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I have stated before that I am easily one over if a product is called treatment. In case of the Murad Quick Relief Colloidal Oatmeal Treatment the naming isn’t too far from the truth though, and explains why on the packaging it says “for eyes, face and body”.
I admit that when I first read that, I was a little surprised as I thought this would be like a serum step, given that on the website it is always pictured between the cleanser and the cream. And if it were a serum (and not a cheap one, I might add), wouldn’t I just fly through a tub using it on my body?
It isn’t like a serum though, which we will discuss in a bit.
What the Murad Quick Relief Colloidal Oatmeal Treatment claims
Fast-acting therapeutic cream fights off itch, irritation and rashes, while a proprietary blend hydrates to soothe discomfort.
Facts about the Murad Quick Relief Colloidal Oatmeal Treatment
Prize and size
One tube contains 30 ml and is available for 49 € on the website here. The tube is silver with a white and blue label, which gives a slightly medicinal, but elegant look.
Texture and smell
After reading the description I expected something like an ointment, thick and a little greasy, but was pleasantly surprised. It is a little thicker than a lotion, but spreads easily and has a faint, but noticeable “unscented product” smell – you know which one I mean, that a little earthy, a little nutty fragrance that creams get when you don’t add any masking odors. (More info: Is fragrance in your skincare dangerous?) The color is a brownish cream.
How to use the Murad Quick Relief Colloidal Oatmeal Treatment
I often use products before reading the instructions – yes, that has led to problems before and no, I don’t recommend doing it – so the first time I grabbed it, I applied it all over my face after cleansing.
While that worked, it didn’t feel quite right, which is when I turned to the website to learn how it was supposed to be applied. Turns out it really should be used as a treatment to irritated areas, and that explains the soothing layer it leaves – great when you have irritation, but a little odd when you apply it before moisturizer. (More info: The 5 steps you need to take to repair your damaged skin barrier)
But because I believe in thoroughly testing, I have worn it all over the face several times and am happy to report that despite that soothing layer it is never tacky or causes pilling and even on my combination skin did not cause any breakouts.
On the contrary, I did quite like it for long outdoor walks in the cold winds or on days when my skin felt a little irritated after Tretinoin the night before. (More info: Winter skincare tips)
Given that it is supposed to go on affected areas though, it makes a lot more sense that it says “for the body” as that way 30 ml will certainly last longer than they do when used as a serum.
Ingredients of the Murad Quick Relief Colloidal Oatmeal Treatment
sii|emo 0 1, Propanediol solv|h, Cetearyl Olivate emu, Sorbitan Olivate emu, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate emo, Musa Sapientum (Banana) Leaf/Trunk Extract, Cetyl Alcohol emo|vc 2 2, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract aox|so|emo|abrasive/scrub, Betaine h, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter emo|vc, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Hydrogenated Lecithin emo|emu, Physalis Pubescens Fruit Juice, Albatrellus Confluens (Mushroom) Extract so, Niacinamide 
cci|sb|aacne|h, Allantoin so 0 0, Tocopherol aox 0–3 0–3, Jojoba Esters so|emo|h, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride emo, Hectorite vc, Carbomer vc 0 1, Caprylhydroxamic Acid chel, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate chel, Sodium Hydroxide buff, Citric Acid buff, Chlorphenesin pres|amicHover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
Fitting for the name treatment the product lists 5% Colloidal Oatmeal as active ingredient, which is approved for soothing and eczema. (More info: The benefits of colloidal oat meal in skincare explained)
Other soothing components are Allantoin and Niacinamide and there is also Shea Butter and Squalane as emollients. (More info: The benefits of Niacinamide in skicare explained)
The brand promotes ground cherry extract as steroid alternative on their website – you can find it as Physalis Pubescens Fruit Juice on the ingredient list – but I can’t comment on that, and they also added a Mushroom Extract that is supposed to be soothing too.
More info: How to read the ingredient list in your skincare products
Does it live up to its claims?
Yes.
It will obviously only work on rashes depending on their cause – if it is an allergic rash against the product itself, it probably wouldn’t be a good idea, but it is instantly soothing and helps with uncomfortable, itchy skin.
How does it compare to…
La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ Repairing Cream
La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume is the holy grail soothing ointment everybody seems to know and love, and even though I only discovered it after the reformulation in 2022, it has earned a permanent place in stash, not for everyday use, but for irritation, dry patches and cracked corners of the mouth. (More info: How to prevent cracked corners of the mouth)
It doesn’t feature colloidaly oatmeal, but instead Panthenol (More info: The benefits of Panthenol in your skincare explained) and Centella Asiatica (More info: The benefits of Centella Asiatica in skincare explained).
Compared side by side La Roche Posay is a little thicker and stays on the skin longer, so I usually only use it at night, while the version from Murad was a little easier to use during the day. That is speaking as someone with combination skin, if your skin is dry, you might feel different. I don’t think you need both in your routine. Personally I use Murad more for cold days and la Roche Posay more for really dry patches over night.
You can read my full review of the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ Repairing Cream here.
Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend it to?
Even though I don’t suffer from eczema, I was surprised how much I loved the Murad Quick Relief Colloidal Oatmeal Treatment. And not only as treatment for irritated areas, where it truly excels, no, also in a thin layer all over my face when I know the weather is going to be harsh. It is the cosmetically elegant version of the thick fatty ointments we all appreciate and hate at the same time, and for that is always space in my bathroom cabinet.
Shop Murad skincare here
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