What it is
This ingredient is obtained by extracting the meal (finely milled grain) of the common oat, Avena sativa. Oat-derived materials are rich in starches, beta-glucan polysaccharides, proteins, and avenanthramides, components associated with a softening, comforting effect on skin. It is widely used in moisturizers and sun care to support a calm, conditioned skin feel.
Safety & warnings
Oat extracts are generally well tolerated and widely used in products for sensitive skin. They are not regarded as notably comedogenic. People with oat or cereal-grain sensitivities should be aware of the botanical source.
Origin & sourcing
Natural, plant-derived. It is produced from the milled grain (meal) of cultivated oats, typically via aqueous or hydroglycolic extraction.
History
Oat and colloidal oatmeal have a long traditional history in skin care as soothing agents, and oat-derived extracts remain common in modern cosmetic formulations.
Questions everyone asks
Why is oat meal extract added to sunscreens?
It is used as a soothing, skin-conditioning ingredient that helps the formula feel comfortable and softening on the skin.
Is oat meal extract suitable for sensitive skin?
Oat-derived ingredients are commonly chosen for sensitive-skin products because they are generally well tolerated, though individual sensitivities to grains can occur.