The Benefits of Oats on Scalp and Hair

Some ingredients in hair and scalp care products are easy to understand, but others can seem a little mysterious. One such constituent is oats, which have been used in food for over 30,000 years, and are also widely known to have a myriad of benefits for skin, scalp and hair – but how? As always, it’s about more than just the ingredient on its own. It comes down to the type, how it’s processed and refined, what it’s combined with, the technology behind the formula and more. At Hårklinikken, we harness the power of natural ingredients through complex science.

What are oats?

Scientifically named Avena sativa, oats are a cereal grain that contains various micronutrients. Packed with oat protein and fatty acids, they are well-known for skincare purposes – mostly used in a finely ground powder form (called colloidal oatmeal) or refined for oat oil. Rich in ceramides and vitamin E, oats contain skin-conditioning and protective benefits along with saponin properties that help with cleansing and sebum-control for the scalp and hair. In addition to these properties, oats also contain amino acids which have their own unique benefits.

What are amino acids?

Amino acids are essential components that come together to form larger structural forms such as protein molecules. Roughly 500 amino acids are found in nature, 20 amino acids make up the protein in the human body, and nine are considered essential amino acids that the body needs to function but doesn’t produce, so they are necessary to acquire through food and supplements. Oats produce all nine of these essential amino acids – histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine – making them a very beneficial ingredient.

What are sodium lauroyl oat amino acids?

Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids are derived from combining lauric acid with oat protein amino acids. This yields a skin-friendly, plant-based surfactant (which reduces surface tension) that’s perfect for gentle foaming and cleansing.

How does this ingredient benefit the scalp and hair?

When carefully formulated with other ingredients, it creates a gentle foaming cleanser with emollient properties that helps to protect the scalp skin barrier. As well as dissipating oils and buildup from the scalp and hair, this ingredient also contains conditioning and softening benefits for hair strands.

How is Hårklinikken's use of this ingredient unique?

In our Balancing Shampoo, we leverage the properties of oats in the form of sodium lauroyl oat amino acids to create – in combination with other constituents – a shampoo that yields a soft foam in hard or soft water. It clears away buildup and rinses out easily without leaving residue. This sophisticated formula is designed to clarify hair strands and gently cleanse the scalp without stripping or drying out the scalp skin barrier, making it mild enough to use daily.