Two similarly packaged products with similar titles, but which one should you choose? Is Aveeno Baby Daily Moisturizer better than Aveeno Soothing Relief Moisturizer? Are there any differences? Let’s look into it!
Who are Aveeno?
Aveeno is a brand of skin care and hair care products founded by Albert and Sidney Musher in 1945. It was purchased by Johnson & Johnson in 1999 with the brand expanding into baby care and body wash in 2001.
Product Descriptions
Aveeno Baby Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Nourish and protect baby’s skin 24 hours a day. AVEENO® Baby Daily Moisture Fragrance-Free Lotion is non-greasy and is formulated with natural Colloidal Oatmeal to help prevent chafed, chapped or cracked skin. Use it every day to keep your little one’s skin soft, smooth, and healthy.
Reference: Aveeno.com
Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Moisturizing Cream
Help prevent and protect your baby’s skin from dryness. AVEENO® Baby Soothing Relief Moisturizing Cream with natural Colloidal Oatmeal complex is designed to soothe and help protect the dry, sensitive skin of your precious little one. This baby cream is also clinically proven to moisturize and comfort 24 hours.
Reference: Aveeno.com
Product Comparison
Let us look at the definition of ‘lotion’ and ‘cream’. The definitions can help define the textures to expect when using the product.
- Lotion: a thick, smooth liquid preparation designed to be applied to the skin for medicinal or cosmetic purposes.
- Cream: a thick liquid or semi-solid cosmetic or medical preparation applied to the skin.
Although there is an important factor to consider when these two products. What makes them different is that they each contain a specific key ingredient.
Ingredients
Aveeno has a special ingredient in Avena Sativa (Oats) which is generally not found in other products. The ingredient itself is generally safe according to reports. If you have an allergy to oats, then you should avoid using any Aveeno products.
Both products have an ingredient that differs them apart. Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Moisturizing Cream boasts more identifiable ingredients, with the majority being safe. There are a few concerns that we will go over.
Aveeno Baby Daily Moisturizing Lotion has Benzyl Alcohol. It is an ingredient used in skin lotions due its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is quite common in moisturizing creams for Eczema.
Now here is the problem with Benzyl Alcohol. It has the safety hazard of being harmful in contact with skin. It also has potential health concerns for those with Dermatitis (Eczema). We should approach any products with Benzyl Alcohol with caution.
Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Moisturizing Cream has Mineral Oil. Mineral oil is a common ingredient and is an inexpensive, odorless and tasteless oil. It can be used as an emollient which softens and soothes skin by preventing water (moisture) loss from the skin. Mineral Oil is generally safe to use when highly refined.
An ingredient that is not regarded as harmful, but should be noted is Citric Acid. It has many functions, notably as an exfoliant that removes dead cells at the surface of the skin and as a skin whitening agent by reducing the melanin content of the skin.
Despite the multiple benefits of using Citric Acid, it has many safety hazards and potential health concerns for Eczema users. It can cause skin irritation and allergic skin reactions.
Petrolatum is another ingredient in Aveeno which has its concerns. It is an emollient that soften and soothes skin by preventing moisture loss from the skin. Although it sounds like a good function, it does have the possibility of causing skin irritation. It is a prohibited substance in cosmetic products in the European Union. It is in both of the products.
Which one should I pick?
If I had to choose, I’d go for Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Moisturizing Cream. For those with more severe sensitive skin, I’d avoid any products with Benzyl Alcohol. Before making any decisions, I highly suggest you contact your dermatologist as they are the experts.