Skip to main content

Soothing agents

Colloidal oatmeal

Also listed as Avena sativa kernel flour, oat

Finely ground oats: an FDA-recognized skin protectant for itch and minor irritation, with small eczema trials. Kind to most skin, but can sensitize infants.

Moderate evidenceTypical strength: About 1% in creams

What it is

Colloidal oatmeal is whole oat kernel ground very fine so it disperses in water. Its starches and beta-glucan form a protective, water-holding film; avenanthramides and other phenols calm inflammation and itch; saponins cleanse gently. In the US it is one of the few botanical ingredients approved as an over-the-counter skin protectant, for temporary relief of itch and irritation from rashes, eczema, poison ivy and insect bites.

Labels list it as 'colloidal oatmeal' when it is the regulated active and often as 'Avena sativa kernel flour' when used as a cosmetic ingredient — essentially the same material, though only the drug version must meet the pharmacopeia standard.

How strong is the evidence?

Moderate evidence

The FDA recognizes it as safe and effective as a skin protectant. Small trials, mostly from one manufacturer and without placebo arms, show 1% colloidal oatmeal creams improve eczema severity, itch, dryness and barrier measures within days to two weeks, and lab work explains the anti-inflammatory effect.

What it's used for, checked

Itchy, dry or irritated skin

Holds up

An FDA-monograph skin protectant for temporary relief of minor irritation and itch.

Mild eczema

Mixed

Two small single-arm studies of a 1% cream showed less itch and better eczema scores; a good moisturizer, not a replacement for prescribed treatment in flares.

Soothing baths for rashes and bites

Holds up

Covered by the same skin-protectant approval.

Works well with

  • Ceramide or glycerin moisturizers
  • Panthenol

Who should be careful

  • Infants and young children with eczema can become sensitized to oat proteins; in one clinic study, 32% of oat-cream users had positive oat patch tests versus none of the non-users. Consider oat-free emollients for babies with eczema.
  • Stop if a product causes itching or hives.

The studies

Every citation is checked against its PubMed record.

  1. Colloidal oatmeal: history, chemistry and clinical properties.
    Kurtz ES, Wallo W · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology · 2007 · Review

    Reviews colloidal oatmeal's chemistry and its regulation as an FDA-monograph skin protectant: starches and beta-glucan protect and hold water, phenols are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and saponins cleanse. Written by manufacturer scientists.

  2. Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin.
    Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J, Chon S, Kaur S, Mahmood K, et al. · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology · 2015 · Laboratory + clinical study

    Colloidal oatmeal extracts reduced inflammatory signals in lab tests, and in an investigator-blinded study of 29 women with itchy, dry lower legs, a colloidal oatmeal lotion improved dryness, scaling, roughness and itch.

  3. A 1% Colloidal Oatmeal Cream Alone is Effective in Reducing Symptoms of Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis: Results from Two Clinical Studies.
    Lisante TA, Nunez C, Zhang P, Mathes BM · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology · 2017 · Single-arm clinical studies

    In two single-arm studies (29 and 30 people) with mild to moderate eczema, a 1% colloidal oatmeal cream used for 14 days improved eczema severity, itch, hydration and water loss, with few adverse events.

  4. Oat sensitization in children with atopic dermatitis: prevalence, risks and associated factors.
    Boussault P, Léauté-Labrèze C, Saubusse E, Maurice-Tison S, Perromat M, Roul S, et al. · Allergy · 2007 · Prospective clinical study

    Of 302 children with eczema referred for allergy testing, 14.6% had positive oat patch tests and 19.2% positive prick tests; 32% of oat-cream users were patch-test positive versus 0% of non-users. The authors suggest avoiding oat-protein products in infants with eczema.