Database/Skin Conditioning Agent/Oat Kernel Extract
100% natural origin · ISO 16128

Is Oat Kernel Extract natural?

Yes. Aqueous or hydro-glycolic extract of Avena sativa kernels; all extracted starches, proteins and lipids are grain-derived.

INCI nameOat Kernel Extract
CAS84012-26-0
FunctionSkin Conditioning Agent · Antioxidant
FeedstockExtracted from oat (Avena sativa) kernels/groats by aqueous…

How we scored it

Whole-grain botanical extract; entire recovered mass is oat kernel matter, no petrochemical fragment. 1.0.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Extracted from oat (Avena sativa) kernels/groats by aqueous or hydro-alcoholic extraction and filtration. No synthetic alternative route is used commercially for this botanical extract.

Oat kernel extract is not synthesized in the industrial chemical sense but rather obtained through extraction from the oat kernel. The process begins with harvesting and cleaning the oat kernels. These kernels are then typically subjected to an extraction process using a solvent, which can be water, ethanol, or a mixture of both, often under controlled temperature and pressure conditions to maximize the yield of desired compounds.

Commonly extracted components include beta-glucans, avenanthramides, lipids, proteins, and various vitamins and minerals. Beta-glucans are polysaccharides known for their moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties. Avenanthramides are a group of phenolic compounds unique to oats, exhibiting potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The lipids present contribute emollient properties, while proteins can offer skin-soothing benefits.

Following the initial extraction, the solvent is typically removed, often through evaporation or distillation, to concentrate the extract. Further purification steps may be employed depending on the desired purity and specific application, such as filtration, centrifugation, or chromatographic techniques. The final product is usually a liquid or semi-solid extract, standardized for key active components.

In plain English

Oat kernel extract comes directly from the heart of the oat grain, the same grain used to make oatmeal. It's not made in a lab but carefully extracted from the plant itself, making it a natural ingredient. This extract is packed with beneficial compounds that are great for your skin.

Think of it as a concentrated dose of oat goodness. It contains things like beta-glucans, which are super moisturizers, and special antioxidants called avenanthramides that help protect your skin from damage. It also has natural oils and proteins that can soothe and soften your skin, making it feel smoother and more comfortable.

CosIng definition: Avena Sativa Kernel Extract is an extract of the kernels of the Oat, Avena sativa L., Poaceae

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2OAT KERNEL EXTRACT. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3AVENA SATIVA KERNEL EXTRACT. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=AVENA%20SATIVA%20KERNEL%20EXTRACT