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Saturday, March 25th
Aveeno's Itch Relief Balm - even the name sounds soothing. Imagine your irritated skin feeling immediate relief with its own spa of a balm with soothing oatmeal and ceramide. It's non-greasy and free of fragrance. Aveeno, the brand known for its oatmeal-based skin products, has been around for more than 75 years, helping those who have red, itchy, dry skin to find relief.
Long history of using oatmeal in their products
Aveeno has been around since 1945 and was created by two brothers who believed that centuries-old remedies could hold a key for wellness. They worked with the Mayo Clinic Dermatology Center, experimenting with raw cereals in skincare and relief. They created a bath additive, and their product line grew from there. Colloidal oatmeal, which is made by grinding the oat grain, bonds with the skin, locks in moisture, helps to balance the skin's natural pH levels, and boasts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. All of Aveeno's products still contain oatmeal and/or oat extracts.
Combining nature and science
Aveeno prides itself on helping sensitive skin by combining nature and science. They grow their plants in rich soil and use pesticide-free fields. They refrain from using unnecessary chemical solvents or excess heat to extract the essence of the plant. Combining nature and science, Aveeno has been dedicated to conscientiously handling dry and itchy skin over face and body.
No animal testing
There's a disclaimer on their website that their products aren't tested on animals anywhere in the world unless there's a rare case where the government would require it. They also state that they care about the safety of their products and will continue to seek alternatives to animal testing.
Non-irritating
Aveeno's products are formulated for sensitive skin, including as main ingredients those found in nature. Oatmeal is known to be gentle on the skin and offers a calming and soothing effect. Skin with eczema, known to be dry, itchy, and irritating, calls for a gentle product that offers relief, and that's what Aveeno delivers.
Thick and smooth
This gentle product, free of steroids, offers immediate relief of dry, itchy skin screaming to be soothed. There's no greasy feeling where you feel that you can't touch anything after you apply it. It's free of perfumes or added scents, and it's also free of parabens. The balm is simply thick and pacifying. It provides a natural moisture barrier helping to hydrate.
Spa-like Bath
To complement the healing power of the isolated area where you place the balm, there are also products for the bath for a quick, whole-body, relaxing and healing experience: Aveeno Soothing Bath Product and Baby Eczema Therapy Soothing Bath Product. Use a single packet in the bath as an oatmeal bath soak. It's fragrance-free and it cleanses while it moisturizes. You can use this relief-in-an-envelope for eczema, poison ivy, and even sunburn. Enter the bath itchy, leave the bath with cleaner, softer, and moisturized skin. Enjoy the Baby formula that's sensitive enough for your baby's needs.
Full-body moisturizing cream
After the oatmeal bath, or whenever, feel the full-body enjoyment of relief from dry, irritated skin with Aveeno Skin Relief Moisture Repair Cream. Use daily to keep dry skin at bay. Not only will you feel the all-over comfort, you can apply it to the areas where you have eczema, as it's free of added fragrance and it's allergy tested. There's even a formula gentle enough to use on your baby.
Super relief
If you're really itchy and your skin is really irritated, try the maximum strength formula of Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Relief Cream. It still contains Aveeno's signature oat complex and adds hydrocortisone as its super power. Hydrocortisone is a form of a steroid, which Aveeno doesn't typically use, but for big irritation, they pulled out the big guns. Other healing and soothing ingredients are vitamin E and aloe.
Daily-use lotion for maintenance
For an all-over healthy skin maintenance, try Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion. It, too, is fragrance free and contains Aveeno's oat formula. Use daily morning, evening, or after a shower or bath for that nourished-skin feeling.
Highly recognized and recommended
Aveeno has been around for more than 75 years and is the #1 dermatologist-recommended eczema moisturizer brand. Each of the Aveeno products we've highlighted has earned the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance for being suitable for eczema and sensitive skin.
Customers love it
More than 70% of reviewers give Aveeno an excellent rating. Customers who have trusted Aveeno's eczema line to care for their skin sing its praises for quick and gentle relief, being free of steroids, and helping to show improvement for their skin condition. With continued use, consumers find that it has kept their eczema at bay. They love that a little goes a long way and that a jar can last almost five months. There are a handful of customers who aren't happy with the product as they are annoyed by a greasy feeling.
No return policy
The website doesn't have a section for a satisfaction guarantee. That said, you might want to check with where you purchased it to find out their return policy.
It's our #1
Using the concept of centuries-old remedies, the Musher brothers were on to something. For more than 75 years, all Aveeno products contain oatmeal as the main skin-soothing agent. It's free of added fragrance, parabens, and steroids. Consumers consistently rate the Aveeno Eczema Therapy Balm highly for eczema symptom relief, keeping eczema at bay, and creating a skin-calming sensation. It's our top pick for over-the-counter eczema relief.
You've heard of eczema, but do you know what it really is and do you want to calm it without a prescription? If you're confused, don't feel bad - there are actually seven different types of eczema. And, it's common - more than 31 million Americans have some form of eczema.
The most commonly-seen type of eczema is called atopic dermatitis, and it results from an overactive immune system, causing the skin to get dry and itchy. You could also have scaly patches, rashes, or blisters, and whichever symptoms you have, they're almost always itchy. Eczema doesn't discriminate on age - both adults and young children can have the symptoms. Adults with atopic dermatitis can often have the rash in the crook of the elbow or knee, but that symptom isn't as common in children.
Don't worry, though: eczema may be ugly and uncomfortable, but it's not contagious - you didn't catch it from someone and they can't catch it from you. However, atopic dermatitis can be hereditary. Genes combined with environmental triggers such as hay fever or food allergies can cause flare-ups. Emotional stress can cause flare-ups, too.
Contact dermatitis, which is another common type of eczema, has nothing to do with heredity and everything to do with what you've come into contact with. Regardless of which of the seven types of eczema you have, the question is how you can prevent it from showing up or managing it if you already have it. The answer is proper and consistent care of your skin.
Since there's no actual cure, the best you can do is to be nice to your skin by avoiding irritants and, well, stress. These are some of the common household products that are potential irritants:
You can't really avoid all shampoos, soaps, and household cleaners, but you can choose ones with gentle ingredients. There are several products that cater to those with sensitive skin and allergies. Choose candles without fragrances or with natural fragrances. Try homemade cleaners and wear gloves. Avoid jewelry or wear jewelry made of materials that are easier on the skin. Be sure to avoid wool or polyester in your clothing and sheets. And, keep a log of what your own triggers are so you can remember to avoid them. In fact, the National Eczema Association has an app to help you document your symptoms and triggers.
There are three basic things you can do to keep your flares under control:
There are a few types of OTC products for eczema or dermatitis. Lotions and moisturizers should contain ingredients such as aloe, ceramides, glycerin, petrolatum, mineral oil, humectants, and/or parabens. Where your personal preference comes in, or your skin sensitivity, is if you want all-natural ingredients in your product or if you're fine with lab-created ingredients.
Antihistamines and pain relievers can help keep symptoms at bay, and may be used in conjunction with or separately from use of lotions, creams, and ointments. Topical hydrocortisone cream is a low-potency steroid and can help to reduce itching, inflammation, and irritation. Eczema-friendly, medicated shampoos may be helpful for dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis) if they are fragrance-free and contain ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, coal tar, and zinc pyrithione. Sounds confusing? Let us help, as we've done the research for you.
When considering an over-the-counter topical product for eczema symptoms, keep the following in mind:
Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the top over-the-counter products for eczema. We hope this information helps you find a product to relieve your skin from dryness, itching, irritation, or other annoying symptoms of eczema.
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