Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15

*Est. $16 for 2.5 oz.

Reviewed

September 2010

Pros

Contains soothing ingredients
Broad-spectrum UV protection
Oil- free

Cons

Contains fragrance
No antioxidants

Our Analysis

Though it is not completely free of irritants, reviewers say Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 is full of ingredients to reduce redness and soothe irritation, such as feverfew, oatmeal and soy. Beauty expert Paula Begoun warns that feverfew might be more irritating than soothing, but it might not cause problems in small amounts. Critics love the lotion's broad-spectrum UV protection, but they say they wish that Aveeno would replace avobenzone with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, both of which provide gentler sun protection. Specialists are also displeased with Aveeno's inclusion of fragrance, a known irritant. Despite these potential problems, though, few consumers at MakeupAlley.com and Drugstore.com complain of irritation. If you prefer a gentle moisturizer that is free from fragrance and other irritants, we found the best reviews overall for Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream (*Est. $13 for 16 oz.).

Begoun provides the best review of Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 at her website, Beautypedia.com. We find her reviews to be reliable because they are backed by scientific research and testing. Though not as scientific, beauty magazines such as InStyle and Women's Health also test beauty products for their annual beauty awards, in which only the best performing products are recommended. User reviews, although they vary greatly, provide valuable insight into consumer opinion.

Our Sources

1. Beautipedia.com

Paula Begoun calls Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 an effective sunscreen product -- "just not an exciting one." She says the product would be more suited to sensitive skin if were to use titanium dioxide or zinc oxide rather than avobenzone, which can be irritating. Begoun also suggests the lotion is mediocre in quality because it lacks antioxidants.

Review: Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15, Paula Begoun

2. InStyle Details/Subscribe

InStyle editors choose Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 as the best daytime moisturizer with SPF for sensitive skin. They say it's lightweight and praise Aveeno for including soothing ingredients such as feverfew and chamomile.

Review: Best Beauty Buys 2009 - Skin, Editors of InStyle magazine, April 2009

3. Women's Health magazine Details/Subscribe

Women's Health editors choose Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 as the best sensitive-skin moisturizer because it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Review: WH Beauty Awards – Facial Skin Care, Arthur Belebeau, March 17, 2009

4. MakeupAlley.comDetails/Subscribe

Consumers at MakeupAlley.com give Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 an above-average rating. Opinions vary greatly from one user to the next: Several say the daily moisturizer is not heavy or greasy, but almost as many say the product left their skin shiny and slightly oily.

Review: Aveeno Daily Moisturizer Ultra-Calming SPF 15, Contributors to MakeupAlley.com

5. Drugstore.com

More than 120 consumers review Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 at Drugstore.com. A couple of reviewers say it irritates their skin, but most say it helps to reduce redness and moisturize. Consumers say the product "sinks right in" to their skin and has a nice texture.

Review: Aveeno Daily Moisturizer, Ultra-Calming SPF 15, Contributors to Drugstore.com

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