{"id":626995,"date":"2024-02-27T11:02:20","date_gmt":"2024-02-27T16:02:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=626995"},"modified":"2025-01-24T21:26:12","modified_gmt":"2025-01-25T02:26:12","slug":"how-to-make-an-oatmeal-bath","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-make-an-oatmeal-bath\/","title":{"rendered":"How to make an oatmeal bath"},"content":{"rendered":"

For centuries, oatmeal has been used as a treatment for skin irritations like rashes, burns, insect bites, eczema, and psoriasis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s because oatmeal has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are naturally skin-soothing. Colloidal oatmeal treatments have been around since 1945 for dermatological use and are widely available today in bath soaps, shampoos, face masks, shaving gels, and moisturizing creams. Homemade oatmeal treatments are just as effective as store-bought ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read on to find out what makes oatmeal so good at treating dry, irritated skin and how you can make your own oatmeal bath at home to benefit from all of its skin-soothing effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to make an oatmeal bath<\/span><\/h2>\n

Dermatology nurse practitioner <\/span>Sherry Sanvictores<\/span><\/a> frequently recommends a colloidal oatmeal bath to her patients suffering from inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. \u201cColloidal just means the oatmeal has been pulverized into a fine powder, so it dissolves in water,\u201d Sanvictores explains. \u201cThere are a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) colloidal oatmeal products available, but it\u2019s just as easy to make an oatmeal bath at home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a simple, two-step oatmeal bath recipe:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Purchase organic rolled oats at your supermarket or favorite health food store. Make sure these are free of any additives like sugar, salt, chemicals, or flavorings.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Grind the oats into a fine powder using a blender, food processor, or coffee grinder until you have about 1 cup of powdered oats for an average-size bath. You may want more or less depending on how much water you plan to use and whether the bath is for a child or an adult.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The oats are fine enough (colloidal) when a tablespoon of them easily dissolves in warm water. Grinding the oats into a fine powder ensures they don\u2019t clog your drain after your bath.<\/span><\/p>\n

    How to take an oatmeal bath<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Now that you\u2019ve got your homemade colloidal oats, here\u2019s how to take an oatmeal bath, step by step:<\/span><\/p>\n

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    1. Draw a warm\u2014not hot\u2014bath. \u201cI know we all want to take a long, hot bath, especially in the winter, but hot water strips the skin of its natural oils and promotes increased water loss in your skin,\u201d Sanvictores says. \u201cThis leads to dry, itchy, and irritated skin\u2014exactly what you\u2019re trying to combat with an oatmeal bath.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Add your oats a half-cup at a time, up to one and a half cups for a large bath. Sanvictores recommends putting the colloidal oats into a pantyhose leg tied at the top. This makes for an easy cleanup after your bath.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. The water will turn milky and silky. This means that the oats have been distributed evenly, and the emollients in the oats have been released into the water.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Any longer, and your skin starts losing moisture. Don\u2019t use soap for this bath, which will dry the skin further.<\/span><\/li>\n
    5. Careful getting out of the tub, as it will be more slippery from the oats.<\/span><\/li>\n
    6. Towel skin until it is damp, not dry, and apply a hydrating moisturizer.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      If you\u2019re giving an oatmeal bath to your baby or child, be extra careful to make sure the water temperature isn\u2019t too hot. For a baby bathtub, use only one-third of a cup of oats. Never leave a baby or child unattended in a bath; this is especially true for an oatmeal bath, which can be extra slippery because of the released emollients.<\/span><\/p>\n

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