The skin is our largest organ, covering our entire body. It acts as a barrier, a protector, an indicator of health (to some degree), and it also plays a part in attracting others. Like anything else related to the body, it is not a one-size-fits-all kind of situation. There are different types of skin, with varying proclivities and dispositions. Some people are more susceptible to eczema, so here’s our Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream review.

What Is Eczema And What Causes It?

Woman with soft skin.

Eczema (also named Atopic Dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the skin, often characterized by areas of red, inflamed, and/or itchy skin, and also dry and rough patches of skin. What causes eczema varies from one person to another. Although it’s usually connected to your genetic makeup. Another highly contributing factor is the external environment.

There is no known cure for eczema, which is why it remains a chronic and prevalent skin condition. Because of its inflammatory nature, it’s best to adopt a preventive and proactive approach to it. Before anything, this means knowing your personal triggers (if any exist), and avoiding them. Also, once you do feel something flaring up, do what you can to mitigate the severity of the eczema.

Using a moisture cream or anti-itching cream is one of the most popular ways of preventing eczema from flaring up. When you scratch the itch, you usually hasten the onset. It might feel better in the short term, but scratching the skin’s surface could cause it to become even more sensitive, and the resulting eczema could be worse than if you had let it be.

Eczema can also be made worse by using harsh soaps and detergents, or certain fabric dyes, and basically things which come in direct contact with your skin. Genetics do play a part, as mentioned, but things like diet are not very conducive to making the situation better or worse. It’s usually not that type of skin condition, though there are always exceptions to the norm. Also, while eczema and various allergies could coincide, they usually do not directly affect each other, and are generally not each other’s cause or catalyst.

Another cause of eczema flaring up could have its roots in one’s psychology and mental state. There is a major link between our mind and body, and stress, anxiety, and pressure have been shown to aggravate pre-existing conditions, or even be the cause or acquisition of new conditions. And I am not talking about the type of urgency that makes you work better and harder, I mean the kind of stress which gnaws at your psyche and disables you.

Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream Ingredients Breakdown

This breakdown is for the ordinary tube. There is also a baby version of this cream, which actually has the same ingredients. For the purpose of this blog post I will be focusing on the regular version. It is a cream that is free of steroids, free of fragrances, and which has been clinically proven to help eczema.

The active ingredient which makes this cream a go-to for many people (whether they suffer from eczema or not) is the colloidal oatmeal 1%. This is an ingredient that helps the skin regain pH balance, and which strengthens the skin’s natural defenses. Oats come highly recommended by skin doctors, and in this cream, they are an element that locks in moisture.

Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream is not approved or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), since it’s an over the counter (OTC) drug. However, the active ingredient colloidal oatmeal has been approved by the FDA to treat eczema, rashes, and other forms of skin irritation.

Other ingredients in this cream include: oat kernel oil, glycerin and ceramide NP (fats), panthenol (a B5 pro-vitamin), petrolatum (a Vaseline-like substance), distearyldimonium chloride (which promotes smoother skin), and steareth-20 (an emulsifier and thickening agent). As well as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride. These help the drug to maintain its consistency and integrity for a longer period of time.

This is a cream that is safe for daily use, according to dermatologists. Nevertheless, don’t put all your eggs in that dermatological basket. If you see that this cream is not working, or that it is aggravating the condition, stop using it and see your physician. There is no replacement for an MD’s proper diagnosis.

Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream Review

Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream.

The company Aveeno is now celebrating its 75th year in the skin care business. You don’t make it this far without doing something right. The company uses a variety of healthy ingredients in its formulas: elements like oats, soy, feverfew, blackberries, and kiwi.

Depending on the severity of your eczema or general dryness, this product could prove to be useful. According to Aveeno, you should use this cream on mild or moderate eczema. More severe cases could require the intervention of a dermatologist, who may prescribe a separate type of cream, or recommend a different kind of treatment altogether. 

As for me, I was using this during the winter, when I began to get exceedingly dry. It wasn’t eczema since I did not get it diagnosed or anything, but it was pretty bad for a non-eczema condition. My skin was painful and starting to crack. That’s what I get for not following my own advice on dressing properly in the winter…

This cream was a real skin-saver. Within a few days, there was a significant improvement. I also read online that those who suffer from actual eczema have stated the same thing.  This cream shows its worth quickly, and there is a good reason why it comes recommended by skin doctors. In the past, I would use some kind of a lotion or a honey-based balm, but I wanted to give this Aveeno eczema therapy cream a try, and I’m glad I did.

My results are pretty typical, from what I have seen and read. There are many others who feel that this is a real gem of a drug, and who arrive at it after trying a slew of creams, salves, ointments, and lotions, to little or no avail. Obviously, other options do exist, and they may work just as well. I’m not saying this one cream is the best, the be-all and end-all of moisturizers or eczema relievers. Not at all. But it is a highly viable and commonly-used option.

One thing I didn’t like about this product: I did not care for the scent. I usually love oat-based things (food, cosmetics), but I simply didn’t connect with this cream’s scent. Something about it smelled too “medical” (for lack of a better term), and I did not enjoy it. Thankfully, the scent wears off easily and quickly, so I wasn’t subjected to having to smell it all day long. 

Even though I am no physician, I feel this is a quality product. Those who suffer from eczema or eczema-like symptoms should give it a try and see if it works for them. Only one way to find out, right?

And while we are on treatment – we know the best defense is a good offense. How do we keep our skin from flaring up? And how do we avoid any such conditions in the first place? How can we be more proactive in our quest for minimizing eczema and dryness?

How To Avoid Eczema And Dry Skin

Moisturized hands.

As stated earlier, different people have separate triggers. What affects you will not necessarily affect others in the same way. If you’re looking to avoid eczema and dryness of the skin, there are certain practices you could incorporate into your day-to-day. These will not make your skin eczema-proof or dryness-proof. But it will help your body deal with anything related to skin conditions such as those.

1. Moisturize

Be sure to use moisturizer, preferably daily. Take the time to find one that fits you and your skin type. You’ll need to want to use it, so make sure it has a pleasant scent, a welcomed consistency, and, well, a price you can afford long-term.

2. Clothing

This can be crucial for some. There are those with such sensitive skin, they can’t even wear clothes that have been washed with regular laundry detergent. Wear soft, breathing, looser kinds of clothing. Avoid rough, tight, and scratchy fabrics to reduce friction.

3. Shower Time

Woman in shower.

Avoid hot water in your bath and shower, since heat and sweat tend to make the skin flare up. Find a medium that you are happy with. Use a gentle cleanser in the shower, and don’t over-scrub or scrub with anything too harsh. Remember that you only really need to use soap in areas that are soiled and/or prone to getting sweaty/dirty. The face, groin, and underarms are the places you really need to hit. Any other spot on your body is optional. You get used to soaping your entire body every time you shower. Consider not doing that if you have sensitive or predisposed skin. Pay attention to where your body needs soap. And always remember to pat not scrub your skin dry with your towel. 

Conclusion

Whether due to clinical trials or anecdotal evidence, it’s pretty clear that this cream — and Aveeno itself! — is powerful stuff. Their products are not always the cheapest option on the shelf, but they aren’t the most expensive one, either. They stand up to the task and deliver on their promise, more often than not. 

The National Eczema Association in the US has awarded this product its seal of approval. This cream’s primary function is to restore the skin’s protective abilities, and it does so with all haste. The skin acts as a barrier and protector, but sometimes it might need a little help to “remember” its place. This cream helps out without using steroids or artificial fragrances, which is why it’s the first choice for many individuals.

In order for you to not require the use of this cream (or any other OTC drug for that matter), be sure to follow the tips listed above. Moisturizing, showering, dressing – these could make the difference between preventing the onset of eczema, and suffering its wrath. Naturally, it could also happen that nothing helps you out. There are no absolutes in this business, and even Aveeno knows that much. Nevertheless, this Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream (and its Baby counterpart) is certainly worth investing in.