The Science of Colloidal Oatmeal in Skin Care

Colloidal oatmeal is a natural skin care ingredient with millennia of history supporting its use. This ingredient is loaded with beneficial compounds and is gentle on all skin types, but how does it work?

This blog will explore what colloidal oatmeal is, its unique composition, the distinct benefits it offers for skin health, and how it differs from regular oatmeal. We will also look into specific applications, such as colloidal oatmeal baths and creams.

To find the perfect products for your skin type, take the Baumann Skin Type Quiz, which also gets you a bonus $5 credit on your first order!

What is Colloidal Oatmeal?

Colloidal oatmeal is essentially oats that have been finely ground and then processed to retain all their skin-beneficial elements.

This fine grinding ensures that when added to water or skincare products, the oatmeal spreads evenly and does not settle quickly. Colloidal oatmeal is used either on its own as a bath additive, or alongside other ingredients in products like sunscreens, moisturizers, and even acne products.

Here are some of the best colloidal oatmeal products:

What is Oatmeal Made of?

Colloidal oatmeal is rich in several beneficial components, each contributing uniquely to its versatility in skincare:

Polysaccharides (60-64%) : These complex carbohydrates form a hydrating gel on the skin, enhancing moisture retention and creating a protective barrier against environmental irritants.

Proteins (10-18%) : Essential for repairing and maintaining the skin barrier, these proteins also help soothe inflamed skin.

Lipids (3-9%) : Including linoleic acid, oleic acid, and ceramides, these fats are crucial for reinforcing the skin’s natural barrier, improving hydration, and preventing moisture loss.

Avenanthramides : Exclusive to oats, these compounds are notable for their anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties, significantly soothing irritated skin.

Benefits of oatmeal in skin care

Colloidal oatmeal offers a plethora of benefits for the skin, thanks to its rich composition:

Moisturizing : It helps lock in moisture and reduce transepidermal water loss.

Soothing : Especially beneficial for dry, itchy, or inflamed skin, colloidal oatmeal can calm symptoms of eczema and psoriasis.

Protecting : Forms a protective barrier against harsh environmental conditions.

Anti-Inflammatory : The presence of avenanthramides helps reduce inflammation and redness associated with sensitive skin conditions.

Because of its versatility, oatmeal is very common in skin care products. Here are some more of the best colloidal oatmeal products:

Is Oatmeal Safe for Skin?

Colloidal oatmeal is recognized by the FDA as safe and effective for use as a skin protectant. It is gentle enough for all skin types, including sensitive skin, making it a versatile ingredient in various dermatological formulations.

Other organizations including the Environmental Working Group (EWG) designate this ingredient as totally safe for use and sustainable for skin care.

It is important to note that though this ingredient has many uses and no major side-effects, it is still not a cure-all for skin care. It is not a potent enough ingredient to be a full regimen on its own, and is best used in formulations designed with multiple ingredients working together. Simply applying colloidal oatmeal to the skin and doing nothing else will not make a significant difference in your skin health.

Oatmeal vs Colloidal Oatmeal

While both derived from the same plant, their uses and processing differ significantly:

Regular Oatmeal : Typically consumed as food, consisting of whole or rolled oats.

Colloidal Oatmeal : Finely ground and processed specifically for topical application, making it easier for the skin to absorb.

Colloidal Oatmeal Baths for Hives and Rashes

Colloidal oatmeal baths are popular for their skin benefits, particularly in soothing itchy and inflamed skin. Usually, these baths come as simple colloidal oatmeal powder that is meant to be added to bathwater. The resulting bathwater is still mostly water – you aren’t really taking a bath in thick, goopy oatmeal.

Really, an oatmeal bath is more like “oatmeal tea,” where many of the compounds in the oats are seeping into the water (and then your skin).

Colloidal oatmeal baths work by creating a milky, protective layer on the skin, which helps to calm conditions like hives, rashes, and eczema. The baths are also effective in maintaining skin hydration and reducing the symptoms of dry skin conditions. After your oatmeal bath, it is advised to shower to remove lingering oats from your skin.

Colloidal Oatmeal Creams

Colloidal oatmeal creams are a great way to hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin. These creams are effective for treating dryness, reducing irritation, and soothing conditions like eczema and flaking or itchiness. Some oatmeal creams even have SPF, making them a great choice for daily sunscreens.

Here are some of the best colloidal oatmeal creams:

Which Skin Types Can Use Colloidal Oatmeal?

Colloidal oatmeal is gentle, non-comedogenic, non-greasy, pollution stopping natural ingredient that is very popular in skin care. Because of all those factors, this ingredient is safe for all Baumann Skin Types.

This doesn’t mean that all products with colloidal oatmeal are right for you, but that the ingredient itself is generally safe for all skin types.

If you are looking for the perfect colloidal oatmeal product for your skin care regimen, knowing your Baumann Skin Type is still important. All products are made with multiple ingredients, and not all of them are right for everybody. That’s where we come in – when you take our quiz, every product on the website that is right for your skin type will be marked with your skin type octagon.

Take the Baumann Skin Type Quiz by clicking the button below for free personalized recommendations and $5 in credit on our website!

Conclusion

Colloidal oatmeal is loaded with a rich composition including compounds like avenanthramides, lipids, and polysaccharides. These components make it a valuable ally against various skin concerns from dryness, to eczema, and psoriasis. While this ingredient is itself safe for all skin types, finding the right product is a different story. It is important to know your skin type when buying any skin care product!

By incorporating colloidal oatmeal into your skincare routine, and understanding your Baumann Skin Type, you can take control of your skin health and see scientifically proven results in just a few months.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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