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Colloidal Oatmeal For Skin: Benefits, Uses, And Tips
02/14/20228 min read
Oatmeal is more than a popular breakfast food; it also provides amazing benefits for your skin. But not just any oatmeal will do. When it comes to caring for your skin, colloidal oatmeal is the best choice.
This simple yet powerful ingredient can moisturize, relieve itch and irritation, and gently exfoliate.
Because of its ultra-soothing properties, colloidal oatmeal is a favorite ingredient here at Bodewell. Keep reading to learn more about the popular benefits of colloidal oatmeal, how to use it, and why we love it.
Table Of Contents
- What Is Colloidal Oatmeal?
- Benefits Of Colloidal Oatmeal
- How To Use Colloidal Oatmeal
- Other Helpful Tips
What Is Colloidal Oatmeal?
Colloidal oatmeal sounds like something you'd find in a science lab, but you can easily prepare it in your kitchen by turning oatmeal and water into a colloid.
Simply put, a colloid is a mixture in which tiny particles of one substance are distributed evenly in another substance. For example, in colloidal oatmeal, the two substances are oats and water (or another liquid).
To make colloidal oatmeal, grind old-fashioned rolled oats into a fine powder with your food processor or blender. Then, mix the powder with a liquid of your choice until it forms a thick paste.
While you can make this mixture at home, you can also find skincare products that contain colloidal oatmeal. Just be sure to choose products that are formulated with the best ingredients possible.
At Bodewell, we use only the highest grade colloidal oatmeal to ensure that every one of our products is of the best quality. We focus on making gentle yet effective skincare solutions.
Benefits Of Colloidal Oatmeal
1) Exfoliates Your Skin
Although oats are finely ground to make colloidal oatmeal, the resulting paste is still a bit gritty. The “grit” of the oatmeal particles gently exfoliates your skin, removing dead skin cells and other impurities. This leaves your skin softer, smoother, and brighter.
2) Locks In Moisture
The oats in colloidal oatmeal are a good source of soluble fiber, which means they can absorb water. When that happens, the oats form a film on your skin that helps lock in moisture, which is especially beneficial if you have dry skin.
3) Soothes Itchy Skin
The cellulose and fiber found in colloidal oatmeal help reduce irritation and calm itchy skin. That's why doctors have been prescribing oatmeal baths to patients with chickenpox and eczema for years.
4) Cleans Your Skin
Colloidal oatmeal is also a great way to clean your skin. The same gritty particles we mentioned earlier that exfoliate your skin also remove dirt and oil from your pores.
In addition, oatmeal contains saponins, natural surfactants with soap-like properties. Saponins help keep your skin looking clear and healthy.
5) Helps Reduce Inflammation
Oats contain compounds called avenanthramides, which have anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds are thought to help reduce the signs of inflammation. This can be beneficial if you have a skin condition such as eczema.
6) Relieves Symptoms Associated With Eczema And Other Skin Conditions
Colloidal oatmeal’s anti-irritation and moisturizing properties make it a great choice for people with eczema. It can soothe irritated skin, reduce dryness, and relieve itching.
This is why colloidal oatmeal is the star of our Eczema Daily Calming Cream. Our unique formula with 22 clinical-grade botanical ingredients helps promote healthy, clearer-looking skin. And it’s gentle enough to use all over your body.
How To Use Colloidal Oatmeal
Now that you know all of the amazing benefits of colloidal oatmeal, let's take a look at how to use it in your skincare routine.
1) To Soothe Irritated Or Eczema-Prone Skin
Because colloidal oatmeal is such an effective ingredient when it comes to relieving general skin discomfort, it’s an ideal solution for those who experience skin irritation or symptoms associated with eczema.
To soothe irritation on eczema-prone skin, simply apply colloidal oatmeal directly to any sensitive, rashy, or itchy areas.
If you’d rather take advantage of a convenient cream that contains colloidal oatmeal, consider using our Eczema Daily Calming Cream to relieve eczema itch and irritation and improve the appearance of your skin over time.
2) As A Face Mask
If you’re looking for a face mask that will leave your skin feeling luxurious, you’ve got to try a colloidal oatmeal face mask!
To create this heavenly blend, mix three tablespoons of colloidal oatmeal with a teaspoon of honey. Then, stir in a teaspoon of white vinegar and enough water to make it the consistency you like.
When your mixture is ready, use your hands or a brush to apply it to your face, avoiding your eyes and lips. Once it’s on, let it sit for 10-15 minutes while you relax. Then, rinse it off with warm water and say “hello” to smoother skin!
3) To Exfoliate
With its exfoliating properties, colloidal oatmeal makes a great scrub. To create one of your own, mix one tablespoon of oatmeal and water with one tablespoon of sugar.
Gently scrub your face with the mixture, using a circular motion. When you’ve done this all over your face, rinse the oatmeal off with warm water. Your face should feel soft and refreshed.
4) In Your Bath
An oatmeal bath is so refreshing, especially if you’re feeling itchy.
For a relaxing soak, pour one cup of colloidal oatmeal into a bathtub of warm water. Stay in the tub for 10-15 minutes while the oats work their magic on your skin. Then, rinse thoroughly.
If you have dry, cracked feet, you can also create a quick foot soak. Simply mix two tablespoons of your prepared colloid with a basin of warm water and set it on the ground. Slip your feet inside and let them soak for a few minutes before rinsing them off.
5) As A Moisturizer
If your skin is feeling dry, colloidal oatmeal can help. You don’t need to add anything to it, so it’s a quick addition to your skincare routine.
To utilize its moisturizing properties, apply a thin layer to your skin and let it dry. Once dried, the oats help seal in moisture so your skin stays hydrated all day long.
You can do this before you go to bed or in the morning before putting on your makeup.
6) For Relief After Sun Exposure
If you've been sunbathing for too long and find your skin feeling hot, red, and sore, colloidal oatmeal is your new best friend. Simply apply a thin layer over the impacted area and let it soak in.
The mixture’s soothing properties can relieve inflammation and irritation, while the high antioxidant levels in oatmeal can reduce the damage that UV rays have done to your skin.
Other Helpful Tips
Use Colloidal Oatmeal For Your Whole Family
Because of its gentle and soothing properties, colloidal oatmeal is perfect for the whole family — from babies to adults, and even those with skin conditions like eczema.
You’ll want to keep this powerhouse skin solution on hand at all times!
Start Slowly
It's important to pay attention to how your body reacts to new products, even natural ones. The key is to start slowly. Try a test patch on a small area of your skin by applying a small amount of colloidal oatmeal and waiting 10-15 minutes.
Look for signs of an allergic reaction, such as bumps or redness. If you notice anything unusual, talk to a doctor before incorporating colloidal oatmeal into your skincare routine. If everything is fine, go ahead and apply the mixture where it’s needed.
Since colloidal oatmeal is non-irritating, most people can use it on their skin regularly without any side effects. In fact, if you suffer from dry, itchy skin (and don’t experience any reactions after your test patch), you can safely apply colloidal oatmeal every day for maximum relief.
Colloidal Oatmeal: A Gentle Powerhouse
With its many uses and benefits, colloidal oatmeal is a gentle powerhouse. Whether you use it on your face, in your bath, or to find relief after too much time in the sun, your skin will thank you!
No matter what comes your way, colloidal oatmeal can bring relief to your whole family.
If you’re ready to give your skin some much-needed love, try our Eczema Daily Calming Cream. With a blend of good-for-you colloidal oatmeal and 22 botanical ingredients, our calming cream gives you more good skin days so you can live your life without worrying about eczema.
To discover more about our carefully curated ingredients, including colloidal oatmeal, visit bodewellskin.com.
