Ingredient glossary
Colloidal Oatmeal
On your shelf ✓What Colloidal Oatmeal does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Colloidal Oatmeal · Also: Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
In short: Colloidal Oatmeal delivers soothing and barrier support, suits dry and sensitive skin best, and the evidence behind it is strong.
- What it does
- Soothing, barrier support
- Best for
- Dry, Sensitive skin
- Evidence
- Strong
The Glow take
One of the ingredients I trust most.
When your goal is repairing a stressed moisture barrier, Colloidal Oatmeal delivers, and the research properly backs it up. It tends to suit dry skin best.
— Maya
What it does
- soothing
- barrier support
- hydration
- anti itch
strong evidenceMultiple randomized and controlled trials using one percent colloidal oatmeal creams in atopic dermatitis show marked improvements in EASI scores itch microbiome diversity and barrier metrics comparable to prescription barrier creams.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- sensitive
- very sensitive
- dry
- compromised barrier
- atopic
- eczema
Approach with care
- rare oat allergy
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationNeutral
- OilyNeutral
- SensitiveSuits
Often chosen for compromised barrier, atopic, eczema. Take extra care if any of these apply to you: rare oat allergy.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- ceramides
- panthenol
- beta glucan
Colloidal Oatmeal, answered
Is Colloidal Oatmeal safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Colloidal Oatmeal is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Colloidal Oatmeal?
Approach Colloidal Oatmeal with care if any of these apply to you: rare oat allergy.
What concentration of Colloidal Oatmeal actually works?
Its concentration is rarely printed on the label, so use the ingredient list as your clue: near the top third it is likely doing real work, near the bottom it is more of a sprinkle.
Can you mix Colloidal Oatmeal with
This, for every label you own
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