Oat extracts (overview)

Extracts from oat preparationssuch as hydrolyzed proteins, e.g. hydrolyzed oat protein, hydrolyzed oat flour, are widely used in medical products as well as in the cosmetics industry (used in hair and skin care products). They have anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects.

There is now increasing interest in the cosmetics industry in the production of hydrolysates by enzymatic hydrolysis. Either complex mixtures of several endo- and exoproteases are used enzymatically or endoproteases are combined with broad-spectrum exoproteases. In all cases, the aim is to obtain a high degree of hydrolysis and an end product that contains a large variety of free amino acids.

Oat extracts from young plants are used to treat chronic skin diseases.

Preparations: Sensiphase Rheacalm® and Epitheliale AH® from ADerma (A-Derma RHEACALM soothing cream), Rheaalba®

Oat preparations of various types are used for different indications and objectives. They are listed under different INCI names depending on their respective form of preparation:

• Hydrolyzed oat protein (INCI) Oat protein hydrolyzate. Oat protein hydrolyzate is a product obtained by controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of oat proteins. Oat protein hydrolysates are rich in proteins and are widely used in hair and skin cosmetics.
• Avena sativa bran extract (INCI). Extract of oat bran. Cosmetic function: abrasive. The extract has an abrasive and cleansing effect.
• Avena sativa extract (INCI). Extract from oat seeds. Function: abrasive, cleansing, also supports mechanical tooth cleaning. Softens and smoothes the skin.
• Avena sativa flour (INCI). Oat flour obtained by finely grinding oat grains. The flour has an abrasive effect when applied locally. The viscosity is influenced in topicals.
• Avena sativa kernel extract (INCI) Syn.: Avena sativa (oat) extract, extract of avean sativa kernel, oat seed extract. Extract from oat kernels. The extract has an abrasive, cleansing effect. Viscosity is influenced in topicals.
• Avena sativa kernel oil (INCI). Pressed oil from oat kernels. Cosmetic function: caring, solvent for other ingredients of care products.
• Avena sativa protein (INCI). Protein from the oat kernels. Cosmetic function: emollient, moisturizing, abrasive, absorbent, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, viscosity regulating
• Avena sativa protein extract (INCI). CAS Number:134134-87-5 / 84012-26-0.
• Extract from oat protein used in skin care cosmetic topicals.
• Avena sativa starch (INCI). Highly polymeric carbohydrate material derived from oat grains. Cosmetic function: viscosity regulating
• Avena sativa meal extract (INCI). Extract from oat flour. Cosmetic function: antipruritic, anti-inflammatory.
• Colloidal oatmeal (INCI). Function: abrasive, astringent, swelling
• Hydrolyzed oat flour (INCI). Hydrolysates from oat flour. Function: hair conditioning, skin conditioning
• Hydrolyzed oat protein (INCI). Protein hydrolysates from oat flour. Function: hair conditioning, skin caring, antistatic
• Hydrolyzed oats (INCI). Hydrolyzed oats. Function: hair conditioning, skin caring, antistatic

In a study of 302 children with atopic eczema, the atopy patch test revealed 14.6% type IV sensitization to oats. In the prick test, 19.2% of the tested type I sensitizations were found. The sensitization was attributed to the local application of oat-containing externas in patients with atopic eczema with a disturbed epidermal skin barrier.

Contact allergic reactions to oatmeal are apparently rare. In particular there is no evidence that a previously known food allergy to minerals leads to an increased sensitization rate of topical oat extracts (Goujon C et al. 2009).

1. Boussault P et al (2007) Oat sensitization in children with atopic dermatitis: prevalence, risks and associated factors. Allergy 62:1251-1256.
2. Goujon C et al (2009) Tolerance of oat-based topical products in cereal-sensitized adults with atopic dermatitivs. Dermatology 218:327-233.
3. Radhakrishna N et al (2016) Anaphylaxis to oats after cutaneous sensitization by oatmeal in skin products used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 4:152-153.