You know oatmeal as a delicious, nutritious breakfast option, or maybe an ingredient in your favorite cookie. But oatmeal can also play a different role: in potentially supporting skincare. 

If you're constantly seeking ways to avoid unwanted parabens and additives in your food, skincare, and toiletry items, WOW Skin Science understands where you're coming from. 

You may have seen a little about the potential benefits of an oatmeal bath. Today, we're talking about oatmeal baths and how they can help maintain your skin's health.

Table of contents:

• What Is an Oatmeal Bath?
• What Are the Benefits of Oatmeal Baths?
• Provides Moisture
• Protects Skin
• Soothes Skin
• Ultra-Cleansing
• When To Take an Oatmeal Bath
• How To Make an Oatmeal Bath Soak
• Step #1: Get the Right Oatmeal
• Step #2: Fill Tub With Lukewarm Water
• Step #3: Relax and Soak
• Alternative Ways to Moisturize Your Skin

What Is an Oatmeal Bath?

While oatmeal baths may sound foreign to you, our ancestors have been using oatmeal baths as a way to soothe their skin issues for centuries. 

Oatmeal is commonly found in many skin care products today. This is because oatmeal has natural soothing and moisturizing properties that can help aid your skin in moisture retention and calm irritated skin.  

Essentially, an oatmeal bath is when you take a tub and fill it with lukewarm water and colloidal oats. Some people buy pre-made colloidal or make their own at home. Colloidal oatmeal is oatmeal that's finely grounded up and processed into a powder substance.

Colloidal oatmeal is a common ingredient in moisturizers, lotions, and creams. 

What Are the Benefits of Oatmeal Baths?

It's no secret that oatmeal can have several benefits when consumed due to the high amounts of beta-glucan. 

Research has shown that beta-glucan can help slow digestion and increase satiety. Eating oatmeal sounds good, but what makes oatmeal beneficial to your skin? 

• Provides Moisture

Oatmeal is rich in beta-glucan, which helps with water retention. Beta-glucan helps your skin lock in moisture. Beta-glucan can penetrate deep into your skin which may help plump your skin, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

• Protects Skin

Saponins, or naturally occurring compounds, act as a natural cleanser to help support your skin barrier. Saponins could help protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV light and other harsh elements.

• Soothes Skin

Oatmeal baths can feel ultra-soothing. Submerging your tired body into a warm bath always feels relaxing, but when you add oatmeal, it could help relieve the itchiness of a brush with poison ivy. 

Oatmeal contains avenanthramides and phenols, two chemicals that may be behind the skin-calming feeling. 

• Ultra-Cleansing

Colloidal oatmeal can feel ultra-cleansing, perhaps due to high amounts of saponins. Saponins may work as a natural cleanser to support your skin's health. 

When To Take an Oatmeal Bath

Oatmeal baths don't have to be a part of your daily routine. However, an oatmeal bath may help support your skin's health when part of a regular beauty routine. 

If you have dry, itchy, or irritated skin, an oatmeal bath could help calm your irritated skin. 

How To Make an Oatmeal Bath Soak

An oatmeal bath is commonly referred to as a soak. If you've concluded that you may benefit from oatmeal baths, here's how to make one. 

• Step #1: Get the Right Oatmeal

It's important to remember that the oatmeal you enjoy for breakfast isn't the same oatmeal you'll put in your warm bath. You want to use colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal can be bought at the store or made at home. 

The only difference between colloidal and regular oatmeal is that colloidal oatmeal is whole rolled oats finely ground up. You want your colloidal oatmeal to be properly ground as it needs to absorb the warm water. 

This blending process can be done in a coffee grinder, food processor, or blender. Coffee grinders and food processors are both commonly used for this project. The oatmeal should transform into fine powder. 

After the grinding process, take a tablespoon of your freshly ground oats as a tester. The powder should quickly mix with the water, turning it to a milky white color. 

• Step #2: Fill Tub With Lukewarm Water

You never want to use skin-drying hot water in your bath. This goes for your regular baths, showers, and oatmeal baths. Hot water leaves your skin dry by stripping it of its natural oils. 

Fill your tub with warm water, then add about a cup of your colloidal oat powder into the warm bathwater. 

• Step #3: Relax and Soak

The best (and most enjoyable) part of the process is here — it's time to soak in the tub.

Slowly submerge your body into the milky mixture. You want to give the oatmeal water plenty of time to adequately penetrate your dry and irritated skin. Sit and soak in the bathwater for around ten to 15 minutes.

Once you've finished your oat bath, pat dry your skin, then apply your favorite body lotion or moisturizer. 

Alternative Ways to Moisturize Your Skin

Oatmeal baths could be a great way to moisturize your skin without fearing harsh or harmful chemicals. However, oatmeal baths aren't the only way to achieve supple skin. 

Keeping your skin well-moisturized is crucial to your skin's health. Dry or flaky skin can lead to discomfort or even breakouts. 

Here are some ways you can keep your skin moisturized and healthy. 

Do: Avoid Hot Water

Using hot water can leave your skin dry. Avoiding hot water for baths and showers can help prevent dry skin associated with too high a temperature. You especially want to avoid hot water during your skincare routine. 

Cleansing your face with hot water can lead to dry patches, unexpected breakouts, or other skin issues. 

Do: Use Natural Products

Using natural products can aid your skin in water retention. Natural products are packed with essential antioxidants and other nourishing properties. 

Here at WOW Skin Science, we ensure that our body and face moisturizers have all the essential ingredients your skin needs to be its most moisturized and glowing self. 

Do: Look for Nourishing Ingredients 

When you're looking for products that will adequately moisturize your skin, the ingredients list is your best friend. 

Here are some ingredients you may find helpful in supporting your skin's health: 

• Hyaluronic acid 
• Shea butter
• Coconut oil, Moroccan oil, or argan oil
• Pro-vitamin B5
• Dimethicone (for heavy moisture)

Don't: Over Exfoliate

A common mistake that can be detrimental to your skin moisture retention is exfoliation. 

Exfoliating is good — in moderation. 

However, exfoliating too often can dry out your skin. Avoid exfoliating more than once or twice a week or less if you have sensitive skin. 

Don't: Sleep With Your Makeup On

Sleeping with your makeup on can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and even dry skin. When you forget to remove your makeup, dirt and bacteria are left to sit on your skin all night. 

Your skin has a natural cleansing clock.

During the night, your face attempts to shed dead skin and unwanted bacteria. When you sleep with your makeup on, it disrupts your body's natural exfoliation process. 

Here at WOW Skin Science, we pride ourselves on being a brand our customers can trust. Try an oatmeal bath if you want to make your next bath a little different – and more beneficial. It could help support your skin barrier and leave your skin feeling hydrated.