Colloidal Oatmeal in Skincare: Benefits, Evidence and Safety
Colloidal oatmeal is finely ground oat that is milled so it stays suspended in a liquid, and it is one of the best-studied soothing ingredients in skincare. In the US it is recognised as a skin protectant, and it suits dry, itchy or reactive skin well.
TL;DR
- What it is: oat milled into a fine powder that disperses in water, so it works in creams and baths.
- What it does: soothes, softens and helps skin hold on to moisture.
- Official status: the US FDA issued a skin protectant monograph covering it in June 2003.
- The evidence: a 2016 study found a colloidal oatmeal lotion improved dryness and barrier measures in people with dry skin.
- The catch: oat allergy is rare on skin, but it exists, so patch test.
- Our position: colloidal oatmeal is not in any of our current formulas.
What is colloidal oatmeal?
Colloidal oatmeal is oat that has been ground very fine and processed so it disperses evenly in liquid instead of sinking. The authors of a 2007 review describe it as finely ground oat, boiled to extract its colloidal material.
It has a long history in baths and creams for dry, itchy skin. On a label, look for colloidal oatmeal or Avena sativa (oat) kernel flour.
What does colloidal oatmeal do for skin?
Oats contain starches, beta-glucan, phenols and saponins, and each does something different. Starches and beta-glucan help protect skin and hold water.
Phenols give antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Saponins help with gentle cleansing.
That mix is why it is described as a soothing, protective ingredient. It is a skin comforter more than a skin changer.
Is colloidal oatmeal approved as a skin protectant?
In the US, yes. The FDA's over-the-counter monograph for skin protectant drug products, finalised in June 2003, covers colloidal oatmeal.
That is a US drug classification, so it does not apply to a cosmetic made and sold in Australia. It is still a useful signal of how long and how widely the ingredient has been used.
What does the research say about colloidal oatmeal?
A 2016 study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology tested colloidal oatmeal extracts in lab models and in 50 women with moderate to severe dry skin on the lower legs. The lotion improved dryness, moisturisation and barrier function.
The study came from Johnson and Johnson researchers, and it tested a specific lotion, so it does not prove every oat product works the same way.
Is colloidal oatmeal safe for sensitive skin?
It has a good record. A 2012 review of personal care products containing colloidal oatmeal reported very low irritant and allergenic potential. Low-level reactions occurred in 1.0% of subjects during patch test induction.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review also assessed oat-derived ingredients in 2019 and found all but one safe in cosmetics when formulated to be nonsensitizing.
Can you be allergic to oats on your skin?
It is uncommon, but not impossible. If you react to oats you eat, treat skin products with the same caution.
Our guide to patch testing skincare properly shows how to test a new product at home.
Does colloidal oatmeal treat eczema?
It is used as a comfort ingredient for dry, eczema-prone skin, but it is not a treatment. The 2012 review reports use as an adjunct and gives no efficacy results for eczema itself.
If you have eczema or a rash that is not settling, see your GP. A soothing cream is a supporting player, not a substitute for care.
How do you use colloidal oatmeal?
You will find it in moisturisers, cleansers and bath soaks. In a bath, use a product made for it and keep the water warm instead of hot.
After washing, apply moisturiser while skin is still slightly damp. That helps lock in the water.
What pairs well with colloidal oatmeal?
It sits well alongside other gentle, comforting ingredients such as allantoin and panthenol. Beta glucan is another, and oats contain it too.
Safety and typical concentration range
The CIR's 2019 conclusion for Avena sativa (oat)-derived ingredients applies when formulated to be nonsensitizing. The panel advised formulators to watch for shared constituents across botanicals.
The US monograph sets its own requirements for skin protectant products. Cosmetic use levels vary by product.
Do we use colloidal oatmeal at Dope Skin Co?
No. Colloidal oatmeal is not in any of our current formulas. We lean on other comforting ingredients, including allantoin and panthenol, in products made in small batches in Sydney.
If your skin reacts easily, the skincare quiz helps you find a gentle routine.
FAQ
Is colloidal oatmeal the same as oat flour?
Not quite. Colloidal oatmeal is milled finer and processed to disperse in liquid.
Can colloidal oatmeal help with itchy skin?
It has a long history of use for itch, but the 2016 study above did not measure itch. Treat it as a comfort ingredient.
Is colloidal oatmeal gluten free?
Oats can be contaminated with gluten during processing. If you have coeliac disease, check the product's own labelling.
Can I use colloidal oatmeal on my face?
Many facial moisturisers contain it. Patch test first.
Related ingredients
Sources
- Kurtz ES, Wallo W. Colloidal Oatmeal: History, Chemistry and Clinical Properties. J Drugs Dermatol, 2007;6(2)
- Ilnytska O et al. Colloidal Oatmeal (Avena sativa) Improves Skin Barrier Through Multi-Therapy Activity. J Drugs Dermatol, 2016;15(6):684-690
- Criquet M et al. Safety and efficacy of personal care products containing colloidal oatmeal. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol, 2012;5:183-193
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review: Safety Assessment of Avena sativa (Oat)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol, 2019;38(3_suppl)
