There are many causes for dry, itchy skin - it might be due to a skin condition, irritation, or an allergic reaction. But if you have been researching for a remedy, you will come across a common solution – oatmeal.
In fact, oats have been used as a topical treatment for various skin conditions including rashes, burns, eczema and more for centuries.
Oats have two main benefits to the skin
Besides ending up in our breakfast bowls, oats actually have properties that are beneficial to the skin, which are:
- Skin-soothing qualities: Oats have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to treat skin conditions including dermatitis, as well as acne.
- Moisturising and repairing skin goodness: Oats offer deep moisturisation, while protecting and strengthening the skin’s barrier, which is essential in soothing dry, itchy skin.
To top it off, oats as a topical skin treatment works for all ages, including baby skin.
So, where is the magic in oats?
Oats, which are also known as Avena Sativa, are a type of cereal grain made from the Poaceae grass plant family - the seeds within this oat grass are what essentially ends up being sold commercially for consumption.
To benefit the skin, oats must be in a colloidal form which is essentially finely ground oats or oat powder – this is known as colloidal oatmeal.
There have been numerous studies that highlight the benefits of colloidal oatmeal as a skincare treatment. A study carried out on women using a colloidal oatmeal skin protectant lotion revealed significant clinical improvement in skin dryness, moisturisation and overall strengthened their skin’s barrier. There has also been clinical research where colloidal oatmeal has eased serious hand eczema in adults.
This is because oatmeal has various types of phenols that exercise the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the grain. However, the exact science behind the action that provides colloidal oatmeal benefits is still not entirely known.
But what we do know is that avenanthramides (AVA) are the principal phenolic compound that exists in oats and exhibits antioxidant activity in various cell types, while also being responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects.
AVAs have an antioxidant activity that is 10 to 30 times greater than other phenolic antioxidants. Besides that, oats have various other mechanisms such as antifungal, pre-biotics, barrier repair properties and beneficial effects on the skin pH - a perfect concoction to soothe dry, itchy skin types.
Additionally, colloidal oats are considered as a multifunctional and natural emollient of lipids and fatty acids, which can soften dry skin, while also having additional properties of:
- polysaccharides to retain hydration;
- enzymes to breakdown dead skin;
- Vitamin E to support skin health;
- proteins to support elasticity and firmness;
- and saponins that are soothing, as well as inhibit antioxidant properties.
Soothing baby skin with oats
Studies around oats as skin treatment generally involve adults because testing on babies is not widely practised because of their vulnerable skin barrier. However, colloidal oatmeal works for babies too as it is a known natural remedy.
Particularly, oatmeal baths are especially great to soothe baby skin suffering from diaper rash, dry skin, dandruff, cradle cap, heat rash, skin redness, as well as allergic reactions.
Drawing an oatmeal bath is beneficial as it soaks your baby’s skin with all goodness from the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of oatmeal. To draw an oatmeal bath, just fill the tub with warm water and add oatmeal powder. You can mix it together by hand before putting your baby in the bath. Let your baby play with the oatmeal to soak in the goodness. Just rinse off as you would following that.
These oatmeal baths are also great for adults too. However, it is advisable to consult your paediatrician before trying this out in case your baby is allergic to oats.
Use oat-based skincare for easy treatment of dry, itchy skin
Nevertheless, dry, itchy skin requires day-to-day care to soothe, moisturise and strengthen the skin’s barrier. The best way to do this is to invest in an oat-based product that you can easily use daily or to soothe any itchy flare-ups.
Oats have always been incorporated in various skin care products including creams, lotions, shaving gels, body wash and more since centuries ago - in the 1940s and 1950s, colloidal oatmeal was made commercially available in powder form and mixed with emollient oils.
Furthermore, the United States Food and Drug Administration department (FDA) has also approved it as an over-the-counter skin protectant drug.
These days, oat-based products are available in our neighbourhood pharmacies, or if you can’t find it there, just shop online. One well-known brand that you can look into is Aveeno→, which offers dry and itchy skin-specific solutions that are great for both adults, as well as babies.
Aveeno→ is clinically proven to soothe dry, itchy skin
Aveeno→, a dermatologist-recommended brand, has long used oats in many of their products to provide an easy solution for those with dry, itchy skin. In fact, Aveeno’s name is even derived from the scientific name of oats, Avena Sativa!
This reputable skincare brand has partnered with scientists and published 70 years of clinical evidence that supports the benefits of oats, as well as other natural ingredients. Recently, the brand has been focused on advancing the scientific understanding of the microbiome throughout the human body in a bid to create better products that truly benefit the skin.
Aveeno's skincare range is made for sensitive skin, with their baby product formulations often containing natural Colloidal Oats. Meanwhile, Aveeno’s oat-based skincare range for adults is formulated with their exclusive Prebiotic Oat formula and Colloidal Oatmeal, which is clinically proven to strengthen the microbiome (the skin’s natural protective shield), while supporting healthier looking skin. The formulation also helps with optimising the skin’s PH balance to reduce any moisture loss.
Here are some Aveeno→ products we recommend for those with dry, itchy skin:
Aveeno→ skin care for mums:
- Aveeno→ Skin Relief Body Wash: This fragrance-free formula gently cleanses to remove dirt, oil and bacteria, while moisturising to help soothe, soften as well as relieve dry skin. It also has emollients to replenish moisture for softer and smoother skin.
- Aveeno→ Skin Relief 24HR Moisturizing Lotion: This magic lotion is a lifesaver for mums with itchy, dry skin as it is clinically proven to soothe the itchiness away and help heal dry skin in just one day. It is fragrance-free and steroid-free, while infused with Aveeno’s Prebiotic Triple Oat Complex and Natural Shea Butter. It also moisturises for up to 24 hours!
- Aveeno→ Daily Moisturizing Body Wash: This daily wash helps replenish the skin’s natural moisture long after your shower. It is formulated with Collodial Oatmeal, along with a blend of natural oils and emollients. It is also hypoallergenic which is great for sensitive skin.
- Aveeno→ Daily Moisturizing Lotion: This miracle product is clinically proven to improve the health of dry skin in just one day, with significant improvement seen in just two weeks. Formulated with Colloidal Oatmeal and rich emollients, it is able to protect dry skin for up to 24 hours. It is gentle for everyday use and is also fragrance-free, non-greasy and non-comedogenic.
Aveeno→ skin care for baby:
- Aveeno→ Baby Soothing Relief Moisturizing Cream: This is also a paediatrician-recommended product that is formulated to soothe dry, itchy skin and is clinically proven to provide comfort for up to 24 hours. It also helps prevent chafed, chapped or cracked skin as it is made with a natural Colloidal Oatmeal complex. It is also hypoallergenic, steroid-free, fragrance-free, dye-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free.
- Aveeno→ Baby Wash & Shampoo: This is perfect to use daily for babies with sensitive skin as it contains natural Oat Extract that soothes and nourishes the skin. It gives a rich lather and leaves the skin with a light fragrance. This wash is also hypoallergenic, as well as tear- and soap-free.
- Aveeno→ Baby Daily Moisture Lotion: Gentle enough for daily use, this lotion is formulated with natural Colloidal Oatmeal and dimethicone to help prevent and temporarily protect chafed or cracked skin. It is also hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, dye-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free.
Aveeno→ believes that nature is the secret to human health, which is evident in their product formulations. From the products above, each is carefully formulated and clinically tested to nourish the gentle needs of sensitive skin.
If you are looking to try these Aveeno→ products, you can browse and shop for it online on Guardian here. Remember, daily care is key!
Reference:
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