Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Cream: what it does and how to use it

What is in the Eczema Therapy cream?

The active ingredient is 1% colloidal oatmeal, a skin protectant. The cream also contains glycerin, petrolatum, dimethicone, panthenol, cetyl alcohol, oat kernel oil, oat kernel extract and Ceramide NP. It is fragrance free and steroid free, and its directions cover mild to moderate eczema or use as directed by a physician.1

An emollient is simply a moisturizer: it forms a protective layer that helps trap water in skin. A moisturizer traps water in skin, which is a more useful job than giving the bathroom shelf another resident. Moisturizing supports dry skin care, but temporary symptom relief is different from curing eczema.145

Is a cream the right texture for you?

These are general differences between moisturizer types, not a description of Aveeno's exact finish. Choose the texture by how dry the area is and what you can comfortably use regularly. A cream during the day and an ointment overnight can be useful for very dry skin. Creams and ointments can fill different roles, so the bathroom does not need to pick a single reigning champion.4

How to apply the cream

1. 1Wash your hands before handling the moisturizer. If your cream comes in a tub, remove it with a clean spoon rather than putting your fingers inside.
2. 2After washing or bathing, gently pat skin dry and leave some moisture on the surface. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing dry skin.
3. 3Smooth the cream gently over the area in the direction of hair growth. Do not vigorously rub it in.
4. 4Leave the cream on rather than washing it off. General emollient guidance suggests allowing a thin layer to soak in for about 10 minutes.

Aveeno's direction is to apply the Eczema Therapy cream as needed, without a fixed morning or evening schedule. For ordinary dry skin, general guidance is to moisturize 2 to 3 times daily or as often as needed. Apply again when skin feels dry or tight, and make application after washing a regular habit rather than waiting until dryness becomes uncomfortable.125

Help the moisturizer by keeping baths and showers warm rather than hot and limiting them to 5 to 10 minutes. Use a gentle cleanser instead of regular soap, and avoid scrubbing. Long, hot showers and frequent washing can contribute to dryness; adding more cream does not replace changing the washing habits that keep removing moisture.2

Can you use Aveeno Moisturizing Cream on your face?

General moisturizer guidance supports using a cream on a dry face, but choose the facial moisturizer by your skin's needs rather than the brand name. With combination skin, moisturize the dry areas instead of automatically covering oily areas too. Keep the Eczema Therapy cream out of your eyes, as Aveeno directs.16

If your face is prone to acne, look for a moisturizer labeled noncomedogenic, meaning unlikely to block pores, or oil free. Do not assume the Eczema Therapy cream has those properties because it is fragrance free. Moisturizers can sometimes cause facial rashes that aggravate acne, so a cream intended for eczema is not automatically the best choice for an acne routine.57

Keep sun protection separate from moisturizing: use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, protective clothing and shade. Canada's Daily Moisturizing Face Lotion contains avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate and octocrylene. Follow that lotion's own sunscreen label rather than using the Eczema Therapy cream's directions for it.36

Can you use it with skin treatments?

If you use a topical steroid, a steroid medicine applied to skin, leave at least 30 minutes between the steroid and your emollient. Ask your doctor which to apply first. Separating them avoids diluting the medicine or spreading it onto areas that do not need treatment. For ultraviolet light treatment or radiotherapy, ask your treatment team for specific emollient instructions.45

Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, adapalene, tazarotene, tretinoin and isotretinoin can dry and irritate skin. A suitable moisturizer used daily can help skin tolerate these treatments. For acne, choose an acne friendly moisturizer rather than assuming this particular Aveeno cream is the right match. Apply moisturizer after washing while some water remains on the skin.7

What should you expect?

The Eczema Therapy cream is for temporary protection and relief of minor irritation and itching, not a promised cure or a fixed results deadline. Continue moisturizing according to how dry your skin feels. Do not use acne improvement timelines to judge this cream: the 4 to 8 week improvements reported with acne friendly moisturizers involved complete routines containing acne medication, cleanser and moisturizer.17

When should you stop or get help?

• Stop the Eczema Therapy cream and ask a doctor if the condition worsens, symptoms last more than 7 days, or symptoms clear and return within a few days.
• Stop using an emollient that makes skin itchy or sore. Get advice for persistent burning or stinging, inflamed hair follicles or a new facial rash.
• Seek medical help if dryness and itching disturb sleep, scratching causes open cuts or sores, or self care does not relieve the symptoms.
• The cream is for external use only. Keep it away from children; if swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.
• Keep emollients and fabrics carrying their residue away from flames and cigarettes. Washing clothing or bedding does not completely remove the residue.