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By now you’ve probably seen oatmeal or oat milk cleansers, scrubs, balms, and creams everywhere. And you might be wondering…
What in the world is breakfast cereal doing in my skincare?
Don’t worry, your colloidal oatmeal skin benefits aren’t coming from a box of Quaker.
This article is going to uncover exactly why so many of us are sneaking oats into our baths and other skin-loving items.
What is Colloidal Oatmeal?
Colloidal oatmeal skin benefits are the result of proteins, fats, and other nutrients like phenols and Vitamin E are extracted from finely ground oats. Colloidal oatmeal works like an emollient and can treat a variety of skin ailments by addressing dryness, irritation, inflammation, and discomfort while creating a protective barrier and significantly improving skin’s moisture.
When added to skincare products, colloidal oatmeal is enhanced and suitable as a preventative measure to slow signs of aging, treat skin conditions, and defeat chronic dryness.
Here are 7 colloidal oatmeal skin benefits and exactly how this overlooked ingredient can dramatically heal and improve your skin.
7 Colloidal Oatmeal Skin Benefits
More Moisture, Please!
If your daily dose of conventional skin cream or lotion isn’t cutting it, look for hydration options that include colloidal oatmeal skin benefits. Rich in lipids, protein, and emollient properties, leave thirsty skin quenched and silky smooth. By creating a velvety film over the dermis, colloidal oatmeal also prevents moisture loss.
Additionally, the emollient factors found in colloidal oatmeal skin benefits can help restore moisture damage due to excessive washing, chemical damage from drying products (especially cosmetics with alcohols in them), and seasonal dryness that comes with cold weather.
Natural Anti-Itch Ingredient
Oatmeal baths have been used for centuries to treat skin ailments resulting in severe itch.
If you’ve suffered from irritation or itch, you may have reached for an anti-itch cream with some gnarly ingredients. A common one is paraffin, an emollient found in a majority of generic creams and lotions. Paraffin is a toxic carcinogen and it’s even flammable.
Colloidal oatmeal is significantly more effective a treating itch and rash than paraffin-containing products but is bioavailable and completely safe. There are zero risks when using colloidal oatmeal for itch relief. The molecular distinction of the anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effects on the skin are found in Avenanthramides (Avena sativa), a compound found in oats.
Deep Cleanser
Colloidal oatmeal-owing to their high saponin content makes for a deep clean. You could even put it up against clogged pores and makeup. Saponins are an antioxidant that has extracting powers. It’s the ingredient in Witch Hazel that gives it it’s cleansing properties. Saponin is also taken orally in the event of poisoning because it will extract the toxin out of the bloodstream. What cleansers have a preceding reputation like that!?
Gentle Exfoliant
The most functional properties that make colloidal oatmeal an ideal exfoliant are its ability to moisturize, buff, extract, and cleanse the skin. It is not recommended that whole oats be used as a physical exfoliant on the face. Your skin is too thin and sensitive to many areas of the face. However, the arms, elbow, legs, and feet can withstand and greatly benefit from this form of exfoliating.
Fortunately, colloidal oatmeal comes from extracting the compounds (all the healing goodies) from the oats to be safely and gently applied as a natural chemical exfoliant. Move over papaya extract, colloidal oatmeal gently pulls out dirt and oil found in clogged pores, removes dead skin cells, and improves cellular turnover.
Anti-Aging + Skin Protectant
Some evidence has demonstrated that the saponin compounds found in colloidal oatmeal can absorb some of the damaging effects of UVA rays. While it’s not enough to replace your SPF, it is a reccommended added layer of protection especially if you find yourself in the sun a lot.
The emollient properties and high concentration of antioxidants resulted in the FDA recognizing and approving colloidal oatmeal as a skin protectant.
Improves Complexion
The natural response to your skin receives all of the colloidal oatmeal skin benefits is that your complexion improves significantly. Dark spotting, excessive oil, and redness are all expected to diminish over time. Dullness and dryness tend to be the first thing to go, leaving a brighter, cleaner, clearer, and even complexion.
Safe For All Skin
Unless you have s rare and specific allergy to oatmeal, colloidal oatmeal skin benefits are gentle, effective, and safe for all skin types. The overwhelming anti-inflammatory side effects of colloidal oatmeal make it significantly less likely to cause any irritation, redness, or derogatory response from the skin.
Shop The Benefits
Feeling like you need to experience these delicious colloidal oatmeal skin benefits? Here are some of my favorite products containing the star ingredient.
Bathorium Ancient Oat Hydration Crush
Soothe, soak, and hydrate with this luscious bath soak made with ground oats, vanilla, rice milk, and lemongrass.
Naturopathica Oat Cleansing Facial Polish
Tone polish and restore your face with an oat cleanser/exfoliant. This formula gently removes impurities to give your skin a fresh start.
Does your skin need an extra pick-me-up? This ultra-hydrating oat serum soothes and calms skin for hours banishing redness, inflammation, and skin stressors.
BYBI Beauty Milk Melt Vegan Oat Cleanser
Vegan coconut yogurt and oat milk make a harmonious blend to restore balance to your skin. Calm and enrich skin with this formula packed with colloidal oatmeal skin benefits and added Vitamin E.
WLDKAT Saffron + Oat Milk Glow Serum
Soak up this oat milk, hyaluronic acid, and saffron serum to brighten, hydrate, and heal the skin. This ultra-lightweight formula brings your skin back to life.
Colloidal Oatmeal For Any Stage Your Skin is In
So you see, it’s not the breakfast cereal your grandma forced you to eat after all! Oatmeal is all grown up, glammed out, and the perfect way to protect and nurture your skin. Colloidal oatmeal skin benefits will improve your skin through all of its many phases.
Whether you suffer from a cystic flair up, are beginning to see early signs of wrinkles and fine lines, or have sun damage–colloidal oatmeal is the overlooked ingredient that will help calm and soothe your skin.
Know of any unsuspecting natural ingredients that took care of your skin woes!? Help a sister out in the comments? I may just feature in my next post 😉
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