Colloidal Oatmeal?

[KMommy]

I know that colloidal oatmeal is suggested for use to help with skin irritations such as poison ivy rather than the oatmeal prepared to eat. Other than products such as Aveeno where do you get colloidal oatmeal?

[Landa]

I buy mine from From Nature With Love.

[mountainmadness]

You can make your own by placing oatmeal in a coffee grinder or blender.

[Rebecca_IA]

I know that colloidal oatmeal is suggested for use to help with skin irritations such as poison ivy rather than the oatmeal prepared to eat. Other than products such as Aveeno where do you get colloidal oatmeal?

If you don't have any of the collodial oatmeal, and no way to grind whole oats, you can use regular. I've never used anything but the regular oats in bath water before (put handful inside of wash cloth and let it free float in tub, you can squeeze it to get the liquid out too. Close with shoestring or rubberband tightly).

[KMommy]

Thanks everyone! I have a coffee grinder so I'll be able to make my own.

[edensong]

Why do they call it colloidal oatmeal if it's just regular oatmeal ground up?

[MommaD]

Why do they call it colloidal oatmeal if it's just regular oatmeal ground up?

Colloidal Oatmeal:

Good for you in a bath

Colloidal oatmeal is simply oatmeal which has been ground to a fine powder and then suspended in water. The pulverized oats actually absorb water, turning it slightly milky and thick. When added to a bath, the hydrated granules help moisturize, soothe and relieve minor skin irritations.

<FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>The real benefits of colloidal oatmeal come from its ability to bind to the skin. And because of its affinity for water, it acts as a moisturizer by attracting and holding water on the skin's surface. In addition, protein components, such as cellulose and fiber, anchor moisturizers for long-lasting action. The result is softer, more elastic skin. This binding action also creates a barrier which protects the skin from harmful substances. In addition, colloidal oatmeal acts as a soothing agent which helps reduce redness and itching.<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">

[RobinInOR]

It has to do with the size - it's ground much finer than we can ever get it. When it's that small, it almost creates a gel when added to water - that's the colloid state...

definition: "A system in which finely divided particles, which are approximately 10 to 10,000 angstroms in size, are dispersed within a continuous medium in a manner that prevents them from being filtered easily or settled rapidly."

You can approximate it with a coffee grinder - I found a regular blender or food processor won't get it fine enough.

[Scent Cellar]

I use baby oatmeal in my lavender mint soap so I don't have to grind it.

[itsallgood20]

I use baby oatmeal in my lavender mint soap so I don't have to grind it.

That's a cool idea!