The Full Story

About our Ingredients

Below you will see the ingredients that we use within our products, why we use them and how they are backed by clinical research and hard science. We hope you leave empowered with more information about what makes our products great for sensitive, damage and irritated skin.

Colloidal Oat

Colloidal oatmeal, derived from the meticulous grinding and processing of whole oat grain (Avena sativa), represents a natural ingredient with a profound and enduring legacy in dermatological care. Its beneficial use for skin health spans millennia, establishing it as a time-honoured remedy renowned for its soothing properties. The journey from traditional application to modern scientific validation underscores its consistent efficacy.

Colloidal oatmeal is a complex natural product, rich in a diverse array of biochemical compounds, collectively known as phytochemicals, that synergistically contribute to its wide-ranging dermatological benefits. Its primary composition includes approximately 65% sugars and amino acids, 15–20% proteins, 3-11% lipids, and 5% fiber. It also contains a significant proportion of starch (65-85%) and beta-glucans (5%).

Oat Oil

is extracted specifically from the oat kernel, concentrating its lipid (oil) content. While it contains some beneficial compounds like vitamin E and squalene, and traces of avenanthramides, its primary strength lies in its high concentration of skin-identical lipids, particularly:

Linoleic and Oleic acids: These essential fatty acids are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the skin's natural barrier.
Ceramides: Oat oil is rich in natural ceramides, which are vital lipids that act as the "mortar" between skin cells, helping to prevent moisture loss and protect against environmental irritants. Oat oil has been shown to increase ceramide levels in the skin.
Squalene: A natural emollient that helps with moisturization and enhances the skin barrier.

Oat Composition

The most important groups of phytochemicals present in oats, which are crucial for their skin health benefits, include:

Avenanthramides: These are unique polyphenols found exclusively in oats, celebrated for their potent anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic (anti-itch), and antioxidant properties. Their presence is a key differentiator for the soothing effects of colloidal oatmeal.
Beta-glucans: These polysaccharides are characterised by their high viscosity and exceptional water-binding qualities, making them vital for moisturising the skin and forming a protective film on its surface.
Lipids: These include beneficial fatty acids such as omega-3 linoleic and omega-6 linolenic acids, which are essential for restoring the skin's natural moisture barrier. Research indicates that oat lipids can induce ceramide formation in skin cells, which is critical for maintaining barrier integrity.
Proteins: These contribute to the skin's pH buffering capacity, enhance water-binding, and reinforce the skin barrier through their hydrophilic amino acids.
Phenolics (e.g., Ferulic Acid, Caffeic Acid, Flavonoids): These compounds function as potent antioxidants, protecting skin cells from damage. Certain flavonoids also possess the ability to absorb UV radiation, specifically in the UVA range (320–370 nm).
Vitamin E (Alpha-tocopherol): A powerful, naturally occurring antioxidant that provides anti-inflammatory effects and protection against photodamage.
Saponins: These compounds possess a natural soap-like action, contributing to the cleansing properties of colloidal oatmeal.