Eczema is a condition that is characterized by rash-like symptoms, which may include redness, skin edema, itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. According to a press release for the product, the American Academy of Dermatology has found that 10-20% of the world’s population suffers from eczema to some degree. Atopic eczema is the most common type to occur, which is believed to have a hereditary component. However, some diagnosed cases of atopic eczema are caused by a specific irritating agent, and are in actuality a different form of eczema, called contact dermatitis.
Aveeno® Eczema Care Body Wash and Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream have been proposed as novel treatments for eczema. In one January 2007 study administered by Johnson & Johnson, 82-89% of all patients tested had improved symptoms of eczema after two weeks’ of daily use of each product — numbers that are highly impressive, even for an in-house study. Both the Aveeno® Eczema Care Body Wash and Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream have also received prestigious awards, including the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and the Allure 2007 “Best Beauty Breakthrough” award! What makes these products so effective? Read on…
Natural Colloidal Oatmeal and Pure Oat Essence
Both Aveeno® Eczema Care Body Wash and Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream contain natural colloidal oatmeal and pure oat essence. In a supplement to the journal Cosmetic Dermatology, it is stated that these ingredients are among the few natural ingredients that are regulated by the U.S. FDA.
According to the supplement, oats have been used since ancient Egypt to manage dry, itchy skin. Colloidal oatmeal, a preparation of ground hulled oat kernels dispersible in water, is helpful to dry skin in four major ways:
- 1. Contains a helpful mixture of components that soothe and/or hydrate skin, including 10-18% protein, 60-64% polysaccharides, and lipids, enzymes, saponins, prostaglandin synthetic inhibitors, vitamins, and flavonoids. In short, oat proteins have high hydration and fat-binding capacities, and have been shown to improve skin’s barrier function.
- 2. Has a lower pH than human skin, which enables absorption of oils and dirt on the skin.
- 3. Positively charged sites of oat proteins help oatmeal bind to negatively-charged parts of the skin, anchoring the moisturizing ingredients into the skin. This helps the ingredient form a thin layer over the skin. (Pretty neat, huh? 🙂 )
- 4. Contains vitamin E, an antioxidant.
- 5. In one study, cited here, oat kernel extracts inhibited prostaglandin synthesis to a degree comparable with that of indomethacin, indicating that oatmeal may reduce pain and itching.
Very exciting indeed! 🙂
Petrolatum, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Ceramides and Panthenol
All of the above ingredients in Aveeno® Eczema Care Body Wash and Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream serve as additional hydrators, preventing further irritation and drying of skin. Petrolatum and dimethicone are both occlusive agents, which seal in moisture and help prevent further moisture loss.
No potentially irritating ingredients
There are no fragrances, dyes, colorants, or steroids in Aveeno® Eczema Care Body Wash and Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream. In the press release for the product, the National Eczema Association (NEA) and their Scientific Advisory Board found “Aveeno® Eczema Care products are gentle, mild, and effective for those who suffer from eczema.”
An interesting, unintended single case study
…That would be me. For some unknown reason (maybe the stress of finals approaching?), I had my first case of eczema last week. It appeared on my neck, and I wasn’t sure what it was, but after reading up on it, I realized it was contact dermatitis. I found the Aveeno Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream particularly helpful in soothing, hydrating, and alleviating my symptoms, though it definitely takes time (I have been using it for a week now, and still have a little redness, but far less itching.)
As a result…
I highly recommend Aveeno® Eczema Care Body Wash and Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream to anyone with eczema or very dry skin. In the aforementioned Johnson & Johnson survey, 88% of consumers said that continued use of Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream improved their skin’s health with continued use, and I believe it. There are many great, proven ingredients in these formulations, and I love the fact that they’re non-irritating, hydrating, and take the itch away! 🙂 Product rating: 9/10 (High concentration of proven ingredients: 3/3. New technology: 3/3. Value for the money: 3/3. Sunscreen: 0/1).
For further tips on how to manage your eczema, please click here.
Ingredients in Aveeno Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream
Water, Glycerin, Panthenol, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Petrolatum, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Avena Sativa (oat) Kernel Flour, Avena Sativa (oat) Kernel Oil, Ceramide 3, Avena Sativa (oat) Kernel Extract, Methylparaben, Steareth 20, Benzalkonium Chloride, Sodium Chloride.
Ingredients in Aveeno Eczema Care Body Wash
Water, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Chloride, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Laureth-2, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Ceramide 3, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Panthenol.