Aveeno lotions are primarily supported by the active ingredient dimethicone.
Dimethicone is an emollient, or a moisturizer. It treats dry skin as well as coats the skin with a protectant which increases its ability to retain water. Dimethicone is a very common ingredient in lotions, soaps, and hair care products. It is silicone based.
The side effects of Dimthicone for some people include itching, stinging or burning of the skin. And in much more serious cases of rare allergic reaction side effects include hives, difficulty in breathing and swelling.
Those who are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant should speak to their doctors about dimethicone.
Carolyn Williams in a Live Strong article says, "the Environmental Working Group, a group devoted to reviewing the ingredients in beauty products, notes that dimethicone may be linked to organ toxicity and may be an environmental toxin."
A strongly advertised and branded ingredient in Aveeno is collodial oatmeal.
Collodial oatmeal was first used as a skin health and beauty product as early as 2000 B.C. in Arabia and Egypt. It too coats the skin to form a protective barrier, locking in moisture. When prepared the oatmeal releases its high concentration of starches and betaglucan to create this skin protection. Oatmeals are also used for their anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some even act as strong ultraviolet absorbers. Its different phenols, saponins and other properties allow colloidal oatmeal to act as a cleanser, moisturizer, protectant, and soothing agent. It is also documented as an aid for relieving insect bites, rashes and eczema.
Collodial oatmeal is completely natural, and safe for everyone, including pregnant women.
Aveeno Products
All Natural: No
Organic: No
Toxic: No
FDA Approved: Yes
EU Cosmetics Directive Unrestricted: Yes
References for Dimethicone:
