I’ve dealt with eczema for years — here are the best lotions that actually help
With the right ingredients and formulas, you may catch some relief from the dry, itchy skin caused by eczema.
Eucerin Eczema Relief Flare-up Treatment
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$12.99
To pick the best eczema lotions, I considered the following factors based on my experts’ guidance:
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I found the best lotions safe for eczema-prone skin. Each product (except for the Eucerin treatment) has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance. Below, I included several options I’ve tested and regularly use to treat my eczema. Some of the products were recommended by experts, while others were chosen based on expert advice about what to look for.
This lotion from Cerave is a favorite among my experts because it has ceramides, which play a key role in protecting the skin barrier. “This lotion has a unique blend of high-quality moisturizing agents, including ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerin,” says Dr. Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, a dermatologist at Khrom Dermatology.
Cerave’s lotion is also great for those with an active lifestyle or worry about their pores clogging. I use this lotion on my face and body every morning during the hot summer months, as well as days when I plan on going to the gym. It’s so lightweight that it’s not melting off my face but still gets the job done by repairing and maintaining my skin without causing irritation or worsening it.
This Eucerin cream works to soothe irritated skin and provides a cooling sensation, which can help calm ongoing flare-ups, says Kazlouskaya. Suitable for all eczema-prone skin types, this rich and cooling option is also safe for children and babies aged 3 months and older, according to Eucerin.
This cream comes recommended by Kazlouskay because it has eczema-soothing ingredients like avena sativa, or oat kernel extract, which is an occlusive ingredient (meaning it helps the skin hold onto moisture). The hero ingredient also plumps up the skin and restores its natural barrier, according to Dr. Elaine Kung, a board-certified dermatologist in New York. Plus, the cream reduces any dryness and redness, according to the brand.
To treat my dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin, I apply this thick moisturizer every day on my face and body. My skin instantly feels more moisturized, appears less dull and all dry, itchy patches disappear.
“Often when I don’t know what skin care products may be irritating my patients, I advise them to stop using everything they have at home and substitute it with the Vanicream line of products until we can figure out what their irritants are,” says Kung. This is because Vanicream products, including this cream, are free of dyes, parabens and formaldehyde releasers. So, if you’re looking for something to re-introduce hydration back into your skin without further aggravating it, this is a gentle option, says Kung.
This non-greasy balm has ceramides and vitamin C and is great for soothing itchy skin on both your face and body throughout the day, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Gabriela Soza. “It also helps repair the skin barrier with a combination of humectants and occlusive moisturizers,” she says. Unlike other balms that tend to come in a tub, this one has a pump for easy and mess-free application.
Kazlouskaya is a fan of Cetaphil’s moisturizer because it contains colloidal oatmeal, which restores the skin’s moisture barrier and reduces the uncomfortable side effects of flare-ups. The formula is hypoallergenic and is also free of parabens and steroids, according to Cetaphil.
This formula is so gentle that it’s safe for newborn skin, says Soza. “As a mother, this is huge and what I use to hydrate my baby’s eczema-prone skin,” she says. The pump keeps the balm sterile as you use it, so it doesn’t need preservatives to prolong its shelf life, according to the brand. This is great for those with sensitive skin: Preservatives in skin care products can sometimes trigger allergic contact dermatitis, says Soza.
This thick, non-greasy formula is fit for newborns and adults alike, according to the brand. It’s free of common eczema irritants like sulfates, dyes and parabens, and uses colloidal oatmeal and prebiotic moisturizers to strengthen the skin barrier and minimize itchiness and dryness, according to Dove. It’s also highly rated, with a 4.7-star average rating from over 3,200 reviews on Amazon.
This moisturizer comes recommended by Kazlouskaya and Mamina because of its hydrating combination of ingredients. One of the many ingredients in the formula is thermal water, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, says Mamina. You can use this cream on both your face and body, and it’s suitable for everyone of all ages, including those as young as two weeks old, says Mamina.
This Theraplex option has a combination of petrolatum and colloidal oatmeal and, as a whole, has a minimal number of ingredients, making it great for those with very sensitive skin, says Mamina. The cream, which is designed for eczema, dry skin and dermatitis, protects the skin barrier, soothes the skin and hydrates it all at once, according to the brand.
This balm is a favorite among Soza’s patients because of its soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal. The thick balm helps moisturize your skin throughout the night while also relieving itchiness, according to the brand. You can also keep your tub in the fridge because the cooling effect will help soothe irritated and itchy skin, says Soza.
This balm moisturizes and soothes irritated, chafed, cracked and dry skin, and protects it from further irritation with the help of hydrating ingredients like panthenol, glycerin and shea butter, says Mamina. This option is suitable for babies as young as a week old, children and adults, and it can be used as a spot treatment on your face and body, according to the brand.
This thick cream helps combat dryness and irritation for those with eczema-prone, sensitive and damaged skin, according to the brand. It has a combination of ingredients that focus on treating eczema, repairing the skin barrier and moisturizing and calming the skin, according to First Aid Beauty. This moisturizer has a 4.6-star average review from 4,500 reviews at Ulta, and you can use it on both your face and body.
This thick moisturizer, which has a 4.1-star average rating from over 2,700 reviews on Amazon and is suitable for all skin types, can temporarily relieve any discomfort associated with eczema, including irritation and itchiness, according to the brand. Apply a small amount on your skin and massage it until it melts, allowing it to condition your skin and create a moisturizing, protective barrier.
If you have a nut sensitivity, consider Eczema Honey’s Nut-Free Skin-Soothing Cream, which functions in the same manner as the original formula and is also approved by the NEA.
This hypoallergenic lotion provides relief from the itching and irritation caused by eczema — and at $12, it’s one of the most affordable options on this list. The lotion provides relief within 15 minutes, according to the brand. Plus, it’s highly rated, with a 4.7-star average rating from over 14,000 reviews on Amazon.
This lotion has 1% hydrocortisone, the maximum strength available over-the-counter without a prescription, according to the National Eczema Society. In addition to using it on your eczema flare-ups, you can also use this lotion to treat other skin conditions like psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, according to the brand. Cortizone-10 recommends applying this lotion no more than four times a day. It has a 4.7-star rating from over 26,000 reviews on Amazon and is FSA eligible.
Though eczema can be finicky to treat, lotions can help make the condition more manageable, experts say. There are two main formula types to look out for: ones that reduce and soothe symptoms of eczema (like inflammation, dryness and itchiness) and ones that work to repair and maintain the skin barrier.
If you suffer from eczema, you’ll want to opt for thicker moisturizers, including creams, balms and ointments, says Soza. Ointments and balms will be more occlusive, meaning they retain water and minimize transepidermal water loss. This is especially important for those dealing with eczema who may need to repair the damaged skin barrier and soothe irritated skin, says Soza. Options with a more liquid-like consistency may not be as hydrating as thicker, creamier moisturizers because they tend to have a higher alcohol content, says Soza.
One common ingredient among products geared toward healing eczema is colloidal oatmeal. The ingredient, which is made of ground-up oat kernels, helps relieve the common side effects of eczema, such as inflammation and itchiness, as well as keep your skin barrier intact to prevent future damage and moisture loss. One study found that even low amounts of colloidal oatmeal helped soothe inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier among eczema patients.
Other ingredients to look for include humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and panthenol that work to attract and hold water in the skin, says Kazlouskaya. You’ll also want to find moisturizers with emollients like butters, oils and ceramides can also help make the skin smoother by filling in the “gaps” between skin cells, says Kazlouskaya. These ingredients are ideal for inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis because they can help relieve itchiness, dryness and scaling on the skin.
To strengthen your skin barrier, look for occlusive ingredients like lanolin, squalane and petrolatum jelly because they will help create a film on the skin’s surface and prevent transepidermal water loss, experts say.
Just as important as what’s inside an eczema lotion is what’s not in it. Avoid irritants, allergens, solvents, surfactants and sensitizing preservatives if you’re battling eczema, which can all trigger a flare-up, says Kung. Specifically, the National Eczema Organization recommends avoiding products containing fragrances (a common contact allergen), essential oils and plant extracts (which can lead to skin rashes), and ethanol (or alcohol, which can cause drying, stinging or burning in people with sensitive skin).
When choosing a product for your eczema-prone skin, keep in mind the time of year. “While lotions are good for summer and hot weather, thicker, richer textures such as creams, ointments and balms should be used in the winter time,” says Kazlouskaya. And if moisturizing alone doesn’t help control your eczema, you may find it helpful to visit your dermatologist.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I am an associate reporter covering skin care, hair care and gift guides, including recent stories on the best neck creams and shampoos for dry hair. For this story, I interviewed dermatologists, shared their recommendations and researched highly rated eczema lotions that met their guidance.
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