I stress the temporary aspect of this cooling lotion, especially for those who suffer from eczema such as myself. I also highly recommend Vaseline Intensive Care Healthy Body Complexion lotion, which I believe to be one of the best lotions for those who suffer from eczema, this lotion (Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion with Cooling Menthol) being another one of the best lotions for eczema sufferers.
Aveeno’s Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion with Cooling Menthol says it “is specially formulated to relieve and protect extra dry, itchy skin. Unlike ordinary lotions, the unique Aveeno formula combines natural oatmeal, long known for its skin-soothing properties, with rich emollients to moisturize skin for 24 hours. The formula also includes cooling menthol to effectively relieve itchy skin. Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion is non-greasy and fast absorbing and can be used for hands and body every day. And it is noncomedogenic (won’t clog pores) and contains no added fragrance or drying alcohols, so it’s even gentle enough for sensitive skin. Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion leaves your skin soft, smooth and naturally healthy looking. The Aveeno brand has been Dermatologist recommended for over 50 years.”
Aveeno is dermatologist recommended for a reason: it’s good for your skin. Aveeno’s main ingredient in their products — oatmeal — is the reason their products are good for your skin. However, let’s walk through this lotion’s claims:
Formulated to relieve and protect extra dry, itchy skin
Relieving you from itchy skin is definitely a thumbs up on this lotion, but protecting your “extra dry” skin is only temporary. And I don’t mean 24 hours temporary, as they claim. When Indiana got ridiculously cold this winter, colder than my body has ever experienced yet, my skin started to crack where I used to have constant eczema even after I’ve had clear skin for a little over a year. Even other areas of my body began to seriously dry, such as my arms which have never gotten so dry in my life even suffering from eczema. When I would use the lotion after my morning shower to protect my dry skin, it would be only temporary. The cooling menthol felt great, eventually faded, and not even halfway through the day I would notice my arms peeling and drying up again. What happened to moisturizing skin for 24 hours? Aveeno didn’t do the job here. In this case, Vaseline Intensive Care Healthy Body Complexion made a better substitute for keeping my skin moisturized well and for longer periods of time (meaning until my next shower).
As for the itchy skin, the cooling menthol calms itchy skin and relieves you of the annoying temptations to scratch. This is one reason I still like to buy this lotion, because I love menthol and the effects it has on my skin. Also, for eczema sufferers, menthol has great (instant) effects when you feel itchy, and I haven’t had experiences of stinging with this lotion when applied to open rashes due to eczema.
Non-greasy and fast absorbing?
Sometimes. I tend to overlook this aspect because as soon as I feel the cooling menthol effects, I’m happy. Compared to my other beloved Vaseline lotion, I felt this was not as “non-greasy” as it claimed to be and less absorbing than the Vaseline Healthy Body Complexion lotion. When I want to apply this liberally, it feels thick and leftover on my hand and where I’m applying it. This is most likely due to the 2.5% of dimethicone (skin protectant) and 0.1% of menthol (the external analgesic, although it’s only 0.1% it feels like much more). The dimethicone adds up. When you constantly need to re-apply this lotion throughout the day, it begins to build up and you don’t really feel like re-applying it so much anymore. Applying this lotion directly out of the shower may absorb a bit quicker when you are still slightly wet from the shower (kind of like diluting the lotion a little).
Contains no added fragrance…
…but has the scent of menthol. Some people like the smell of menthol, some don’t. Use your judgment on this; if you don’t like the smell of menthol, perhaps you may need to get accustomed to it if this lotions works very well for you (which it may — give it a try). I happen to like menthol, so I don’t mind. I do believe, though, that the scent is more faint than strong — so getting used to it may not be such a long problem. But I guess that depends on how sensitive your nose is, too.
Leaves your skin soft, smooth and naturally healthy looking
When I used this daily for an extended period of time (for a few months), there was no difference in my skin texture. Aveeno does help soften skin on contact, though, like most lotions do anyway. This lotion does not aim to improve your skin texture or tone (like Vaseline Intensive Care does), but seems more like an immediate/temporary lotion. I mean, it even gives those topical medication warnings: if conditions worsen, does not improve within 7 days, or occurs again within a few days, discontinue use and consult a physician. However, I still recommend this lotion; having a bottle or pump handy is very convenient for times when you itch or want to be calmed by the cooling menthol.
You do your skin good if you use lotion on a regular basis, so of course Aveeno will help your skin look naturally healthy.
Other (inactive) ingredients:
water, glycerin, distearyldimonium chloride, petrolatum, isopropyl palmitate, cetyl alcohol, avena sativa (oat) kernel flour, allantoin, benzyl alcohol, triticum vulgare (wheat) gluten, sodium chloride
This is just in case you try to avoid products with other certain ingredients just because or you’re allergic.
Pros
Instant cooling relieves itchy skin, never stings, Aveeno a trusted brand
Cons
Temporary effects, thick (may build up)
The Bottom Line
Aveeno is dermatologist recommended and good; this lotion has its pros and cons but I recommend it mainly for its instant relief of itchy skin and fast cooling effects.
Recommended:
Yes
