Colloidal Oatmeal

An active ingredient produced by boiling finely milled oats. It contains wound healing beta-glucan and is a rich source of soothing and antioxidant avenanthramides, which are aimed at irritated skin.
Antioxidant
Soothing
Other functions
Origin
Colloidal Oatmeal

Overview

Colloidal oatmeal is produced by boiling finely milled oats. This ingredient has been around since 1945 and has proven to be very beneficial for the skin.

Colloidal oatmeal, like most oat derivatives, is rich in avenanthramides, compounds characteristic of oatmeal. These compounds are responsible for the ingredient's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity and also reduce itching in irritated skin.

In fact, colloidal oatmeal is a registered active ingredient for OTCs to treat redness, inflammation, and the like. Due to its content of starches and beta-glucan, it also acts as a skin-protecting ingredient and temporarily shields injured, dry, exposed, and irritated skin, as well as helps in the wound healing process.

Colloidal oatmeal is commonly found in products aimed at treating irritated and eczema-prone skin.

Science

1
Cerio R, Dohil M, Jeanine D, Magina S, Mahé E, Stratigos AJ. Mechanism of action and clinical benefits of colloidal oatmeal for dermatologic practice. J Drugs Dermatol. 2010 Sep;9(9):1116-20. PMID: 20865844.
2
Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J, Chon S, Kaur S, Mahmood K, Kizoulis M, Southall MD. Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin. J Drugs Dermatol. 2015 Jan;14(1):43-8. PMID: 25607907.
3
Kurtz ES, Wallo W. Colloidal oatmeal: history, chemistry and clinical properties. J Drugs Dermatol. 2007 Feb;6(2):167-70. PMID: 17373175.