Medline Restore Nitrile Exam Gloves 250-Count Review (2025): Highest Box Count with Skin-Soothing Oatmeal Coating
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★★★★½ 4.5/5
Reviewed by Steven Eaton, WC Safety Editorial — 2025
| Thickness | 3.6 mil (finger) / 2.8 mil (palm) |
|---|---|
| Color | Off-white/Beige |
| Count | 250/box (230 for XL) |
| Inner Coating | maxOat+ colloidal oatmeal |
| Material | Nitrile |
| Powder | Powder-free |
| Latex | Latex-free |
| Certifications | NEA Seal of Acceptance, ASTM D6319, ASTM D6978-05, USP 800 |
Medline Restore packs more gloves per box than any competitor in this collection—250 per box for S/M/L, 230 for XL—with a maxOat+ colloidal oatmeal inner coating that received the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance for skin health, making it the standout choice for healthcare workers with dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone hands.
Why This Glove Stands Out
The maxOat+ colloidal oatmeal inner coating is medically validated for skin soothing—oatmeal's anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties are well-documented in dermatology. Combined with the NEA Seal of Acceptance, this is the only nitrile exam glove on the market explicitly designed for healthcare workers who suffer skin irritation from extended daily glove wear, while still meeting ASTM D6978-05 and USP 800 for chemo drug handling.
Performance and Fit
At 3.6 mil finger / 2.8 mil palm, the Restore is a thinner exam glove than the Curad (4.9/4.1 mil) or Kimtech lines. That thinner gauge is a deliberate choice for maximum tactile sensitivity in patient-facing clinical work—exam, assessment, and procedure tasks where feel through the glove matters. The off-white/beige color is skin-tone adjacent, reducing the visual contrast that blue or black gloves create in patient interactions.
The 250-per-box count is the headline operational advantage. For busy clinical facilities burning through boxes daily, 250 per box reduces restocking frequency by 25% over 200-count boxes and 150% over standard 100-count. The colloidal oatmeal coating adds a daily moisturizing effect during glove wear—meaningful for nurses and phlebotomists changing gloves 50–100 times per shift who report cumulative skin dryness as a quality-of-life issue.
Durability and Chemical Protection
ASTM D6978-05 and USP 800 compliance at this gauge is notable—thin gloves are sometimes assumed to be insufficient for chemo drug handling, but the Restore's material formulation meets the permeation standard. Gluten-free certification addresses a less common but real concern in healthcare facilities with celiac disease protocols. The off-white color requires visual adjustment in facilities accustomed to blue—some inventory systems may need updating.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 250 per box—highest count in this collection—reduces restocking frequency and per-glove cost
- maxOat+ colloidal oatmeal inner coating with NEA Seal of Acceptance for sensitive skin
- USP 800 and ASTM D6978-05 compliant despite thin gauge—validated for chemo drug handling
- Gluten-free certification for facilities with celiac disease or wheat allergy protocols
Cons
- Off-white/beige color may not align with standard blue exam glove color-coding in existing facility protocols
- 3.6/2.8 mil is thinner than most exam gloves here—not appropriate for mechanical or industrial tasks
Who Should Buy This Glove
Order for high-volume clinical settings—hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies—where per-glove cost and restocking frequency matter AND staff report skin irritation from daily extended glove wear. Also appropriate for pharmacy compounding environments where USP 800 compliance is required.
Who Should Skip It
Skip for industrial or automotive tasks—at 3.6/2.8 mil, this is a thin clinical glove not suited to mechanical hazards. Skip for facilities where off-white creates inventory confusion or violates color-coding protocols.
How It Compares
The Kimtech Vista and Sterling (200/box) are the high-count competitors without the oatmeal coating. Curad (150/box) adds full-hand texture and slightly heavier gauge. For pure per-box count, Medline Restore wins at 250. For those needing color (blue) and heavier gauge, Curad 150 is the alternative.
Related Nitrile Gloves
- Kimtech Sterling Gray Nitrile Exam Gloves (200/box)
- Kimtech Vista Nitrile Exam Gloves (AQL 1.0, 200/box)
- Curad Nitrile Exam Gloves 150-Count
- Kimtech Purple Nitrile USP 800 Chemo Gloves
- MedPride Powder-Free Nitrile Exam Gloves
- Ansell Microflex SU-690 Violet Nitrile
- Inspire Cobalt Blue Nitrile Exam Gloves
- MED PRIDE Nitrile-Vinyl Blend Exam Gloves
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is colloidal oatmeal and why is it in a glove?
Colloidal oatmeal is finely ground oatmeal used in dermatology for its anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and skin-barrier properties. When applied as an inner coating in gloves, it contacts the skin during wear to soothe dryness and reduce irritation from repeated glove changes.
What is the NEA Seal of Acceptance?
The National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance is awarded to products that meet defined criteria for skin safety for individuals with eczema or sensitive skin. It is not a regulatory certification but a meaningful third-party endorsement from a patient-advocacy organization.
How many gloves are in a box?
250 for S, M, and L. 230 for XL. All ambidextrous.
Is Medline Restore USP 800 compliant?
Yes. Medline Restore meets ASTM D6978-05 for resistance to chemotherapy drug permeation and is cited as USP 800 compliant—making it appropriate for hazardous drug handling in pharmacy compounding.
Why off-white instead of blue?
Off-white is more skin-tone adjacent, reducing the visual contrast during patient-facing procedures. It also allows the colloidal oatmeal coating color to show without a color mismatch. Some facilities prefer the neutral tone for patient comfort.
Are Medline Restore gloves latex-free?
Yes. 100% nitrile—no natural rubber latex.
What does 3.6 mil / 2.8 mil mean?
Finger thickness is 3.6 mil (where puncture risk is highest); palm thickness is 2.8 mil (for flexibility). This is thinner than most exam gloves in this collection—optimized for tactile sensitivity over mechanical durability.
Are these gloves gluten-free?
Yes. Medline Restore is certified gluten-free—relevant for facilities serving patients with celiac disease or wheat sensitivity, and for workers with gluten sensitivity.
Can these be used for double-gloving in chemo compounding?
Yes. USP 800 and ASTM D6978-05 compliance means these are appropriate for chemo compounding glove requirements, including double-gloving protocols where specified.
How does the 250-count box affect storage?
A 250-count box is approximately 2.5x the volume of a standard 100-count box. Plan storage accordingly—tall box dispensers and larger cabinet space are needed.
What is the per-pair cost advantage vs. 100-count boxes?
Assuming similar per-box pricing, 250-count boxes reduce per-pair cost by approximately 60% versus 100-count boxes of comparable quality. For high-volume facilities, this produces significant annual PPE budget savings.
Are these appropriate for phlebotomy?
Yes. Thin 3.6 mil gauge maintains tactile sensitivity for vein palpation and needle placement. The powder-free construction prevents contamination.
What is the shelf life?
Three to five years in cool, dry storage away from UV and ozone.
What sizes are available?
S, M, L, XL. The XL box contains 230 gloves.
How do I transition from blue exam gloves to Medline Restore?
Update your facility's glove inventory system to recognize off-white as the chemo/exam glove SKU. Brief staff on the color change and communicate the rationale—skin health improvement and USP 800 compliance—to facilitate adoption.
The Bottom Line
Medline Restore is uniquely positioned at the intersection of highest box count, skin-health certification, and USP 800 compliance. For clinical facilities prioritizing staff skin health alongside regulatory compliance, no other glove in this collection offers this specific combination.
About the Author
Steven Eaton is the founder of WC Safety and a hands-on industrial PPE specialist with over a decade of experience sourcing and evaluating disposable gloves, respirators, and hearing protection for industrial, medical, and food-service environments.
Testing Methodology
Reviews are based on manufacturer specification sheets, ASTM/EN certification documentation, published comparative testing, and direct product handling. Ratings reflect build quality, specification value, and suitability for the intended application.
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