Oatmeal – It Isn’t Just For Breakfast!

The use of natural ingredients in skin care products are perceived as safer, and at times more effective. Since we enjoy using these products, they are easy to make a part of our daily routine.

As early as 2000 B.C. wild oat (Avena sativa) was used in Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula to calm dry and itchy skin. In the 19 ^th and 20 ^th centuries, oatmeal baths became popular. In the 1930’s colloidal oatmeal began to replace rolled oats and oatmeal for use in skin care.

What is in colloidal oatmeal?  Why does it work?

Colloidal oatmeal is composed of polysaccharides (60%-64%), proteins (10%-18%), lipids (3%-9%), saponins, enzymes (including the antioxidant superoxide dismutase), prostaglandin-synthesis inhibitors, flavonoids, and vitamins. Together, these ingredients have many beneficial effects on the skin.  Polysaccarides provide excellent barrier protection – keeping the water that belongs to your skin in your skin. Oat proteins help to keep the skin at it’s natural pH. The oat lipids have wonderful moisturizing properties, enhancing the natural skin barrier.  Saponins help to keep the skin clean.  Superoxide dismutase and flavonoids are both antioxidants that may be beneficial to the skin.  Oatmeal has been found to be useful for both treating itch, & preventing it. It is also helpful in reducing swelling.

Oatmeal is one of the few natural ingredients recognized by the FDA in it’s OTC Skin Protection Monograph for it’s ability to effectively protect skin. It is used for the treatment of poison ivy, poison oak, sumac, insect bites, chicken pox, eczema, rashes, hives, diaper rash, prickly heat, sunburn, itchy skin, psoriasis, and dry skin. As part of a daily skin care regimen, colloidal oatmeal is suitable for cleansing (especially dry, sensitive, or atopic skin), moisturizing, and providing protection to the skin.

Can I make my own colloidal oatmeal?  

Yes!  You can make your own colloidal oatmeal in the kitchen by grinding oatmeal into as fine a powder as possible. You can use a blender, coffee grinder, or mortar and pestle to accomplish this. After making your powder, you can add a cup or two to a bathtub filling with lukewarm (not hot) water. Soaking for 10-15 minutes will be very soothing – but be careful when you get out of the tub as it might be slippery!! When you are done, pat dry so you do not rub off the benefits of your colloidal oatmeal bath.
 

What products contain colloidal oatmeal?

There are many oatmeal containing skin care products available from companies including Aveeno, Queen Helene’s, Nature’s Gate.  We have placed our favorites for you to review on our on-line store.