Skin Relief Intense Moisturizing Cream, Extra-Dry Skin

Name: Aveeno - Skin Relief Intense Moisturizing Cream, Extra-Dry Skin
Brand: Aveeno

Efficacy 100/100·Low irritancy · In 1 routines

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Based on the ingredient list, "Aveeno - Skin Relief Intense Moisturizing Cream, Extra-Dry Skin" can work well for skin moisturization.

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Product summary

Based on the ingredient list, "Aveeno - Skin Relief Intense Moisturizing Cream, Extra-Dry Skin" can work well for skin moisturization. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Avena sativa kernel flour and glycerin in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (ceramide np, petrolatum, avena sativa kernel flour, dimethicone and cetyl alcohol) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.

Ingredient callouts

Another benefit is that this moisturizer contain ceramides (ceramide np 0.45% - 1.05%). Ceramides are an important part of our natural skin barrier. The Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or come from plants. They help soften the skin and can help "fill the gaps" in the skin barrier, keeping the skin hydrated and resilient for longer.

This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: butyrospermum parkii butter, oatmeal extract and avena sativa kernel oil

Irritation risk

There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here

You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.

Product claims breakdown

Moisturizing

8 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Strong evidence

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: avena sativa kernel flour, 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: dimethicone, avena sativa kernel flour.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide np, petrolatum

PETROLATUMRole: HeroOne of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss~2.8–4.2%

CERAMIDE NPRole: Key activeA type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin~0.45–1.05%

AVENA SATIVA KERNEL EXTRACTRole: Under-dosedAn effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties~0.5–1.2%

BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTERRole: Under-dosedA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals~0.35–0.85%

GLYCERINRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4–6%

DIMETHICONERole: Key activeA silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish~1.4–2%

AVENA SATIVA KERNEL FLOURRole: Key activeA type of colloidal oatmeal. Can contain potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Is effective in supporting skin barrier~1.3–1.9%

AVENA SATIVA KERNEL OILRole: Under-dosedAn effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties~0.55–1.3%

Irritancy

3 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 3 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.4%est.

Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistencyLow~2–3%est.

Steareth-20Helps oil and water mix togetherLow~0.1–0.4%est.

Comedogenic

Isopropyl palmitate ~2–3% — rinse-off or low %

Some risk

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating ≥ 2. In leave-on products at higher concentrations they can clog pores for acne-prone skin types.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistencyHigh~2–3%est.

Butyrospermum parkii butterA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicalsHigh~0.35–0.85%est.

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels