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A homemade oatmeal bath is quite easy and so soothing and moisturizing for the skin. Among the many benefits of an oatmeal bath soak is it’s alleviation of skin irritations and itchiness, whether from a common rash, eczema, poison ivy, hives, or even diaper rash. Below, I show how to make an oatmeal bath soak along with an oatmeal bath recipe, that includes a few other beneficial ingredients to treat itchy skin and other issues.

Oatmeal Bath Soak

An Oatmeal bath soak is an old fashioned remedy that works great. Finely ground oatmeal (sold as colloidal oatmeal) can be dissolved right into warm bath water. Here I’ve made my own by pulsing quick oats in a blender. This oat flour is not quite as fine as colloidal oatmeal, but it is close enough and will dissolve in the bath. While oatmeal is of course the primary ingredient in this soak, other ingredients can have a complimentary effect when added to a therapeutic oatmeal bath soak.

Oatmeal Bath Benefits

Oatmeal baths are a go to home remedy for all sorts of skin issues. Soaking in a soothing oatmeal bath is often the first thing suggested for eczema flare ups, rashes and poison ivy outbreaks. It is soothing and reduces itchiness, which of course assists with healing. These therapeutic baths are also suggested for those suffering from hives or chicken pox, as the bath will lessen the likelihood that sufferers will scar themselves scratching after having one.

Oatmeal Baths for Rashes

Soaking in an oatmeal bath calms the inflammation of a rash and coats the surface of skin with hydrating lipids. As the skin is less itchy, scratching is reduced so healing can occur. For eczema, diaper rash, sunburn, heat rash and other simple inflammations keep the focus of teaming the oats with other soothing ingredients, such as lavender oil, frankincense oil, baking soda (helps reduce acidity), Epsom salts and milk (if if does not cause issues for your skin). Oatmeal baths are particularly popular remedies for diaper rash as they are safe and gentle for the delicate skin o babies.

Oatmeal Soak for Chicken Pox or Poison Ivy

The same bath ingredients that help with a rash also assist in treating poison ivy and chicken pox blisters. Adding tea tree oil to the bath soak when treating theses issues can also be beneficial, as it is antiseptic and antibacterial.

How to Make an Oatmeal Bath Soak

As I described above, I grind my oats for bath soaks in a blender or food processor rather than purchasing colloidal oatmeal, but that works well too. To enhance the effectiveness of the powdered oats, I like to add magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts), bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and a little lavender essential oil. The ingredients are placed in a a blender and pulsed until all the oat flakes are ground down to a powder.

Making Oatmeal Bath Soak: Video

Here is a quick video showing how easy it is to make this homemade bath soak yourself. Full printable recipe below.

Taking an Oatmeal Bath

Simply pour your bath soak mixture into a warm (not hot) running bath, then soak soak in the warm bathwater for 15 to 20 minutes. Alternately, if you do not wish to grind your oats or buy colloidal oatmeal you can fill an old sock or stocking with a cup or two of oats, run a hot bath and allow the oats to steep in the water until the bath cools to a gently warm temperature, then soak in it for 15-20 minutes as above.

Other Homemade Oatmeal Bath Products to Help Soothe Skin

Oatmeal is sort of a go to item for me when making homemade bath products with my daughter in mind. Oats are mild and their benefits are great for kid’s skin. She particularly loves my Soothing Lavender Oatmeal Soap and Lavender Oatmeal Bath Bombs recipe.