Surprising Uses for Oats

You're probably familiar with the best, or at least the most delicious, uses for oats: oatmeal, granola, cookies. But did you know that oats have plenty of uses besides feeding your appetite? The versatile grain is handy for a number of non-dietary purposes, from creating soothing beauty products to making natural clay for your kids.

Oats As A Beauty Regimen

When it comes to beauty and skincare products, oats and oatmeal have long been a favorite ingredient. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, oats are an effective home remedy for relieving itchy skin. Oats are also a popular option for natural face masks or scrubs, whether bought in-store or created at home. (Mix oats with a tiny bit of salt and water for a DIY scrub.)

More Ways To Use Oats

Some other surprising ways to tap into the power of the versatile grain? Put an open bowl of oats in your fridge to help eliminate stinky smells; Mix rolled oats with flour and add a bit of water and food coloring to create molding clay for your kids to play with; Or, add oats to ground beef to get more bang for your buck when making meatloaf or meatballs.