What Aveeno’s marketing says about Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream
Aveeno says…
Relieves dry, itchy, irritated skin due to eczema
It intensely moisturizes to help strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier, helping to prevent the cycle of dryness.
But does it really? Let us find out…
Disclaimer: What the company says about a product should be given very little importance when considering the product. Decisions should be based on what the ingredients in the product do.
Read the review below to find out if the product ‘ actually’ does what its marketing says it does…
Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream Review
Aveeno seems to have a product with the same name – but with a slightly different ingredient list across different locations. This review is for the one that has Colloidal oatmeal 1% as the active ingredient. Check the ingredient list and make sure that’s what you are trying to read the review for…
The product’s ingredients
Description of what the ingredients in Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream do
Active Ingredient – Colloidal oatmeal 1%
Function: Anti-inflammatory, Hydrating, Skin barrier repair
Colloidal oatmeal is very fine oatmeal.
It is very rich in a chemical called avenanthramides. Avenanthramides reduce the irritation on the skin. Avenanthramides also reduce the itchy sensation that is common in people with eczema.
Hence, it is important to reduce that itchy sensation. The skin’s top layer acts as a barrier. A strong barrier keeps skin hydrated and reduces breakouts on the skin. People with eczema tend to have a weak skin barrier – and scratching further weakens it. Hence it is important to control the itchy sensation.
Colloidal oatmeal calms the skin and reduces redness on the skin.
It is also very rich in beta-glucans. Beta-glucans are water magnets. It draws water from the atmosphere to the skin’s surface and thus hydrates the skin. It also forms a hydrocolloid (a thin film) and prevents this hydration from evaporating into the atmosphere. Betal-glucans hydrate and help retain skin’s hydration.
Colloidal oatmeal is also rich in lipids that the skin needs. Lipids are compounds that help the skin in its barrier function. A good amount of lipids means a strong skin barrier.
In people with eczema, some of these lipids are not at an optimum level. Colloidal oatmeal’s lipids help to strengthen this barrier function.
Colloidal oatmeal is very fine oatmeal.
It is very rich in a chemical called avenanthramides. Avenanthramides reduce the irritation on the skin. Avenanthramides also reduce the itchy sensation that is common in people with eczema.
Hence, it is important to reduce that itchy sensation. The skin’s top layer acts as a barrier. A strong barrier keeps skin hydrated and reduces breakouts on the skin. People with eczema tend to have a weak skin barrier – and scratching further weakens it. Hence it is important to control the itchy sensation.
Colloidal oatmeal calms the skin and reduces redness on the skin.
It is also very rich in beta-glucans. Beta-glucans are water magnets. It draws water from the atmosphere to the skin’s surface and thus hydrates the skin. It also forms a hydrocolloid (a thin film) and prevents this hydration from evaporating into the atmosphere. Betal-glucans hydrate and help retain skin’s hydration.
Colloidal oatmeal is also rich in lipids that the skin needs. Lipids are compounds that help the skin in its barrier function. A good amount of lipids means a strong skin barrier.
In people with eczema, some of these lipids are not at an optimum level. Colloidal oatmeal’s lipids help to strengthen this barrier function.
Ingredient 1 – Water
Function: Solvent
A solvent helps in dissolving other ingredients in the product. Dissolved ingredients can spread and penetrate better.
A solvent helps in dissolving other ingredients in the product. Dissolved ingredients can spread and penetrate better.
Ingredient 2 – Glycerin
Function: Humectant
Humectants are water magnets. They attract water. They are like sponges. When applied on the skin’s surface, they draw water vapour from the atmosphere to the skin.
They can also draw water from the deeper layers of the skin to the surface of the skin. Humectants hydrate and plump up the skin.
Glycerin is a powerful humectant.
Humectants are water magnets. They attract water. They are like sponges. When applied on the skin’s surface, they draw water vapour from the atmosphere to the skin.
They can also draw water from the deeper layers of the skin to the surface of the skin. Humectants hydrate and plump up the skin.
Glycerin is a powerful humectant.
Ingredient 3 – Panthenol
Function: Humectant (hydrates skin), Anti-inflammatory
Humectants are like sponges. When applied on the skin’s surface, they draw water vapour from the atmosphere to the skin. This water hydrates the skin. Hydrated skin is plump.
Panthenol is a powerful humectant.
Panthenol reduces redness and calms and soothes skin. Inflammation eventually leads to dark spots and uneven skin tone (pigmentation). So, it’s important to reduce the inflammation.
Panthenol is a powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient.
Humectants are like sponges. When applied on the skin’s surface, they draw water vapour from the atmosphere to the skin. This water hydrates the skin. Hydrated skin is plump.
Panthenol is a powerful humectant.
Panthenol reduces redness and calms and soothes skin. Inflammation eventually leads to dark spots and uneven skin tone (pigmentation). So, it’s important to reduce the inflammation.
Panthenol is a powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient.
Ingredient 4 – Distearyldimonium chloride
Function: Emulsifier
An emulsifier keeps the oil-based and water-based ingredients in the product together. Without it, the product’s ingredients will not mix. They will separate.
An emulsifier keeps the oil-based and water-based ingredients in the product together. Without it, the product’s ingredients will not mix. They will separate.
Ingredient 5 – Petrolatum
Function: Occlusive
Petrolatum forms a protective layer on the skin, seals the water in, and prevents water loss from the skin’s surface.
Dermatologists often use petrolatum as the standard for occlusive. Petrolatum is the refined by-product of crude oil. Because it comes from crude oil, you might see material on the internet saying it’s not safe.
It is safe. It is not petrol or crude oil. It has a completely different chemical structure. Here is an example: Sodium is a dangerous metal.
Chlorine is a poisonous compound. Yet, together, they form Sodium Chloride, which is nothing but cooking salt.
Petrolatum forms a protective layer on the skin, seals the water in, and prevents water loss from the skin’s surface.
Dermatologists often use petrolatum as the standard for occlusive. Petrolatum is the refined by-product of crude oil. Because it comes from crude oil, you might see material on the internet saying it’s not safe.
It is safe. It is not petrol or crude oil. It has a completely different chemical structure. Here is an example: Sodium is a dangerous metal.
Chlorine is a poisonous compound. Yet, together, they form Sodium Chloride, which is nothing but cooking salt.
Ingredient 6 – Isopropyl palmitate
Function: Emollient
It softens and smoothens the skin. It can cause acne, blackheads and whiteheads in some (especially if you have oily skin).
It softens and smoothens the skin. It can cause acne, blackheads and whiteheads in some (especially if you have oily skin).
Ingredient 7 – Cetyl alcohol
Function: Emollient, Thickener, Emulsifier
Emollients soften and smoothen the skin.
An emulsifier keeps the oil-based and water-based ingredients in the product together. Without it, the product’s ingredients will not mix. It binds all ingredients in the product together and thickens it.
Emollients soften and smoothen the skin.
An emulsifier keeps the oil-based and water-based ingredients in the product together. Without it, the product’s ingredients will not mix. It binds all ingredients in the product together and thickens it.
Ingredient 8 – Dimethicone
Function: Emollient, Texture enhancer
Emollients soften and smoothen the skin.
Emollients form a thin layer on top of the skin and prevent the moisture underneath it from evaporating into the atmosphere. Thus, they keep the skin hydrated.
Adds a slippery and silky feel to the product. Lubricates and provides shine. Improves the texture of the product.
Emollients soften and smoothen the skin.
Emollients form a thin layer on top of the skin and prevent the moisture underneath it from evaporating into the atmosphere. Thus, they keep the skin hydrated.
Adds a slippery and silky feel to the product. Lubricates and provides shine. Improves the texture of the product.
Ingredient 9 – Avena sativa (oat) kernel oil
Function: Anti-inflammatory, Emollient
Similar properties as colloidal oatmeal (but at a slightly lesser rate).
Calms and soothes the skin. Since this is an oil, it also softens and smoothes the skin.
Similar properties as colloidal oatmeal (but at a slightly lesser rate).
Calms and soothes the skin. Since this is an oil, it also softens and smoothes the skin.
A quick note on other ingredients
These ingredients are all further down the ingredient list. So the amount used in the product is less. The amount of an ingredient used reduces as we go down the ingredient list. And for most functional ingredients, when used at lower rates, their effect won’t be the same as if they were used at higher rates.
It is important to remember that in most skincare products when it comes to how much the ingredients help the skin, only the first 5 ingredients matter the most. After about the 7th ingredient, how much the ingredient can help the skin reduces significantly.
It has a small amount of ceramide np. Ceramides help in strengthening the skin’s barrier function. A strong skin barrier means less breakouts, itchiness and flakiness on the skin.
Not sure if the size and quantity of this ingredient here is effective in doing this – but if it can’t, it will work as an emollient – softens and smoothes the skin.
It has a small amount of Avena sativa (oat) kernel extract. This ingredient calms and reduces redness on the skin.
It is important to remember that in most skincare products when it comes to how much the ingredients help the skin, only the first 5 ingredients matter the most. After about the 7th ingredient, how much the ingredient can help the skin reduces significantly.
It has a small amount of ceramide np. Ceramides help in strengthening the skin’s barrier function. A strong skin barrier means less breakouts, itchiness and flakiness on the skin.
Not sure if the size and quantity of this ingredient here is effective in doing this – but if it can’t, it will work as an emollient – softens and smoothes the skin.
It has a small amount of Avena sativa (oat) kernel extract. This ingredient calms and reduces redness on the skin.
This product is also called:
Aveeno Eczema Therapy Soothing Cream, Steroid-Free
