TOP 5 COLLOIDAL OATMEAL BENEFITS AND USES: BATHS, ECZEMA, SOAPS AND LOTIONS

Colloidal oatmeal's growing popularity in skin care is no surprise. Here is your complete guide to getting the most out of it right at home.

There aren't many things more annoying than having itchy skin and not being able to do anything about it. No one wants to have to slather chemical filled creams and soaps on themselves to stop the scratching, but what's a person to do?

Enter colloidal oatmeal. It has been used for thousands of years to relieve itchy, damaged skin and is very simple to prepare. Read on for at-home methods of unlocking the heal powers of oatmeal.

What is Colloidal Oatmeal?



Colloidal oatmeal is a form of oats used in skincare products produced by finely grinding oats and boiling them, making it into a colloid (and giving it its name).

A colloid is a solution of tiny particles suspended in a liquid like water, gel or cream. Without grinding down the oats they would just sink to the bottom of the liquid, instead of remaining evenly dispersed and completely mixed. This how the magic is achieved, it lets your skin actually absorb and use all its benefits.

The only difference between regular oatmeal and colloidal is one is kept whole and eaten as breakfast, the other is milled and used as a skin treatment.

Colloidal Oatmeal Benefits



When talking benefits, we have to point out that oats are rich in beta-glucans, which can reduce skin inflammation and even stimulate collagen production. It was also proven that this magic grain has anti-aging and reparative properties which can be used on all skin types.

Studies have shown that it binds to the skin and creates a protective barrier against irritants while also providing additional nutrients. The protective layer created by the oatmeal helps retain the skin's natural moisture. Oats are able to absorb water and bind it to the skin.

In addition to these calming effects, this ingredient also acts as a gentle exfoliator for skin, excellent for removing dead cells.

Some other benefits are:
Improves skin dryness and scaling
Alleviates itching and irritation
Anti-Aging
Repairs damaged skin
Moisturizes the skin
Reduces inflammation caused by acne
Helps soothe bug bites, burns and other skin irritations
Relieves symptoms of eczema, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis

Using Colloidal Oatmeal to treat Eczema, Psoriasis and Dermatitis



Due to its impressive ability to sooth itchy skin it is often used to help relieve eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and other skin conditions.

Research has shown that soaking in a oatmeal bath can relieve the irritation of eczema and helped normalize pH levels in the skin.

Even though the Ancient Egyptians in 2,000 BC recognized the health properties of oats, it wasn't until 2003 that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration officially approved this form of oatmeal as an effective ingredient to treat different skin conditions.

How to Get the Most Out of Colloidal Oatmeal



Oats are rich in saponins (compounds found in grains), which give this ingredient remarkable cleansing and moisturizing qualities. Because of this, it can be used in many different ways, such as:

Cleanser
Moisturizer
Scalp Relief
Bath Soak
Exfoliant
Face Mask
To start making these at home you need to know how to turn regular oats into colloidal oats.

How to Make Colloidal Oatmeal at Home



With the many benefits and uses of oats we recommend making it at home. It will save you money and let you use it whenever you need it.

Directions:
Get some whole rolled oats from your local grocery store (preferably organic). Grind a few cups of oats in your blender, food processor or coffee grinder until it turns into a fluffy, soft powder. The finer, the easier it will dissolve.
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to keep it fresh.
Now that you have your new secret weapon it's time to put it into action.

How to Make an Oatmeal Bath



Soaking in an oat bath for 10-15 minutes daily has been seen to ease itching and burning by up to 67%. Making your own oatmeal bath is simple.

Here's how:
Run your bath with warm water and while the tub is filling, add two or three cups of powder.
Soak in the tub for 10-15 minutes.
That's it. Easy, fast, effective!

Treating an Itchy Scalp



Colloidal oatmeal is also recommended for an itchy scalp since this ingredient can relieve irritation.

Here's how:

Mix 1/3 cup of colloidal oatmeal with a pitcher of warm water.
Wash your hair with your favorite shampoo, rinse thoroughly.
Gently massaging the mixture into your hair and scalp.
Cover your head with a shower cap for 15 minutes.
Rinse off and air dry your hair.

DIY Oatmeal Soap



If you have sensitive skin, making your own soap with ots can work wonders. Not only is it great for soothing inflammation and redness, but it's great for exfoliating and sloughing off dead skin, dirt and excess oils.

You can make soap without the hassle of dealing with lye by purchasing some basic, natural or organic bars of soap and melting them down to use as your base.

To make oatmeal soap follow these directions:

Grate 2 bars of soap into a crock pot set to low.
Add 1-2 oz of chamomile tea and stir often to avoid burning or sticking.
Once mixture is completely melted, remove from heat.
Add 4 tbsp of colloidal oatmeal and 2 tbsp of regular oatmeal.
You can add any other ingredients that you'd like, such as essential oils, honey or herbs.
Pour mixture into muffin tins and let cool for 24 hours before removing it from the mold.
Let the bars of soap sit for a few more days to completely dry.

Oatmeal Lotion and Cream

Treating skin with a cream containing oats and other soothing ingredients daily will help stop itching and scratching immensely. Making your own lotion at home will be tough because it requires several ingredients and is much harder to do properly.

You can use: Aloe vera, coconut oil, Blue-green algae, Vitamin E, MSM, Olive oil, Hemp seed oil,Manuka honey, Calendula, Plumeria, Cocoa seed butter, Shea butter,Chamomile

Summary

If you have dry, itchy skin, you might find great results by using colloidal oats. It has anti-inflammatory, soothing and moisturizing results and can help with many skin conditions.

After making your own or finding a brand you trust use it in a bath, as a scalp/body wash wash or a cream. This ingredient can do it all!

Whatever you are using it for remember to go organic. It will give you the best results and avoid allergic reactions. Have you tried using skin superfood? 

Chickenpox

Caused by the varicella-zoster virus, chickenpox is a contagious disease that lasts 5 to 10 days. It is known for its uncomfortable and itchy rash that progresses into fluid-filled blisters and then scabs.

Although it usually starts on the chest, face or back, chickenpox can cover the entire body. There is a chickenpox vaccine.



Oatmeal bath for chickenpox
Most cases of chickenpox are in children under age 15, so when you suggest an oatmeal bath, their first thought will be of a tub brimming with the sticky, hot breakfast food.

You can reassure your child that is not the case. And they'll be happy to know an oatmeal bath should ease their annoying itch.

This soothing treatment uses colloidal oatmeal that's ground into a fine powder so it will mix with the bathwater and not all sink to the bottom.

Colloidal oatmeal has been used as an at-home, skin-soothing remedy for generations. But science backs up its efficacy, too.

Multiple studies, including those from 2015 (by Johnson & Johnson researchers), 2012Trusted Source, and 2007Trusted Source, note that colloidal oats have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Colloidal oats can moisturize skin as well as act as an emollient to improve dry skin. They also have high levels of starch to work as an agent that soothes and protects skin.



How to make an oatmeal bath

Start filling a clean bathtub with tepid water.
Add about 1/3 cup of colloidal oatmeal. By pouring in the oatmeal under the tap when it is running, it should mix into the bathwater easily. Once the tub is filled to an appropriate level, mix with your hand, making sure to stir up any oatmeal that had sunk to the bottom. The water should have a silky feel and look milky. Soaking in an oatmeal bath

Your child should stay in the oatmeal bath however long your doctor suggests, typically about 10 minutes. Depending of the age of the child, you can scoop up and dribble the milky water over the parts of your child that are not under water.
Be aware that the colloidal oats can make the tub extremely slippery. When finished, rinse well, then use a soft towel to blot and pat your child dry. Rubbing can irritate sensitive skin.



Where is colloidal oatmeal available?
Colloidal oatmeal is available at most drugstores and online. You can also make your own colloidal oatmeal.

How to make colloidal oatmeal

Colloidal oatmeal is regular oatmeal that has been powdered. If you have a food processor, blender or coffee grinder, and oatmeal (not instant), you're ready to make colloidal oatmeal.

Pour 1/3 cup of the oatmeal into your blender set to the highest setting and grind it into a fine, even powder. It needs to be very fine so it will mix into the bathwater and not sink to the bottom of the tub.

Test your grind by adding about 1 tablespoon of the powdered oats into 8 ounces of warm water. With a good stir, the powder should quickly turn the water into a milky color with a silky feel. If most of the powder sinks to the bottom of the glass, you need to grind it finer.



Takeaway

Colloidal oatmeal baths can offer some relief to the extreme itchiness that accompanies chickenpox. Check with your child's doctor for a recommendation of how many soothing baths your child can take each day until the disease runs its course.

Colloidal oatmeal is readily available to purchase or you can make it yourself. Either way it can help your child with the symptoms of chickenpox.

Itch-Relieving Oatmeal Baths for Hives

Hives

Also called urticaria, hives are red welts on your skin that are often quite itchy. They can appear anywhere on your body. Hives are typically caused by:

allergic reaction to a food or medication
insect stings
infections
stress
Oatmeal bath for hives

If you have mild hives, your doctor might prescribe an over-the-counter antihistamine such as:
loratadine (Claritin)
cetirizine (Zyrtec)
diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
To help with itch relief, your doctor might also recommend self-care such as an oatmeal bath.

This treatment uses colloidal oatmeal that's finely ground for easy mixing into warm bathwater. Colloidal oatmeal can moisturize skin and act as a emollient. With the help of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it can also soothe and protect skin.

Along with the powers of oatmeal, soaking in a warm bath can help you deal with stress which can cause for hives in some people.



How to make an oatmeal bath

Fill a clean bathtub with warm water. Be sure the water isn't hot since temperature extremes can make hives worse. Pour about 1 cup colloidal oatmeal under the stream of water coming from the faucet this helps mix the oatmeal into the water. The amount you add may change depending on the size of your tub. Once the tub is at your desired level, give the water a quick stir to mix in all the oatmeal. The water should look milky and have a silky feel.

Soaking in an oatmeal bath

Your doctor will have a recommended length of time you should stay in the bath.
When getting into and out of the tub, keep in mind that the colloidal oats can make the tub exceptionally slippery. When you're done, use a soft towel to blot and pat yourself dry rubbing can further irritate your sensitive skin.

Where can I find colloidal oatmeal?
Colloidal oatmeal is available at most drugstores, pharmacies, and online. You can also make your own colloidal oatmeal by using a blender or food processor to grind regular oatmeal into a very fine powder.

Can I customize my colloidal oatmeal bath?
Some advocates of natural healing suggest that adding other ingredients to an oatmeal bath will improve the experience and suggest including:

sea salt
olive oil
Epsom salts
lavender
baking soda

These benefits of these additions aren't backed by research or clinical studies, so check with your doctor before changing the recipe for a standard oatmeal bath. Extra ingredients could aggravate your condition.



Takeaway

When experiencing the itchiness of hives, many people find relief by soaking in a colloidal oatmeal bath. Before trying this approach for itch relief, check with your doctor to make sure that the colloidal oats will help and not aggravate your condition.

If your doctor approves, you can buy colloidal oatmeal or you can easily make it yourself.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the skin, scalp, nails, and sometimes, the joints (psoriatic arthritis). The condition causes skin cells to grow excessively, adding patches of silvery, itchy skin on top of healthy skin.

These patches can sometimes crack and bleed.
Symptoms come and go.
Patch size and location can change with each outbreak, and vary from person to person.
Psoriasis is caused by the immune system attacking itself. Common causes of flare-ups include:

stress
drinking too much alcohol (over one drink per day for women, and two for men)
skin irritants, like sunburn or a poison ivy rash
infections that weaken the immune system
Psoriasis runs in families, and can be worse in smokers and people who are overweight. People who have it can experience depression, which can affect daily function and quality of life.

Treatments

There is no cure for psoriasis.
However, there are treatments and therapies that can lessen symptoms. Some prescription medicines change the immune system's response. Other treatments reduce inflammation and slow skin cell growth. Medicines that you can apply directly to the skin include salicylic acid, which removes skin layers.

Corticosteroids can aid healing, and moisturizers can reduce discomfort. Ultraviolet light therapy and vitamin D are also used by some people to help with symptoms.

These treatment options often do help with symptoms, but they may not work for all flare-ups.

Where oatmeal comes in

Oatmeal has long been known to soothe irritated skin not when you eat it, but when you apply it to the skin. There are many over-the-counter oatmeal bath mixes, lotions, and soaps. But all you need is plain ground oats and a bathtub to get the helpful effects.

You'll want to use colloidal oatmeal. This is a finely ground oatmeal that dissolves in hot water and won't clog your drain. You can buy it or make it yourself.

To make your own colloidal oatmeal, grind whole oats in a blender or food processor until the texture is a little grittier than regular flour. To see if you've ground it fine enough, mix a tablespoon in a cup of hot water. It should blend and stay suspended, with very little settling on the bottom.

Oatmeal has been scientifically proven to reduce skin swelling and itching. It contains fats like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that are healthy for your skin.

Preparing your bath

Oatmeal is gentle on the skin, and is not known to cause skin allergies. However, you may consider using organically grown oats for your bath to reduce the possibility of irritants. Definitely do not use instant oatmeal.

If you're using home ground oatmeal, experiment with how much is right for the water volume of your tub. (The only downside of using too much is that you're wasting oats.)

It's best to start with 1/2 cup (4 ounces) of colloidal oatmeal and work up to as much 1 1/2 cups (12 ounces).

Infuse with lavender
An oatmeal bath should make your psoriasis (or most skin discomfort) feel better, but it may feel slimy. To counteract that effect, add some sweet-smelling lavender essential oil.

People have used lavender for a long time to calm skin conditions like psoriasis. It also reduces blood pressure and heart rate Trusted Source, which can lower stress a common psoriasis trigger. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil as you run your bath. There's no right amount, just add a drop or two at a time. Don't apply essential oils directly to your skin.

After your bath
Use extra caution getting in and out of the tub. Oatmeal can make the surface slippery. Pat your skin gently with a towel when you get out. Avoid harsh rubbing as you dry yourself.

Other oatmeal options
You don't have to get in a bath full of oatmeal to help your skin. In fact, you don't have to grind the oats. Make an oatmeal solution you can apply to bandages for your skin, or dab on with a cloth or cotton ball.

To do this, make oatmeal on your stovetop like you would for breakfast, but double the amount of water in the directions. When the oatmeal has cooked for the proper length of time, strain the oats off and save the liquid. When the liquid cools, apply it to bandages to soak the skin.

Eczema

Eczema is a condition that causes your skin to become red and itchy. It's typically a chronic condition that periodically flares up. Since there's no cure for eczema, treatment is focused on relieving symptoms.

Oatmeal bath for eczema

The idea of an oatmeal bath might bring to mind a bathtub full of the warm breakfast food. An oatmeal bath does include oatmeal and warm water, but the oatmeal used is ground into a fine powder called colloidal oatmeal. It's suspended in water and won't sink to the bottom.

According to a 2012 studyTrusted Source, colloidal oatmeal can protect skin and soothe the itching and irritation from eczema. The same study indicates that colloidal oatmeal can also act as a buffer to help maintain skin surface pH.

How to prepare an oatmeal bath

Oatmeal Baths: A Skin-Soothing Home Remedy

If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. What are oatmeal baths?

Since ancient Roman times, people have been using oatmeal for skin care. Today, special oatmeal formulations are used in a variety of skin care products, from lotions to bath soaps.

Oatmeal contains compounds that have anti-inflammatory and moisture-retaining properties. You can purchase ready-made oatmeal baths or read on to learn how to make your own to enjoy oatmeal's skin-soothing benefits.


How does oatmeal help skin?

In 1945, colloidal oatmeal compounds started becoming more widely available for treating skin conditions, according to the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.

Colloidal oatmeal is the oatmeal preparation that's commonly used in lotions as well as for baths. Specifically, it's oatmeal that's been finely ground or chopped and suspended in liquid.

Colloidal oatmeal has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This is thanks in large part to the presence of compounds that include vitamin E, ferulic acid, and aventhramides. The Journal of Drugs in Dermatology reports that aventhramides are the main antioxidant in oats.

Even in small amounts, the compounds found in colloidal oatmeal inhibit tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-8 release, which have been associated with conditions like psoriasis. These compounds also reduce itching.

In addition to these compounds, colloidal oatmeal contains starches and beta-glucan. These are naturally present in oats. They help to hold in water, which enhances the moisturizing abilities of oats.

Colloidal oatmeal also contains water-binding polysaccharides, which are a form of sugar, as well as compounds called hydrocolloids. These compounds also create a protective barrier to keep the skin from losing excess water.

Other benefits of colloidal oatmeal include:

acting as a buffering agent, which helps skin maintain a normal pH
providing antiviral activity, such as helping treat molluscum contagiosum skin rashes
reducing the rate of histamine release in mast cells, which are present in allergic skin reactions
cleansing the skin, thanks to the presence of saponins that have soap-like activity.

Colloidal oatmeal is a natural solution to many health concerns. For example, a 2012 study showed that colloidal oatmeal helped to reduce the use of corticosteroid and calcineurin inhibitors in patients with atopic dermatitis.



What conditions does oatmeal treat?

People use oatmeal to treat a variety of skin conditions, including:
atopic dermatitis
chickenpox
contact dermatitis
diaper rash
dry, itchy skin
eczema
psoriasis
reactions to insect bites and plants, such as poison oak

In addition, cosmetics manufacturers add colloidal oatmeal to shampoos and shaving gels to provide a skin-soothing treatment. These products are usually available without a prescription and are sold at most grocery stores, pharmacies, and online retailers.



Are oatmeal baths safe?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared that oatmeal baths are safe and effective treatments. However, it's still possible that a person could experience an allergic reaction to the components of oatmeal.

An allergic reaction to oatmeal would cause symptoms like itching, swelling, and redness. If this occurs, wash your skin with soap and water and discontinue the use of oatmeal-containing products.

Providing there are no signs your baby is allergic to topical oatmeal, bathing with colloidal oatmeal is usually safe. You could try a patch test prior to bathing your child in an oatmeal bath.

To do this, apply some dissolved colloidal oatmeal to a small patch of skin, such as the back of the hand. Rinse the oatmeal preparation off after about 15 minutes and observe your child for any signs of reaction.

You'll want to avoid any bath preparations that contain added fragrances, as they can be irritating to the skin. If you aren't sure if oatmeal baths are a good idea for your little one, talk to their pediatrician.

What products use oatmeal?

A variety of oatmeal products are available to moisturize, cleanse, and protect the skin. Examples of these products include:

bath products
face masks
face scrubs
face washes
lotion
moisturizers
shaving gels
skin scrubs
Many of these products are advertised for those with irritated or problem skin, such as those with eczema.



How to make your own oatmeal bath

If you're feeling thrifty or crafty, you can make your own colloidal oatmeal bath at home. Use the following steps to create this skin-soothing bath.

Purchase rolled oats. You can find these at most grocery stores or health food markets. The oats should be free of flavorings, chemicals, sugars, and salts.

Grind the oats into a fine powder using a coffee grinder, blender, or food processor. You'll know when you've ground the oats finely enough when a tablespoon of oats dissolves easily in hot water.

Draw your bath with warm (but not hot) water. Start by adding a half-cup of oats to the bath. You can add up to one and a half cups to the tub for soaking.

Some people put the oats into a pantyhose leg tied at the top, which can make the bath less messy after a soak.

Limit bathing time to 15 minutes to avoid moisture loss.
Pat skin dry with a towel and apply moisturizer after getting out of the bath.
Avoid scrubbing your skin, which can further irritate it.

Conclusion

Oatmeal baths are a make-at-home remedy you can use to treat a variety of skin conditions from psoriasis to eczema. Oatmeal can be moisturizing, soothing, and inflammation-relieving for the skin.

Colloidal oatmeal can also be incorporated in a variety of skin care preparations.
While oatmeal baths can be skin-soothing, they aren't a treatment for all skin conditions. Talk to your doctor if your rash isn't going away (or is getting worse).