Top 10 Oatmeal Face Mask Recipes

Give your skin a homemade treat with a DIY oatmeal face mask! Learn to make a soothing, moisturizing, brightening, or refreshing face mask for a complexion that exudes natural beauty.

Face masks are something I have been making for a long time. From making my favorite rose clay mask to my newest sea moss face mask, I have had so many readers ask me if I have ever made an oatmeal face mask.

Until now, no, I hadn’t. So, over the last several months, I have been testing different variations of the basic version of the homemade oatmeal face mask.

If there were one common takeaway from each of the recipes below, it would be that they are all fantastic for pampering and softening your skin, thanks to the oatmeal.  

It’s one of those magical, natural ingredients that does a whole stack of amazing things; think skin softening, line smoothing, and gentle exfoliation – all in one.   

In this post, you’ll find my ten favorite oatmeal face mask recipes for your skin. 

Not only are these recipes easy peasy to make at home, but they also provide many benefits, which we’ll explore further.  

We’ll look at different skin types and problem areas, natural ingredients for homemade masks, and tips and considerations to get the most out of your DIY mask.

My top 10 Oatmeal face mask recipes

Please note that each of the recipes below is made with colloidal oats, which are finely ground oats. You can cook the oats or add them dry for each recipe, depending on personal preference.

You can easily make your own version by blending oats in a food processor until fine, then adding freshly boiled water on top, and then leaving to cool before using. 

1. Oatmeal and Honey Face Mask (Moisturizing mask)

Welcome to the perfect harmonious relationship. I’m talking honey and oats! And not just for the first meal of the day either (though that’s good, too…)

As a face mask, honey and oatmeal work great together to moisturize, exfoliate, and brighten the skin, helping reduce the signs of aging and generally making you feel a touch more awake if it’s been a long night.

For best results, opt for raw honey, which has far more beneficial properties!

Instructions: Mix equal parts of oatmeal and honey together until it forms a paste. Apply to your face and leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. This face mask works very well with coarse-ground oats.

2. Oatmeal and Yogurt Face Mask

If you find outbreaks cause your skin the most upset, this could be the face mask for you.

Yogurt is naturally cooling and smoothing, helping heal spots while reducing the likelihood of breakouts, thanks to probiotics that help balance out the skin.

The oatmeal acts as an exfoliator, which helps keep pores clear and unclogged. 

Instructions: Combine 1/4 cup of oatmeal with 1/4 cup of plain yogurt and 1 tablespoon of honey. Mix well and apply to your face. Leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing off thoroughly. 

3. Oatmeal and Avocado Face Mask (Dry skin mask)

Sounds tasty? It certainly is for your skin! Avocado is packed with good fats, antioxidants, and vitamins that thirsty, dry skin will appreciate.

This is a beautiful facial mask to use if your skin feels particularly dehydrated and needs some TLC. One to add to your weekly beauty routine, if you ask me!

Instructions: Use a fork to combine half an avocado with 1/4 cup of colloidal oatmeal until it forms a paste. Apply to your face and leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing off.

4. Oatmeal and Lemon Face Mask (Combination skin mask)

Lemon acts as an astringent in this recipe, helping absorb excess oil on the skin. This makes it a great choice for oily or combination types, while the oatmeal is wonderful for hydrating skin and giving a touch of exfoliation.

Take care if you have sensitive skin, as lemon can be intense. Do a patch test first to be safe. 

Instructions: Mix two tablespoons of oatmeal with enough lemon juice to form a thick paste. Apply to your face and leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing off.

Note: Be sure to avoid the eyes, broken skin, and sensitive areas.

5. Oatmeal and Turmeric Face Mask (Skin brightening mask)

This face mask will be a top choice if you deal with hyperpigmentation, dull skin, dark marks, or dark spots.

And that’s because turmeric has a brightening effect on the skin while smoothing and toning the complexion.

The oatmeal is a gentle exfoliator to remove dead skin cells, bringing on a brighter, refreshed complexion. 

Instructions: Combine 1/4 cup of oatmeal with 1 teaspoon of turmeric and enough water to form a thick paste. Apply to your face and leave on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off.

6. Oatmeal and Milk Face Mask (Soothing mask)

Another edible-sounding mask (and it is!) But it’s best saved for your face, in my opinion. Milk is wonderfully cooling and soothing, offering a great way to calm down redness and irritation.

Also, the lactic acid in milk works similarly to yogurt in that it helps brighten the complexion. 

Instructions: Mix 1/2 cup of colloidal oatmeal with 1/4 cup of milk and 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply to your face and leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing off.

7. Oatmeal and Cucumber Face Mask (Refreshing face mask)

Cucumber is predominantly made of water, making it an excellent ingredient to cool and calm the skin while adding hydration.

Plus, with the oatmeal adding some exfoliation, this is one energizing, refreshing face mask!

Instructions: Blend a cucumber in a blender or food processor and add 1/2 cup of it to 1/4 cup of oatmeal. Apply to your face and leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing off.

8. Oatmeal and Coconut Oil Face Mask (deeply moisturizing mask)

Combining coconut oil and oatmeal in a single bowl and spreading it on generously is heavenly for parched skins.

Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids plus antioxidants, so it helps protect the skin from harmful free radicals that cause aging, according to this study.

Along with the oatmeal, this mask is wonderful for soothing irritated skin and moisturizing where it’s needed. 

Instructions: Mix together 1/4 cup of oatmeal with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and enough water to make a paste. Apply to your face and leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing off.

9. Oatmeal and Green Tea Face Mask (anti-inflammatory mask)

As an anti-inflammatory, green tea is incredibly soothing to the skin, making this a great mask for sensitive skin types.

The oatmeal also exfoliates gently, leaving skin clear and refreshed, reducing the likelihood of spots and breakouts. 

Instructions: Add 1/4 teaspoon of matcha green tea powder to a 1/2 cup of colloidal oatmeal powder and two tablespoons of fractionated coconut oil. Add a few splashes of water if needed to thin out the paste. Apply to your face and leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing off.

10. Oatmeal and Almond Oil Face Mask (Soothing face mask)

This combination is my favorite from the list, leaving my skin feeling so soft and smooth.

Almond oil is rich in healthy fats plus vitamin E, which is one of nature’s best-known aging blockers! I like to slather this on in the bath and soak away while the almond oil works its magic.

Instructions: Mix 1/4 cup of oatmeal powder with one tablespoon of almond oil and enough water to form a paste. Apply to your face and leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing off.

Before you begin, follow these tips

• Always do a patch test before applying a face mask. A test on your inner elbow or wrist is a good idea to ensure your skin tolerates it. 
• Avoid applying the mask around the eyes or on broken skin and sensitive areas.
• Use lukewarm water to rinse off the face mask once you’re done (it comes off easier, I find.)
• All these recipes use colloidal oatmeal, which is finely ground oats mixed in a liquid to make a solution. You can easily make your own version by blending oats in a food processor until fine, then adding freshly boiled water on top, and then leaving to cool before using. 
• Always follow up after using a face mask with a good moisturizer. 
• Feel free to use a soft cloth to remove any residual face mask after you wash it off. Just take care not to be too rough with your skin as you might cause damage (skin can be sensitive after face mask use.)

Oatmeal face mask benefits

You can see from the recipes above that they all contain oatmeal. But why? What’s the deal with oatmeal?

Well, oatmeal has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing properties, all of which help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and sun damage. Source: healthline.com

It’s also one of the best gentle exfoliators out there, removing dirt and debris from the skin’s pores effectively without causing harm to the skin.

Plus, it’s 100% natural, meaning there’s nothing chemical or synthetic inside.

And it will save you money!

It also happens to be cheaper to make a DIY face mask with oatmeal when compared to store-bought masks or exfoliators. Plus, you sure can make a lot of face masks out of one packet of oatmeal!

The reality is that oatmeal has been used in beauty treatments since Ancient Greece, many, many thousands of years ago. And it’s still as popular today!  

Summary

I hope you enjoy these oatmeal face mask recipes; perhaps you’ll try out more than one to see which you like the best.

Let me know which recipe you try in the comments below!