Got Oats? Here’s Why You Should Add the Ingredient to Your Skincare Routine
Dealing with dry skin is a huge pain. Whether it's brought on by harsh winter weather or whether it’s the byproduct of using a few too many active ingredients on your complexion, it can sometimes feel like nothing will alleviate your dehydrated skin. Enter: oats. Yes, oats. Sometimes the best products for your skin aren't fancy or expensive, but rather all-natural options—and oats just so happen to be the best thing to treat your dry skin. They're also incredibly effective at treating a variety of skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, though they can really benefit all skin types. Whole oats, oat milk, colloidal oatmeal—really, all forms of oats give your skin the hydration and nourishment it craves.
To give you the rundown on why you should add oats to your lineup of skincare products ASAP, we reached out to the experts. Board-certified dermatologists Dr. Deanne Mraz Robinson and Dr. Anar Mikailov share the skincare benefits of oats and how to seamlessly incorporate the ingredient into your skincare routine. Read on below!
Meet the Expert
Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, is the co-founder of Modern Dermatology and the assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale New Haven Hospital.
Anar Mikailov, MD, is a Harvard-trained, board-certified dermatologist and founder of KP Away.
6 Notable Skincare Benefits of Oats
For those with dry, dehydrated, itchy, or sensitive skin, oats are your saving grace. They're extra nourishing and offer the hydration your irritated skin is often missing out on. That being said, all skin types can benefit from using oats. Dr. Robinson and Dr. Mikailov break down the biggest skincare benefits of oats below.
1. They are incredibly soothing.
One of the most well-known benefits of oats is how soothing they are for dry skin. And this is all thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties. "The compounds in oats help to hydrate, soften, and soothe the skin as well as to help balance the pH level, which is typically high in inflamed skin," notes Dr. Robinson. Dr. Mikailov points out that oats "relieve any redness or swelling that dry, sensitive skin often experiences" as well.
2. They quickly relieve itchiness.
Because oats are antipruritic and chock-full of beta-glucans, Dr. Mikailov explains that this allows them to "provide moisture and relief to itchiness, which helps reduce people from scratching their skin." As we all know, scratching only makes things worse. After all, the last thing your itchy skin needs is you scratching it all the time!
3. They can hydrate even the driest skin.
Who would've guessed oats are the key to hydrated skin? Not us, but that just so happens to be the case. If you want softer-than-a-baby's-bottom skin, turn to oats. As Dr. Robinson notes, "The carbohydrates in oats have hydrophilic qualities, meaning they draw water in. The polysaccharides (sugar molecules) in oats bind to skin fluids to create a protective barrier at the skin’s surface, which is protective and also restorative to the skin’s ability to self-regulate hydration levels." Sounds like a hydrated complexion is just a bowl of oats away.
4. They can potentially treat acne.
Not only are oats beneficial for dry skin, but they also work wonders for oily skin. This is because they work to soak up excess sebum on the complexion to keep your skin clean. "Oats contain saponins, which are molecules that form a soap-like foam designed to absorb dirt, oils, and impurities on the skin," explains Dr. Robinson.
5. They can help minimize allergic reactions.
Among all their other skincare benefits, oats are an antihistamine, so they can help reduce allergic reactions on your skin. In turn, Dr. Mikailov shares this "can help improve atopic dermatitis and other skin issues that result in scars."
6. They support a healthy skin barrier.
Protecting your skin barrier is more critical than you may know. So if you want the ultimate skin protectant, you guessed it, oats are the solution. "Oats contain lipids, which support a healthy skin barrier," shares Dr. Robinson. "The skin barrier protects the deeper skin structures from external irritants and supports healthy skin hydration." But wait, there's more! "Oats also contain flavonoids, which have antioxidant qualities that improve skin health overall," she shares. We really are kicking ourselves at this point for not utilizing the skincare benefits of oats a lot sooner.
The Right Way to Use Oats in Your Skincare Routine
Adding oats into your skincare routine is relatively easy. Again, just about every skin type can benefit from the benefits of oats. Dr. Mikailov shares that oats can be used "in your cleanser, as a moisturizer, or even on the body for baths and body lotions." He does note you'll want to "look for products that are formulated without common irritants like fragrances, since your goal is to calm the skin." And while you can find a number of skincare and beauty products with oats in them, Dr. Robinson shares that DIY is also a great option. "You can make a spot treatment or exfoliating scrub with them at home by combining oats with honey. Honey has humectant and antimicrobial properties, so when paired with oats, it can really soothe and hydrate dry, irritated patches."
For those who deal with skin conditions such as eczema, dryness, or psoriasis, Dr. Robinson suggests opting for moisturizers over cleansers because the latter has "shorter-lived benefits as they are washed off quickly." If you're hoping to use oats to treat acne, topical products are the way to go. Opt for cleansers, spot treatments, and even moisturizers. Not only do oats help absorb excess sebum to potentially clear your skin, Dr. Robinson notes they "can also be used to soothe dry, irritated skin from other acne medications such as AHAs, BHAs, and retinoids."
Our 6 Favorite Skincare Products Containing Oats
1. Best Gentle Oat-Based Cleanser:
SWEET CHEF Oat Milk Latte Cleanser
Dr. Mikailov gives this cleanser his stamp of approval. He notes this "gentle cleanser formulated with oat extract can be used twice daily without stripping your skin." In this formula, oat milk and hyaluronic acid combine to soothe and hydrate your complexion with each wash.
2. Best Exfoliating Oat-Based Cleanser:
BEFINE SKIN CARE Exfoliating Cleanser
If you want a cleanser with a little more scrub power, we suggest trying this one. Made with a ton of all-natural ingredients like brown sugar, almonds, and oats, this scrub cleanses and refreshes dry, irritated skin. After one use, your complexion will feel softer and smoother than ever before. Bonus: It's even gentle enough to be used on a regular basis.
3. Best Oat-Based Moisturizer:
AVEENO Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer
Formulated specifically for sensitive skin types, this hydrating and soothing moisturizer utilizes the powerful antioxidant properties of prebiotic oat and feverfew. A combination of oat oil, extract, and flour calm skin irritation and restore your complexion's moisture barrier.
4. Best Oat-Based Face Oil:
FIRST AID BEAUTY Ultra Repair Oat and Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
A good face oil works wonders for dry skin, but can is also incredible for oily skin. Whether you have one or the other—or even combination skin—this antioxidant-rich facial oil is calling your name. Filled with all the good things your complexion needs, including cannabis sativa seed oil, colloidal oatmeal, and omegas and fatty acids, your dry, distressed skin will be calmed and soothed in no time.
5. Best Oat-Based Eye Cream:
HANALEI COMPANY Kona Peptide Eye Cream
Did you know your eyes can also benefit from the power of oats? Yep, they sure can. Puffiness and dark circles are no match for the blend of Hawaiian super-botanicals and oat extract, and the formula also contains anti-aging peptides to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This eye cream will become a staple in your skincare routine in no time.
6. Best Oat-Based Body Lotion:
CAKE BEAUTY Milk Made Velveteen Body Cream
This body lotion is jam-packed with a ton of moisturizing ingredients for your dry skin, such as vitamin E, shea butter, sweet almond oil, oat milk, and marshmallow extract. The lightweight texture isn't the slightest bit greasy and absorbs quickly into your skin. But what we really love is how delicious it smells—because while the formula leaves our skin feeling smooth, it also has us smelling sweet as candy all day long.
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