Colloidal Oat Wash Helps Infants with AD-prone Skin

As parents and pediatricians seek safe, science-backed skin care options for infants with atopic dermatitis (AD)-prone or reactive skin, a recent study offers clinical support for using a colloidal oat-based baby wash in the bath routine. Although colloidal oat has long been studied in dermatology, a growing body of recent evidence points to its safety and efficacy for infants and children with sensitive skin. This recent study, published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, showed that a colloidal oat wash was not only safe and well tolerated but also beneficial for infants’ reactive skin conditions, adding it to the list of potential therapeutic recommendations.¹

Cleansing AD-prone Infant Skin

In the first years of life, the skin barrier is still developing. Compared to adults, infant skin has higher transepidermal water loss, as well as greater potential for penetration of external irritants or allergens. These vulnerabilities, combined with underlying sensitivity, increase the risk of AD. A cleansing wash was formulated specifically for AD-prone infant skin to gently cleanse, support the developing skin barrier, moisturize, and soothe irritation. The tear-free formulation includes 2% colloidal oat known for its soothing and moisturizing properties, glycerin and other humectants for moisturization, and a mild cleansing base with a mixture of gentle surfactants.

Researchers evaluated the wash by following 24 babies with AD-prone skin ages 3 to 36 months over the course of 4 weeks. Caregivers bathed the babies ≥3 times per week for ≤20 minutes per session. Metrics focused on tolerability and safety, mainly the absence of irritation or increased dryness or redness. Evaluation included assessing cutaneous tolerance, tracking safety measures of adverse events and health changes, and soliciting parental questionnaires. Results at Week 4 showed no statistically significant change in overall skin condition (0-3 score), while significant clinical benefits were evident, including: 

Good safety and tolerability: The wash was well-tolerated with no treatment-related adverse events.

Improved cutaneous condition: More than 87% of treated body sites showed no dryness, redness, rash, or tactile roughness, and dryness, redness, and rash statistically decreased from baseline. 

Increased comfort: Infants demonstrated clinically significant improvement in itching. 

High parent satisfaction: Parents expressed satisfaction with the baby wash’s performance and gentleness. 

No changes were made to other hygiene practices, suggesting that skin improvements resulted from the wash alone. This supports the potential of cleansing products formulated for AD-prone infants.

Building a Growing Body of Evidence

This study adds to the expanding evidence base supporting colloidal oat in pediatric skincare. This multifunctional ingredient’s many benefits, including support for the skin barrier, moisturization, anti-inflammatory properties, and prebiotic advantages, make it an excellent match for pediatric skin. ^2-9 Earlier this year, Dr. Joseph F. Fowler and colleagues published a comprehensive literature review of studies investigating use of colloidal oat-containing emollients for treatment and prevention of pediatric AD.¹⁰ Studies consistently demonstrated improved hydration, transepidermal water loss, and barrier repair, with fewer AD flares. The authors concluded: “Studies suggest that early, consistent use of advanced emollient formulations may lower AD incidence in high-risk infants and reduce food sensitization rates. Real-world data indicates that patients using colloidal oat emollients have fewer clinic visits and lower overall healthcare costs.”²

Studies presented at the World Congress of Pediatric Dermatology in 2025 on infants with eczema bathing in gentle moisturizing wash and treated with colloidal oatmeal lotion twice a day showed barrier improvement within 4 weeks and symptomatic relief (as early as day 1), including reduced itching, scratching, redness, and swelling, along with improved hydration, skin pH, mood, and comfort.¹¹  

Informing Recommendations for Clinicians and Caregivers

While many clinicians and parents have recognized the importance of using lotions and creams designed specifically for AD-prone infants, these findings suggest that cleansers formulated for this population may also provide clinical benefit. Colloidal oat is widely available in pediatric products, including formulations for AD-prone infants such as the one used in the current study. Thus, clinicians can make data-driven recommendations that are both accessible and effective for families managing infant AD. n

Dr. Mack is an employee of Kenvue Inc., owner of Aveeno and its colloidal oat products. 

1. Mack MC, John G, Friscia D, et al. A colloidal oat-containing baby wash is gentle and effective for atopic-prone skin. Int J Cosmet Sci. Published online July 25, 2025. doi:10.1111/ics.70010

2. Nebus JA, et al. Alleviating dry, ashen skin in patients with skin of color. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;50:77. Accessed October 27, 2025. https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(03)03638-7/fulltext

3. Meydani M. Potential health benefits of avenanthramides of oats. Nutr Rev. 2009;67(12):731-735. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00256.x

4. Makdisi J, et al. Oats and skin health. In: Chu YF, ed. Oats Nutrition and Technology. John Wiley & Sons Ltd; 2013:311-331.

5. Guo W, Wise ML, Collins FW, Meydani M. Avenanthramides, polyphenols from oats, inhibit IL-1β-induced NF-κB activation in endothelial cells. Free Radic Biol Med. 2008;44(3):415-429. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2007.10.036

6. 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. J Drugs Dermatol. 2015;14(1):43-48.

7. Sur R, Nigam A, Grote D, Liebel F, Southall MD. Avenanthramides, polyphenols from oats, exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-itch activity. Arch Dermatol Res. 2008;300(10):569-574. doi:10.1007/s00403-008-0858-x

8. Liu-Walsh F, Tierney NK, Hauschild J, et al. Prebiotic colloidal oat supports the growth of cutaneous commensal bacteria including S. epidermidis and enhances the production of lactic acid. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2021;14:73-82. Published 2021 Jan 19. doi:10.2147/CCID.S253386

9. Capone K, Kirchner F, Klein SL, Tierney NK. Effects of colloidal oatmeal topical atopic dermatitis cream on skin microbiome and skin barrier properties. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(5):524-531.

10. Fowler JF, Ma L, Bergman J, et al. Is colloidal oat an effective emollient ingredient for the prevention and treatment of atopic dermatitis in infants? J Dermatolog Treat. 2025;36(1):2487945. doi:10.1080/09546634.2025.2487945

11. Kosmoski G. Baby eczema regimen provides clinical eczema improvement and skin benefits in subjects with mild to moderate eczema. Presented at: World Congress of Pediatric Dermatology; April 2025.

formulated for this population may also provide clinical benefit. Colloidal oat is widely available in pediatric products, including formulations for AD-prone infants such as the one used in the current study. Thus, clinicians can make data-driven recommendations that are both accessible and effective for families managing infant AD. n

Dr. Mack is an employee of Kenvue Inc., owner of Aveeno and its colloidal oat products. 

1. Mack MC, John G, Friscia D, et al. A colloidal oat-containing baby wash is gentle and effective for atopic-prone skin. Int J Cosmet Sci. Published online July 25, 2025. doi:10.1111/ics.70010

2. Nebus JA, et al. Alleviating dry, ashen skin in patients with skin of color. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;50:77. Accessed October 27, 2025. https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(03)03638-7/fulltext

3. Meydani M. Potential health benefits of avenanthramides of oats. Nutr Rev. 2009;67(12):731-735. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00256.x

4. Makdisi J, et al. Oats and skin health. In: Chu YF, ed. Oats Nutrition and Technology. John Wiley & Sons Ltd; 2013:311-331.

5. Guo W, Wise ML, Collins FW, Meydani M. Avenanthramides, polyphenols from oats, inhibit IL-1β-induced NF-κB activation in endothelial cells. Free Radic Biol Med. 2008;44(3):415-429. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2007.10.036

6. 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. J Drugs Dermatol. 2015;14(1):43-48.

7. Sur R, Nigam A, Grote D, Liebel F, Southall MD. Avenanthramides, polyphenols from oats, exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-itch activity. Arch Dermatol Res. 2008;300(10):569-574. doi:10.1007/s00403-008-0858-x

8. Liu-Walsh F, Tierney NK, Hauschild J, et al. Prebiotic colloidal oat supports the growth of cutaneous commensal bacteria including S. epidermidis and enhances the production of lactic acid. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2021;14:73-82. Published 2021 Jan 19. doi:10.2147/CCID.S253386

9. Capone K, Kirchner F, Klein SL, Tierney NK. Effects of colloidal oatmeal topical atopic dermatitis cream on skin microbiome and skin barrier properties. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(5):524-531.

10. Fowler JF, Ma L, Bergman J, et al. Is colloidal oat an effective emollient ingredient for the prevention and treatment of atopic dermatitis in infants? J Dermatolog Treat. 2025;36(1):2487945. doi:10.1080/09546634.2025.2487945

11. Kosmoski G. Baby eczema regimen provides clinical eczema improvement and skin benefits in subjects with mild to moderate eczema. Presented at: World Congress of Pediatric Dermatology; April 2025.

Catherine Mack, PhD

• Head of Translational Science, Baby Care
• Kenvue Inc.