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Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion review

“Where have you been all my life?! I SO needed you in my teens.” That’s the first thing that popped into my head when I tried Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion. Back then, I was so obsessed with makeup and skincare (for my face), I’d totally forget I had a body to take care of, too. I’d literally jump out of a boiling hot bathtub, towel myself dry and put on clothes. It never occurred to me that I needed a body cream. Duh!

It’s not like my skin didn’t try to tell me. It was as parched as the Sahara. Itchy like a bug bite. Heck, I think once it even cracked. That was my wake up call. It’d be a few years before I started moisturizing my body every single day, but from that point on, I did bother slathering on a body cream a couple of times a week. What can I say? Lazy habits die hard.

I don’t remember which body cream I used back then. But I know this: had I had Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion, my skin would have healed sooner. Here’s why:

About The Brand: Aveeno

Aveeno is famous for putting oats (yep, as in oatmeal oats) into your skincare products. It all started in 1945, when brothers Sidney and Albert Musher were researching the soothing benefits of oats and their ability to heal dry skin conditions. Next thing you know, Mayo Clinic dermatologists recognised their pioneering work and AVEENO was born.

These days, Aveeno scientists are busy studying the skincare benefits of the microbiome, but their love for oats is still ingrained in pretty much every product they sell. This is a brand that sticks to what works best while constantly looking to innovate using natural ingredients. If you have sensitive skin, this is one of the first brands I’d recommend you check out.

Key Ingredients In Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion: What Makes It Work?

PETROLATUM TO MOISTURISE SKIN

Shea butter may get all the credit, but it’s petrolatum that does the moisturising job. It’s in 4th position, whereas shea butter is at the bottom of the list. Bummer! So why did Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion chose to go with petrolatum instead? Surely, that’s the devil?!

Not so fast. Just because an ingredient is derived from oil, it doesn’t make it bad for you. Petrolatum undergoes a strict purifying process that strips it of anything toxic and carcinogenic. The end result is a molecule so safe and gentle, even the most sensitive of skin types can use it.

Petrolatum is a skin protectant. It’s a fancy way of saying it creates a barrier on the skin that keeps moisture in, so skin stays hydrated for longer. This barrier has another important job: it protects dry and sensitive skin from harsh weather, pollution, irritating skincare products and anything else your skin comes in contact with on a daily basis. Because your skin won’t heal as fast if it keeps getting injured on a daily basis!

Related: 7 Ingredients With An Undeserved Bad Reputation

OATS TO SOOTHE IRRITATIONS AND ITCHINESS

Oats are Aveeno’s secret weapon. I’m not kidding. This breakfast staple is just what the doctor ordered for dry, sensitive and itchy skin. Here’s why:

  1. They’re soothing: Oats have anti-inflammatory properties that calm down irritations, sunburns, rashes, hives, eczema, psoriasis… you name it, they soothes it.
  2. They make skin stronger: Oats strengthen your skin’s protective barrier, so your skin stays well hydrated (no more moisture loss, yay!).
  3. They prevent wrinkles: Oats are full of antioxidants, like vitamin E, ferulic acid and caffeic acid. They fight free radicals, so they don’t give you wrinkles.
  4. They’re gentle: Pretty much everyone can tolerate oats. If it’s good for kids and eczema sufferers, it’s good for you, too.

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion contains 3 types of oats – Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract and Avena Sativa Kernel Oil – for triple the benefits. Yay!

Related: Dry, Sensitive Skin? Here’s Why You Should Add Oats To Your Skincare Routine

GLYCERIN TO HYDRATE SKIN

I’m sure you’re tired of seeing glycerin in ALL your skincare products. But there’s a reason why it’s always there. Glycerin is a moisture magnet. It attracts water – both from the air and the deepest layers of your skin – and dumps it into the superficial layers of your skin. The extra moisture plumps up fine lines and wrinkles, makes skin softer and smoother, and gives the complexion a dewy glow.

Related: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Glycerin In Skincare

Struggling to put together a skincare routine that banishes dryness and makes your skin supple and dewy? Download your FREE “Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):

The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients

NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.

  • Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
  • Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
  • Red: What is this doing here?!
  • Aqua: The main solvent of the product, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
  • Distearyldimonium Chloride: It helps t stabilise oil in water emulsions, preventing the oily and watery parts from separating.
  • Isopropyl Palmitate: It enhances the texture of skincare products and makes skin softer and smoother. Sadly, it’s comedogenic. If you have acne-prone skin, it’s a no-no. Dry skin? You can use it without side effects.
  • Cetyl Alcohol: A fatty alcohol (the good type of alcohol), it moisturises skin and makes it softer and smoother.
  • Dimethicone: A silicone that fills in fine lines and wrinkles and make skin look smoother. It also blurs out pores. It’s a myth that silicones suffocate skin and cause pimples.
  • Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter: A natural butter that creates a protective barrier on the skin that deeply moisturises it.
  • Steareth‑20: It prevents the oily and watery parts of a formula from separating.
  • Sodium Chloride: A.k.a. table salt, it thickens the texture of skincare products.
  • BHT: A.k.a. Butylated hydroxytoluene, it’s a synthetic antioxidant that helps stabilise unsaturated fatty acids so they last longer.
  • Potassium Sorbate: A preservative that helps skincare products last longer.
  • Benzyl Alcohol: Another preservative that prevents bacteria contamination, keeping your skincare products safe and effective for longer.

Texture

This cream has a rich texture that sinks in immediately. Ok, it wouldn’t sink immediately into oily skin. But the dry, sensitive, itchy skin this is made for? It soaks it up in a few seconds.

Fragrance

It’s fragrance-free. I like that. It may seem bland, but fragrance is the most irritating ingredient used in skincare. For sensitive skin, it’s a no-no. The potential for an allergic reaction is too big. Kudos to Aveeno for leaving it out.

How To Use It

Use it every day, after a shower/bath. Or anytime your skin could use the extra moisture or soothing care. Apply it liberally as needed.

Packaging

FYI, the packaging changed since I took this picture. The new bottle has a similar colour scheme (minus the yellow) and a pump applicator for ease of use. I like it because it dispenses just the right amount of product you need. No more. No less. It’s also available in a tube, which is more convenient for travelling.

Performance & Personal Opinion

The skin of my body is on the dry side. Sure, it’s not as bad as it was in my teens (I do take much better care of it now!), but that’s just it’s natural skin type, I guess. Usually, I treat it with body butters. Anything with the word “lotion” in the name makes me run in the opposite direction. 9 times out of 10, they’re not moisturizing enough.

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion is the exception. It’s so moisturizing, it leaves my skin soft and smooth from morning till evening. No need to touch up during the day. The best part? It doesn’t leave a greasy residue behind. I can slather it on and get dressed straight away.

If you’ve tried everything to soothe your sensitive, dry, itchy skin, do give this a go. It doesn’t have the fanciest packaging or the loveliest scent (good cos scent = irritation), but those oats do pack a soothing punch!

aveeno skin relief moisturising lotion with shea butter

How Does Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion Compare To The Other Aveeno Body Lotions?

Aveeno has several body lotions and they all claim to be soothing and moisturising. So which one should you choose? Which one is better for your unique skin type and needs? Let’s find out:

  • Aveeno Skin Renewal Firming Lotion (£14.99): An exfoliating body lotion with oats. It removes dead skin cells, brightens skin and makes the texture softer and smoother. Available at Boots and Look Fantastic.
  • Aveeno Daily Moisturising Body Lotion (£7.99): A simple, no-frills, silicones-based lotion with oats. I recommend it only to the most sensitive of skin types. Available at Boots.
  • Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion Calming Relief (£8.50): My least fave of Aveeno’s lotion, it has a very similar formula to Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion, but with added fragrance (that no one needed). Available at Boots, Look Fantastic, and Sephora.
  • Aveeno Skin Relief Soothing Lotion With Menthol (£6.49): Similar to Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion. The main difference? It has menthol. It does nothing for your skin apart from irritating it… I don’t recommend you use this at all.
  • Aveeno Lotion (£13.79): A soothing, very moisturising lotion enriched with oats for very sensitive, cracked skin. It brings it back to health quickly. Available at Boots.

What I Like About Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion

  • Rich, creamy texture that sinks in quickly
  • Fragrance-free
  • Moisturising, makes skin softer and smoother
  • Soothing, calms down irritations
  • Practical packaging
  • Available in a bottle and a tube

What I DON’T Like About Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion

  • Can clog pores in acne-prone skin

Who Should Use This?

This lotion is suitable for all kinds of dry and sensitive skin conditions, from simple dry skin to eczema, psoriasis, and irritated skin. Avoid it only if you have oily, acne-prone skin.

Does Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion Live Up To Its Claims?

CLAIM TRUE?
The formula is clinically proven to moisturise, soothe and protect very dry irritable skin. True.
The formula helps to improve the balance of the skin’s natural microbiome. True.
It gives you more resilient and healthy-looking skin from day 1. True.

Is Aveeno Cruelty-Free?

Sadly, Aveeno is NOT cruelty-free. They allow third parties to test their products on animals.

Price & Availability

£6.55 at Boots, Look Fantastic, and Sephora

The Verdict: Should You Buy It?

If you have dry, sensitive, itchy skin, this is an excellent option to consider. It’s definitely going to help your skin and bring it back to health in no time.

Dupes & Alternatives

  • Hempz Sensitive Skin Herbal Body Moisturizer ($24.99): Loaded with moisturising natural oils and shea butter + soothing oats, this rich moisturiser makes dry skin softer and smoother and calms down irritations. Available at Ulta.
  • First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Body Lotion ($38.00): Enriched with 0.5% colloidal oatmeal, this lightweight lotion packs a moisturising punch and is suitable even for oilier skin types. Plus, it has a sprinkle of antioxidants to slow down premature aging. Available at Look Fantastic and Sephora.

Ingredients

Aqua, Glycerin, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Petrolatum, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Steareth‑20, Sodium Chloride, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol

About Gio

Hi, I'm Gio. I'm a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever - every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what's worth the splurge and what's best left on the shelf - using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.