🌾Oats in skincare
Not so Glorious Oats
In celebration of National Oatmeal Month, we decided to highlight some of the skincare benefits of this much loved breakfast cereal.
Although often outshined by crops like wheat or the very trendy quinoa, we think this humble grain deserves a closer look 🔎.
Oats in skincare
Earliest records indicate the use of oats in skincare as far back as 2000 BC, in Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula.
Usually incorporated in less-than cosmetically elegant soaks and poultices.
Unsurprisingly, these preparations were used to treat skin irritations, most likely what is known as as eczema today.
A modern appreciation
The use of oats in skincare became more sophisticated with the development of colloidal oats in 1945. This finely grounded powder form was most likely inspired after the release of literature from the previous decade. New literature in the 1930s shined a light on the ingredients ability to relieve itching and as a skin protectant.
However, it wasn’t until the 1980s that the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-itch and anti-irritant characteristics of the Avenanthramides compounds within colloidal oatmeal were better understood.
The New Skincare Must-Have
From humble porridge to skincare industry darling. In 2020 alone, oat-derived ingredients featured in more than 20% of global beauty and personal care launches 🤯
With the cat out of the bag on the many skin benefits oats can offer, we don’t see this skin-loving ingredient going anywhere soon.
Which skin type would benefit from Oatmeal?
Oatmeal can be used by all skin types. However, it can be particularly beneficial to those with skin experiencing dryness, itching, irritation or prone to skin-rashes or eczema.
Benefits of oats in skincare:
Moisturising: With a high amount of polysaccharides, oat extract can help the skin retain water and hydration.
Soothing: Oat extract contains a potent antioxidant, avenanthramides. Besides antioxidant abilities, avenanthramides can act as anti-irritant.
Reparative: Besides oat kernel oil having a high lipid content, they are also rich in ceramides. Ceramides are an integral element of our skin’s barrier. Applying an oil like oat oil can help restore and strengthen the skin’s natural defence barrier.
How to look for oatmeal in your skincare?
Look for the following on your products ingredient’s list:
· Avena sativa
· Avena sativa kernel extract
· Oat extract
· Oat essence
· Avena sativa kernel oil
· Oat oil
· Colloidal oatmeal
