Welcome to my beauty product testing and review blog, where honesty and transparency are the foundation of every post. With so many beauty products promising flawless skin, perfect hair, and transformative results, it’s hard to tell which are worth your time and money. That’s where I come in! My goal is to personally evaluate and review products, sharing real, unfiltered experiences to help you make confident, informed decisions.

As an everyday beauty enthusiast (with no brand sponsorships), I can guarantee that you’ll always get honest opinions. Whether a product works or fails, you’ll know. Together, we’ll determine whether something is “Tried and TRUE” or “Tried and Boo”. Let’s dive into today’s review—my journey with psoriasis and the Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser.

A Psoriasis Diagnosis and My Search for Solutions

After a recent diagnosis of psoriasis, I decided to try Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser, a product that caught my eye for its promise to soothe sensitive skin. As someone who dealt with eczema as a child—a condition often mistaken for psoriasis—I learned from my dermatologist that childhood eczema can sometimes lead to psoriasis in adulthood. While the two conditions have similarities, they’re quite different in appearance and behavior.

Psoriasis entered my life abruptly, showing up one day on the palms of my hands, wrists, and fingers. The tiny white bumps and scaly patches threw me into a panic. I turned to my nurse practitioner, hoping for answers, but her response was dismissive: “Stay moisturized.” Frustrated, I left without a referral to a dermatologist, and as you might guess, the condition worsened. That little sidebar explains how I got to this product, but let’s take a moment to discuss the difference between eczema and psoriasis.

Eczema vs. Psoriasis: My Personal Experience

Eczema and psoriasis may both involve itchy, inflamed skin, but they differ significantly. Eczema looks like a rash, often resembling a reaction to an allergen or bug bite. It’s typically red, itchy, and sometimes oozing. Psoriasis, on the other hand, presents as scaly, dry patches on the skin. For me, psoriasis wasn’t as itchy as eczema, possibly because I identified it early and started managing it. The scaly appearance of psoriasis made me far more self-conscious, with visible areas like my hands.

Growing up, my grandmother swore by an old-school remedy: a capful of bleach in bathwater to “kill whatever’s on the skin.” Though unconventional, it seemed effective—my skin stayed relatively clear with her method. I even used it on my own kids when they had skin issues, and it worked for them too.

But psoriasis is different. It’s a chronic condition that requires ongoing management, not quick fixes. When I finally saw a dermatologist, I was diagnosed with plaque psoriasis, the most common form, accounting for 80–90% of cases. Plaque psoriasis is caused by a rapid turnover of skin cells, resulting in the dry, scaly patches characteristic of the disorder. While there’s no cure, it can be managed with a proper skincare routine.

Why I Chose Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser

My dermatologist encouraged me to research products for psoriatic skin. I wanted something gentle yet effective, so I started with a Google search. Among several options, Aveeno stood out because of its reputation for being gentle on sensitive skin. Its oat-based formula promised to calm and nourish, which was appealing for my skin type: medium-to-dark, oily, and prone to sensitivity.

While I haven’t noticed psoriasis patches on my face, I decided to stay ahead of potential flare-ups by adding this product to my routine. I’ve also been makeup-free for months, as I live in the South where the summer heat makes wearing makeup uncomfortable.

My Honest Review After 60 Days

I used the Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser for 60 days, going through half of the 7.8-ounce bottle. Here’s what I found:

• Pros: This cleanser left my skin feeling soft, supple, and hydrated. It gave my skin a nice glow and didn’t cause any irritation.
• Cons: While it felt great on my skin, it didn’t perform well as a cleanser. After washing my face, I followed up with a toner and was shocked by the amount of dirt left on the cotton pad. It was as if I hadn’t washed my face at all! Even after double-cleansing (using two pumps twice), the results were the same.

For context, I’ve included a photo of the cotton pad to show the leftover dirt. While this cleanser excels at hydrating and soothing, it doesn’t effectively remove dirt or impurities.

Is It Worth Trying?

If you’re looking for a cleanser that deeply cleanses, this product isn’t for you. However, if your goal is hydration and maintaining a soft glow, it could work as a secondary cleanser in your routine.

Managing psoriasis is a journey of trial and error. This cleanser is ideal for mild conditions like mine, offering soothing benefits without irritation. However, for more severe psoriasis, I’d recommend consulting a dermatologist for tailored options.

Final Thoughts

Psoriasis is a complex condition that varies from person to person. While the Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser didn’t fully meet my expectations, it’s still a decent choice for keeping skin soft and hydrated. My journey with this product reminds me that no single product works for everyone—especially with skin disorders like psoriasis.

As always, my reviews are 100% honest. Beauty is about finding what works for YOU. If you’ve tried this product or have recommendations for other gentle cleansers, let me know in the comments! Together, we can navigate the beauty world and uncover the “Tried and TRUE” gems while steering clear of the “Tried and Boo” disappointments.

Thank you for reading, and here’s to finding what truly works—one honest review at a time.