Vitamin E-rich Oatmeal is renowned for its soothing anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties, and new research indicates it may also speed healing of burns, abrasions and (wait for it…) reduce wrinkles.

Here are a few ways to get the most out of your oats and catch up on some pampering at the same time; if you’re really ambitious, try doing all three one evening for the ultimate skin-softening experience.

To make all of the below, you will need:

• Coffee Grinder or Blender
• Muslin, Muslin bag, or spare stocking
• Cotton gloves
• Cotton Socks
• Whole almonds
• Dry Oatmeal
• Avocado
• Ginger Root
• Dried Parsley
• Lemon (for peel)
• Cocoa Butter
• Honey

…many of which you will likely find right in your pantry.

Body Scrub:  Summertime is upon us, and little extra love for the skin goes a long way. This scrub will exfoliate, moisturize, and soothe minor scraps and sunburns.

You will need either a blender or a coffee grinder and a muslin bag (tip: if you have a pair of thicker denier stocking on their way to the trash, cutting the foot to the knee will work in a pinch).

Grind the almonds until they are small and coarse, not too fine. Place them, along with the dry oatmeal, in your bag of choice; remember, you will be using the bag as a glove, so make it comfortable for you to grip.  Using this glove, scoop up the avocado and rub it into your skin. Rinse off with warm water, and follow with moisturizer for silky-smooth finish.

½ cup ground almond (emollient, exfoliant)

1 cup dry oatmeal (water-softening, emollient)

1 ripe avocado pitted and mashed with a fork (collagen-building, vitamin rich)

*Please note! The glove is to spare your poor drains from clogging; keep the oats and almonds on the inside for easy clean up.

Herbal Baths:  I cannot overstate how much I love a good bath (cornerstone of mental health!), and here is one of my very favorite home spa hacks- 2 tablespoons of oats, a natural emollient, added to the bath will soften the water and your skin. For the sake of your plumbing, use the muslin bag or stocking solution for the oats and any other ingredients you may experiment with.

For one of my favorite summertime-spa-soaks:

¼ minced ginger root/ approx. 2 inches (promotes circulation)

¼ cup dried parsley (promotes healing of bruises)

½ cup lemon peel grated or finely chopped (natural antiseptic)

2 tablespoons of oatmeal (water-softening, emollient)

Overnight Hand & Foot Treatment: For the ultimate in hand and foot care, this overnight potion works wonders. You will need cotton beauty gloves (commonly available at drug stores) and a pair of socks you don’t mind sacrificing for the cause. Mix the ingredients together and slather yourself up before bedtime, then put on your socks and gloves and dream sweetly. In the morning, rinse with cool water and revel at how silky soft your toes feel.

¼ cup almonds, finely ground (emollient, exfoliant)

¼ cup dry oatmeal (emollient)

3 tablespoons cocoa butter (antioxidant, hydrating)

2 tablespoons honey (antioxidant, antibacterial, clarifying & moisturizing)

With any luck, you will have spent less than a tip would cost you at an actual spa, for three times the luxury.

For more on the benefits of these diy beauty ingredients:

http://www.webmd.com/beauty/skin/alchemy-of-oats

http://www.health-energy-fitness.com/GingerBath.php

http://www.ihomeremedy.net/12-little-known-health-benefits-of-parsley/

http://www.sheknows.com/beauty-and-style/articles/1017621/beauty-benefits-of-honey