What Is Oatmeal Soap Good For?

Oatmeal soap is recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as beneficial for skin irritations.

Oatmeal has been used to soothe and soften skin since ancient Greece and Rome. It is now a frequent ingredient in soaps and recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as helping soothe minor skin irritations.

Significance

Oatmeal softens skin by gently exfoliating and helping retain moisture on the skin's surface and soften dry skin. Oatmeal's soothing qualities reduce redness and itching associated with rashes, sunburn and other skin irritations.

History

The development of fine milling allowed oatmeal's benefits to be added to soap.

Ancient Greeks and Romans are reported to have added oats to their bath water to treat rashes and itching. Oatmeal's use as a scrub or bath additive continued over the centuries. In 1945, a finely milled product called colloidal oatmeal was developed and allowed oatmeal's benefits to be added to fine soap products.

Benefits

Benefits of using oatmeal soaps include relieving skin irritation and redness from rashes or exposure, reducing itching and moisturizing or softening skin. These benefits make it an effective product for people with eczema, sunburn or allergies, the elderly and young children.

Types

Oatmeal soap is mass-produced by manufacturers, such as Aveeno and Yardley of London, as well as a variety of small companies, natural-products producers and entrepreneurs or craftspeople. Recipes for creating oatmeal soap at home can be found on line.

Other Ingredients

Many oatmeal soaps incorporate other components to enhance oatmeal's natural moisturizing properties. Other components can include honey, shea butter, goat's milk, a variety of oils and scents.

References

• Honey Oatmeal Soap Shop
• Aveeno: Skin Care FAQs

Resources

• Pioneer Thinking: Skin Friendly Oatmeal Soap Recipe