How to Treat Razor Burn With Oatmeal

Razor burn is a skin condition created when the skin area around each hair follicle is irritated after shaving, causing red, raised bumps. An oatmeal bath or mask can be used to soothe the skin and reduce the irritation.

Things You'll Need

• Rolled oats or colloidal oatmeal
• Aloe vera gel
• Egg white
• Baking soda

Instructions

Treat Razor Burn With an Oatmeal Mask

1. Cook oatmeal according to the instructions on the package. While instant oatmeal may be as effective as organic rolled oats when you treat razor burn, you should completely avoid any sweetened or flavored varieties of oatmeal.

2. Add one egg white to the cooked oatmeal once it has cooled down a bit. Fold in the egg white until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency that will adhere easily to your face. You can also add a little baking soda to the oatmeal, which will help relieve the itching that can occur with razor burn.

3. Apply the oatmeal to the area affected by razor burn. Spread the oatmeal in a smooth, even coat.

4. Let the oatmeal mask dry completely on your face in order to treat your razor burn. You will know when it is time to remove the mask when you can feel the oatmeal pulling at your face.

5. Rinse the oatmeal mask off your face with cool to lukewarm water. Avoid using hot water, which can irritate your skin further.

Treat Razor Burn With an Oatmeal Bath

1. Dissolve 1 to 3 cups of colloidal oatmeal (oatmeal that has been milled into a fine powder) into a cool to lukewarm bath. Stir the bath water thoroughly to break up any clumps of oatmeal, especially on the bottom and the sides of the tub.

2. Soak in the tub for at least 15 minutes, ensuring that the area with razor burn is completely submerged underwater for the entire length of the bath. Be careful not to allow any of the water to splash up into your eyes, which will definitely cause irritation.

3. Rinse your body completely with clear, cool water before you exit from the tub. The tub may be slippery due to the oatmeal, so be careful when you get out.

4. Treat the area with razor burn carefully when drying by patting gently with a thick absorbent towel to remove all excess moisture.

Tips & Warnings

• For even quicker relief, aloe vera gel can be spread onto the affected area after the oatmeal bath or mask.