This Summer's Breakout Beauty Ingredient Is in Your Coffee
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Oat milk might be the newest non-dairy option on the menu at your favorite coffee shop, but on top of being a key ingredient for a delicious latte, the grain-derived milk can offer beauty benefits when infused into skincare products.
"Oat milk is a great antioxidant, repairing the skin from daily wear and tear, UV radiation, pollution, and more," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Margarita Lolis of Schweiger Dermatology Group in Hackensack, NJ. "This in turn keeps your skin glowing by reducing pigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which helps reduce acne flare ups."
Dr. Lolis also notes that oat milk is a humectant, which helps skin retain water and is commonly found in moisturizers.
However, while oat milk does carry some potential skincare benefits, it's not widely studied like colloidal oatmeal, which is approved by the FDA as a skin protectant and commonly used to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema.
"Colloidal oatmeal, which has long been used for eczema and other conditions with marked skin inflammation, actually carries FDA approval as a skin protectant and has been shown to decrease water loss from the skin and combat inflammation," explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nikhil Dhingra of Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. "Broken down colloidal oatmeal is able to make more of a gel-like substance which is likely heartier and more dense in beneficial ingredients than oat milk, so for those suffering from skin diseases with marked dryness or inflammation."
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That being said, given its potential benefits, oat milk is relatively safe to use, which is why so many brands have started to utilize it in their skincare formulas.
"Oat is safe to use daily, and is generally a safe, hydrating, and soothing ingredient," says board certified dermatologist, Dr. Daniel Belkin of the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York City. "Like almost anything, especially plant-based components, it can rarely lead to hypersensitivity in some individuals."
Dr. Belkin adds that there shouldn't be any ingredient conflicts when incorporating a product with oat milk in your routine.
As for adding the ingredient into your skincare routine, Dr. Belkin suggests using ground oats instead of actual oat milk.
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And make sure it's at least SPF 30
"If you were to DIY oat-based skin remedies, I would recommend starting with finely ground oats instead of commercially available oat milk, which is more processed and has additives like flavoring, salts, or sweeteners," he explains. "Again, when products claim to have 'oat milk,' they are usually referring to oat kernel extract, not oat milk processed for consumption."
But if you're not into DIY beauty treatments, the following eight products harness the benefits of oat milk — no assembly necessary.
Naturopathica Oat and Calendula Soothing Jelly Mist
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With oats, calendula, and hyaluronic acid, this lightweight mist can be used to soothe and relieve dry, irritated skin.
To buy: $34; dermstore.com.
Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Moisturizer
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If you despise the greasy film many thick moisturizers leave on your face, then Milk's plant-based moisturizer is for you. The formula contains special quick-absorption technology, plus a mix of soothing oat milk, fig milk, and shea butter. A blend of Kalahari melon, baobab, jojoba, and aloe vera provide deep hydration for dry skin.
To buy: $38; sephora.com.
Sweet Chef Oat Milk Latte Cleanser
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If drinking a cup of coffee with a splash of oat milk is the first thing you do in the morning, why not incorporate your go-to creamer in the first step of your skincare routine, too? Sweet Chef's oat milk cleanser gently removes buildup and makeup from skin, leaving it soft and smooth — never dry and tight.
To buy: $13; target.com.
Pai Instant Calm Redness Serum Sea Aster & Wild Oat
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A calming serum is a welcome addition to the skincare routines of sensitive, irritation-prone skin. Together, sea aster and wild oat work to reduce redness caused by flushing and rosacea, by repairing weakened skin.
To buy: $78; violetgrey.com.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner
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Channeling oatmeal's skin-repairing qualities, this hydrating toner relieves and soothes stressed-out skin in order to rebalance it. Use a cotton pad to apply it all over cleansed skin, prior to your serums and moisturizer.
To buy: $22; sephora.com.
Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Fragrance-free Hypoallergenic Shampoo
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Given that oat milk is super hydrating, it's not shocking that the ingredient has started to pop up in haircare products, too. With oat milk, aloe vera, and green tea extract, Briogeo's fragrance-free shampoo is a 99% natural formula designed to be an effective nourishing shampoo for anyone with allergies or sensitivities to fragrance, essential oils, gluten, soy, or lactose.
To buy: $26; sephora.com.
Aveeno Oat Milk Blend Overnight Oats Hair Mask
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If your hair is dry, brittle, and in need of serious moisture, treating it with an oat-infused mask such as this one by Aveeno is just the remedy you're looking for.
To buy: $7; aveeno.com.
Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
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This cult-favorite dry shampoo soaks up excess dirt and oil from hair without irritating your scalp. Bonus: a few extra spritzes adds volume and texture in-between washes.
To buy: $20; sephora.com.
