Should You Rinse After an Oatmeal Bath?

An oatmeal bath is one of the simplest, most natural ways to soothe dry, itchy skin. Oats have been used for centuries to relieve itchiness and inflammation, and they are particularly helpful for people with eczema or other skin conditions.

If you've never taken an oatmeal bath before, you might be wondering how to do it—and whether or not you should rinse off afterwards. Read on to learn more about the benefits of an oatmeal bath and why rinsing afterwards is optional.

How to take an oatmeal bath

There are two ways to take an oatmeal bath: with whole oats or with colloidal oats. Colloidal oats are simply oats that have been ground into a fine powder, and they are generally the preferred method because they dissolve more easily in water. However, whole oats can also be used—you'll just need to let them soak for longer.

To prepare your oatmeal bath, simply add 1-2 cups of colloidal oats (or 1-2 cups of whole oats if you're using those) to a bathtub filled with warm water. Soak for 15-20 minutes, during which time the oats will help to draw out impurities from your skin and soothe itchiness and inflammation.

When you're finished, you can either rinse off in the shower or simply pat your skin dry with a towel—there's no need to rinse unless you want to.

The benefits of an oatmeal bath

There are many benefits associated with taking an oatmeal bath, including:

• Relief from itchiness and inflammation
• Soothing of dry, irritated skin
• Improvement of eczema symptoms
• Reduction in redness and swelling
• Protection against future irritation

Unlike harsh steroid creams, oatmeal baths can be taken as often as needed—generally speaking, the more frequently you take them, the better your results will be. And because they are so gentle and soothing, they are generally considered safe for even young children or people with sensitive skin.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a simple, natural way to soothe dry, itchy skin, look no further than an oatmeal bath. Oats have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce redness and swelling, and they also act as a protective barrier against future irritation.

To take an oatmeal bath, simply add 1-2 cups of colloidal oats (or 1-2 cups of whole oats if you're using those) to a tub of warm water and soak for 15-20 minutes. There's no need to rinse afterwards unless you want to—simply pat your skin dry with a towel when you're done.

Oatmeal baths can be taken as often as needed; however, the more frequently you take them, the better your results will be.