Adding oatmeal to shampoo can provide many benefits for hair health and appearance. Oatmeal contains saponins, which are natural cleansers that can help remove dirt, oil, and product buildup from hair. It also contains compounds like beta-glucan that coat and condition hair. Using an oatmeal shampoo can leave hair feeling clean, soft, strengthened, and shiny.
While oatmeal on its own can have great effects, combining it with shampoo allows you to continue enjoying the rich lather and cleaning power of your regular shampoo while also getting the advantages of oatmeal. Making your own oatmeal shampoo at home is simple, affordable, and customizable to your hair’s needs.
What are the benefits of oatmeal for hair?
Oatmeal has many properties that make it great for hair health:
- Natural saponins act as gentle cleansers to remove dirt, oil, and product residue without stripping hair.
- Beta-glucan forms a protective layer on the hair strands to seal in moisture.
- Polysaccharides coat and condition hair for softness and manageability.
- Protein helps strengthen and repair damage to add resilience.
- Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant to prevent free radical damage.
- Linoleic acid moisturizes dry hair.
Using an oatmeal shampoo, mask, or rinse can help achieve stronger, softer, shinier locks. Oatmeal is gentle enough for daily use on all hair types. It is especially beneficial for dry, damaged hair that needs extra hydration and protection.
What types of oatmeal work best for hair?
You can use regular rolled or quick oats to make oatmeal shampoo and hair treatments. Steel-cut oats also work very well since they are coarse and can help scrub the scalp.
For the finest results, look for colloidal oatmeal. This is oatmeal that has been milled into an extremely fine powder that easily mixes into liquids. The tiny particles allow it to penetrate deeply into hair strands to deliver concentrated benefits. Colloidal oatmeal is commonly used to create soothing oatmeal baths and is easiest to incorporate into shampoo.
Simple Homemade Oatmeal Shampoo Recipe
Follow these steps to make a simple oatmeal shampoo at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon colloidal oatmeal
- 1 teaspoon liquid castile soap or other mild soap
- 1 cup water
Instructions:
- Add the colloidal oatmeal and castile soap to a bowl.
- Heat the water until warm but not hot. Pour it over the oatmeal and soap.
- Mix with a spoon or whisk to form a liquid. Allow to sit for 5 minutes so the oatmeal releases its benefits.
- Transfer to a bottle and shake before each use.
- Massage a quarter-sized amount into wet hair and scalp. Rinse thoroughly.
You can double or triple this recipe depending on the length and thickness of your hair. Store the oatmeal shampoo in the refrigerator and shake well before each use. Use within 5-7 days.
Tips for best results:
- Use warm water to help the oatmeal release its nutrients.
- Let the mixture sit before using so the oatmeal has time to soften and break down.
- Shake well before each use to distribute the oatmeal particles.
- Rinse thoroughly with cool water to seal in moisture.
- Use once a week for regular scalp cleansing and hydration.
How to Add Oatmeal to Regular Shampoo
An easy way to enjoy the benefits of oatmeal is to simply mix it into your regular shampoo. Here are two simple methods:
Option 1: Oatmeal Shampoo Mixture
- Grind 1 tablespoon of colloidal oatmeal into a fine powder using a coffee grinder, food processor, or mortar and pestle.
- Mix the finely ground oatmeal with 2 to 3 tablespoons of your regular shampoo.
- Apply to wet hair as normal. The oatmeal will help loosen dirt and absorb excess oils.
- Rinse well. Use cool water for the final rinse.
This allows you to add cleansing and hydrating oatmeal into your shampoo routine a few times a week.
Option 2: Oatmeal Shampoo Shake
- Add 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of dry oatmeal to an empty shampoo bottle.
- Fill the bottle with your regular shampoo.
- Shake well before wetting your hair to distribute the oatmeal.
- Apply to hair and scalp as normal. The oatmeal will help exfoliate the scalp.
- Rinse thoroughly and finish with a cool water rinse.
The dry oatmeal mixed into the shampoo will gently scrub the scalp each time you shampoo. Be sure to shake well before each use.
Other Oatmeal Hair Mask Recipes
In addition to oatmeal shampoo, you can also make nourishing oatmeal hair masks. These provide deep conditioning treatments to hydrate, strengthen, and restore hair.
Basic Oatmeal Hair Mask
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Mix the oatmeal and warm water in a bowl. Allow to sit for 5 minutes to thicken. Add the oil and honey if desired, stirring to combine. Apply the mask to damp hair, covering strands from roots to ends. Let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Apply once a week.
Hydrating Oatmeal Mask
- 1/2 cup colloidal oatmeal
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 banana, mashed
- 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
Mash the banana in a bowl until smooth. Mix in the yogurt, oatmeal, and oil. Apply to damp hair and let sit 30 minutes. Rinse out thoroughly. The vitamins and oils will deeply moisturize.
Clarifying Oatmeal Mask
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 cup warm water
Create a paste by mixing the oatmeal, vinegar, honey and water in a bowl. Smooth onto dry hair and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing. Rinse well with cool water.
What is the best way to prepare oatmeal for hair recipes?
To maximize the benefits for your hair:
- Grind oats into a fine powder or use colloidal oatmeal for best penetration into hair.
- Use warm or hot water to help release beneficial compounds like saponins.
- Soak or let sit 5-10 minutes before applying to hair to allow oatmeal to soften.
- Shake shampoo mixtures well before use to distribute particles.
- Start with small amounts of oatmeal and adjust as needed.
- Rinse thoroughly with cool water to seal in moisture.
What ratio of oatmeal to shampoo should be used?
There is no set ratio for mixing oatmeal into shampoo. A good guideline is:
- 1 teaspoon of oatmeal per 1 tablespoon of shampoo for a light mixture.
- 1 tablespoon oatmeal per 2-3 tablespoons of shampoo for a deeper treatment.
- Up to equal parts oatmeal and shampoo for an extra conditioning mask.
Start with small amounts of oatmeal mixed into your shampoo and adjust the ratio as desired. Use more oatmeal for a deeper cleansing and conditioning effect. Too much can make hair feel heavy or gummy, so adjust the amounts to suit your hair type and needs.
Should you adjust shampoo amount when adding oatmeal?
It’s a good idea to reduce the amount of shampoo you use when mixing in oatmeal. Here’s why:
- Oatmeal contains saponins that create lather and act as cleansers.
- Too much shampoo with oatmeal may over-cleanse and dry out the hair and scalp.
- Using less shampoo ensures you don’t strip away too many beneficial oils.
- Oatmeal also acts as a thickening agent, so less shampoo is needed.
- Start with half the regular shampoo amount and adjust as needed.
For example, if you normally use a quarter-sized amount of shampoo, try an eighth-size amount when mixing with oatmeal. Monitor how your hair feels and reduce shampoo as needed when using oatmeal recipes.
What ingredients pair well with oatmeal in shampoos and masks?
Oatmeal complements many ingredients well in homemade hair care recipes:
| Ingredient | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Honey | Antioxidant, humectant adds shine |
| Yogurt | Proteins strengthen, lactic acid cleanses |
| Banana | Vitamins and potassium hydrate |
| Avocado | Fatty acids add moisture |
| Olive oil | Smooths and conditions |
| Coconut oil | Antifungal and hydrating for scalp |
| Lemon | Clarifying and adds shine |
| Apple cider vinegar | Removes buildup from hair and scalp |
| Essential oils | For fragrance and scalp health |
Choose ingredients suited for your hair goals, like hydration, strength, growth, or dandruff relief. Mix and match to create custom oatmeal hair care recipes.
Are there any disadvantages to using oatmeal on hair?
Oatmeal is generally very beneficial and safe to use on hair. However, there are a few potential disadvantages to keep in mind:
- It can feel drying if not rinsed out thoroughly. Make sure to rinse with cool water.
- The particles may cause buildup on fine, thin hair. Use sparingly.
- Some people may be allergic or sensitive to oats. Do a patch test.
- Oatmeal particles could clog shower drains over time. Use a drain catcher.
- It can leave hair feeling gummy or weighted down if overused.
- The raw oatmeal smell lingers if hair isn’t washed after a treatment.
Start by using small amounts of oatmeal and adjust as needed for your hair type. Make sure to rinse thoroughly after use. Contact a doctor if any irritation occurs.
Does oatmeal lighten or darken hair?
Oatmeal does not significantly alter hair color when used in shampoos or treatments. It does not contain bleaching agents so will not lighten hair. The compounds in oatmeal may slightly enhance the hair’s natural pigmentation for added shine and depth. But oatmeal will not drastically lighten or darken your natural hair color.
Conclusion
Oatmeal is a simple, natural way to improve hair health, cleanse the scalp, and achieve soft, shiny locks. Its nourishing compounds and gently exfoliating texture provide many benefits when used properly. Mix oatmeal into your shampoo routine or create homemade masks to customize your hair care. Adjust recipes based on your hair type and goals. Pay attention to ratios and rinsing instructions for best results. With a bit of experimenting, oatmeal can enhance the look and feel of your hair.