What exactly is colloidal oatmeal?
Colloidal oatmeal may sound complicated, but it starts with something very familiar: oats.
What makes it different is the way the oat is processed for use on the skin. Colloidal oatmeal is made from finely ground oat material and has been used in dermatological preparations ranging from bath powders to moisturising creams.
But what makes oats interesting for skincare isn't simply that they're “natural”. It's what they contain.
Research has identified naturally occurring components in oats including starches, beta-glucans, lipids, proteins, saponins and phenolic compounds. These different components contribute to the properties associated with colloidal oatmeal in skincare.
What does the research say about skin hydration?
One of the most studied properties of colloidal oatmeal is its ability to support moisture retention.
A scientific review published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology reported that the high concentration of starches and beta-glucan in oats contributes to their water-holding and protective functions.
Clinical studies involving skincare formulations containing colloidal oatmeal have also reported improvements in skin hydration and measures associated with skin-barrier function.
For example, a randomized controlled study involving people with very dry skin found that both moisturising products tested, including a colloidal oatmeal-containing cream, significantly increased skin hydration during treatment and reduced transepidermal water loss.
It is important to understand the distinction: these studies investigated specific skincare formulations. They should not be interpreted as clinical testing of every product containing colloidal oatmeal.
What about the skin barrier?
The skin barrier is the body's outer protective layer. One of its important functions is helping to retain moisture while protecting the skin from the external environment.
Research involving topical colloidal oatmeal formulations has reported improvements in measures associated with skin-barrier function.
A randomized controlled clinical study comparing an active colloidal oatmeal moisturiser with its vehicle found significant benefits in several measures of skin dryness.
Another clinical study published in 2020 compared a cream containing 1% colloidal oatmeal with a standard moisturiser in people with mild to moderate eczema. The researchers reported improvements in skin hydration and skin-barrier measures with the colloidal oatmeal formulation.
Again, these findings relate to the particular formulations studied rather than to Sanski Colloidal Oatmeal Bath Soak itself.
Oats contain something called avenanthramides
Here's where the science becomes particularly interesting.
Oats contain naturally occurring phenolic compounds called avenanthramides.
Laboratory and animal research published in Archives of Dermatological Research found that avenanthramides demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity through biological pathways involved in inflammatory responses.
Another study examining extracts of colloidal oatmeal found antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory testing. The researchers also conducted a small clinical study involving 29 women with dry, itchy skin who used a colloidal oatmeal skin-protectant lotion. Improvements were reported in dryness, scaling, roughness and itch intensity.
These findings help researchers understand why oats have such a long history of topical use, although research on an extract or finished lotion should not automatically be applied to every colloidal oatmeal product.
Is colloidal oatmeal just regular oatmeal ground into powder?
Not quite.
Both originate from oats, but colloidal oatmeal used for topical applications is processed specifically for use on the skin.
So putting breakfast oats into a blender at home isn't necessarily equivalent to using properly processed colloidal oatmeal intended for skincare.
Why use colloidal oatmeal in a bath?
Bath preparations are one of the established ways colloidal oatmeal has been used topically.
When properly processed colloidal oatmeal is dispersed through bath water, it can come into contact with a large area of the body at once.
For people who prefer a simple skincare routine, an oatmeal bath can therefore be an uncomplicated way to incorporate colloidal oatmeal into bath time.
Use comfortably warm rather than very hot water and avoid aggressive scrubbing. After bathing, gently pat the skin dry.
Sometimes skincare can be simple
There is a tendency for skincare to become increasingly complicated.
More ingredients. More steps. More products.
We don't believe complexity should be the goal.
Sanski Colloidal Oatmeal Bath Soak contains one ingredient: 100% certified organic, gluten-free colloidal oatmeal.
Nothing unnecessary added.
A simple bath time ritual designed for children and adults with sensitive skin.
References & Further Reading
- Kurtz ES, Wallo W. (2007). Colloidal oatmeal: history, chemistry and clinical properties. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
View study on PubMed - Sur R, et al. (2008). Avenanthramides, polyphenols from oats, exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-itch activity. Archives of Dermatological Research.
View study on PubMed - Reynertson KA, et al. (2015). Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
View study on PubMed - Kalaaji AN, Wallo W. (2014). A randomized controlled clinical study to evaluate the effectiveness of an active moisturizing lotion with colloidal oatmeal skin protectant versus its vehicle for the relief of xerosis. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
View study on PubMed - Capone K, et al. (2020). Effects of Colloidal Oatmeal Topical Atopic Dermatitis Cream on Skin Microbiome and Skin Barrier Properties. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
View study on PubMed