Recently, I was surprised to find a line that gives whole new meaning to the word “cosmeceutical”: Exederm Ultra Sensitive Skin Care. Exederm is a line formulated for sensitive skin that contains no colors, parabens, lanolin, fragrance, sodium lauryl sulfate or formaldehyde. But what really surprised me about Exederm products was relatively high non-prescription concentration of hydrocortisone in the Flare Control Cream - 1%.
Hydrocortisone is a synthetic form of the stress hormone, cortisol, that used to be known as Compound E. Hydrocortisone was developed in order to treat allergic reactions and inflammation, and is used in concentrations of 0.5-1% (as in Exederm products) to treat sensitive skin symptoms. To treat sensitive skin and mild rashes, Exederm should be applied 2-3 times a week until symptoms cease.
Because hydrocortisone is absorbed in the bloodstream, it is well-known that prescription strength hydrocortisone can cause a variety of undesirable side effects (excess hair growth, burning, redness) with repeated use over time. For this reason, I personally use Exederm whenever I have contact dermatitis from trying a new product, and keep it in my medicine cabinet for those emergency cases. I wouldn’t personally use the Flare Control Cream for longer than two weeks at a time, to prevent side effects from occurring.
Exederm Cleansing Wash goes on without a lot of bubbles, which makes sense, with the low concentration of surfactants. Still, it leaves skin feeling clean without feeling dry or tight. The fact that the facial wash is completely free of oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, color, parabens, fragrance, formaldehyde and hydrocortisone makes it perfect for daily use.
Exederm Flare Control Cream contains 1% hydrocortisone, making it extremely effective but not suitable for long-term use. However, it is very effective against red, irritated, and itchy skin; in fact, I would venture to say that this is the next best thing to a prescription, since a doctor would give you 2-4% hydrocortisone, whereas this is 1%. I used it on a patch of poison ivy for the past 2 days (I just got a dog, and I chased her through a park…not a good idea, haha), and it really alleviated the itch. Ahhh….
Exederm Intensive Moisture Cream goes on light, but once on, you can tell that the second ingredient is super hydrator petrolatum. It is very hydrating and feels cooling on a rash. It doesn’t contain anti-aging ingredients or sunscreen, but it is a solid moisturizer that is suitable for anyone with sensitive skin.
Overall, I’m very impressed with the Exederm Ultra Sensitive Skin Care line. I especially love the Exederm Cleansing Wash for everyday and the Flare Control Cream for itchy redness for two week intervals. Overall, I give this line a solid 9/10. (High concentration of well-proven ingredients: 3/3. Unique formulation: 3/3. Value for the money: 3/3. Sunscreen: 0/1).
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July 15th, 2008
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futurederm |
Best Products, Best Products, Dry Skin Treatments, How to Get Rid of..., Product Reviews, Spotlight On..., eczema treatments |
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So, recently, I started trying a lot of skin care creams (hey, a blogger’s gotta do what a blogger’s gotta do. 
) And, what do you know, I ended up with a pretty bad case of contact dermatitis, resulting in a horrible itchy rash that not even two weeks’ worth of prescription hydrocortisone could cure.
But then someone turned me on to Intelligent Aesthetics Gentle Cleansing Gel ($30.00), Comforting Skin Primer ($20.00) and AM/PM Healing Complex ($28.00). Immediately after using the products, my red, inflamed skin felt smoother and cooler. (And no, as usual, I am not being paid to say this.) The next day, my skin looked to be healing, and it felt comfortable for the first time in weeks. I’m not completely cured yet, but let me tell you, I am well on my way and I love this stuff.
Science backs it up, too. Two of the ingredients in the Intelligent Aesthetics Gentle Cleansing System are willow extract and chamomile, which have been shown in numerous studies to have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. Another great ingredient is oat extract. A 2002 study in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology found that topical application of practical concentrations of Avena Sativa (Oat) Extract reduced skin irritation in the majority of the individuals studied. Avena Sativa (Oat) extract has also been documented to be effective as a soothing and anti-inflammatory agent in the journal Phytotherapy. Other great ingredients in the line include hydrating vitamin E, anti-aging retinyl palmitate, and antioxidant vitamin C.
But my favorite ingredient in Intelligent Aesthetics Gentle Cleansing System is actually the blend of peppermint and spearmint extracts. Although the menthol that distinguishes peppermint from spearmint is sometimes touted as an irritant, both peppermint and spearmint have long been established as anti-inflammatory agents, according to the text Herbal Medicine and Botanical Medical Fields. The blend of mint extracts left my skin feeling cool, clean, and refreshed…completely unlike the itchy discomfort of contact dermatitis.
I highly recommend this line to anyone without a menthol allergy who is suffering from irritated skin! I love it!! 
9.5/10 (no sunscreen)
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May 20th, 2008
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futurederm |
Best Products, Best Products, Best Skincare Gifts, Dry Skin Treatments, Uncategorized, eczema treatments |
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Eczema is a condition that is characterized by rash-like symptoms, which may include redness, skin edema, itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. According to a press release for the product, the American Academy of Dermatology has found that 10-20% of the world’s population suffers from eczema to some degree. Atopic eczema is the most common type to occur, which is believed to have a hereditary component. However, some diagnosed cases of atopic eczema are caused by a specific irritating agent, and are in actuality a different form of eczema, called contact dermatitis.
Aveeno® Eczema Care Body Wash and Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream have been proposed as novel treatments for eczema. In one January 2007 study administered by Johnson & Johnson, 82-89% of all patients tested had improved symptoms of eczema after two weeks’ of daily use of each product — numbers that are highly impressive, even for an in-house study. Both the Aveeno® Eczema Care Body Wash and Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream have also received prestigious awards, including the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and the Allure 2007 “Best Beauty Breakthrough” award! What makes these products so effective? Read on…
Natural Colloidal Oatmeal and Pure Oat Essence
Both Aveeno® Eczema Care Body Wash and Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream contain natural colloidal oatmeal and pure oat essence. In a supplement to the journal Cosmetic Dermatology, it is stated that these ingredients are among the few natural ingredients that are regulated by the U.S. FDA.
According to the supplement, oats have been used since ancient Egypt to manage dry, itchy skin. Colloidal oatmeal, a preparation of ground hulled oat kernels dispersible in water, is helpful to dry skin in four major ways:
- 1. Contains a helpful mixture of components that soothe and/or hydrate skin, including 10-18% protein, 60-64% polysaccharides, and lipids, enzymes, saponins, prostaglandin synthetic inhibitors, vitamins, and flavonoids. In short, oat proteins have high hydration and fat-binding capacities, and have been shown to improve skin’s barrier function.
- 2. Has a lower pH than human skin, which enables absorption of oils and dirt on the skin.
- 3. Positively charged sites of oat proteins help oatmeal bind to negatively-charged parts of the skin, anchoring the moisturizing ingredients into the skin. This helps the ingredient form a thin layer over the skin. (Pretty neat, huh? )
- 4. Contains vitamin E, an antioxidant.
- 5. In one study, cited here, oat kernel extracts inhibited prostaglandin synthesis to a degree comparable with that of indomethacin, indicating that oatmeal may reduce pain and itching.
Very exciting indeed!
Petrolatum, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Ceramides and Panthenol
All of the above ingredients in Aveeno® Eczema Care Body Wash and Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream serve as additional hydrators, preventing further irritation and drying of skin. Petrolatum and dimethicone are both occlusive agents, which seal in moisture and help prevent further moisture loss.
No potentially irritating ingredients
There are no fragrances, dyes, colorants, or steroids in Aveeno® Eczema Care Body Wash and Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream. In the press release for the product, the National Eczema Association (NEA) and their Scientific Advisory Board found “Aveeno® Eczema Care products are gentle, mild, and effective for those who suffer from eczema.”
An interesting, unintended single case study
…That would be me. For some unknown reason (maybe the stress of finals approaching?), I had my first case of eczema last week. It appeared on my neck, and I wasn’t sure what it was, but after reading up on it, I realized it was contact dermatitis. I found the Aveeno Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream particularly helpful in soothing, hydrating, and alleviating my symptoms, though it definitely takes time (I have been using it for a week now, and still have a little redness, but far less itching.)
As a result…
I highly recommend Aveeno® Eczema Care Body Wash and Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream to anyone with eczema or very dry skin. In the aforementioned Johnson & Johnson survey, 88% of consumers said that continued use of Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream improved their skin’s health with continued use, and I believe it. There are many great, proven ingredients in these formulations, and I love the fact that they’re non-irritating, hydrating, and take the itch away! Product rating: 9/10 (High concentration of proven ingredients: 3/3. New technology: 3/3. Value for the money: 3/3. Sunscreen: 0/1).
For further tips on how to manage your eczema, please click here.
Water, Glycerin, Panthenol, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Petrolatum, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Avena Sativa (oat) Kernel Flour, Avena Sativa (oat) Kernel Oil, Ceramide 3, Avena Sativa (oat) Kernel Extract, Methylparaben, Steareth 20, Benzalkonium Chloride, Sodium Chloride.
Water, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Chloride, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Laureth-2, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Ceramide 3, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Panthenol.
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March 31st, 2008
Posted by
futurederm |
Best Products, Best Products, Dry Skin Treatments, General Cosmetic Dermatology, Natural Products, Product Reviews, eczema treatments |
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