
You all know that I thrive on keeping things simple. I make most of my beauty products myself, and have shared tons of other easy DIY beauty recipes here on Minimalist Beauty. What I love even more is finding one simple ingredient that can serve more than one beauty need. Today’s ingredient is colloidal oatmeal!
1. For Makeup
I’ve realized over time that wearing foundations, concealers, and traditional face powders don’t allow my skin to really breath. This has been the case with even the organic formulations. They also create this odd dependency of me not feeling good about my skin unless it is covered up.
As I’ve been focusing on detoxes, eating whole organic foods, drinking lots of pure water, balancing my hormones, and maintaining a simple skin care regimen, I’ve been feeling much more comfortable in my skin because it has been benefiting from my whole body healing efforts.
Although I really haven’t been wearing much makeup, I still like to look polished. I don’t like when my skin gets shiny, so wearing a simple DIY face powder does the trick for shine. I used to create a mix with arrowroot and cacao powder, but now using colloidal oatmeal just by itself is PERFECT! Unlike arrowroot powder it does not have a whitish tint on my skin if used alone, plus it has a silky texture that makes it look pretty much seamless.
2. Gentle Facial Cleanser/Exfoliator
The other benefits of using colloidal oatmeal is that it is effective healing and soothing eczema, psoriasis, sunburn, rosacea, and acne. It naturally contains the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory vitamin E which moisturizes the skin as well. This is one reason I have raved about using colloidal oatmeal as a simple facial wash and for gentle exfoliation.
Colloidal oatmeal contains saponins which is just another name for nature’s soap. Saponins are a gentle cleansing agent which lightly suds up. You can read more about using colloidal oatmeal as a face wash here.
3. Conditioning Hair Rinse
Yes colloidal oatmeal makes an incredible hair rinse which aids in detangling the hair. Oatmeal contains a high concentration of starch and beta-gluten which holds water easily and creates a milky substance when mixed with water. This same starch/beta-gluten is what helps to condition and detangle hair. Simply mix colloidal oatmeal with water until it forms a thick milk, use as you would a traditional conditioner, rinse, and enjoy the benefits!
4. A Soothing Bath/Gentle Body Wash
Using colloidal oatmeal in the bath for soothing irritated skin is pretty well known. Because colloidal oatmeal contains saponins, (remember nature’s soap) it can be used as a gentle cleansing body wash for extremely sensitive skin too. To use colloidal oatmeal as a body wash just mix with water or aloe vera juice to make a thick paste for easy use.
A simple body wash like this doesn’t affect the pH balance of skin like traditional soaps, and is a great alternate cleansing method to give the skin a break if you actually have a favorite oatmeal soap to begin with like I do. Read more on pH balance and beauty products here. More gentle body wash ideas here.
So there you have it, four amazing beauty uses for colloidal oatmeal! It always makes me wonder why I’ve bought so many different products in the past when one ingredient can do so many things!
(Image by Dawn Michelle)
Sherra says
Hi. I have colloidal oatmeal and have used it maybe twice.
So you just dust in on your face like you would a mineral makeup ? Does it help control shine too? I’m an oily girl ;( and though I don’t wear much makeup( if I do it’s Epic mineral makeup) which only has a few ingredients I still get this oily feeling going on in the morning a few hours after washing. Do you just use it straight on your skin and nothing added at all?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Sherra,
Yes I use colloidal oatmeal just as I would any face powder. I also use it alone after moisturizing and it does help with shine too. Have a beautiful day!
Sandy says
Why buy anything else? This does it all. Thanks for this tip.
After using it for a bath and rinsing it off, what do you use for a skin moisturizer? Any particular recommendations to seal in moisture?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Sandy,
I love using rosehip seed oil from head to toe! That’s another multi-tasker in my life as I use it as my facial moisturizer and in my shea butter mix for my hair.
Aimi says
Can you use it as a hair styling aid, like a leave in?
This was a great article. I hope that you will make some more 1 ingredient articles in the future!
Thanks,
Aimi
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Aimi,
Definitely give it a try. It does make a great detangler for sure though. Thanks for the suggestion too!
Pamela says
Thanks Dawn for another great suggestion. I used it the oatmeal as a hair conditioner and it work great as a detangler and my hair felt soft. I am doing a modified MHM and found using clay every three days to be drying to my hair which is low porosity, fine, tightly coiled and dense and does not do well with Shea butter, Aloe Vera, ACV, glycerin, humectants and most oils. Dry hair is the result of using these products. I also live in a very dry climate. I needed a hair conditioner and this worked great in my hair.
I use your Yucca shampoo recipe and the oatmeal conditioner and my hair was very moisturized. I will be experimenting using clay once a week, every two weeks or once a month to which I add a small amount of ACV and herbal tea mixture from one of your suggested posts. I get good results with the clay if I do not use it too much.
I also saw better results sealing with your simple recipe of flax seed gel spray and a small amount of Shea butter that was mixed with a small amount of EVOO, Avocado and Castor oils on wet hair. The Shea butter mixture still left an oily residue on my hair but not as much as before. There was no oily residue on day 2. So far I have not experience dry hair. I may try it under the gel next time or eliminate oils all together as a styler and use it only as a pre poo.
I am unable to do the water only method due to low sebum production that is related to menopause, however I do water rinses, massaging and scritching when my hair feels dry and seal with the flax seed gel. I was applying too much gel mixed with oils and that left my hair dry and hard. The spray gel worked much better without the oils.
I am grateful for your DIY hair recipes and advice. You give great options and methods for all hair types. My diva hair and I appreciate you very much. This is long but I wanted to share my experience in case it is helpful to someone else and to express my gratitude.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Pamela,
I so appreciate this feedback on your experience with so many of the natural hair remedies I share here! It sounds like you have really learned to listen to your hair and have found a great system of natural hair care. Have an incredible weekend and feel free to share here at anytime! <3
Kaya says
Wow. It’s amazing how oatmeal can do so much! This is truly minimalism! I mean, you can’t get more minimalistic than 1 item, heh.
I agree with Aimi. You should do more articles like this.
-Kaya
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Kaya,
I will definitely keep this in mind! I appreciate your comment too!
Edie says
Your recommendation for using colloidal oatmeal as a face powder is one of my favorites, so far! Simple and effective. Thank you and keep it up. 🙂
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Edie,
I’m thrilled you liked this simple face powder too! I love keeping things simple!
Dee. I says
Hello Dawn,
I was browsing through your page, like I usually do, and stumbled on this article! Today, I was looking for natural skin care info and d.i.ys.This article,along with many others,is gold!
I do have a qs do I have to buy collodial oatmeal or can I blend my regular oats from home into a fine powder to get the same results?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Dee.I,
I tried to blend organic oats before and it didn’t come out as finely ground as colloidal oatmeal. You could still use it especially as a face wash, yet it doesn’t work as well for face powder. You also don’t want grainy bits left in your hair if you wanted to use it as a conditioner rinse. You could strain it through cloth though. To avoid the drama I prefer colloidal oatmeal, yet there are always ways around it with a bit of effort. <3
Dee. I says
Hello Dawn,
I totally understand looks like I will be purchasing colloidal oatmeal to avoid the drama lol!
Thanks for your honest and swift reply:)
Michelle says
Hi Dawn Michelle,
Do you know where else I can purchase Colloidal Oatmeal extra fine? Amazon is out of every size of the one you recommended. Thanks!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Michelle,
To be honest I am not sure. The other placed I purchased colloidal oatmeal online was grainy. I’ll keep my eyes open.
An says
Hi Dawn,
I used oatmeal as a hair rinse and I realized even though it added shine to my hair, it was harsh for my scalp as it caused dandruff. So I guess I should limit its use to once or twice per month only.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi An,
Thanks for sharing this. It’s all about paying attention to what works best for you. Have a beautiful day!
Ibk says
Hi
I’ve been a silent reader of your blog for a while now. You’re a huge encouragement to me in my minimalist journey. I was going through your current beauty routine and noticed that your foundation is not yet zero waste. I decided to share this recipe for DIY foundation, that you could probably tweak to suit your skin tone, in case you’re interested. Here’s the link: http://www.scratchmommy.com/smooth-finish-diy-organic-foundation-sunscreen/ I hope it helps you during your zero waste journey. Best wishes!!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi IBK,
I’m so glad that you’ve been enjoying my blog and thanks so much for saying hello. My makeup isn’t currently 100% zero waste, but I am using up all of the ingredients that I still have to make my DIY Foundation/Concealer as well as mineral powder. It matches my skin tone to perfection and I’ve always had difficulty with finding a good match. I will definitely check out what you shared and thanks so much! Have a beautiful day!
Jen Herman says
I have some arrowroot powder I would like to use as an oil control powder. I have fair skin so the whiteness of the powder is not an issue for me. But overall, do you think arrowroot or oatmeal is better for sensitive acne prone skin? Seems like almost everything breaks me out these days and I value your opinion. Did you ever have any pore clogging issues with either powder?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Jen Herman,
I haven’t had an issue personally with arrowroot or oatmeal and I hope that you also have a good experience. Please keep us posted on how things work out for you. Best wishes!
Renee Jensen-Giagnorio says
I love the colloidal oatmeal as a cleanser.It feels great after a bit of sunburn. I purchased the bag along with one of those magnetic spice containers that you stick to the side of the fridge to use as a dispenser linked here……https://www.amazon.com/12-Tins-Talented-Set-Refrigerator/dp/B01FY69CPS/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1501467866&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=magnetic+spice+tins&psc=1
Thanks for sharing the info!!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Renee,
I’m so glad this helped and thanks so much for sharing!!
Nirojini says
hi Dawn,
I have had trouble with makeup also, as I felt it breaks me out and would like to try colloidal oatmeal by itself also, so this doesn’t clog the pores and would also cover dark marks ? Also is it ok to use oatmeal powder or it has to be colloidal oatmeal I also read your other article where you mentioned rhaussoul clay as a powder also, which do you feel is good for brown skin rhaussoul clay or colloidal oatmeal ? and do you use a brush or sponge to put your makeup on ? Please let me know. Thanks a lot.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Nirojini,
Both colloidal oatmeal (which is very finely ground oats) and rhassoul clay will help with shine yet also be more transluscent. Neither would cover blemishes. I have shared makeup options for acne prone skin here though. Lastly rhassoul clay has a natural brown tint while colloidal oatmeal is a white powder so would need to be used with a light hand. I use a powder brush to apply powdered makeup.
nofixedstars says
love it! I’m always happy to hear about another simple, clean ingredient that can do multiple things like this.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Nofixedstars,
You and me both! Colloidal oatmeal is truly a powerhouse!
Janine says
Dawn, I decided to re-visit this post after freaking out about what to use to wash my face.
I read about low pH cleansers being ideal for the skin, and was kind of confused as to what to use (considering most cleansers are alkaline). So, I just threw my hands up and decided to wash my face with some Gluten-free oat flour that was in the fridge. Heh heh. Thank you for this post, as it assured me that oats would be gentle enough to use while I continue to search for a low pH cleanser.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Janine
I’m glad using oats has been a good option for you as you figure things out. Oil cleansing (with high linoleic oils if acne prone) or using raw honey are both great options too.
Cheryl says
I do not know if you had answered this in a previous post or not, but do you wear/use sunscreen? I have had bad experiences with all sunscreens that I have tried, and I have tried plenty over the past 30 years. I am pretty much allergic to them. For some odd reason, chemical/mineral sunscreens make my face swell when I apply them to my face. However, I do get sunspots on my face when I do not apply sunscreen while driving long distances or being out in the sun. Now, I wear large brimmed hats and sunglasses to shade my face. I have had low vit D due to sunscreen use in the past which was of concern to me since I am a tanned skin colored African American. So, I try to get some sun each day and I take vit D supplements as well. My skin tans in the sun, but does not burn in the sun.
If you do wear sunscreen, which brand do you use or recommend? If not, what alternative, if any do you use?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Cheryl,
I didn’t always feel like this but I believe protective clothing is the best route for sun protection. I did share my favorite sunscreens here though.