The natural world is full of wonders that can take care of our skin when used in the right ways. At UpCircle, we’re all about upcycling ingredients that would otherwise go to waste and using them to create vegan and natural skincare. 

Now it’s the time for oats to shine! In this blog, we highlight what oats can do for your skin and how oats for skin can be used. 

Discover all about how oats can be used in your skincare routine to reduce inflammation, reduce redness, and deeply moisturise.

What do oats do for your skin?

Oats (AKA Avena sativa) and oatmeal – the processed version of oats – have long been used as a natural way to soothe the skin and calm skin conditions such as eczema.

Using oats in your skincare is a great way to gently cleanse the skin naturally, due to the high concentration of saponins in oats. Saponins are naturally occurring compounds that can be found in some plants and grains, such as oats. 

Oats are also great for the skin due to their antioxidant properties, helping to tackle redness and relieve irritation. Discover the benefits of oats for skin and why you should add oats into your skincare routine.

7 benefits of oats for skin

Oats are not only good for the body, but they’re also great for your skin too. We’ve brought together seven of the benefits of using oats in your skincare.

1. Alleviates dry skin

First and foremost, oats have highly moisturising properties helping to give your skin the hit of hydration it needs. This means that oats help to alleviate dry and dehydrated skin.

Colloidal oatmeal – ground oat grain – are especially hydrating for the skin, given the concentration of lipids and beta glucans which replenish lost oils and induce collagen production respectively. Given that the powder is so finely ground, the skin is able to absorb these, benefit from the moisturising properties and create a prospective film over the skin. 

2. Removes dirt and gently cleanses

As well as being used to soothe the skin, oats have long been used to cleanse the skin as opposed to using traditional soap bars. This is because oats contain naturally occurring compounds named saponins which are both antimicrobial and antioxidant.

Before traditional soap was created, people relied on plants and grains which contained saponins to cleanse their skin. When mixed with water, saponins form stable, soaplike foams. This, combined with the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of saponins, made it a perfect cleansing agent.

3. Relieves inflammation

Probably the skincare benefit that they are best known for, oats help to relieve any inflammation of the skin. Any sufferers of eczema or other skin conditions have likely been told to have an oat bath before. While it isn’t going to magically disappear, there is a method to the madness! 

Oats contain phenolic compounds which are great at reducing inflammation as well as soothing the skin at the same time. Incorporating oats into your skincare routine will ensure that your skin is calmed and soothed every day.

4. Tackles redness

Another problem that many people face is redness in their skin. Oats help to reduce any skin irritation and as a result, redness. 

This is one of the reasons why oats are hailed for helping to calm down skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and acne. They are also suitable for all skin types, so the benefits can be reaped by all. 

5. Provides deep nourishment

As well as providing a hit of moisture, oats also are packed full of skin-loving vitamins and minerals that help to keep your skin happy and healthy. 

One of the main vitamins present in oats is vitamin E, which helps to maintain the health of your skin and eyes. At UpCircle, we absolutely love vitamin E – so much that our moisturiser is made with the finely ground powder of argan shells, which is rich in vitamin E.

6. Helps to protect the skin

Not only do oats help to form an occlusive layer on the skin, it also contains flavonoids. These are compounds that help to protect your body from outside toxins and chemicals. They are also thought to help protect your skin from UVA rays. 

It’s essential to remember that skincare isn’t a substitute for SPF, which you should wear every single day – even when it’s rainy!

7. Improves your complexion

A brighter complexion is something most people long for with their skincare. Oats for skin help  to do exactly that. They protect the skin, reduce inflammation and redness, moisturise, nourish and gently cleanse – resulting in a brighter complexion. 

How we’re upcycling oats into skincare 

Did you know that our Cleansing Face Milk is formulated with upcycled oat powder? 

Made with oat powder that has been upcycled from the food and drink industry, the creamy cleanser harnesses the goodness of oats and uses it to help repair and restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Getting technical, the polysaccharides restore your skin’s moisture barrier while the antioxidants protect your epidermis (the outer layer of skin) from free radicals and the damage they cause. 

Immensely moisturising, our Cleansing Face Milk is suitable for all skin types, dermatologically approved and made according to our strict ethics. Made with a curated blend of skin-supporting oat powder, soothing aloe vera and redness-reducing almond oil, it is the perfect everyday cleanser. 

Designed to gently cleanse your face of impurities and dirt, this cleanser also combines antioxidant-rich jojoba oil and vitamin E-rich sunflower oil to provide deep-level hydration and nourishment.

Fully recyclable as it is housed in a glass bottle, the Cleansing Face Milk also makes its way onto our list of refillable products.