What does colloidal oatmeal do for skin?

What does it do?

Colloidal oatmeal is finely ground oat grain prepared to mix into creams, lotions, and water. The word colloidal gives oat powder a more serious title than its breakfast career prepared it for.1

Oatmeal contains water binding polysaccharides and hydrocolloids that hold moisture against the skin. Its fats also soften dry skin and can improve itch linked to dryness. That softening effect is called emollient action. Oatmeal can also buffer the skin, helping maintain its normal pH.1

Some components in colloidal oatmeal help calm inflammation. Avenanthramides, compounds found in oats, appear to inhibit immune related skin inflammation. Colloidal oatmeal also supports the skin barrier, and research reports reduced staph growth on eczema prone skin. Staph is a common bacterium that can contribute to eczema flare ups.23

These properties make colloidal oatmeal useful for dry, itchy, or irritated skin, including mild rashes, razor burn, and sunburn. It is also used as supportive skin care for conditions such as atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and reactions to insect bites or poison ivy. Oatmeal appears in bath powders, creams, shampoos, and shaving creams, a busy bathroom schedule for one grain.12

What does the evidence show?

A 2012 safety study tested personal care products containing colloidal oatmeal and reported very low irritation and allergy potential. It still recorded low level reactions in 1.0 percent of participants during patch test induction. The study also found that moisturizing effects in dry skin lasted up to two weeks after products were stopped. The authors included several Johnson & Johnson employees, and the results apply to the tested formulas, not every product with oatmeal.3

How do you use it?

For a cream or ointment, rub it into the skin. A dermatologist advises using a leave on product twice daily, but directions differ between products, so follow the label for the formula you have. Colloidal oatmeal is also used in cleansers and bath products, which do not stay on the skin in the same way as a cream.2

1. 1Add the bath product to running lukewarm water, following its label directions.
2. 2Soak for about 15 minutes. For a child with eczema, dermatologists advise a 10 to 15 minute soak.
3. 3Take care getting in and out because colloidal oatmeal can make the bath slippery.
4. 4Gently pat the skin dry, leaving it damp rather than rubbing it fully dry.
5. 5Apply a moisturizer within three minutes of bathing.

In a facial mask, dermatologists list colloidal oatmeal as an ingredient that can soothe irritated skin. Follow the mask label for how long to leave it on, and wash it off if itching, burning, or stinging starts. A mask can add targeted care, but it does not replace regular skin care or treatment for a skin condition.5

Who should be careful?

Avoid colloidal oatmeal if you have an oat allergy. Topical oatmeal has also been linked to allergic contact dermatitis. If your skin is very sensitive or allergy prone, test a small amount on a small area and wait 24 to 48 hours for redness or itch before using it more widely.12

Pregnant and nursing women were excluded from the repeat patch tests in the safety study, so those test results do not answer questions about pregnancy or breastfeeding.3

When is oatmeal not enough?

Colloidal oatmeal can help soothe symptoms, but it may not be enough for moderate or severe skin disease or a bad flare. If it is not helping, talk with a primary care clinician or dermatologist about other options. For eczema, oatmeal baths can offer temporary itch relief, but they are not a substitute for getting the eczema under control.24