Can Colloidal Oatmeal Help Eczema? Yes, Here’s How

If you’ve ever used a steroid cream as the first line of defense against an eczema flare-up, you’re not alone. Steroids are often the first thing people turn to when symptoms suddenly worsen.

The problem with steroids is that they come with side effects like Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW), especially if you use them long-term. So, what’s the alternative? Gentle, natural remedies that help manage your eczema and are free of any after-effects. 

Colloidal oatmeal is one such proven alternative to soothe your itchy, dry, and angry skin. Let’s lift the lid on the what, why, and how of this gentle eczema treatment.

What is Colloidal Oatmeal?

Colloidal oatmeal is a finer version of regular oatmeal, boiled and suspended in liquid. It’s made by grinding whole, uncooked oats until they turn into a fine powder that dissolves well in water. 

Note that you need to use unprocessed, whole oats with the bran intact (known as oat groats), as processed oats have many of their nutrients stripped off, making them unsuitable for making colloidal oatmeal.

While regular oatmeal is great for general health, colloidal oatmeal is better suited for skin health. You’ll often find this ingredient in plant-based skincare products, including those for eczema relief (such as Phoilex’s Active Releaf Spot Gel). This is because of its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. More on this in detail below. 

Mix a spoonful of ground oats in a bowl of water to test whether your colloidal oatmeal is ground down enough. The water should turn milky white. If it doesn’t, grind the oatmeal further. 

Once the oatmeal is fine enough, boil it for a few minutes. This is what makes it “colloidal,” as it brings out the starches and other skin-benefiting molecules within the oatmeal. Cool the mixture, run it through a sieve to remove any chunky bits, and you have your colloidal oatmeal.

How Does Colloidal Oatmeal Help Eczema?

Colloidal oatmeal isn’t a new fad. It’s actually an approved plant-based eczema treatment by health authorities around the world (such as the FDA and Health Canada) that has been around since ancient Egyptian and Roman times, and for good reason.

Here’s why:

Calms inflammation and itching

The itchiness and redness that always happen during an eczema flare-up? That’s caused by skin inflammation from proteins called cytokines.

Colloidal oatmeal has certain components (plant chemicals called avenanthramides) that suppress these proteins, reducing inflammation and soothing itchy skin. It also contains Vitamin E, a known antioxidant that calms down inflammation.

Creates a protective barrier to lock in moisture

While many things can trigger an eczema flare-up, dry skin is a notoriously common trigger. When dry, your skin cracks up, making it easier for irritants, allergens, and unhealthy microbes to get inside and wreak havoc. 

Colloidal oatmeal provides natural eczema relief by hydrating and moisturizing your skin. How? This ingredient has starches and natural complex sugars (known as beta-glucans) that are superstars at absorbing water. These components pull moisture into your skin and keep it locked inside by creating a barrier that prevents it from escaping and drying your skin out. 

Colloidal oatmeal also stimulates lactic acid production, which is a key component in drawing moisture from the air into the skin and keeping it moisturized. Your skin receives the hydration it needs, becoming softer and smoother. 

In addition to these, colloidal oatmeal protects your skin from UV rays, has anti-fungal properties, and reduces the growth of Staph bacteria, which are known to contribute to a flare-up. 

Restores skin barrier function

The topmost layer of our skin works as a barrier against the outside world. It keeps harmful allergens, irritants, and microbes away, keeping our skin healthy. In people with eczema, this skin barrier is weakened, allowing all sorts of troublemakers to sneak in and set off a flare-up. 

So, to manage your eczema, you need to work on restoring your skin barrier function. Colloidal oatmeal acts as a buffer system and works on restoring your skin’s natural pH levels, an important part in repairing your skin barrier. It also stimulates the production of proteins and fatty acids (substances needed to strengthen the top layer of your skin). 

So, is colloidal oatmeal good for eczema? That’s a definite yes.

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Scientific Support for Colloidal Oatmeal

Various scientific studies have repeatedly proven the efficacy of colloidal oatmeal as a plant-based eczema treatment.

For example, a study conducted in 2018-19 on people with hand eczema found that participants who used colloidal oatmeal observed a longer relief period in between flare-ups. Another 2018 study showed that colloidal oatmeal relieved itching, dryness, and even improved the thickness of the skin barrier after a month of use. This 2025 study found that colloidal oatmeal improved skin hydration, reduced water loss, and reduced the number of eczema flare-ups in infants.

How to Use Colloidal Oatmeal for Eczema Relief

You can use colloidal oatmeal as a gentle eczema treatment by making an oatmeal bath or by using topical skincare. This includes eczema creams made with colloidal oatmeal as the primary ingredient. 

No matter which one you use, though, consistency is key. You need to use it every day for 8-12 months to allow the components to work their magic, relieving your symptoms and strengthening your skin.

Colloidal oatmeal bath

Follow these steps for some at-home eczema relief. 

1. Prepare your colloidal oatmeal mixture by grinding oat bran into fine powder or buy a ready-made packet from the store.
   
   

2. Fill your bathtub with lukewarm water. Don’t use hot water, as it may irritate your inflamed skin further.
   
   

3. Take 1 cup of colloidal oatmeal for a full bathtub and mix it with the water. The liquid should turn milky white and feel silky and smooth on your skin.
   
   

4. Soak in all the goodness for about 10-15 minutes. Don’t spend too long in the water, as that can dry out your skin.
   
   

5. Gently pat yourself dry once you get out of the tub and moisturize with a gentle fragrance-free moisturizer to lock in the hydration. Make sure the moisturizer contains emollients (substances that create a protective barrier over your skin to help retain the moisture) such as seed oils or colloidal oatmeal itself. 

Colloidal oatmeal creams

If baths aren’t your thing, you can apply creams or lotions made with colloidal oatmeal over all the itchy, red spots. Make sure you choose a natural skincare product for eczema that doesn’t contain ingredients that can further irritate your skin, such as fragrances, dyes, or essential oils. 

For best results, apply the plant-based eczema treatment on damp skin at least twice a day after cleansing. This removes dirt and locks in the moisture, giving you some much-needed relief. 

Spotlight: Phoilex’s Active ReLeaf Spot Gel

The Active ReLeaf Spot Gel is a gentle eczema treatment made with colloidal oatmeal as an active ingredient. It deeply moisturizes your skin, eliminates its rough texture, and provides natural relief from itchiness and irritation. It’s a plant-based eczema treatment that’s completely steroid-free. No side effects, no flare-ups. Just instant relief to your stressed-out skin. 

The gel contains other soothing ingredients, such as tamanu, sea buckthorn, CBD, and ceramides to provide barrier protection to your skin. And it works. We conducted a clinic trial where 90% of the participants experience relief from itchy skin for 4-12 hours after consistent use of our ReLeaf Spot Gel.

Soothe eczema naturally. No steroids required. Try our Active ReLeaf Spot Gel today.

Why Choose a Steroid-Free Skincare Solution?

Steroids are only meant for short-term relief. Use them for long enough, and you may experience at least one of these side effects. 

• Skin thinning: Steroids can weaken your skin barrier, causing your skin to become thin, transparent, or wrinkled. 

• Stretch marks: Yes, steroids can cause your skin to stretch, leaving marks.

• Rosacea: Steroids can induce rosacea, a skin condition that leaves your skin red and flushed with pimples and swelling

• Contact dermatitis: If you’re allergic to steroids, using them may cause irritation, itchiness, and redness

• Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW): When you suddenly stop using steroids, you can sometimes suffer from a serious condition called TSW. This causes redness, burning and itching sensations, pustules, swelling, and skin peeling. 

Plant-based, clean skincare brands like Phoilex aim to treat eczema and other skin conditions by using naturally sourced ingredients that soothe and nourish your skin without damaging it. 

Looking for gentle, plant-based skin solutions? Shop all our products.

FAQs

Does colloidal oatmeal get rid of eczema?

Colloidal oatmeal helps relieve eczema symptoms such as itching, redness, dryness, and inflammation, but it’s not a cure, because eczema doesn’t have a cure. It’s best used as part of a steroid-free skincare routine for eczema to manage symptoms. 

What heals eczema the fastest?

Fast eczema relief often comes from keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized, avoiding triggers, and using clinically supported topicals such as colloidal oatmeal creams and lotions. 

Is colloidal oatmeal the same as hydrocortisone?

No. While both of them are used to treat eczema, hydrocortisone is a steroid, which can cause side effects. Colloidal oatmeal is a plant-based alternative with anti-inflammatory properties. It provides gentle eczema treatment without the side effects of steroids. 

What’s the 3-minute rule for eczema?

This rule suggests that you moisturize within 3 minutes of bathing to lock in the moisture. This prevents water loss, making you less susceptible to eczema flare-ups.