Oatmeal can soak up the excess oil on your skin and help treat acne. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help to treat dry skin and remove dead skin cells. Oats also contain compounds called saponins, which are natural cleansers. They remove the dirt and oil that clog the pores and exfoliate the skin.

Oatmeal has biologically active properties that can be beneficial in skincare and treatment. Oats have been used for skincare as far back as ancient Roman times.

Oatmeal acts as a buffering agent that can help maintain the skin’s normal pH. The fats contained in oatmeal also add to its emollient activity, which can improve the itch of dry skin.

Oatmeal has a range of other components that exhibit anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity as well as ultraviolet light absorption. It has been found to inhibit prostaglandin production and arachidonic acid release. These actions help protect against sun damage and the inflammation of various skin conditions. It is also thought to help protect against photoaging. The soothing properties of colloidal oatmeal have also been recognised for many years.

Oatmeal has also been used as a cleanser and cosmetically as a common ingredient in facial masks.