David Rooney - October 2022
Colloidal Oatmeal Skincare | A Derms Secret Ingredient
Oats are pretty damn tasty. And while they make for a scrumptious morning breakie, turns out they're also great for your skin.
Colloidal Oatmeal skincare uses a finely ground form of this readily available ingredient to treat dry, itchy, and inflamed conditions.
Sound too good to be true? It's not.
While skincare in Australia often uses creative botanicals, Colloidal Oatmeal quietly sits with scientific data and clinical trials to support its benefits.
Dermatologist and founder of Spotlight on Skin, Julia Rhodes says, “it has been shown in clinical studies to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, and to improve skin hydration and skin barrier function.”
Want to know everything you need to know about this superstar ingredient? Keep reading.
What we chat about:
1. What is Colloidal Oatmeal?
2. Is Colloidal Oatmeal good for your skin?
3. Is Colloidal Oatmeal good for acne?
4. Colloidal Oatmeal skincare and the truth about probiotics
5. Colloidal Oatmeal skincare in Australia
6. FAQ
What is Colloidal Oatmeal?
Colloidal Oatmeal is oats ground into a fine powder. The ingredient helps create smooth, effective skincare products – without losing any beneficial proteins, lipids or enzymes. Look for skincare in Australia that includes this super soothing ingredient.
Is Colloidal Oatmeal good for your skin?
Short answer yes. Long answer – when incorporated into a skincare routine,
Colloidal Oatmeal can;
• Help relieve irritated, dry, and itchy skin
• Provide hydration by preventing transepidermal water loss
• Soothe and calm inflamed skin
• Support a healthy microbiome
• Balance the pH of the skin barrier
• Build an occlusive barrier that protects your skin from harmful external factors.
Dermatologist Julia Rhodes says, “Colloidal Oatmeal has been used in the treatment of skin conditions for centuries,” and medical studies support anti-inflammatory claims to treat dry, irritated skin. In addition, Colloidal Oatmeal has antioxidant capabilities, can improve the skin barrier, and as a prebiotic, encourages good bacteria to thrive.
The main active substances in Colloidal Oatmeal that help soothe the skin are;
• Beta-Glucan: This humectant helps skin hold onto water, aids the stimulation of collagen synthesis, and acts as an anti-inflammatory. It's also a prebiotic fibre that feeds good bac (bacteria).
• Avenathramides: A potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that helps with dry skin and redness.
• Other antioxidants: Flavonoids, Phenolics, and Vitamin E provide antioxidant support by absorbing free radical damage.
• Starch: Acts as a moisturising humectant and creates a physical barrier on the skin.
Is Colloidal Oatmeal good for acne?
Colloidal Oatmeal has oil-absorbing properties due to its physical state (particle size and granulometry). This makes it a natural antiseborrheic (oil reducing) ingredient.
Dermatologist Julia Rhodes says, “it is particularly useful in the treatment of dry and/or inflamed skin and works well with most other ingredients used in skincare.”
Colloidal Oatmeal has proven to be a must-have ingredient to soothe inflammation that often comes with acne-prone skin.
So, yes. Get that oat goodness on those little wee spots.
Colloidal Oatmeal skincare and the truth about probiotics
You've probably heard that probiotics are wonderful for your gut health. Well, same goes for skin health.
Microbiome skincare utilises specific ingredients to support healthy skin flora. And researchers look at different types of prebiotics and postbiotics that benefit the skin and help the bacterial ecosystem.
Prebiotic and probiotic skincare helps with redness, inflammation, blemishes, and breakouts.
To understand how this works, we must look at the difference between prebiotics, postbiotics, and probiotics.
Probiotic skincare
Probiotics are the good bacteria that live all over our body, in our gut and on our skin. However, probiotic skincare can be a wee bit complicated.
If a company making skincare in Australia tells you they have probiotics in their formula, it is likely a run for the hill situation. Let me explain.
Most "probiotic skincare" is actually prebiotics or postbiotics. That is because probiotics are live bacteria, and the preservative in your product (designed to kill bacteria) will likely get rid of the goodies before you even open the jar.
Very few brands achieve genuine probiotic skincare. A brand we love that uses actual live probiotics in its formula is Unconditional. They successfully separate the live probiotic from other actives and preservatives right up until the point you apply it to your face.
Prebiotic skincare
Prebiotics are usually fibres extracted from vegetables, fruits, honey, and Colloidal Oatmeal. These are food for bacteria and have created a category of prebiotic skincare.
But not all prebiotics are created equal, and different bacteria with different enzymes break down prebiotics in varying ways.
You want great prebiotics to help your good pre-existing bacteria. If they eat correctly, they should develop properly, leaving you with healthy bac-filled skin.
Postbiotic skincare
Postbiotics help create the ideal environment for bacteria to thrive.
Lactic Acid from Lactobacillus is one example of this and helps maintain the acidic pH of the skin. Microbiome skincare companies know this and use these ingredients to support the overall formula.
Colloidal Oatmeal prebiotics
Colloidal Oatmeal is a commonly used ingredient in microbiome skincare. This is because Oatmeal is a source of prebiotic fibres (β-Glucan) and helps feed good bac on your skin. Good bacteria can do the following:
• Balance your skin microbiome (more good bac, less bad bac)
• Provide additional support for acne-prone skin
• Improve factors that lead to dryness, redness, and dehydration.
Colloidal Oatmeal Skincare in Australia
Okay, some of these don't fall into the "skincare in Australia" category, but we love them nonetheless. Give these a go if you want hydrated, soft, and supple skin.
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Soothing Relief Eczema Cream
With a combination of 1% Colloidal Oatmeal, Niacinamide and Shea Butter, this moisturiser is clinically shown to relieve itchy and irritated skin. The soothing, non-greasy cream is an absolute delight.
Topicals Like Butter
With a combination of 1% Colloidal Oatmeal, Niacinamide and Shea Butter, this moisturiser is clinically shown to relieve itchy and irritated skin. The soothing, non-greasy cream is an absolute delight.
Krave Oat So Simple Water Cream
This lightweight moisturiser has an airy, featherweight texture and instantly absorbs, leaving your face feeling dewy, fresh, and hydrated. It's like dunking your face in a cloud.
Boring Without You For Face Sake Multi-mask
For Face Sake is a creamy whipped butter for your T Zone and a soothing, hydrating jelly for your U Zone. Apply both masks at the same time for balanced, bouncy, healthy-looking skin.
We use evidence-based ingredients at the % they’re proven to be effective, so both masks contain 3% Colloidal Oatmeal. And we partnered with a world-class Colloidal Oatmeal supplier who guarantees 5-6% β-Glucan (prebiotic) in every batch. A party for your microbiome.
FAQ
Can you put Colloidal Oatmeal on your face?
Yes, lather Colloidal Oatmeal all over your face up to two times a day. Find a moisturiser with a high percentage of the ingredient.
Does Colloidal Oatmeal help eczema?
Yes, Colloidal Oatmeal is proven to be beneficial for those with eczema-prone skin. One study showed that 1% Colloidal Oatmeal cream improved symptoms, while other studies have demonstrated that damaged areas of skin heal better with the Colloidal Oatmeal cream than a standard moisturiser.
Can Colloidal Oatmeal irritate skin?
Although Colloidal Oatmeal is proven to soothe irritated and dry skin, everyone's skin is different. It is possible to develop a rash or skin irritation. If this happens, discontinue use immediately.
Does Colloidal Oatmeal clog pores?
No, Colloidal Oatmeal's physical state and particle size make it beneficial for absorbing excess oil, while the high amount of antioxidants manages free radical damage.
Is Colloidal Oatmeal safe for those who are coeliac and gluten-free?
Yes, Colloidal Oatmeal is safe to use for those who are gluten intolerant and coeliac, and studies show that gluten-containing products are only a concern when ingested. However, like with all skincare, we recommend patch testing on your arm or hand before use.
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25607907/
https://jddonline.com/articles/dermatology/S1545961615P0043X
https://jddonline.com/articles/dermatology/S1545961616P0684X
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20865844/