Aveeno

Aveeno Active Naturals 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream

Name: Aveeno - Active Naturals 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream
Brand: Aveeno

Efficacy75/100IrritancyLow

See all ingredients

Edit

Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Moisturizing

10 ingredients credited for this claim

Good support

What the product description says

“Active Naturals 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream”

From product name

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job: glycerin.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: isopropyl myristate, cetearyl alcohol.

Isopropyl myristateKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic~2.8–4.2%

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.6–5.3%

Cetyl palmitateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability~1.2–1.8%

CyclopentasiloxaneKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin~1.8–2.6%

Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~6–9%

Isostearyl neopentanoate· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to create a nice product texture and helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Could be comedogenic~1–1.5%

Avena sativa kernel flourEffect: LowA type of colloidal oatmeal. Can contain potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Is effective in supporting skin barrier~1.6–2.4%

Avena sativa kernel oilUnder-dosedEffect: HighAn effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties~0.05–0.25%

Avena sativa kernel extractUnder-dosedEffect: HighAn effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties~0.1–0.3%

Aloe barbadensis leaf extractEffect: Low, below effective doseTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin~0.15–0.55%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

6 flagged ingredients

Low risk

We flag 6 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.5–1%est.

Ceteareth-20Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient propertiesMedium~2.1–3.2%est.

Isostearyl neopentanoateUsed to create a nice product texture and helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Could be comedogenicMedium~1–1.5%est.

Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.15–0.65%est.

Tocopheryl acetateA more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.Medium~0.15–0.55%est.

Aloe barbadensis leaf extractTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~0.15–0.55%est.

Comedogenic

4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

4 flagged

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Isopropyl myristateAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic3/5~2.8–4.2%est.

Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~6–9%est.

Ceteareth-20Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties2/5~2.1–3.2%est.

Isostearyl neopentanoateUsed to create a nice product texture and helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Could be comedogenic2/5~1–1.5%est.

Edit

Cheaper Alternatives

Similar formulations, better price

No cheaper similar product found.

User reviews

Would you recommend?

No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Write a review · ~30s

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Cetearyl alcohol~6–9%

Key activeComedogenic 2/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 2/5

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol

Glycerin~3.6–5.3%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin

Isopropyl myristate~2.8–4.2%

Key activeComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic

More about Isopropyl myristate

Ceteareth-20~2.1–3.2%

Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium
Comedogenicity: 2/5

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties

More about Ceteareth-20

Cyclopentasiloxane~1.8–2.6%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingMattifying

A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin

More about Cyclopentasiloxane

Avena sativa kernel flour~1.6–2.4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

A type of colloidal oatmeal. Can contain potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Is effective in supporting skin barrier

More about Avena sativa kernel flour

Cetyl palmitate~1.2–1.8%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability

More about Cetyl palmitate

Isostearyl neopentanoate~1–1.5%

Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium
Comedogenicity: 2/5

Works for

Moisturizing

Used to create a nice product texture and helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Could be comedogenic

More about Isostearyl neopentanoate

Benzyl alcohol~0.5–1%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol

Dimethicone/vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate crosspolymer~0.5–1.15%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Dimethicone/vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate crosspolymer

Potassium lactate~0.4–1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Potassium lactate

Peg-40 stearate~0.35–0.85%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-40 stearate

Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative

More about Methylparaben

Citric acid~0.15–0.65%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid

Tocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.55%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-oxidation

A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.

More about Tocopheryl acetate

Aloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.15–0.55%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extract

Avena sativa kernel oil~0.05–0.25%

Under-dosed

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties

More about Avena sativa kernel oil

Avena sativa kernel extract~0.1–0.3%

Under-dosed

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-inflammatoryReduces irritationMoisturizingReduces rednessAnti-oxidation

An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties

More about Avena sativa kernel extract

Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide

Ingredient list view

Water, Cetearyl alcohol, Glycerin, Isopropyl myristate, Ceteareth-20, Cyclopentasiloxane, Avena sativa kernel flour, Cetyl palmitate, Isostearyl neopentanoate, Benzyl alcohol, Dimethicone/vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate crosspolymer, Potassium lactate, Peg-40 stearate, Methylparaben, Citric acid, Tocopheryl acetate, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Avena sativa kernel oil, Avena sativa kernel extract, Sodium hydroxide

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Walgreens

$6.99

Buy

Affiliate links · prices updated regularly

Cheaper alternatives? See how this stacks up against similar formulas.

We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.

Open dupe finder

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 2 studies and safety reviews.

1
Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2
Amended Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org

AveenoActive Naturals 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream

Buy at Walgreens$6.99 Amazon

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy at Walgreens$6.99 Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.