Why Sensitive Skin Loves Colloidal Oatmeal

Oats have been used in skincare for decades. 

Boasting some pretty impressive skin-soothing properties, it’s become practically synonymous with sensitive skincare. (Ahem its creamy shade was even the inspiration behind the yellow-cream colourway we gave our sensitive skin collection.)

You might have noticed that the most famous form of oats in skincare—colloidal oatmeal—is playing a starring role in our sensitive skin-safe cleanser, Mellow Milk. 

So how does this comforting breakfast provide such a comforting addition to your skincare? We’re so glad you asked. 

What Is Colloidal Oatmeal

Essentially, colloidal oatmeal is an extremely finely ground version of the superfood: oats. The word “colloidal” refers to the tiny particle size, which allows the oats to disperse in water, and offer a slew of benefits to the skin. 

Naturally rich in lipids, proteins, and vitamins, colloidal oatmeal boasts mega moisturising properties as well as write-home-about-level soothing effects. It’s for this reason that oatmeal has been used on the skin for thousands of years, with some of the earliest books of medicine recommending oats as a skin remedy.

In recent times, it’s become a common treatment to relieve the symptoms of major skin issues like eczema and dermatitis.

How Does Colloidal Oatmeal Work

With a unique composition, colloidal oatmeal has earned a reputation as a total showoff in our skincare, working to gently cleanse, restore, and soothe the skin. 

It does all this courtesy of its:

1. Beta-glucan: A humectant present in colloidal oatmeal that forms a moisture-binding, protective film layer on the skin to help improve skin hydration and calm irritation.

2. Lipids: Just like our skin barrier, colloidal oatmeal is made up of lipids. The triglycerides, phospholipids and essential fatty acids help restore and support barrier function for comfortable, calm skin.

3. Avenanthramides: Found only in oats, this component offers strong anti-inflammatory and soothing effects that help reduce visible redness and irritation.

4. Saponins: Naturally occurring cleansing compounds that gently lift away dirt and impurities without stripping the skin.

Why Is Colloidal Oatmeal Good For Sensitive Skin?

Sensitive skin is often linked to a compromised skin barrier, meaning it loses moisture more readily and allows potential irritants to penetrate more easily. This can contribute to dryness, tightness, stinging, itching, and visible redness.

Colloidal oatmeal helps tackle several parts of this cycle at once. Its beta-glucan binds water and forms a protective film to limit moisture loss, while its lipids help replenish and support the skin barrier. Avenanthramides step in to soothe inflammatory responses that can make skin feel itchy, irritated, or generally furious.

TLDR: Colloidal oatmeal helps create a more hydrated, supported, and comfortable skin environment. Nice!

What Are The Benefits Of Colloidal Oatmeal

Colloidal oatmeal has amassed a whole bunch of benefits throughout its long tenure in sensitive skincare. But let’s talk clinicals—the actual proven benefits that come from the specific type of colloidal oatmeal we’ve included in our skincare. 

This ingredient is clinically proven* to:

• improve skin hydration

• impart soothing benefits to the skin

• reduce transepidermal water loss of irritated skin

• improve the skin barrier of irritated skin

• reduce skin redness of irritated skin

What Makes A Delicious Bowl Of Oatmeal?

Blueberries, peanut butter, and a hefty amount of cinnamon. No question.

*Clinically tested on 15 volunteers, using a product containing 2% Oat COM USP for 5 days after being irritated with sodium laureth sulfate.