Gentle Oatmeal and Honey Face Scrub
Lightly ground oats mixed with honey make one of the softest scrubs you can make at home. Used gently and not too often, it can leave skin feeling smooth, but it is not for every skin type.
Many shop-bought scrubs use hard particles that can feel rough on the face. Oats ground to a coarse powder and stirred into honey give a much softer texture, and you probably have both in the cupboard already.
This guide gives you a simple recipe, explains what dermatologists say about scrubbing your face, who should use a scrub and who should not, and how to do it without irritating your skin.
Why people use it
A scrub is a form of mechanical exfoliation. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) explains that this physically removes dead skin cells from the surface, using a tool such as a brush or sponge, or a scrub. Afterward, skin often feels smoother.
Oats are a popular choice because they are soft. The AAD says that colloidal oatmeal, oats ground to a very fine powder, can help relieve dry, itchy skin when added to a bath. Honey is thick and sticky, which helps the oat powder hold together and rinse away easily.
Oatmeal and Honey Face Scrub
You need
- plain rolled oats1 tbsp
- runny honey2 tsp
- lukewarm water, if needed1 tsp
Method
- Pulse the oats in a clean spice grinder or blender for a few seconds until they are a coarse powder, like fine breadcrumbs, with no sharp flakes left.
- Mix the ground oats and honey in a small clean bowl. Add a little lukewarm water until it spreads easily.
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water, and tie back your hair.
- With clean fingertips, apply the scrub to damp skin, keeping away from your eyes and lips.
- Massage in small, light circles for about 30 seconds in total, without pressing.
- Rinse well with lukewarm water, pat dry with a soft towel and apply moisturizer straight away.
Tips
- If your skin is on the sensitive side, grind the oats finer so the paste is smoother and less scratchy.
- Make it fresh each time and throw away any leftovers.
- On days you use a scrub, skip other exfoliating products.
What the evidence says
There are no studies of homemade oatmeal and honey scrubs, so any benefit here is about feel and comfort, not proven skin results. The evidence for oats on skin is mainly for colloidal oatmeal in baths for dry, itchy skin, not for scrubs.
What dermatologists do say is that exfoliation is not for everyone and can do more harm than good if done the wrong way. The AAD suggests that people with dry, sensitive or acne-prone skin may find mechanical exfoliation too irritating and may do better with just a washcloth and a mild chemical exfoliant. Its face-washing advice also warns against scrubbing, because scrubbing irritates skin.
The AAD adds that aggressive exfoliation can make dark spots worse in people with darker skin tones or marks left by acne, burns or bug bites. So the honest answer is that this scrub may suit normal or oily skin used lightly now and then, and may not suit you at all if your skin is sensitive.
How to scrub gently
Gentle really means gentle. The AAD recommends small circular motions for about 30 seconds, then rinsing with lukewarm water, not hot. Use your fingertips, with almost no pressure, and let the oats do the work.
Moisturize straight away, as exfoliating can be drying. The AAD also notes that the stronger the method, the less often you should use it, and that over-exfoliating leads to red, irritated skin. For most people, once a week is enough.
Questions people ask
How is this different from a honey and oat face mask?
A mask uses very finely ground oats and is left on to sit. A scrub uses slightly coarser oats and is massaged in lightly for about 30 seconds to lift dead skin, then rinsed straight off.
How often can I use it?
Once a week is enough for most people. If your skin feels tight, red or sore afterward, use it less often or stop.
Can I use it on my body too?
Yes, it is gentle enough for dry elbows or knees. The same rules apply: light pressure, lukewarm water, moisturize afterward and avoid any broken or irritated skin.
Sources
- How to safely exfoliate at home — American Academy of Dermatology
- Face washing 101 — American Academy of Dermatology
- Home remedies: What can relieve itchy eczema? — American Academy of Dermatology
- How to test skin care products — American Academy of Dermatology
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medicines and health conditions. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before trying a herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, giving it to a child, or taking any medication.
