Benefits of Oats in Skincare

Oatmeal and winter go hand in hand. Whenever we jumpstart our mornings with a warm bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh figs, sesame seeds or chocolate, we feel more energetic and ready to take on the day. But did you know this breakfast superfood also boasts beauty benefits?


The use of oats in skincare has been documented as far back as 2000 BC but today colloidal oatmeal, a natural product produced from finely ground oat grains is boiled to produce an extract. It's full of vitamins, minerals and lipids that add moisture to benefit the condition of one's skin. Oatmeal contains both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and as such is ideal for sensitive skin and to treat a variety of skin disorders (i.e sunburns, eczema and poison ivy).

Our skin can certainly use the extra hydration and protection now that it's blistering cold outside. Here are five ways to reap the beauty benefits of oatmeal:

Bath soak: For a truly relaxing bath, pour a cup of plain oatmeal into your tub as it fills up with warm water. Then add a few drops of lavender oil or a pinch of dried lavender. Soak in this aromatherapy solution for 15 to 30 minutes. The oatmeal will cleanse your skin and lock in moisture, while the lavender produces a calming, soothing scent.

Itchy skin remedy: Itchy, dry skin often has a high pH level, but oatmeal can help normalise your skin's pH, which can relieve itchy, uncomfortable skin. Oatmeal baths also soften and moisturise your skin, which helps lock in moisture and protect skin from exterior irritants.


Face wash: Oatmeal contains chemicals known as saponins that are characterised by their intense cleansing properties. Saponins are commonly added to shampoos and detergents for it's emulsifying and foaming abilities that create a rich lather. It is this propertythis makes oatmeal ideal to use as a face mask, cleanser or soap for every skin type, especially sensitive skin. For a simple homemade recipe, mix whole oatmeal with warm water into a paste and add a teaspoon of honey. Rub the cleanser onto your skin in circular motions to cleanse face. The antibacterial action of honey will also help to relieve inflamed skin and alleviate dryness.

Exfoliator treatment: If over-the-counter scrubs tend to leave your skin raw and red, try exfoliating with a do-it-yourself treatment with blended colloidal oatmeal, coconut oil, brown sugar and lukewarm water. You'll get the same cleansing and buffering properties without all the unnecessary harshness. Plus, the coconut oil will give your skin a healthy-looking glow.

Dry shampoo: Just as oatmeal works wonders at removing excess dirt and debris from the body, it can also help to reduce the appearance of dirty hair. Blondes can brush through a light dusting of finely ground oats throughout their strands to soak up excess oils. Your homemade oatmeal dry shampoo will also help to relieve an itchy scalp.

Believe it or not, oatmeal is a pretty amazing thing packed with some pretty important vitamins, minerals, and proteins, oatmeal! It’s great for the body both inside and out. One of the most profound ways that oatmeal can benefit your family is on the skin.  This amazing product works wonders for even the most delicate skin, and it can provide needed relief at times when the skin of your child or any of your family members needs it most.

Oatmeal just may be one of the best home remedies for itchy skin, and its gentle effects are a great alternative to many chemicals and over-the-counter itch treatments. From stopping itching to helping relieve insect bites and stings, from rashes to sunburns, oatmeal is a great resource for your whole family!

Its skin-soothing powers were known as early as 2000 BC, and to this day, it is widely cited as effective for relieving dryness and inflammation, including insect stings, rashes, and eczema. That's why finely powdered ("colloidal") oatmeal is sifted into soothing body soaks, moisturisers, and soaps.

In dermatologist practice, it is recommend that oatmeal is used for sensitive, allergy or eczema prone skin because it is an excellent moisturiser with skin healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and itch relieving benefits. 

Oats available in the market are called as Oatmeal. They are made by either rolling, grinding, steel cutting the oat grains. My research revealed that the steel cut oats are the best for both skin and health because they closest to the natural form of oats.

Oats available in the market are called as Oatmeal. They are made by either rolling, grinding, steel cutting the oat grains. My research revealed that the steel cut oats are the best for both skin and health because they closest to the natural form of oats.

So, what exactly are the 10 benefits of using oats or oatmeal for skin?

1. Oats for washing face: Oats acts as a mild cleanser because of the saponin content. 
2. Oats for Eczema: Oats help in the recovery of the eczematous skin by moisturising, restoring the skin barrier, reducing itching, and regulating inflammation. Colloidal oatmeal or grounded oats can be added to lukewarm water in the bathtub, to soothe irritated and itchy skin due to any cause. You can also use homemade cleanser for dry skin as a body wash for eczema prone skin; it is an excellent alternative to harsh surfactants, and I have seen good results in eczema patients with this recipe. See my previous post on this: http://yaso-shan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/natural-herbal-approaches-to-eczema.html 
3. Oats as Scrub: The gritty nature of oats makes it an excellent scrub for sensitive skins that cannot tolerate the usual exfoliators.
4. Oats as moisturiser: No wonders oats are part of many moisturisers available in the market. Thanks to its lipids and protein content that have humectant, occlusive and emollient properties. 
5. Oats for Ageing skin: Due to antioxidant benefits, oats can help in reversing damage caused by UV rays, pollution, harsh chemicals, etc. on your skin. How about trying one of these researched and tested face packs for your skin this weekend?
6. Oats for Sunburn: Oats can be used to soothe the sunburnt skin owing to soothing, anti-oxidant, healing and moisturising properties, check out the recipe in the article, 10 step guide to heal sunburn.
7. Oats for Atopic Dermatitis: Several studies support the role of colloidal oatmeal both for cleansing and moisturising the eczematous skin of Atopic dermatitis. The use of oats might reduce the need for steroids as well! You can add oatmeal or grounded oats to lukewarm water in the bathtub, to soothe irritated and itchy skin of your kid. You can also use homemade cleanser for dry skin as a body wash for atopic eczema prone skin.
8. Oats for Itchy skin: Colloidal oatmeal reduces itching in various skin diseases ranging from dermatitis to fungal infections when used for cleansing and bathing. How about dipping in oat bath to calm your itch?
9. Oats for Psoriasis: Oats help in the healing of psoriasis lesion owing to its anti-inflammatory nature.
10. Oats as dry shampoo: A mixture of grounded oats and soda bicarbonate can be used as a dry shampoo. Sprinkle the mixture on your hair, let it absorb oils and comb the mixture out.

Typical way of using oatmeal:

1. Grind oatmeal and brown sugar into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or blender of your choice.
2. Add the raw honey, jojoba oil and essential oils and stir well.
3. Wet face with a little warm water.
4. Apply a small amount of facial scrub to your skin and gently massage using small, circular motions for several minutes.

Are there any side effects of using oats on the skin?
Oats are mostly safe to use on skin. However, few reports of sensitivity to oats have been reported mainly in those with eczema. Thus, you should avoid oats in all forms if you experience redness, irritation or worsening of eczema after using it. Reports of cross-sensitivity with wheat also exists. Thus, gluten sensitive patients might exercise caution while using oats.

In the end, I am sure you would incorporate oats into your skincare regime. However, make sure that you buy good quality ingredients for maximum benefit for both, skin and health.