As you may know, keeping your stress levels low has beneficial effects on your unborn baby. So perhaps we can consider pregnancy one of the few times when you’re actually encouraged to indulge yourself. Here’s a great way to start a relaxing day: treat yourself to this incredibly soothing facial mask designed to help dry skin feel baby-soft. Compliments of ivillage!

1 cup of rolled oatmeal
2 tablespoons of powdered milk
1 tablespoon of water
2 or 3 gauze squares
1 rubber band

Blend the oatmeal in a food processor until it becomes a fine powder. Put it in a bowl and add powdered milk. Gradually stir in the water until the mask reaches a creamy consistency. Unfold the gauze squares and position them on your face so that your eyes, nose and mouth are exposed. Generously apply the oatmeal mask on top, taking care to overlap the edges of the gauze so that the mask sticks to your face. While you can apply this mask directly to your face, the gauze makes for more even coverage.

Draw a hot bath while you’re waiting; the steam will enhance the effects of the mask. After 15 minutes, remove the mask by lifting up and removing the squares of gauze. Fold them so that the oatmeal is contained, seal with a rubber band, and drop into the bath for an all-over skin-softening effect.

Have a wonderful, relaxing, beautiful day!!