These 8 Beauty Products Are Like Oat Milk for Your Face

The alt-milk of the moment, oat milk, has slowly but surely dominated the wellness world. Take it from Google Trends, a trusty, free tool that measures how much a phrase is Googled in the context of all Google searches over a defined period of time. The term “oat milk” is at its current height, each month this year having topped the last. 

Oatly in particular, the leading oat milk brand, is so coveted in the United States that it could not keep up with rapidly-growing demand. Oat milk enthusiasts (hi) endured droughts that were several weeks and months in length over the past year. To keep up, warehouses were built in Canada—a welcome relief for American oat milk lovers who couldn’t bear to part with their delicious supply.

Like most trends do, the oat milk frenzy expanded beyond lattes and smoothies. We now have oat milk ice cream and oat milk yogurt, and, yes, oat milk skin and personal care products. This is not a surprise. Superfoods, driven by popularity and multi-faceted benefits, often wind up in beauty products. Oat milk has followed in the wake of adaptogens, watermelon, spirulina, matcha, and manuka honey—each inspired new waves of skincare products. 

According to Cybele Fishman, M.D., an integrative dermatologist based in New York City, it’s not all a marketing ploy. She said that oats have a high beta-glucan component, which are humectants—an important element of moisturizer—because they hold water in the skin. “The key component of oats in terms of skincare are the avenanthramides, which are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-itch,” she said. “Unlike some of the trendier skincare ingredients, oats have been used for many years and there are scientific studies to back claims that they are good for skin, especially eczema.” 

These are the best oat and oat milk-based products for all skin types: 

1. Ethique Eco-Friendly Charcoal, Kaolin & Oatmeal Bodywash Bar

Ethique Eco-Friendly Charcoal, Kaolin & Oatmeal Bodywash Bar $12.00

Ethique is known for its commitment to sustainably made personal care products. It was one of the first brands to put shampoo bars on the map, and keep all products palm-oil-free, plastic-free, and cruelty-free. This unscented, dense bar is excellent for sensitive skin types who want a deep, detoxifying clean without the usual dryness associated with charcoal or clay-based cleansers. The oats provide long-lasting moisture and relief from redness.

2. Orveda Biotic Full Eyes Duo

Orveda Biotic Full Eyes Duo $89.00

Shop

Orveda’s new Biotic Full Eyes Duo launched earlier this summer and may be the cure for tired-looking eyes. The first step is an eye cream that’s fueled by organic oat protein, known for its visible lifting effects. The second step is a light coverage BB cream that works in concert with the first, voiding the all-too-common pilling that can occur with layering skincare and makeup.  

3. Peet Rivko Exfoliator

Peet Rivko Exfoliator $34.00

Shop

Perfectly proportioned amounts of rice bran, oatmeal, and moisturizing jojoba beads make this exfoliator by Peet Rivko gentle and effective for people with sensitive skin. The oats, in particular, are dual-purpose—they help slough off dead skin cells while keeping the skin’s barrier safe. Bonus: this bottle will probably be one of the most beautiful additions to your top-shelf. 

4. Pai Instant Calm Redness Serum - Sea Aster and Wild Oat

Pai Instant Calm Redness Serum - Sea Aster and Wild Oat $78.00

Shop

Pai is known for its dedication to sensitive skin. As you might guess from its name, the Instant Calm Redness Serum is infused with wild oat, which can support inflammation responses and help to calm redness in the skin. When paired with super soothing sea aster, a plant native to Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa that grows near bodies of saltwater, it works all-natural wonders. 

5. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oat & Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oat & Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil $30.00

Shop

Colloidal oatmeal—another term for oatmeal that has been finely ground and suspended in liquid—is widely recognized for its healing effects on dry skin, eczema, and sensitive skin. Combined with omega-rich hemp oil (no psychoactives here, not to worry), it can help stave off dryness, flakiness, and irritation. 

6. Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk $20.00

Shop

Formulated especially for sensitive scalps, Klorane’s Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk helps absorb excess oil, adds volume, and creates texture. A few spritzes of this and an oat milk latte (or other equivalent oat milk morning beverage, hello turmeric latte and matcha) will have you looking bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in no time.

7. Sephora Collection Oat Museli Mask

Sephora Collection Oat Museli Mask $7.00

Shop

Sephora’s own collection of skincare delivers quite a bit of bang for your buck. The Oat Museli Mask prominently features our breakfast favorite carbs that, in addition to being tasty on their own, also can seriously boost the texture of struggling skin. If you’re sensitive, enduring breakouts, have dry skin, redness, or irritation, this one is for you. (Note: this isn’t edible, it’s just inspired by deliciousness.)

8. Naturopathica Oat Cleansing Facial Polish

Naturopathica Oat Cleansing Facial Polish $56.00

Shop

Always packed with lots of active botanicals, Naturopathica doesn’t disappoint. Oat beta-glucan and oat protein are paired with aloe vera and essential oils, making the experience of exfoliating as relaxing as it is soothing. It’s safe for everyday use and can help brighten hyperpigmentation thanks to the probiotic lactobacillus ferment blends. 

Next up: Here's how to make your own oatmeal face mask.