NOTE: This review has been updated on 18/08/2025. The packaging has slightly changed, but the formula is the same. All the information in this post is about the version now available in stores.
How’s your scalp doing? Hidden under layers of hair, it’s easy to completely forget all about its existence. I know I do, until it starts complaining. You know what I’m talking about, right? That annoying itching sensation that occurs when it becomes all dry and sensitive, and that makes you scratch your scalp like a crazy chimpanzee. So irritating, in every possible sense of the word. Aveeno Skin Relief Soothing Shampoo promises to relieve the itch while cleaning your hair gently. Always ready to test multitasking products, I headed to the bathroom. Here’s what happened:
What’s In Aveeno Skin Relief Soothing Shampoo?
AMMONIUM LAURYL SULFATE AND COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE
This shampoo foams like crazy. Blame it on Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) and Cocamidopropyl Betaine. Ammo… what?! These two are surfactants, i.e. ingredients that help water mix with oil and dirt, so they can easily be rinsed off.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is a strange choice for a soothing shampoo. It’s pretty harsh and can irritate sensitive skin. Luckily, formula matters. Adding Cocamidopropyl Betaine, a much gentler surfactant, tones down the harshness of ALS. Phew!
Related: Should You Avoid Sulfates In Skincare?
AVENA SATIVA KERNEL (OAT) FLOUR
This is oats. Yep. oats. Those unassuming little things (that taste amazing with chocolate chips, raisins, and mixed seeds – one of my fave breakfast treats) are amazing for sensitive skin.
A 2003 study, one of the many about oats, has shown they have anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties. Put simply, this means they can soothe skin and scalp, helping to relieve itchiness, redness, and irritations.
But, won’t they end up down the drain when you rinse off the shampoo? A big chunk probably will. That’s why Aveeno recommends you leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it off. That won’t make it work as well as a leave-on product so if you expect super quickly results, you’ll be disappointed. But, it improves its performance a bit.
Related: Why Oats Are A Soothing Must-Have For Sensitive Skin
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The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
- Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
- Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
- Red: What is this doing here?!
- Aqua (Water): Basically the base of almost every shampoo or wash. It’s the solvent that keeps everything mixed together and makes sure the formula isn’t a gloopy mess.
- Glycerin: A humectant, aka a water magnet. It pulls moisture into your hair and scalp so things don’t feel stripped and desert-dry after washing.
- Sodium Chloride (Salt): Thickens up the formula so it’s not runny like water. It also helps adjust the feel and foam of the product.
- Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm) Leaf Extract: A plant extract known for its calming and antioxidant properties. It’s like a chill-out session for your scalp.
- Allantoin: A skin-soother that calms irritation and keeps things feeling comfortable. It’s like a little anti-redness helper for the scalp.
- Bis(C13-15 Alkoxy) PG-Amodimethicone: A lightweight silicone that conditions hair, smooths down frizz, and makes strands feel silky without weighing them down.
- Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride: A conditioning agent derived from guar gum (yep, the thickener from food). It helps detangle and leaves hair softer and easier to comb through.
- Ethylhexylglycerin: A multitasker that boosts preservatives so the formula stays fresh, and it adds a little skin-conditioning benefit too.
- C14-15 Alcohols: Not the drying kind of alcohol, these are fatty alcohols that actually soften and smooth the hair, giving it slip and manageability.
- Cocamide MEA: Another foam booster and stabilizer, made from coconut oil. It helps make the lather creamier and more satisfying.
- Isotridecyl Alcohol: Works as a co-emulsifier and conditioner, helping ingredients mix better and leaving the hair with a smooth finish.
- Propylene Glycol: Another humectant that pulls in water to keep hair and scalp hydrated. It also helps other ingredients penetrate more effectively.
- Sorbitol: Sweet-sounding sugar alcohol that doubles as a humectant. Adds moisture retention and helps hair feel less brittle.
- Acrylates Copolymer: A film-former that coats hair lightly, adding shine and making strands feel smoother and less flyaway.
- Polyquaternium-39: A conditioning polymer that clings to hair to give that soft, conditioned feel and make combing easier. Think of it as a static reducer too.
- Citric Acid: Balances out the pH so the shampoo isn’t too harsh and helps keep the formula stable. Bonus: smooths the hair cuticle a bit.
- Sodium Hydroxide: Used in tiny amounts to adjust pH levels so the product isn’t too acidic or too alkaline.
- Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that keeps bacteria and mold from turning your shampoo into a science experiment.
- Sodium Benzoate: Another preservative tag-teaming with phenoxyethanol to keep things safe and fresh.
- Parfum (Fragrance): Just here to make your hair smell nice after washing. But it can be irritating for sensitive skin.
Texture
It looks like clear jelly when it comes out of the bottle. Nothing fancy, just that gel vibe. The second you rub it on your head, it foams up like crazy – big soft bubbles everywhere. It spreads super easy, gets all over your scalp without you needing half the bottle, and then rinses out clean. No slimy after-feel, no “straw hair” squeak, just normal clean hair.
Fragrance
Honestly, it just smells like “clean hair.” Nothing fancy, nothing perfume-y, just that fresh shower smell. You notice it while you’re washing, but once you rinse and your hair dries, it pretty much disappears. If strong shampoo scents bug you, this one’s chill. Still, it can irritate sensitive skin – especially if yours doesn’t like fragrances to begin with.
How To Use It
Massage it into wet hair, let the foam do its thing, and leave it on for a couple of minutes before rinsing. The “leave it in” bit matters – gives the soothing stuff (like the oats) time to calm your scalp instead of just washing straight down the drain.
Packaging
The bottle’s nothing fancy – just your standard Aveeno beige with a brown flip cap. It does the job, doesn’t leak, and you can squeeze out the shampoo without wrestling with it. It’s not “cute on the shelf” kind of packaging, more like practical and sturdy. You grab it, it works, end of story
Performance & Personal Opinion
The first thing I’ve noticed about Aveeno Skin Relief Soothing Shampoo is how much it foams. In this age of sulfate-free shampoos that barely make a few bubbles, this baby goes the opposite way and turns your hair into a cloud.
Seriously, ladies, go easy and use a tiny amount, or you’ll spend ages rinsing it off. Trust me, I’ve been there. I’m not sure I’m the best person to review this shampoo because my scalp is pretty good, but the shampoo did a good job at cleansing my hair without dryness or irritation.
The science about oats is solid, so if you’re dealing with an itchy scalp, it should help – as long as you leave it on for a few minutes. It may work slowly, but, at least, it’ll give you soft, clean, and lovely-smelling hair from wash one.
What I Like About Aveeno Skin Relief Soothing Shampoo
- Foams up really well without having to use a huge handful.
- Doesn’t leave my scalp tight or itchy after rinsing.
- Super gentle – feels like it cleans without stripping everything away.
- The oat thing actually works, it calms irritation down.
What I DON’T Like About Aveeno Skin Relief Soothing Shampoo
- The bottle’s on the small side, and you can go through it pretty fast if you wash a lot.
- If your hair’s really greasy, you might need a double wash because it’s gentle.
- Doesn’t leave that “super glossy, commercial hair” look – it’s more about comfort than glamour.
- Price is a bit higher than your average drugstore shampoo for the size you get.
- Fragrance may irritate sensitive skin.
Who Should Use It?
This is for anyone with a cranky scalp – dry, itchy, irritated, or just tired of shampoos that feel too harsh. If you’ve got sensitive skin, eczema, or just want something gentle that won’t leave your head screaming, this fits the bill. It’s also good if you’re not into heavy scents and just want your hair to feel clean and calm without all the extra fuss.
Does Aveeno Skin Relief Soothing Shampoo Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Its mild formula gently cleanses the hair and relieves itchy sensations related to a very dry and sensitive scalp. | It’s not the gentlest shampoo, but it does help relieve an itchy scalp. |
| Hair is left looking soft and beautifully shiny. | True. |
| Ideal for frequent use, even on thin and fragile hair. | I wouldn’t use it too often as over-washing can dry out hair. |
Price & Availability
£8.39 at Asos and Boots
Do You Need It?
If you have an itchy scalp, this is a good shampoo to consider.
Aqua, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Avena Sativa Kernel (Oat) Flour, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Bis(C13-15 Alkoxy) PG-Amodimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, C14-15 Alcohols, Cocamide MEA, Isotridecyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyquaternium-39, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
