Colloidal oatmeal baths have many benefits for skin that's dry and itchy. They're easy and quick to make and can provide much-needed relief.
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Many kids have dry skin, especially in the wintertime. My sons are no exception. To soothe their skin I use oatmeal in their bath frequently.
A big bonus is that the ground oatmeal serves as a natural, gentle cleanser, so we can use less oatmeal soap or baby soap. We also use whipped body butter after patting them dry to moisturize.
If you're looking to give your bath a little more pizazz while still enjoying the benefits of oatmeal, try my DIY oatmeal bath bombs and oatmeal cupcake bath bombs. They're fun!
Benefits of Oatmeal Baths
- soothing and moisturizing for dry skin
- nourish skin and help lock in moisture
- strengthen skin protective barrier
- cleansing properties
- acts as a skin protectant
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, you can read my full disclosure here.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ground oats (rolled oats, quick oats or instant oats work or you can buy already-made colloidal oats)
- 1 cup coconut milk powder (optional, you can replace it with Epsom salt or more oatmeal)
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 15 - 20 drops of lavender essential oil (optional)
Equipment
- bowl for mixing
- sifter (optional)
- whisk
- Coffee grinder, high speed blender or food processor
- mason jar with lid
How to Make an Oatmeal Bath
Step1: Grind your oats in a coffee grinder or blender until you have a fine powder (if you're using a coffee grinder do it in 2 batches)
If you want to ensure that oats are ground finely enough, add 1 tablespoon to a glass of warm water. Finely ground oat powder will dissolve and create a milky color. (Here I've ground steel-cut oatmeal instead of regular oatmeal - you can see the sediment on the bottom, but it'll do in a pinch)
Step 2: Sift coconut milk powder (if using) or break up bigger clumps with your fingers
Step 3: Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk
Step 4: Mix in essential oil
Step 5: Fill into an airtight container
How to use Oatmeal Soak
- add 1 cup (¼ cup for babies) to running lukewarm bathwater
- soak and relax for 15-20 minutes
- gently pat skin dry and follow up with a moisturizer
Oatmeal Bath for Baby
To give your baby an oatmeal bath, simply:
- add ⅓ cup of oatmeal bath to running warm bath water
- when infant bathtub is full make sure the oatmeal has fully dissolved (milky color)
- let baby soak in oatmeal bath for 10-15 minutes
- gently splash water on the baby's body and head
- gently pat baby dry after the bath (don't rub) and follow up with a gentle moisturizer
FAQs
No, gently pat the skin dry with a towel.
At least 1 year if kept dry.
Rice water may have some antioxidant and anti-aging properties, but they are not very well studied yet. Ground oatmeal is easier to prepare and has well-documented benefits for a number of skin conditions.
You can try soaking the affected area in a sink or bigger bucket, if possible. For this, you would only use ¼ cup of colloidal oatmeal.
You could fill an old sock, pantyhose or small muslin bag with the whole oats. Tie a know at the top and add it to your bath water. Periodically squeeze the sock to release all the oatmeal goodness.
Until next time. Happy Tinkering!
Oatmeal Bath Recipe (printable)
DIY oatmeal bath has many benefits for dry and itchy skin. It's easy and quick to make!
Ingredients
- 1 cup ground oats (rolled oats, quick or instant oats* work or you can buy already made colloidal oatmeal)
- 1 cup coconut milk powder (optional, you can replace it with Epsom salt or more oatmeal)
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 15 - 20 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
Instructions
- Grind oats in coffee grinder, food processor or blender** until you have a fine powder
- Sift coconut milk powder (if using) or work out any clumps with your fingers
- Add coconut milk powder and ground oatmeal to mixing bowl and whisk
- Mix in essential oil (if using)
- Fill into airtight container
How to Use:
Notes
* you can try grinding steel cut oats if those are the only oats you have available. There will be more particles that don't dissolve, but it works if need be.
** if you don't have a coffee grinder, food processor or blender on hand, try filling whole oats into an old sock (panty hose, muslin bag). Tie a know at the top and add to bath water, periodically squeezing to get all the benefits.
A Life Adjacent says
This milk bath looks so soothing!
Celine says
It really is 🙂
Dila says
What is the shelf life of this?
Celine says
When stored away from moisture in a cool place about 6 months.
Lisa Caraballo says
Do you have a soap recipe containing the coconut milk and colloidal oatmeal?
Celine says
Hi Lisa, I have one with colloidal oatmeal: Gentle Bastille Baby Soap Recipe and one with coconut: Rose Clay & Coconut Milk Face Soap Recipe. You could add coloidal oatmeal and coconut milk powder to virtually any soap recipe. Happy Tinkering!
Christina says
In the photo above there appears to have 3 separate milky powders, what is the third?
Celine says
Hi Christina, the photo was taken before I updated the recipe. The old recipe used to have baking soda in it.
Lakeisha Riley says
I see 3 ingredients in the bowl but you only speak of 2
Celine says
Hi Lakeisha, it’s a photo taken before I improved the recipe. It used to have baking soda in it. Sorry if that caused any confusion!