Backstory
As a young girl, my skin would often become dry and irritated during the winter months. I have vivid memories of my mother placing me in an oatmeal bath at night to help soothe my dry, irritated skin. As a child, I did not question why an oatmeal bath was necessary, but I always knew that it helped.
The History of Oats
The use of oatmeal to ease dry and irritated skin has been around for centuries. Dating to 2000 B.C., oats were used for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Scientific studies on colloidal oats began in the 1930s. In the 1940’s, they incorporated oats into over-the-counter products. In 2003, the FDA approved colloidal oatmeal as an effective skin protectant drug. They recognized oat’s ability to help and alleviate dry skin conditions.
What are Colloidal Oats?
Colloidal oatmeal is a powder that results from the grinding and milling of whole oat grain. Grinding of oats into tiny sizes (< 150 micrometers) is beneficial to allow the oats to deposit on the skin. This forms an occlusive barrier further locking moisture into the skin.
Colloidal oatmeal consists of amino acids, proteins, sugar, lipids, and fiber. It also contains beneficial phytochemicals and phenolics. These include polysaccharides (beta-glucans), avenanthramides, saponins, tocopherols (Vitamin E), and other protective compounds. These improve water binding, UV absorption, prevention of oxidative stress, aging and irritation. Colloidal oats also contain ferulic acid which helps with oxidative stress and aging.
The Science Behind Oats
Scientists have discovered that colloidal oats have anti-inflammatory and anti-histaminic mechanisms.
- Protects skin barrier: Colloidal oats have the ability to lock in moisture. This occurs at the stratum corneum skin layer. By doing so, it prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin dehydration. Polysaccharides (beta glucans) have strong water “holding” properties. This also prevents water loss from the skin. Transepidermal water loss can cause dehydration and weaken the skin barrier.
- Anti-inflammatory: Colloidal oats reduce inflammation by diminishing cytokine release. Pro-inflammatory cytokines can cause damage to the skin. They disrupt and weaken the skin barrier by recruiting immune cells. This results in damage, redness, inflammation and irritation of the skin. By preventing cytokine release, oats reduce the inflammation and damage that can potentiate.
- Anti-pruritic: Avenanthramides are a group of phenolic compounds found in colloidal oats. They help to break the itch cycle and soothe irritated skin.
- Anti-oxidant effect: Avenathramides also contibute to inhibition of inflammation. Specifically, they inhibit nuclear factor kappa B-alpha and TNF- alpha in skin cells. Both are pro-inflammatory cytokines.
What I’ve Noticed When Using Colloidal Oats
Since I have started using products with colloidal oats, my skin is softer, less dry and irritated. During this dry winter season, I have not had cracks in my skin on the sides of my nails or fingertips, the way I had in the past.
Studies have shown that using at least 1 % colloidal oats has protective benefits for the skin. In my hand and foot salve, I use 3 % colloidal oats along with the butters, oils and botanical extracts. I use oat oil in my cuticle oil Tea Tree & Orange pen. I use oat oil in my night face cream, dry foam face wash, and both colloidal oats and oat oil in my oat lotion. As one can tell, I love colloidal oats.
An Important Note
Colloidal oats have been shown to be most helpful for mild to moderate dry skin conditions. They may not work as well for severe dry and irritated skin. As always, it is important to speak with your physician about any medical ailments.
This post is not medical advice but a firsthand account on how colloidal oats have benefitted my skin.
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