An ode to oats ❤️

Colloidal Oatmeal vs. Ground Oats vs. Oat Flour

If you grind up rolled oats at home (like I demonstrate in this post), what you end up with is ground oats. Simple enough! Using a coffee grinder and plenty of sifting, you can get a fine, powdery result — which works great in powdered cleansers, face masks, or handmade soaps.

But here’s the catch: no matter how much you grind and sift, you won’t get the particles small enough to qualify as colloidal oatmeal.

So while ground oats are useful, they don’t dissolve well in emulsions like lotions. You’ll likely end up with lumpy bits — not the silky smooth texture you want to spread on your skin.

🔍 TL;DR — Texture Matters:

• Ground oats = great for soap, masks, and scrubs

• Not ideal for lotions or creams

• Colloidal oatmeal has a much finer texture and more skin benefits

How Oats Are Processed

Let’s break it down:

• Colloidal oatmeal: made from whole oats, including the bran, and ground very finely (using special equipment that most of us don’t have at home).

• Oat flour: made from oats without the bran — resulting in a very fine texture, but missing most of the skin-loving components.

Why the Bran Matters:

The bran is where all the magic happens — it’s rich in:

• Lipids (replenish skin oils)

• Beta-glucan (deep hydration)

• Avenanthramides (anti-inflammatory & antioxidant)

• A small amount of saponins (gentle cleansing action)

Without the bran, oats lose nearly all of their therapeutic and skincare value. So if your oats don't contain the bran, you’re mostly just adding texture — not function.

What’s Up With the Confusing Labels?

Here’s where things get a little tricky. You’d think that reading the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name would clear everything up.

But…

• Colloidal Oatmeal = Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour

• Oat Flour = Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour

Wait — what? Yep. They share the same INCI name, even though they’re not the same product.

This means you can’t always tell if you're buying colloidal oatmeal or regular oat flour just by reading the ingredient list on a label.

The Official Definition:

According to the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, colloidal oatmeal is defined simply as “finely ground oatmeal.” It doesn’t specify the species, method of processing, or bran content.

That’s why it’s so important to buy from reputable suppliers who clarify that their product is true colloidal oatmeal, not just finely milled oat flour.

Conclusion: Choose Oats With Purpose

When choosing oats for your skincare recipes, here’s the takeaway:

• Want to soothe and nourish skin? → Use colloidal oatmeal (with bran)

• Want to add texture or gentle exfoliation? → Use ground oats or oat flour

• Making lotions or creams? → Avoid large particles (stick to colloidal only)

Know your oats — and your skin will thank you. 💛

Let me know if you'd like:

• A shorter version for social media

• A sidebar graphic comparing all three

• Product usage ideas for each type of oat

Happy formulating!