now, feel your skin. Is it softer and smoother? You bet! Leave us a comment and let us know if this masked work for you.

My name is Aubrey and I blog over at Homegrown & Healthy.

Lately we’ve been talking a ton about natural skin care products (with recipes like this, this, and this for starters). I thought it would be a fun idea to link up with this great weekly segment.

Are you interested in seeing more great skincare instructions?

Then join me over at Homegrown & Healthy, I’d love to see you there!