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Oat Extract
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
☑ Handmade Soap
☑ Cosmetics — full dual-use ingredient (see also the Colloidal Oat document)
Oat extract is the liquid, concentrated counterpart to colloidal oatmeal: rather than the whole milled kernel, it is a water- or glycerin-based extract of oat kernels, bran, or straw that delivers the soluble actives — beta-glucans, avenanthramides, proteins, and saponins — in a clear, easily dosed form. Those actives have well-documented effects: avenanthramides are potent anti-inflammatory and anti-itch polyphenols [1], beta-glucans bind water, support barrier repair, and in a clinical study reduced wrinkle depth and roughness [4], and oat preparations improve dryness and itch in atopic and irritated skin [2, 3]. Hydrolyzed oat protein adds hair-strengthening and film-forming benefits. Because oat extract is clear and dispersible, it can go into serums, sprays, shampoos, cosmetics, and soap where colloidal powder would be gritty.
What is Oat Extract made of?
Oat extract is prepared by aqueous, glycerin, or enzymatic extraction of dehulled kernels or bran; beta-glucan and protein are separately purified fractions. Constituents [1, 2]:
Straw extract is silica-rich and used for hair; kernel/bran extracts are avenanthramide- and beta-glucan-rich for skin.
- Beta-glucans: Soluble fiber polysaccharides that form a hydrating film, support barrier repair, and stimulate collagen in fibroblasts [4].
- Avenanthramides: Oat-unique polyphenols with anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, and antioxidant activity [1].
- Oat proteins and peptides (hydrolyzed oat protein): Moisture-binding, hair-strengthening, pH-buffering.
- Saponins (avenacosides): Gentle cleansing.
- Vitamin E, flavonoids, zinc, silica: Antioxidant and nourishing.
What skin type is best suited for Oat Extract?
Oat extract suits all seven ORY® skin types and is a pillar of sensitive-skin formulation:
- Sensitive: Anti-itch and anti-inflammatory; reduces reactivity [1, 3].
- Dry: Beta-glucans hydrate and reduce water loss [2].
- Mature: Beta-glucan reduced wrinkle depth and improved elasticity in clinical testing [4].
- Normal: Daily barrier maintenance.
- Combination: Lightweight hydration in serums.
- Acne-prone: Calms inflammation; non-comedogenic.
- Oily: Clear, oil-free soothing.
What hair type is best suited for Oat Extract?
Oat extract and hydrolyzed oat protein condition hair and calm the scalp:
- Dry or damaged: Oat protein and beta-glucan add moisture, slip, and reduce breakage.
- Sensitive scalp: Avenanthramides relieve itch.
- Curly and coily: Softness and slip in conditioners and leave-ins.
- Color-treated or chemically processed: Protein reinforcement and scalp soothing.
- Dandruff-prone scalp: Anti-inflammatory, anti-itch support.
- Straight, wavy, oily scalp: Light, non-greasy conditioning.
- Mature or thinning: Gentle scalp environment.
What are the benefits of Oat Extract?
Oat extract’s benefits are supported by clinical and mechanistic studies [1–4]:
- Anti-itch and anti-inflammatory: Avenanthramides inhibit histamine release and NF-κB [1].
- Hydration and barrier repair: Beta-glucans form a moisturizing film and support barrier recovery [2].
- Anti-wrinkle: Beta-glucan reduced wrinkle depth and roughness in a clinical study [4].
- Antioxidant: Avenanthramides and vitamin E.
- Soothing for irritated skin: Clinical improvement in dry, itchy, atopic skin [3].
- Gentle cleansing: Saponins.
- Hair conditioning and strength: Hydrolyzed oat protein and beta-glucan.
- Formulation flexibility: Clear and dispersible where colloidal powder is not.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Oat extract fits all four ORY® lines and is the best oat form for clear or sprayable products.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Serums, toners, mists, lotions, eye creams, cleansers, after-sun; beta-glucan in anti-aging and barrier serums. |
1–5% extract; 0.5–2% beta-glucan |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, scalp serums (hydrolyzed oat protein, beta-glucan). |
0.5–3% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Yes |
Extract at trace or oat milk as water replacement for a creamy, soothing bar (pair with colloidal oat for texture). |
1–2% extract |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Calming primers, foundations, setting sprays, lip balms. |
0.5–2% |
Pros and cons of Oat Extract
Pros
Cons
- Clinically supported soother and hydrator: [1–4].
- Clear, easy to dose: Serums, sprays, cosmetics.
- Suitable for infants and eczema-prone skin: Exceptionally gentle.
- Skin and hair benefits: Extract plus protein.
- Affordable and sustainable: Widely available.
- Oat allergy: Rare sensitization in highly atopic children; patch test [3].
- Gluten reassurance: Use certified gluten-free oats.
- Preservation: Sugar- and protein-rich extracts need preservation.
- Not a skin-protectant monograph ingredient: Unlike colloidal oatmeal; claims stay cosmetic.
- Variable standardization: Specify beta-glucan/avenanthramide content.
What is the best application of Oat Extract?
Oat extract is a daily calming and hydrating ingredient:
- Calming serum: AM/PM with allantoin and Centella.
- Barrier lotion: With ceramides for dry, reactive skin.
- Anti-aging serum: Beta-glucan with peptides and hyaluronic acid [4].
- Toner or mist: For redness and tightness.
- Eye cream: Soothing hydration.
- Conditioner and leave-in: For dry, damaged, or curly hair.
- Scalp serum: For itchy scalps.
- Soap: Oat-milk bars.
- Cosmetics: Calming primer.
Peer-reviewed references
- Sur R, Nigam A, Grote D, Liebel F, Southall MD. Avenanthramides, polyphenols from oats, exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-itch activity. Archives of Dermatological Research. 2008;300(10):569–574.
- Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Kazerouni A, Feily A. Oatmeal in dermatology: a brief review. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology. 2012;78(2):142–145.
- Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J, et al. Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2015;14(1):43–48.
- Pillai R, Redmond M, Röding J. Anti-wrinkle therapy: significant new findings in the non-invasive treatment of skin wrinkles with beta-glucan. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2005;27(5):292.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about oat extract as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including eczema (atopic dermatitis), rashes, itching, insect bites, poison ivy, or dandruff. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Oat extract is not the same as colloidal oatmeal, which FDA regulates as an over-the-counter skin protectant drug ingredient. ORY® oat extract products are cosmetics and are not labeled or intended as skin protectant drugs.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Oat allergy is uncommon but possible, and any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
