Composition containing oat extract for increased cell renewal rate

The present invention relates to a composition to enhance the rate of skin cell renewal or exfoliation and to a method of increasing the skin cell renewal rate without an increase in skin irritation. In particular, the present invention relates to a composition containing a skin benefit agent that includes oat extract. The present invention also relates to a method of increasing the rate of skin-cell renewal by applying a composition to the skin, wherein the composition comprises an amount of oat extract effective to increase skin cell turnover or renewal rate. The present invention relates to a method of enhancing the rate of skin desquamation by incorporating an oat extract into a cosmetic composition suitable for application to mammalian skin. The composition is preferably free of known skin exfoliation agents.