I love making natural face masks, and this Oatmeal Face Mask is one of my favorite recipes. This easy face mask is simple and nourishing and made with oats, yogurt, honey, and water. It’s the perfect addition to any natural skincare routine.
The simple mask calms and naturally exfoliates the skin, giving dull skin a smooth, refreshed appearance without harmful ingredients.
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Benefits of Using a DIY Oatmeal Face Mask
- Natural Ingredients – Made with pure, natural ingredients.
- Cheap – You’ll find all the ingredients for this skin-softening mask in your pantry and fridge.
- Great for Acne-Prone Skin – The ingredients used to make this oatmeal mask are anti-inflammatory and soothing, making it ideal for acne-prone skin.
- Great for All Skin Types – You don’t need an acne flare-up to use this mask; this recipe is suitable for all skin types: dry skin, sensitive skin, mature skin, oily skin, and combination skin.
- Gentle Exfoliation – The oats, honey, and yogurt all provide a gentle exfoliation, sloughing away dead skin cells and leaving behind a wonderful glow.
Reader Reviews
“Stumbled upon your site and now I’m in love! I tried this mask last night and my skin already feels softer.” -Cynthia
Before You Get Started: Ingredients You’ll Need
- Old-fashioned rolled oats – Oats are such a versatile ingredient. Use them to make overnight oats, baked oatmeal, or as a potent skincare ingredient. They contain antioxidants, micronutrients (like zinc and vitamin E), and fatty acids, which add exfoliation and anti-inflammatory properties. Oats calm irritated skin, may help reduce redness, and relieve itchiness or inflammation.
- Honey – Honey is the perfect choice for acne-prone skin. Honey hydrates the skin and is soothing. It’s also an exfoliator; it helps balance the bacteria on your skin and can speed up the “healing process” (source).
- Yogurt – Provides fatty acids, beneficial bacteria, lactic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid), and vitamins and minerals that can soften the skin and provide a glowy, rejuvenated appearance.
- Water – Use enough water to create a paste, making an easy-to-spread homemade face mask. Alternatively, you may use witch hazel, aloe vera gel, or hydrosol (like rose water).
How to Make a Homemade Oatmeal Face Mask: Step By Step
- Step 1 Grind the Oats – You’ll want to use ground oats for this recipe. Grind the oats in a coffee grinder or spice grinder for about 30 seconds until they resemble flour. Alternatively, buy ground oats (oat flour) at the grocery store.
- Step 2 Combine Ingredients – In a small bowl, combine oats, honey, yogurt, and enough water to make a paste.
- Step 3 Apply to the Face – See the next section for how to apply.
How to Use This Mask
- First, start with a clean face. Use a natural face cleanser/wash to remove makeup, excess oil, and debris.
- Next, use your fingertips to massage the mask on your clean skin: the entire face, neck, and chest. Avoid the eye area.
- Then, let the mask rest on your skin for 5-10 minutes (or go a bit longer if desired, around 15-20 minutes). Unlike a clay mask, this mask will stay hydrated and won’t dry out as it sits on the skin.
- Finally, use a warm, wet washcloth to remove the mask. Rinse the washcloth before using it on your face again to clear more of the mask.
- Once all the mask has been removed, use your favorite natural moisturizer.
Expert Tips
- Use in the Shower – I love to use this mask in the shower (or bath), as the steam will help open up the pores, and you don’t have to worry about a mess.
- Shelf Life – This recipe makes enough for one application. Due to the shelf life of the ingredients and the potential for bacterial growth, I recommend making the mask before application.
- Mask Storage – If you have any extra mask, store it in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge.
- Suitable for Any Skin Type – This mask should not cause skin irritation due to the calming, soothing ingredients. It’s ideal for all skin types. If you’re concerned about this mask irritating your skin, do a small patch test on the back of your hand or a small area of your face first.
FAQs
- How often can I use this mask? You can safely use this mask 2-3 times a week.
- Can I skip the yogurt? Yes, you can. If you skip the yogurt, add more water to create a paste-like mask that’s easy to spread.
- Can I skip the honey? Yes, you can. Add enough water to compensate for the lack of honey, just enough to create a paste-like consistency.
- Can I add an essential oil? Yes, I love lavender or tea tree essential oil. Add 1 drop to the mask before application. Check out my podcast about using essential oils safely.
- How do you make a basic oatmeal mask? In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of ground oats, 2 teaspoons of honey, and enough water to make a paste.
More Natural Face Masks for Your Beauty Routine
I love making DIY face masks as part of my skin care routine. Here are my favorite masks to make.
Natural Body-Care Simplified
Learn how to make your own body and beauty products with simple ingredients.
Honey Oatmeal Mask
This easy face mask is simple and nourishing and made with oats, yogurt, honey, and water. It calms and naturally exfoliates the skin, giving dull skin a smooth, refreshed appearance without harmful ingredients.
Cost: $1
Equipment
- 1 small bowl
Ingredients
- 1 tablepsoon old fashioned rolled oats ground (see notes below)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon plain yogurt
- water (enough to make a paste)
Instructions
- Grind the oats. Grind the oats in a coffee grinder, food processor, or spice grinder for about 30 seconds until they resemble flour. Alternatively, buy ground oats (oat flour) at the grocery store.
- In a small bowl, combine oats, honey, yogurt, and enough water to make a paste.
How to Use:
- First, start with a clean face. Use a natural face cleanser/wash to remove makeup, excess oil, and debris.
- Next, use your fingertips to massage the mask to your clean skin: the entire face, neck, and chest. Avoid the eye area.
- Then, let the mask rest on your skin for 5-10 minutes (or go a bit longer if desired, around 15-20 minutes).
- Finally, use a warm, wet washcloth to remove the mask. Rinse the washcloth before using it on your face again to clear more of the mask.
Nutrition
Calories: 174kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 1gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 43mgFiber: 1gSugar: 34gVitamin C: 2.9mgIron: 0.5mg
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
hi, can i mix this recipe with turmeric powder? and can i use and kinds of oats?
Hey Rose, Sure, but turmeric will stain so I would only use a small amount. As long as you grind the oats, sure.
How long will it take for significant changes to be seen on your face?
Hey Noopa, A lot plays into skin health, from products used to food to hydration and gut health. One mask won’t change the skin, although it can help to improve it. It’s hard to answer that.
Tea tree oil works for acne not just the pimple. If you are using it for the occasional pimple, put a little bit of tea tree oil on a Q-tip and apply it to the pimple. Tea tree oil anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. It is used to for a number of things, including bad breath, athlete’s foot, cold sores, body odor and acne. It is safe to use tea tree oil as a treatment for whiteheads and blackheads.
Make a tea tree oil mask to help acne. tea tree oil can be applied to your skin two to three times daily for best results.
Thanks for the tip!
Hi Kristin, This is an awesome face mask.
Hi. Can I try this mask without applying the astringent after? Thank you. 🙂
Definitely, Nyreen!
Thanks for this recipe. How long do you think a batch of this mask will keep in the refrigerator?
Hey Claudia, About a week :).
Stumbled upon your site and now I’m in love! I’ve tried this mask last night and my skin already feels softer. Can I use this on a daily basis before bed or is that not advised?
Hey Cythina, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the blog! Face masks can cause the skin to produce more oil, from my experience, so I would limit the usage of this mask to 1-2 times a week, at most.
Hi
Just tried the mask for first time. Smells wonderful, but after 2 attempts I am having trouble applying it to my face. With this recipe I can only apply once as about 1/3 of the mix falls off my face. Tried adding more honey to stick, but not getting great coverage. Tips/thoughts?
Thanks
Additionally mine does not look like your picture. Mine needs more liquid if I make exactly as the recipe here lists. Mine is in a ball/ pretty dry, not soupy. Thanks
Hey Stephanie, Oatmeal can greatly vary in texture and thickness, even once it’s pulsed into crumbs/flour. I recommend adding more liquid.
Hi, This is a great recipe. I was just wondering if I had to use tea tree oil or if I could do without, please get back to me soon ????
Hey Kendra, You can skip the tea tree oil.
Do you have to cook the oatmeal first?
Hey Kori, This recipe uses raw oats :).
Please recommend: Can you explain cleaning with Olive Oil or is Tea Tree better. When/how often to use the sugar scurb and when/how to use the oatmeal mask. First time seeing your web. Also, what is the astringent recipe and lotion recipe please. I believe I caused a problem with my skin when I had it “threaded”. I’m afraid to do anything to it now. Thank you Pam
Hey Pamela, Olive oil and tea tree are very different products. Olive oil is great for cleansing and used in many recipes as a nourishing skin oil. Tea tree is an essential oil (not an oil like olive or coconut oil) and used for helping to fight bacteria related skin conditions like acne. I use a sugar scrub once a week on my skin. I use a mask (sometimes just a basic clay mask, other times an oatmeal mask) once or twice a week.
Can I subsitute lemon for lime if limes are all I have at the moment?
Hey Jessica, You can give it a try–I don’t think it will hurt.
Hi!
I was wondering if it’s absolutely necessary to store this in the refrigerator? If a bigger batch is made, how long is the shelf life?
Thanks so much!
Hey Sarah, The ingredients will spoil pretty quickly at room temperature. You may be able to leave it out for 2-3 days max.
Hi I’m wondering once refrigerated how long would this mask last? Thanks
Hey Rosy, Just a few days.
Im wondering… can I use honey that’s not raw but organic being as that’s what I have? Thanks in advance, I am very excited to try this mask!
Hey Jamie, Yes you can :).
When you say “raw honey” do you mean unpasteurized?
Hey Iris, Yes, that’s correct :).
ok, so this oil cleansing thing, I have read about olive oil, can you cleanse with olive oil or how is this all done?? I have been cleansing with raw honey but want to incorporate raw honey in the am and oil cleansing at night to see how that works because my skin is the same, I have always fought acne but after my 3rd child and a tubal ligation my hormones have went berserk and I have started using progesterone cream in hopes it starts working to. My acne is rampant on my back, chin and neck mostly and it WILL NOT GO AWAY!
could possible show before and after pictures.
Hey Laura, I’d recommend using this mask as part of a regular beauty routine for good results, so it’s a bit hard to show pics of instant before and afters.
good day im really amazed about your recipe i want to have it but my skin are pretty dry so i need a lotion for my skin dry and moisturizer and toner for my face i have no pimples(bec im dry) but i notice the blackheads in my nose. Also a sunscreen im asian girl but i live now here in australia thank you and more power God bless your works.
Thank you, Joy! Enjoy!!
Thanks for sharing.. I use tea tree oil, it is a gentle oil that has soothing, anti-inflammatory properties. It can offer much relief with dry skin.
do you use tea tree oil for oil cleansing or how?? I have started using it just as a leave on topical thing and in household cleaners but am trying to figure the oil cleansing out
Hey Alisha, Olive oil can be used for oil cleansing. If you’d like to add tea tree oil, I suggest adding a few drops to a small container/bottle of the olive oil and then gently shake. Tea tree is one of the few oils that can be applied directly to the skin so I’ve also used tea tree as a spot treatment for blemishes while I sleep. Adding gut-happy foods to my diet has also helped: ferments, probiotics, and good fats (yogurt, sauerkraut, real butter/coconut oil, real pickles, kombucha, etc.).
Thank you for the recipe. Excited to try it out! I was wondering how you cleanse your face with almond or jojoba oil? Would you mind sharing your facial cleaning method?
Thanks!
Malin
Hey Malin, You’re welcome :). Enjoy the mask!
For the oil-cleansing, I place a small amount of oil (almond or jojoba for my skin type) on a cotton ball and wipe my face with the oil. I use warm water and a wash cloth to wash the oil off. I follow with homemade astringent and lotion. Here’s a great article on the oil cleansing method: https://www.auracacia.com/auracacia/aclearn/oil-cleansing-method.php.
Hello! Do you think I could add Bentonite clay to this?
Yes, you can.
This is a great recipe. Just one thing, when using anything citrus on your skin just be aware that your skin becomes a bit light sensitive. Be sure to wear extra sunscreen when heading outside. Thanks for sharing these great recipes.
Thanks so much, Angie. Great reminder about citrus and the sun!
I can’t figure out how to make a new comment…
What do you do daily? If you do this scrub in e or twice daily what do you do daily?
Hey Cydney, Right now I use Luminance Skincare’s cleanser and rosewater in the morning and at night, and then the shea moisturizer. I use a mask 1-2 times a week.