Dry skin can be an everyday struggle: it can feel tight, itchy, easily irritated, and sometimes it even reacts to the simplest skincare routines. But what if we told you there’s a natural, gentle, time-tested ingredient that can help hydrate the skin and leave it feeling soft and comforted? That ingredient is oats, a natural ally known for soothing dry, sensitive skin and supporting the skin barrier, offering relief even when your skin feels stressed and reactive.

In a world full of “miracle” products and endless routines, the most effective solution is often the simplest one: choosing delicate ingredients that help restore balance and respect the skin, especially when it’s fragile and prone to irritation. Oats are an ancient remedy that’s still loved today for their fast-acting soothing benefits, helping calm the skin when it feels dry, uncomfortable, and overwhelmed. 

In this article, we’ll explore the following topics: 

• How to tell when your skin is asking for help
• Oats as the ideal ingredient for dry and sensitive skin
• Oats in body care: how to use them every day 
• What to look for in the INCI list to spot oats in cosmetics 
• Common mistakes: what to avoid to prevent dry skin

How to tell when your skin is asking for help

Understanding when your skin needs extra care is essential to support it in the right way. Whether the signs are obvious or more subtle, one thing is certain: when the skin feels stressed, it needs added protection and comfort.

One of the first symptoms you may notice is a tight feeling, as if the skin is constantly a little tense, even right after applying body cream. This is often paired with visible dryness, including small flakes, rough patches, and a dull, less elastic appearance.

Another warning sign is skin that feels itchy or stings, especially after cleansing or when exposed to hot water, cold wind, or sudden temperature changes. In these cases, the skin barrier is more fragile than usual. Even when symptoms don’t appear every day but come and go, it can still be a sign that the skin is sensitised and requires extra attention.

It’s also important to observe how your skin behaves throughout the day. If you feel the need to reapply moisturiser several times, if your makeup highlights dry areas, or if your skin becomes more reactive during periods of fatigue, stress, or seasonal changes, it may be the right moment to simplify your routine and choose gentler, more soothing ingredients.

Oats as the ideal ingredient for dry and sensitive skin

When skin is dry and sensitive, it doesn’t need “miracle” creams, it needs a few well-chosen ingredients that respect and calm it. This is exactly where oats come in: one of those simple, natural remedies that has been used for centuries and still remains incredibly effective today. Oat extract is naturally rich in polysaccharides, lipids, and proteins that work in synergy to soothe and support the skin, helping it feel better day after day.

Among its most interesting components are beta-glucans, true heroes when it comes to dry skin. They are powerful humectants, meaning they absorb and retain water, keeping the skin hydrated and elastic for longer. The result? Skin that feels less tight, more even, softer to the touch, and visibly more comfortable, even hours later.

In addition to beta-glucans, oats also contain avenanthramides, unique molecules found in this ingredient and known for their anti-inflammatory and soothing action. They are especially helpful when skin is red, reactive, or prone to frequent irritation.

Oats in body care: how to use them every day

Adding oats to your skincare routine is an excellent choice, as they work well in different types of formulas and can support sensitive skin at every step, helping it look healthier and more balanced. And not just on the face: oats are also ideal for body care, especially when the skin tends to get dry, feel tight after showering, or become more reactive during seasonal changes. Thanks to their gentle nature, oats are a great ingredient for more fragile skin too, including children’s skin, which can often be prone to dryness, redness, and discomfort caused by cold weather, wind, or overly harsh cleansers.

Showering is one of the moments when dry and sensitive skin can struggle the most, especially if you use strong cleansing products or very hot water. Choosing a gentle body cleanser with oats or other soothing ingredients helps cleanse the skin without stressing it, reducing that uncomfortable “tight skin” feeling right after rinsing. It’s best to opt for creamy, soft formulas, use lukewarm water, and dry the skin by gently patting it, not rubbing, to avoid weakening the skin barrier.

For daily body cleansing, at La Saponaria we recommend our Organic Oat and Prebiotics Shower Milk, designed to cleanse gently while respecting the skin’s natural balance. The formula is nickel-tested, dermatologically tested for sensitive skin, and thanks to Organic Calendula and Organic Oat, it works in synergy to soothe, hydrate, and provide immediate comfort.

After cleansing, you can apply a lightweight moisturiser followed by a nourishing body cream, especially on the driest areas such as legs, arms, and elbows. At this stage, oats become a precious ally because they help keep the skin hydrated for longer and calm any redness. If your skin is particularly sensitive or stressed by cold weather, wind, or friction, it’s best to choose rich, soothing formulas: La Saponaria’s Body Cream for Dry and Sensitive Skin with Organic Calendula and Prebiotics is perfect for restoring comfort and softness, thanks to the gentle, calming action of calendula and its skin-friendly formula even on the most delicate skin.

If your skin is going through a challenging phase, for example during winter or after sun exposure, oat-based products can also work as an intensive treatment to use consistently in order to quickly bring the skin back into balance. Evening is the ideal time to focus on repair: applying your body cream with a gentle massage helps reduce discomfort and supports the skin overnight.

Listening to your skin is key. When it feels balanced, oats can be used every day as a maintenance ingredient, while during more critical moments they become an essential ally to restore relief and protection, at any age.

For further insights on other La Saponaria products for dry and sensitive skin: https://blog.lasaponaria.it/en/insights/dry-winter-body-skin-here-are-natural-solutions-for-dry-skin-on-legs-arms-elbows-and-heels 

What to look for in the INCI list to spot oats in skincare products

If you want to add oats to your skincare routine, it helps to learn how to recognise them in the INCI list, the ingredient list shown on the label. Many products are described as “soothing” or “for sensitive skin”, but the INCI is what really tells you which active ingredients the formula contains and how it has been created. The good news is that oats are usually quite easy to identify, because in cosmetics they appear under specific, recognisable names.

The first ingredient to look for is “Avena Sativa Kernel Extract”. This is oat extract, commonly found in face creams, body lotions, and products designed to calm dry, stressed, or redness-prone skin.

Another common name is “Avena Sativa Kernel Flour”, meaning oat flour. It’s often used in gentler, more comforting formulas, especially in cleansing products meant to wash the skin without stripping it.

You may also find “Avena Sativa Kernel Oil”, oat oil, which is especially interesting if you’re looking for a more nourishing product that helps restore softness, elasticity, and comfort to dry skin.

Beyond these, there are also variations that refer to specific oat-derived components, such as ingredients obtained from its sugars or proteins. They’re not always included, but when they are, they can provide extra support for sensitive, easily irritated skin.

A helpful tip is to check where oats appear in the INCI list. Ingredients are listed in descending order of concentration, so if oats are near the top, they likely play a key role in the formula. If they appear closer to the end, they may be present in smaller amounts.

Lastly, keep in mind that oats work best when included in well-balanced formulas designed to respect the skin. If you also see hydrating and soothing ingredients like glycerin, aloe, panthenol, or plant butters, that’s usually a great sign.

Learning to read an INCI list doesn’t mean becoming an expert, it simply helps you make more mindful, informed skincare choices.

Common mistakes: what to avoid to prevent dry skin

When your skin feels dry, the instinct is often to “do more”: cleanse more, exfoliate more, switch products every week in the hope of finally finding the right one. But in reality, skin that feels tight and easily irritated needs less stress, not more. One of the most common mistakes is washing your face with water that’s too hot, or taking long, steaming showers. Heat can increase dehydration and weaken the skin barrier, leaving the skin even more vulnerable. Over-cleansing is another silent enemy. Using overly stripping products, harsh foaming cleansers, or formulas designed for oily or blemish-prone skin can leave that “squeaky clean” tight feeling, which is actually a warning sign.

Another habit to avoid is overdoing scrubs and exfoliants. Exfoliation can be helpful, but doing it too often, especially with rough physical scrubs or acids used without care, can quickly become irritating, worsening dryness, redness, and flaking.

Constantly changing products or layering too many active ingredients can also confuse the skin. When skin is already sensitive, an overloaded routine can become a source of stress rather than a soothing ritual.

Pay attention to small everyday gestures too: rubbing your face with a towel, repeatedly using makeup wipes, or touching your skin often can all increase irritation and dryness.

The environment also plays a big role. Air conditioning, indoor heating, and frequent temperature changes can make the skin feel even drier and more damaged, especially during winter.

Lastly, one major mistake is forgetting sunscreen. UV rays can weaken the skin barrier and make the skin more fragile, even when you don’t notice the effects right away. Overall, it’s important to remember that when skin is dry, the solution isn’t to attack it for quick results. The best approach is to support it with gentle gestures, skin-respecting formulas, and a stable routine, so it can regain balance, comfort, and softness.

Conclusions:

In this article, we’ve explored how to recognise when your skin is stressed and in need of extra care, which habits to avoid to prevent worsening sensitivity, and why oats can be an ideal ally in fighting dryness. We also looked at simple ways to include oats in your daily skincare routine, and how to spot them in the INCI list so you can make more mindful choices when looking for a truly soothing product.

Most importantly, it’s essential to listen to your skin and respect its natural balance, and when it comes to gentle comfort, oats are a small but reliable skincare certainty.