The CeraVe Eczema Relief Creamy Oil contains colloidal oatmeal, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to soothe, hydrate, and support eczema-prone skin.
Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, but eczema is right up there with it.1 Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin condition that affects approximately 30% of the U.S. population, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. It’s characterized by dry, itchy skin, but eczema symptoms can also include redness, rashes, cracking, blisters, and bleeding.
“Eczema is an inflammatory disease of the skin leading to the disruption of the skin barrier,” says Carmen Castilla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with New York Dermatology Group. “Skin barrier disruption shows up on your skin as dry, itchy red patches.”
People of all ages can get it, but it’s most common in children. Childhood eczema may continue into adulthood, but managing it early on can reduce the severity later on. In children, eczema most commonly appears on the cheeks, outside of elbows, and knees, per the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. In adults, it’s commonly found on the hands, feet, arms, and behind the knees.
According to the National Eczema Association, there is no cure for eczema, but it can be managed with the appropriate treatments, such as topical creams. “Over-the-counter creams can help repair the skin barrier, decreasing skin redness and scaliness,” Dr. Castilla explains.
Eczema creams are different from your regular facial moisturizers and body lotions. They’re specifically formulated for eczema-prone skin—that is, skin affected by severe dryness, itchiness, redness, and sensitivity. We researched the best eczema creams and then we tested and review them based on our first-hand experience of using them on our eczema-prone skin. We also consulted dermatologists who shared their recommendations for eczema treatments based on clinical experience.
Best Overall: CeraVe Eczema Relief Creamy Oil
Our Ratings
Efficacy 5/5 Texture 5/5 Value 5/5
Why We Like It: Colloidal oatmeal soothes discomfort and supports skin barrier health.
It’s Worth Noting: Those expecting a rich oil may be disappointed by the lightweight consistency.
Multiple dermatologists we spoke to were quick to recommend this CeraVe product for eczema. They were fond of the ingredients it includes (which soothe and moisturize dry, itchy skin) and the ingredients it leaves out (which help it avoid exacerbating irritation).
“This product contains ceramides that help restore a broken skin barrier, allowing the skin to retain moisture,” explains Aanand Geria, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Geria Dermatology in Rutherford, New Jersey. “It also contains colloidal oatmeal and hyaluronic acid, which helps to instantly relieve symptoms such as dry, itchy skin by intensely moisturizing the rash.”
We love that it’s free of fragrance, which Dr. Geria says is “an enemy” of eczema since it can cause flare-ups. It’s also non-comedogenic, allergy-tested, and accepted by the National Eczema Association.
After we tested it ourselves, we gave CeraVe Eczema Relief Creamy Oil a perfect rating. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more impressed with any lotion for my eczema,” our tester said after two weeks of daily use. “When I applied it the first time, my skin immediately felt soothed and calmed.”
Product Details:
- Size: 8 oz
- Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, hyaluronic acid, ceramides
- Formulation: Cream
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best for Immediate Relief: Cetaphil Restoraderm Flare-Up Relief Cream
Our Ratings
Efficacy 4.5/5 Texture 5/5
Why We Like It: The thick cream rubs into skin easily to instantly soothe flare-ups of dry, itchy skin.
It’s Worth Noting: Though it disappears quickly, it has a slightly unpleasant smell.
Moisturizing is an important part of caring for eczema, but when a flare-up strikes, you may need to reach for something a little more heavy-duty. During testing, we noted that the Cetaphil Eczema Restoraderm Flare-Up Relief Cream is “as thick as it comes” and provides “instant relief and healing.” It’s specifically formulated for eczema-prone skin and relieves symptoms like dryness, itchiness, scaling, roughness, and irritation.
The formula is accepted by the National Eczema Association and contains intense moisturizers like shea butter and sunflower seed oil. The instantly soothing properties of this cream come from a 2% concentration of colloidal oatmeal, which gets a thumbs up from the dermatologists we spoke to. “Colloidal oatmeal acts as an emollient, which simply means that it can help soothe a patient’s discomfort and has reparative qualities for skin’s barrier,” says Todd Minars, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Minars Dermatology in Hollywood, Florida.
After suffering from cracked, rough hands for decades, our tester can attribute its effectiveness to providing instant relief and says the name is accurate. “This cream soothes and calms within minutes,” our tester said, noting that the cream didn’t burn or sting and left cracked skin feeling “smooth, soft, and silky.”
Product Details:
- Size: 8 oz
- Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, sunflower seed oil
- Formulation: Cream
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best for Burning Skin: Vaseline Clinical Care Eczema Calming Therapy Cream
Our Ratings
Efficacy 4.5/5 Texture 4/5
Why We Like It: Known for its healing properties, petrolatum forms a barrier around dry skin to lock in moisture.
It’s Worth Noting: After applying, it needs a few minutes to soak in, which can leave skin feeling wet and messy until it dries down.
Though it’s made by Vaseline, this eczema cream isn’t your typical petroleum jelly. It has a soft, creamy texture (likened to melted ice cream by our tester) and doesn’t burn, sting, or leave a greasy residue.
“This Vaseline eczema cream contains petrolatum and shea butter, which are intensely hydrating and can repair chapped skin associated with eczema flares,” explains Claire Wolinsky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in New York City and Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
A decades-long sufferer of eczema (especially on the hands), our tester said finding this product “feels like a miracle.” After using this product throughout the day for two weeks, our tester experienced soft and smooth hands for the first time in years. If you routinely experience burning, stinging, cracking, and irritation from eczema, this cream may be for you.
Product Details:
- Size: 3.4 oz
- Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, petrolatum, shea butter
- Formulation: Cream
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best for Extremely Dry Skin: Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Nourishing Balm
Our Ratings
Efficacy 4.9/5 Texture 3.6/5
Why We Like It: If you have severely dry skin, this balm will soften, comfort, and form a protective barrier around the skin.
It’s Worth Noting: It’s like smearing butter on your skin—it’s thick, greasy, and oily, per our tester.
If you can get past the greasy texture, we think this stuff is great. It also comes recommended by multiple dermatologists for its protective and reparative properties.
“This intensive balm acts as a barrier, making the skin feel soft and protected,” Dr. Geria says. “Containing zinc, this product helps minimize the appearance of redness and dry spots. It’s an overall great choice for eczema because it restores skin comfort.”
This balm is ideal for eczema-prone skin because it’s fragrance-free and contains lipids, which help to repair a damaged skin barrier, says Dr. Castilla. Topical lipids like ceramides can be an effective way to improve atopic dermatitis (eczema) and support skin barrier function.2
If you’ve tried many products to no avail, we’re confident this will work for you. “Eczema has no chance against this monster of a cream,” our tester said.
Product Details:
- Size: 16.7 fl oz
- Key Ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, ceramides, zinc
- Formulation: Balm
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best Scented: Eczema Honey Oatmeal Body Lotion
Our Ratings
Efficacy 4.5/5 Texture 3.6/5
Why We Like It: It softens and hydrates dry skin with gentle ingredients like cocoa butter, aloe vera, and honey.
It’s Worth Noting: It has a very thick texture, so you have to rub it in vigorously.
Those looking for an eczema cream on the more natural side of the spectrum might gravitate towards this one by Eczema Honey, a manufacturer that formulates clean skin care products for eczema-prone skin. The formula, which is accepted by the National Eczema Association, relies on 1% colloidal oatmeal to soothe itching, cocoa butter to nourish skin with beneficial fatty acids, and honey to soften and hydrate.
Our tester, who gets minor flare-ups of eczema from dry climate and frequent handwashing, found this lotion effective at getting rid of dryness and red bumps. “This cream really did the trick,” our tester said. “It definitely worked.”
Dr. Geria recommends this body lotion for those with dry, cracked skin from eczema for both what it does and doesn’t contain. “This product does not contain harsh, harmful chemicals but instead contains ingredients like hydrating cocoa butter, shea butter, aloe vera, and organic honey,” he says.
Though it’s fragrance-free, our tester noted that it has a light, earthy scent. It also has a thick, greasy residue, though it soaks in eventually.
Product Details:
- Size: 16 oz
- Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, honey, shea butter
- Formulation: Lotion
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best with Quick Absorption: Pipette 6 fl. oz. Eczema Lotion
Our Ratings
Efficacy 4/5 Texture 4.3/5
Why We Like It: It sinks into skin immediately without leaving any residue behind.
It’s Worth Noting: The thinner consistency may not be as moisturizing and effective as thicker formulations that form a more noticeable barrier around skin.
A trend that we experienced with eczema creams (and one that seems common in user reviews, too) is thick textures that sit on the skin before fully soaking in. If a thick, greasy consistency is a deal breaker for you, the Pipette Baby Eczema Cream is much more lightweight and quicker to absorb. And, don’t let the name fool you—it’s formulated for babies and children but can be used for adults, too.
While it contains ultra-soothing colloidal oatmeal and skin barrier-supporting ceramides like other eczema creams, it’s uniquely formulated with squalane to moisturize dry skin. Squalane, the plant-based form of squalene, is a skin-identical ingredient. It mimics compounds naturally found in the skin, so its benefits are more easily realized. Since it has anti-inflammatory properties, squalane can help reduce the redness associated with eczema, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
“This lotion did calm my son’s eczema after 2 – 3 uses,” our tester said, noting that it moisturized and relieved redness but took longer to yield visible results than thicker products. Still, we recommend this product for anyone looking for a lightweight eczema moisturizer, especially under makeup since it disappears quickly.
Product Details:
- Size: 6 fl oz
- Key Ingredients: Squalane, colloidal oatmeal, ceramides
- Formulation: Lotion
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best for KidsMustela Stelatopia Emollient Balm with Sunflower Oil
Our Ratings
Efficacy 5/5 Texture 5/5
Why We Like It: Formulated without fragrance, parabens, and phthalates, it’s safe for children.
It’s Worth Noting: It leaves skin feeling soft but also leaves a small layer of sticky residue.
While anyone can experience eczema, its prevalence peaks in childhood, according to the National Eczema Association. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that eczema affects up to 25% of children with up to 60% of children with eczema developing it during the first 12 months of their lives.
So, what to do if you notice the first signs and symptoms of eczema on your baby or child? A dermatologist can help you develop a treatment plan, which may include topical creams and balms. This one by Mustela is specifically formulated for young children with eczema-prone skin with soothing and nourishing ingredients like sunflower seed oil, avocado, squalane, and ceramides.
Petrolatum gives it its balmy consistency, which makes it effective at forming a protective barrier around the skin but also comes with a slightly greasy feeling. It’s free of ingredients that commonly trigger an eczema flare-up, including fragrance, parabens, and phthalates.
We think this is a great option for parents that are looking for child-appropriate lotions that don’t contain harmful ingredients. It’s also hypoallergenic and tested by dermatologists and pediatricians to keep delicate baby skin soft and comfortable.
Price at time of publication: $28Product Details:
- Size: 6.76 fl oz
- Key Ingredients: Petrolatum, sunflower seed oil, avocado
- Formulation: Balm
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best for Daily Use: Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream
Our Ratings
Efficacy 4.5/5 Texture 5/5
Why We Like It: It has a simple ingredient list featuring colloidal oatmeal and ceramides to soothe and support inflamed skin.
It’s Worth Noting: While it’s great for an everyday cream for mild cases, it may not be effective enough for more severe eczema flare-ups.
Aveeno has an eczema-friendly product line formulated with oat kernel oils and extracts to soothe dry, irritated skin. These ingredients, which make up colloidal oatmeal, have been shown to improve eczema symptoms like dryness by strengthening the skin barrier.3
“Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream is a simple formulation with colloidal oatmeal that can help soothe eczema-prone skin,” says Dr. Castilla. “Colloidal oatmeal is anti-inflammatory, which can have direct calming effects on the inflammatory component of eczema.”
Our tester, who experiences mild eczema flares on the hands and wrists, found relief with this product. “The cream definitely helped clear up a flare-up of my eczema, and worked very quickly to minimize the redness,” our tester said, noting that it’s likely best suited for mild flares instead of severe cases.
Product Details:
- Size: 12 oz
- Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, ceramides
- Formulation: Cream
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best with Hydrocortisone: Vanicream HC 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream
Our Ratings
Efficacy 4.5/5 Texture 4.7/5
Why We Like It: Recommended by multiple dermatologists, this formulation is simple, effective, and suitable for a variety of inflammatory skin conditions.
It’s Worth Noting: Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid used to treat eczema symptoms, but some people prefer to avoid it due to its potential side effects.
“Vanicream is my most preferred brand for eczema,” says Dr. Minars. “It’s formulated by dermatologists, and it’s actually what dermatologists recommend for patients with eczema and sensitive skin in general.” He says part of what makes this product so effective for eczema is its “bland” formulation. It’s free of “superfluous” ingredients, he says.
Labeled as an anti-itch cream, it’s formulated with 1% hydrocortisone—the maximum concentration in over-the-counter skin care products. Hydrocortisone soothes itchiness and flare-ups of inflammation from skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. And we did experience some relief while using this product. “It reduced my flare after the first application and then helped it continue to heal with repeated use,” our tester said, noting that it helped reduce itchiness but wasn’t as moisturizing and soothing as other products.
Some people have concerns about using corticosteroids like hydrocortisone due to the potential side effects, but using them as needed to keep eczema flares at bay was shown to be safe in a 2021 umbrella review.4
Product Details:
- Size: 2 oz
- Key Ingredients: Hydrocortisone
- Formulation: Cream
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best for Mild Eczema: Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream
Our Ratings
Efficacy 4/5 Texture 4/5
Why We Like It: Somewhere between lightweight and heavy, the consistency is just right and blends nicely into the skin.
It’s Worth Noting: It’s likely a better option for someone with mild eczema, and may not be the most effective for moderate or severe flare-ups.
The first ingredient in most creams and lotions is water, and sometimes, the type of water can make a noticeable difference. Avène uses thermal spring water as the base of its XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream to soothe, soften, and calm the skin. Research has shown that thermal spring water can have beneficial effects on sensitive skin—it can reduce dehydration, stress, and sensitivity. However, there isn’t much research on thermal spring water and its effect on eczema-prone skin.5 Still, this product is approved by the National Eczema Association for its efficacy.
For general dryness or mild eczema, you may enjoy the hydrating properties of this cream. It has amino acids to support the skin barrier and antioxidants to fend off free radical damage to skin cells. “My skin immediately felt moisturized and hydrated as soon as I worked this in, but it wasn’t the fastest acting or best at treating my eczema flares,” our tester said. Though our tester experienced a “modest” improvement, it wasn’t as effective as other products.
Product Details:
- Size: 6.7 oz
- Key Ingredients: Spring water, arginine, vitamin E
- Formulation: Cream
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
Our Testing Process
To find the best eczema creams, we first spoke to experts about what to look for in these products including:
- Board-certified dermatologist Carmen Castilla, MD, with New York Dermatology Group in New York City
- Aanand Geria, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Geria Dermatology in Rutherford, New Jersey
- Board-certified dermatologist Todd Minars, MD, with Minars Dermatology in Hollywood, Florida
- Claire Wolinsky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in New York City and Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital
Then we set about putting the top products on the market to the test. With expert input from Dr. Wolinsky, a group of Health team members who have eczema-prone skin tested more than a dozen topical skin care products for eczema.
Each tester was instructed to take a “before” photo of the skin affected by eczema. Then, testers used the designated eczema cream on their skin for two weeks, according to manufacturer instructions. Per Dr. Wolinsky’s insight, testers could expect to see improvements in as little as 24 hours for mild cases or up to one week.
During the two-week period, our team took note of how the product applied to their skin and how it felt—whether it went on smoothly and felt comfortable. After the testing period, our team took “after” photos to determine the effectiveness of the products. We mentioned any differences that we could see or feel and whether the product was effective enough to become part of our regular eczema skin care regimen. At the end of the test, we rated the products on efficacy, texture, and value.
What to Know About Eczema Cream
How Eczema Cream Works
If you have eczema, can an eczema cream help you? The dermatologists we spoke to believe so.
Dr. Minars says that yes, eczema creams can help improve the appearance of skin affected by eczema and reduce symptoms like dryness and itchiness. “This is because eczema patients have damage to their outermost layer of skin, which just so happens to be the layer that helps retain moisture and prevents environmental irritants, bacteria, and allergens from penetrating deeper,” he explains. This is where topical creams come in. “Eczema creams help by drawing moisture into the skin, which reinforces the outermost layer of skin.”
The shared goal of eczema creams is to alleviate eczema symptoms by moisturizing skin and strengthening the skin barrier. Moisturizing the skin with a rich cream soothes dryness, irritation, and redness, and supports skin barrier function by making skin stronger and less affected by triggers. For example, environmental triggers like cold, dry weather can cause an eczema flare-up. A healthy skin barrier lessens the ability of external factors to impact skin while a weakened skin barrier is more likely to allow triggers to degrade it further, per the National Eczema Association.
Ingredients to Look For
To find the most effective eczema cream, our dermatologists suggest taking a closer look at the ingredient lists.
The National Eczema Association recommends ingredients like oats, shea butter, aloe vera, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, petrolatum, and vitamin E for eczema lotions.
Our dermatologists also note that colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, lactic acid, and hydrocortisone are great ingredients to look for.
Some of these ingredients, such as petrolatum, can leave a greasy feeling on the skin. While a little uncomfortable, this may be a good thing. “Look for products that have a greasy feel,” says Dr. Geria. “The more oil in a product, the more beneficial it is for eczema.”
Ingredients to Avoid
Certain ingredients can trigger an eczema flare-up. Generally, you’ll want to avoid the following ingredients, per our dermatologists: fragrance, dyes, essential oils, retinoids, lanolin, and urea.
Of these, fragrance is the one to avoid the most. “Fragrance might be appealing for those without eczema, however, it is an enemy for those with it,” Dr. Geria says. Eczema can mean a higher rate of contact dermatitis, an itchy rash, or an allergic reaction that occurs after coming in contact with something such as an ingredient or product. Fragrance is one of those triggers because the term “fragrance” is a catch-all for undisclosed ingredients. So, dermatologists generally recommend fragrance-free creams for eczema.
Sometimes, less is more. If you have extremely sensitive skin, Dr. Castilla says it may be best to avoid long ingredient lists altogether and stick to short ones. “Simple formulations with fewer ingredients are also ideal for eczema-prone skin. Fewer ingredients and fewer additives are less likely to cause irritation,” she says. And, Dr. Minars agrees: “The fewer ingredients, the better!”
How Often Should You Use Eczema Cream
You can use an eczema cream daily—even multiple times per day. “Eczema creams can be applied as often as one needs,” Dr. Geria says. “Although it can be tedious, additional applications will pay off as they can prevent or relieve eczema flare-ups.”
The dermatologists we spoke to recommend moisturizing eczema-prone skin at least once per day, but ideally twice. More importantly, always moisturize when you get out of the shower. “For the best results, apply within the first 2 – 3 minutes after exiting the bath or shower,” Dr. Minars explains. “This is known as the Two-Minute Rule and it’s this wonderful window where topical products are absorbed into the skin very effectively.” This is when humectants like hyaluronic acid are most effective, he says.
How Much You Can Expect to Pay for Eczema Cream
The eczema creams we tested ranged in price from $8 to $34. They averaged $20 with most landing in the $13 to $22 range.
More Eczema Creams to Consider
While these creams didn’t live up to our expectations enough to make it on our list of best picks, they still may be of interest to you.
- Evereden Healing Eczema Treatment: This eczema cream for sensitive baby faces uses colloidal oatmeal to soothe discomfort. We found it effective at moisturizing and clearing up redness on children but found the consistency greasy and difficult to rub in. For the size, it’s not the best value.
- Eucerin Eczema Relief Flare Up Treatment: We think this treatment is an effective moisturizer but doesn’t soothe eczema symptoms like itchiness. It may be beneficial for general dryness, but we saw no immediate difference on eczema-prone skin.
- Skinfix Eczema+ Extra Strength Body Cream: We saw a difference after one day of using this product. After stopping use of this product, we found that eczema was quick to return. So it works, however, the thick texture was a deterrent and it had an unpleasant smell.
Your Questions, Answered
What is the best cream for eczema?
We love the CeraVe Eczema Relief Creamy Oil because, while trying it, we determined it was seriously effective at reducing eczema symptoms. Based on dermatologist recommendations, the Vanicream 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream is also an effective cream for eczema.
But keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to managing eczema. Alleviating symptoms requires a combination of lifestyle changes, such as avoiding triggers and using the right treatments. A dermatologist can help you figure out what works best for you, but it may require some trial and error.
What gets rid of eczema fast?
Unfortunately, there is no cure or quick fix for eczema. Eczema can’t be cured but it can be managed. Your best bet? Eczema creams and lotions. “Using these regularly is the most vital part of daily treatment for those with eczema,” Dr, Geria says.
If you’re not sure where to start, hydrocortisone creams may be a good starting point for quicker results. “I highly recommend starting twice a day with a medicated product containing hydrocortisone 1% to targeted areas that are inflamed,” recommends Dr. Wolinsky. “After the skin is no longer red and flaky, follow up with the use of a moisturizer containing ingredients like petrolatum and ceramides to maintain the skin barrier and prevent future eczema flares.”
If over-the-counter products don’t help, she says it may be time to make a visit to your local dermatologist’s office for a prescription-strength treatment. Working with a dermatologist may yield faster results. “Prescription steroid creams can improve eczema quickly,” says Dr. Castilla. “Over-the-counter eczema creams can definitely help, but the improvement is typically slower.”
Ultimately, what helps manage eczema is emollient products, consistency, and time. Childhood eczema especially tends to improve with age.
