Showering is one of the important aspects of an Eczema sufferer’s day. A shower helps clear the pores and allows the skin to function by cleaning the skin and removing dead skin cells. The cleansing action cleans the skin and removes bacteria and irritants that could cause rashes and other irritations.

One of the biggest brands for Eczema, Aveeno, has an array of products designed specifically for sensitive skin users. Aveeno is available worldwide and is commonly found in supermarket shelves making it highly accessible for anyone to try. It is a dermatologist brand that has been recommended for over 65 years.

A product that I use regularly and has massive acclaim in the Eczema communities is a sensitive skin body wash product from Dove. Introduced more than 60 years ago, Dove is a personal care brand owned by Unilever. Their products can be found in more than 150 countries.

Of the two, which is better?

Aveeno Body Wash: The Different Products

Aveeno has many different types of body wash so it is best to pay close attention to the packaging. The differences in products can be determined by the colour of their enclosed cap.

The different body washes Aveeno has to offer

The daily moisturizing range is the most commonly found Aveeno product line. Each line has different benefits as stated in the picture and are made out of different key ingredients.

The differences in ingredients in the Aveeno product range

The stress relief product line has lavender scented fragrance which can cause irritation, so best to avoid it.

Colloidal Oatmeal

The Eczema product line has a special ingredient in colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal is made from finely-ground oats and is available in cream or powder form. Since it contains fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that benefit the skin, it is an emollient – a substance that softens or soothes the skin.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera has been used to treat various health conditions for thousands of years and can be found in the restorative sin therapy product line. It is a medicinal plant that is safe to use. It can be used to increase collagen contend and its composition of the wounds according to studies.

Dimethicone

Dimethicone can found in both the daily moisturizing and skin relief product lines. It is considered as acceptable in the potential risk index by 1source.

Dimethicone (also called polymethylsiloxane) is a silicon-based polymer used as a lubricant and conditioning agent. The materials it is used for vary from contact lenses and medical devices to elastomers; dimethicone also appears in shampoos (it makes your hair soft and shiny), food (antifoaming agent), caulking and lubricants.

As well as cosmetics and consumer products, Dimethicone is used in various ways. Dimethicone, for example, is used widely in moisturizing lotions as an active ingredient meaning “skin protection.” Some cosmetic formulations use dimethicone and related siloxane polymers in concentrations of up to 15%.

The Best Aveeno Body Wash for Eczema

The only Aveeno product line to avoid is the stress relief line because it is not fragrance free and it is targeted more for dry skin. The other lines are all fragrance free and targeted for those with sensitive skin. The Eczema line should be trailed first before the others because it was designed specifically for irritated skin.

It should be noted that all products contains oats. If you have a bad reaction to oats, then you should do a patch test before applying vast amounts. An allergy test can also be taken.

I have personally tried out the daily moisturizing, skin relief and eczema range. The differences is the texture and the aftermath feeling on your skin. In terms of effectiveness, I did not see any difference to my mid severe Eczema. I did however get some relief from the pain caused by my skin.

The Best Dove Body Wash for Eczema

The product that I am currently using now and have seen great improvements in my skin is Dove’s Sensitive Skin Body Wash. Remember to check the packaging to ensure you have the right kind, it has a light blue coloured enclosed cap (other types of body wash will have different colours).

Sensitive skin requires a body wash that is both gentle and nourishing. The moisturizing body wash is formulated with Moisture Renew Blend, which penetrates deeply into the skin and works with it to restore its moisture. A sulfate-free formula that is gentle on your skin’s microbiome. A natural, gentle cleanser makes it ideal for skin types that need extra kindness, such as dry skin, sensitive skin, and very sensitive skin.

Aveeno vs Dove: Ingredient Comparison

Both products have different formulas and key ingredients. Aveeno most notably contains oats as their main ingredient and make no secret of it. Though both do have an alarming ingredient in Phenoxyethanol.

Phenoxyethanol

A harmful ingredient that stands out and can be problematic is Phenoxyethanol. It has been reported as harmful if absorbed through skin, causing irritation and blistering. This makes Phenoxyethanol a potential health concern for Eczema sufferers like ourselves.

Phenoxyethanol is an interesting ingredient as it is now banned in Palau due to the damages it can cause to coral reefs. If it can cause long lasting damages to the aquatic wildlife, the question is, what kind of damage can do to our skin?

Glycerin

Glyercin is another ingredient that both Aveeno and Dove use in their body washes. Although it is generally a safe ingredient, it does a pose the concern of skin irritation. Glycerin is used in skincare products as a means of improving smoothness, providing lubrication, and as a humectant. Glycerin is in Canada’s ingredient hot list on the restricted for use in cosmetic products list (2019).

Citric Acid

An ingredient that is not regarded as harmful, but should be noted is Citric Acid that can be found in both Aveeno and Dove body washes. 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.

Aveeno vs Dove: Aveeno Alarming Ingredients

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

The surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate (also known as SDS) is highly effective at removing oily stains and residues. As a detergent, it is ideal because of its amphiphilic properties. The SDS is an integral part of many products used in cleaning, hygiene, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food processing, as well as cleaning and product formulation for industry and commerce.

There is sufficient evidence that the ingredient may have the potential to be an irritant, along with the potential to no longer be a necessary ingredient. It has high potential concerns for in contact with Eczema and Dermatitis and as an irritant.

There are 16 safety hazards listed out by 1Source, with the most notable being:

Fatal in contact with skin (H310)
Toxic in contact with skin (H311)
Cause skin irritation (H315)
Causes serious eye damage (H318)
Causes serious eye irritation (H319)
May cause respiratory irritation (H335)

Dove Alarming Ingredients

An ingredient that should be highlighted but that is not alarming is soybean oil. The soybean oil (Glycine max) is a vegetable oil extracted from soybean seeds. If you allergic to soybean, then you should consider contacting your doctor or dermatologist before trying out this product.

Butylated Hydroxytoluene

By inhibiting the autoxidation of unsaturated organic compounds, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) prevents the formation of free radicals and oxidation in foods, cosmetics, and industrial fluids.

It has many potential health concerns for a number of conditions, including dermatitis. There are 34 total potential health concerns, making it quite a concerning ingredient. It does pose a number of health benefits for conditions such as stomach and heart diseases.

Which is better? Aveeno Body Wash or Dove Sensitive Body Wash?

From my personal experience, the Dove Sensitive Body Wash is the better out of the two because of the positive results I have seen after continuous use and the ingredients it contains. This is not saying Aveeno is a bad product however.

If you compare both products in terms of ingredients, Dove still comes out on top as Aveeno has sodium laureth sulfate which has many safety hazards involving skin. There is also a lot of evidence that it is a proven irritant. Aveeno also defines itself by using oats, so if you are not compatible with oats, then it is best to avoid the whole brand altogether.

Just remember to read the packaging label correctly to ensure you have the right product. Dove’s Sensitive Body Wash uses a lighter blue enclosed cap but make sure the packaging is titled the same.

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