Ingredient Spotlight: Oatmeal | From Weed to Beauty Industry Standard

We are passionate about using high-quality, natural, plant-based ingredients in our products, while also being mindful of our environmental impact. One ingredient that we love is oatmeal! Oatmeal is fantastic for skincare because it can soothe, soften, and moisturize the skin.

Oats were once considered a weed, but clever farmers in the UK discovered how to grow them for porridge. Now, oats are grown all over the world!

Oats for use in skincare are often processed into a very fine powder called colloidal oatmeal. The term "colloidal" means that the fine particles are mixed into another substance but do not settle or separate. Colloidal oatmeal can be used to help treat rashes, burns, and dry, rough, scaly or itchy skin. 

Oatmeal contains fats, proteins, skin-benefiting nutrients and antioxidants. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, due to its effect on cells in the immune system. Colloidal oatmeal improves skin health in several ways, acting as a skin protectant and offering multiple benefits.

Skin Barrier Improvement:

• Research suggests that colloidal oatmeal can significantly improve the health and strength of the skin barrier. 
• It helps to restore and maintain the skin barrier.

Soothing and Moisturizing:

• Colloidal oatmeal is an emollient, meaning it softens and soothes the skin.
• It helps to ease dryness, scaling, roughness, and itchiness.
• Colloidal oatmeal helps the skin retain moisture.
• It can moisturize and reduce inflammation, making it a remedy for dry, itchy, or irritated skin.

Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects:

• Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties due to its effect on cells in the immune system called cytokines. 
• The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of colloidal oatmeal come from plant chemicals called avenanthramides that it contains. 
• It can help reduce redness and blotchiness by alleviating skin irritation.

Colloidal oatmeal is considered safe, with a low risk of irritation or allergic reaction. It is safe in multiple forms, and rarely irritating, even to people with sensitive skin. However, if you have a food allergy to oats, you may react with a rash to skincare products containing colloidal oatmeal.

At Sebesta Apothecary, we utilize the power of oatmeal in our Face Wash Soap - Oatmeal. Our customers love this soap, especially those with eczema. This soap is gentle, yet effective in calming irritation and hydrating the skin. It is an excellent option for daily use on the face.

We are proud to offer products that are good for your skin and good for the planet!