Benefits of Honey and Oatmeal for Dry Skin

Dry, dehydrated skin isn’t just uncomfortable – it indicates a compromised skin barrier in need of nourishment and repair. Fortunately, nature provides powerful remedies. Honey and colloidal oatmeal, two key ingredients in Hive & Holler’s Honey Hand & Body Cream, have centuries of use in soothing dry skin. Modern scientific studies now validate their effectiveness for moisture retention, calming irritation, and barrier repair, making them trusted allies for healthy, hydrated skin. Below, we explore the evidence-backed skincare benefits of honey and colloidal oatmeal, and how they can relieve even the driest skin¹.

Honey Hand Body Cream

Fragrance free hydration powered by raw honey & oatmeal — no grease, no fuss, just comfort.

Honey: Nature’s Moisturizer and Skin Soother

Honey isn’t just a sweetener – it’s a humectant and emollient that works wonders for parched skin. In cosmetic formulations, honey attracts and retains moisture in the skin, helping to keep it soft and hydrated*. Chemically, honey is rich in sugars like fructose and glucose which draw water into the outer layers of the skin through hydrogen bonding, thereby increasing skin moisture content*. By functioning as a natural humectant, honey boosts the skin’s hydration levels and prevents dryness.

Importantly, scientific research supports honey’s hydrating power. In a controlled study of honey-based creams, participants saw significant improvements in skin moisture. For example, a 15% honey-enriched cream increased skin hydration by nearly 30% after four weeks of use, compared to only about 10% in a placebo cream*. This dramatic boost in moisture confirms that honey can deeply rehydrate dry skin. Additional research found that honey formulations not only add moisture but also help reinforce the skin’s barrier. Honey-based mixtures were shown to reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL), meaning less moisture escapes from the skin, which improves barrier function. In short, honey helps dry skin hold onto water and fortifies the skin’s natural protective seal.

Honey’s benefits go beyond hydration. It has natural soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that make it ideal for irritated, dry skin*. Dermatology experts note that honey exerts a calming effect on the skin, helping to reduce redness and irritation while also providing antimicrobial action to keep broken or chapped skin clean*. In fact, medical-grade honey is even used as a dressing for wounds and burns because it promotes healing and prevents infection* – a testament to its gentle yet powerful restorative effects. For someone suffering from dry, cracked skin, honey can both calm the inflammation and create a healthier environment for skin to repair itself.

Key benefits: Honey for dry skin:

• Intense Moisture Retention: Draws water into the skin and locks it in, significantly improving hydration levels*.
• Barrier Support: Reduces moisture loss (lowering TEWL) and maintains the skin’s protective barrier*.
• Soothing Irritation: Provides anti-inflammatory effects that calm redness, itching, and irritation on dry, sensitive skin*.
• Antimicrobial Protection: Naturally inhibits harmful bacteria, helping prevent infection in compromised or cracked skin*.

With such a broad range of benefits, it’s no surprise honey has been a cornerstone of natural skincare. Modern science simply confirms that this time-honored ingredient can effectively treat dry skin by hydrating, protecting, and soothing it.

Colloidal Oatmeal: Nature’s Ultimate Skin Protectant

Colloidal oatmeal (finely milled whole oats) is another powerhouse ingredient for dry and irritated skin, backed by extensive scientific and clinical evidence. So effective are its skin benefits that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) classifies colloidal oatmeal as a skin protectant for treating dry, itchy, or irritated skin*. In fact, colloidal oatmeal is an approved over-the-counter treatment for eczema and other minor skin irritations, valued for its anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and soothing properties*. (The FDA even requires that any moisturizer marketed for eczema relief must contain colloidal oatmeal*, underscoring how vital this natural ingredient is for barrier repair and relief of dryness.)

One of colloidal oatmeal’s remarkable qualities is its ability to restore and defend the skin barrier. It is rich in beta-glucans and starches that bind to the skin, forming a protective film over the surface. This occlusive layer helps lock in moisture and prevent water loss from the skin*. Essentially, colloidal oatmeal leaves behind an invisible shield that keeps hydration in and harsh elements out. Dermatologists explain that this barrier-strengthening effect is a major reason oatmeal lotions guard against dryness – the oatmeal’s emollient properties fill tiny cracks in the skin and reinforce its function as a defense against the environment**. By buffering the skin’s pH and delivering lipids and antioxidants, oatmeal further supports the skin’s natural barrier integrity*.

Clinical studies confirm that colloidal oatmeal delivers tangible improvements for dry or compromised skin. In a randomized trial, women with chronically dry, itchy legs applied a colloidal oatmeal lotion daily. The results showed significant improvements in skin dryness, hydration levels, and overall barrier function compared to baseline*. In other words, the oatmeal moisturizer not only made the skin feel less dry, but measurably strengthened the skin’s barrier to hold in moisture more effectively*. Another study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found that a 1% colloidal oatmeal cream improved multiple markers of skin health – it normalized the skin’s pH, increased hydration, and even enhanced the skin’s beneficial microbial balance*. Taken together, these results demonstrate that colloidal oatmeal can provide lasting relief and repair for very dry skin, rather than just a temporary fix.

Perhaps most famously, colloidal oatmeal is revered for its ability to soothe irritation and itching. Dry skin often comes with inflammation – redness, itchiness, and that uncomfortable urge to scratch. Oatmeal contains unique polyphenols called avenanthramides, which have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on the skin*. These compounds help calm the inflammatory signals in the skin, relieving itch and reducing redness. In fact, a 2015 study showed that colloidal oatmeal’s anti-inflammatory properties significantly improved skin dryness, scaling, roughness, and itching in patients with eczema-prone skin*. This means oatmeal doesn’t just make skin feel better; it visibly reduces the symptoms of irritation. Even for people without eczema, daily use of an oatmeal-enriched moisturizer can prevent seasonal dry, itchy skin by keeping inflammation at bay*. Little wonder that dermatologists often recommend oatmeal baths and creams for conditions like sunburn, rashes, and dermatitis – it’s a gentle, natural soothing agent for distressed skin.

Key benefits: colloidal oatmeal for dry skin:

• Barrier Repair: Strengthens the skin’s barrier by boosting production of barrier lipids and proteins, and leaves a protective film that prevents water loss*.
• Deep Moisturization: Acts as an emollient, delivering hydration and improving water retention in the skin for long-lasting moisture relief*.
• Anti-Inflammatory Relief: Contains avenanthramides and antioxidants that reduce inflammation, easing redness, itching, and irritation associated with dry skin*.
• Clinically Proven Eczema Care: Demonstrated in studies to improve symptoms of atopic dermatitis (eczema), leading to less dryness and fewer flare-ups, which is why it’s an FDA-approved ingredient for eczema treatment**.

Colloidal oatmeal’s ability to moisturize, protect, and soothe makes it a gold-standard ingredient for repairing dry skin. It not only helps skin feel more comfortable but actively contributes to healing the underlying barrier damage that causes dryness.

Experience the Difference with Hive & Holler’s Honey Hand & Body Cream

The science is clear: honey and colloidal oatmeal are a dynamic duo for relieving dry skin. Hive & Holler’s Honey Hand & Body Cream is formulated with these proven natural ingredients, meaning each application delivers a dose of real, research-backed benefits. Pure honey in the cream draws moisture into your skin and keeps it there, quenching dryness and restoring a dewy suppleness. At the same time, colloidal oatmeal forms a soothing protective veil over your skin, helping to repair the lipid barrier and calm any irritation or itch. The result is skin that feels soft, comforted, and resilient.

Ready to transform your dry skin? It’s time to put science’s favorite natural remedies to work for you. Try Hive & Holler’s Honey Hand & Body Cream and experience the soothing, lasting hydration your skin craves. Don’t let dry, irritated skin hold you back – indulge in the nature-powered relief of honey and colloidal oatmeal, and enjoy skin that’s healthy, moisturized, and glowing. Your skin will drink it up, and you’ll finally see why honey and oatmeal have earned their reputation as skin saviors. Experience the science-backed goodness for yourself – your skin will thank you!

Honey and Oatmeal for Dry Skin

References:

1. Burlando, B., & Cornara, L. (2013). Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 12(4), 306–313 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
2. Behrens, M. (2020). Honey Hydration: A Study on Skin. Cosmetics & Toiletries – Summary of research on honey’s skin hydration and barrier effects cosmeticsandtoiletries.com.
3. Suwiński, G., et al. (2024). Innovative Honey-Based Product and Its Beneficial Effects Measured by Modern Biophysical and Imaging Skin Techniques. Pharmaceuticals, 17(12), 1709. – Clinical study showing honey-enriched creams improved skin hydration and reduced water loss pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govcosmeticsandtoiletries.com.
4. Ilnytska, O., et al. (2016). Colloidal Oatmeal (Avena sativa) Improves Skin Barrier Through Multi-Therapy Activity. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 15(6), 684–690 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
5. U.S. Dermatology Partners. (2021). How Can Colloidal Oatmeal Help Your Skin? – Overview by dermatologists of colloidal oatmeal’s anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and barrier benefits; includes FDA classification as a skin protectant usdermatologypartners.com usdermatologypartners.com.
6. Data on file, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (2015). Study demonstrating colloidal oatmeal’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties improve dryness and itching in eczema-prone skin usdermatologypartners.com.