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Copyright @ Pol J Cosmetol
Pol J Cosmetol 2021, 24(2): 88-94en  Oat (Avena sativa) - an underestimated beauty plantJacek Arct 1/, Katarzyna Pytkowska 2/, Aleksandra Piech 3/ 1/ Dr Seidel´s Foundation, Warsaw 2/ Maria Skłodowska-Curie Medical Academy in Warsaw 3/ Academy of Cosmetics and Health Care, Warsaw Summary Oats belongs to widely grown cereals. It contains a number of cosmetically active substances - proteins and β-glucan that act as moisturizing and immunostimulatory, and unsaturated fatty acids, forming an occlusive layer, including linolenic acid, particularly beneficial for the skin and other fatty acids influencing the PPAR receptors. It has strong antioxidant properties related to the presence of specific phenolic acid derivatives - avenanthramides, classic phenolics, flavonoids and vitamin E in the highly active form of α-tocotrienol. It also contains particular plant ceramides, improving the condition of the epidermal barrier. Owing to these substances, oats and their products have found application in beauty care cosmetics as multifunctional products with a multidirectional effect. They are used as substances preventing the ageing of the skin, for the care of atopic, prone to irritation and susceptible skin. The raw material market offers oat products and extracts. In addition, oat flakes are generally available. Despite this, the number of "oatmeal" cosmetics is still tiny, which seems incomprehensible in the prevailing fashion for natural products. Key words: oats, proteins, β-glucan, oat oil, phenolic acids, vegetable ceramides |