Key takeaways

  • Colloidal oatmeal may help soothe irritated skin because it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Its starches and beta-glucan also help hold in water for moisture.
  • Colloidal oatmeal forms a protective barrier that helps prevent excess water loss. It may also support normal skin pH, slow histamine release, and cleanse skin with saponins.
  • Oatmeal baths are generally safe, but allergic reactions can happen, including rare anaphylaxis. Use warm water, soak 15 minutes, moisturize after, and ask a doctor before using for babies.

Oatmeal contains compounds that have anti-inflammatory and moisture-retaining properties.

You can purchase ready-made oatmeal baths or read on to learn how to make your own and enjoy the skin-soothing benefits of oatmeal.

This article also explores the benefits of oatmeal for the skin, the products that utilize oatmeal, and more.

Colloidal oatmeal is the oatmeal preparation that’s common in lotions, and some people use it for oatmeal baths. This is oatmeal that’s been finely ground or chopped and suspended in liquid.

Colloidal oatmeal has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This is thanks in large part to the presence of compounds such as vitamin E.

Colloidal oatmeal contains starches and beta-glucan. These are naturally present in oats. They help to hold in water, which enhances the moisturizing abilities of oats.

Colloidal oatmeal also contains water-binding polysaccharides, which are a form of sugar, as well as compounds called hydrocolloids. These compounds also create a protective barrier to keep the skin from losing excess water.

Other benefits of colloidal oatmeal include:

  • acting as a buffering agent, which helps skin maintain a normal pH
  • reducing the rate of histamine release in mast cells, which are present in allergic skin reactions
  • cleansing the skin, thanks to the presence of saponins that have soap-like activity

What products use oatmeal?

A variety of oatmeal products are available to moisturize, cleanse, and protect the skin. Examples of these products include:

  • bath products
  • face masks
  • face scrubs
  • face washes
  • lotion
  • moisturizers
  • shaving gels
  • skin scrubs

Many of these products are advertised for those with irritated or problem skin, such as those with eczema. If you are unsure about the suitability of oatmeal products for your condition, it is best to speak with a healthcare professional for advice.

People use oatmeal to treat a variety of skin conditions, including:

In addition, cosmetics manufacturers add colloidal oatmeal to shampoos and shaving gels to provide a skin-soothing treatment. These products are usually available without a prescription and are available for purchase at most grocery stores, pharmacies, and online retailers.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved colloidal oatmeal as being generally safe. However, it’s still possible that a person could experience an allergic reaction to the components of oatmeal.

An allergic reaction to oatmeal would cause symptoms such as itching, swelling, and redness or discoloration. If this occurs, wash your skin with soap and water and discontinue using oatmeal-containing products.

Oatmeal baths may also be safe for children and babies. However, it is important to speak with a doctor first, particularly if the child is under 6 months.

Anaphylaxis is a severe reaction to a trigger, such as an allergy, and is potentially life threatening.

Symptoms can develop quickly and include:

  • feeling faint or lightheaded
  • difficulty breathing or wheezing
  • rapid heartbeat
  • confusion
  • anxiety
  • clammy skin
  • collapsing or losing consciousness
  • hives
  • swelling
  • stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting

If you or someone nearby develops these symptoms, you should:

  1. Check to see whether they have an epinephrine pen. If they do, read and follow the instructions to dispense the medication.
  2. Dial 911 (or a local emergency number).
  3. Lay them down. If they have vomited, lay them on their side.
  4. Stay with them until emergency services arrive.

It is possible for someone to need more than one injection with an epinephrine pen. If symptoms do not begin to clear after 5 minutes, give a second injection if one is available.

While you can purchase colloidal oatmeal for baths at a store, you can also make your own at home. Use the following steps to create this skin-soothing bath.

  1. Purchase rolled oats. You can find these at most grocery stores or health food markets. The oats should be free of flavorings, chemicals, sugars, and salts.
  2. Grind the oats into a fine powder using a coffee grinder, blender, or food processor. You’ll know when you’ve ground the oats finely enough when a tablespoon of oats dissolves easily in hot water.
  3. Draw your bath with warm (but not hot) water. Start by adding a half-cup of oats to the bath. You can add up to 1.5 cups to the tub for soaking.
  4. Some people put the oats into a pantyhose leg tied at the top, which can make the bath less messy after a soak.
  5. Limit bathing time to 15 minutes to avoid moisture loss.
  6. Pat skin dry with a towel and apply moisturizer after getting out of the bath.

Avoid scrubbing your skin, which can further irritate it.

Oatmeal baths are a soothing remedy that can help treat a variety of skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema. It can help moisturize the skin and reduce inflammation.

While oatmeal baths can be soothing to the skin, they aren’t a treatment for all skin conditions. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional for advice on whether they recommend oatmeal baths or other treatments for your specific symptoms. They can also advise on the suitability of colloidal oatmeal for young children.