With picks from Aveeno, Topicals, and more.
Eczema, a skin condition that can cause itchy, red, dry, rough patches, is super common, affecting roughly 10% of people in the U.S. according to the National Eczema Association.1 It can be tricky to treat and often requires the assistance of a dermatologist. This is because, explains dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD, “There are so many causes and triggers of eczema, which can occur from your scalp to your toes.”
But there is some good news, says dermatologist Dendy Engleman, MD, “there are many over-the-counter products that can provide relief.” This is because moisturizing is a common way to treat the symptoms of eczema and help give you some relief because it helps soothe your skin. You just have to make sure that the moisturizer is appropriate for eczema-prone skin.
So to help find you the best lotions for eczema, we conducted hours of research, evaluating formulas on their active ingredients and how well they deliver results. We also looked at what the formulas don’t contain, like fragrance, parabens, or other potential irritants. After considering dozens of brands and consulting with board-certified dermatologists, we landed on the following best in show.
Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Soothing Relief Eczema Cream
Accepted by the National Eczema Association, this lotion is clinically shown to relieve itchy, irritated skin and help visibly reduce the signs of eczema, according to the brand. This is because the lotion contains a host of soothing ingredients, including the brand’s eponymous prebiotic thermal water, which is so soothing for the skin that there’s even a La Roche-Posay Thermal Center in France where eczema patients from all over the world come to experience its healing properties.
The prebiotic thermal water, coupled with a new patented bacteria, are meant to help the skin’s microbiome; maintaining this balance of bacteria that live on the surface of the skin is meant to not only help treat existing eczema symptoms but ward off future flare-ups, too. It also contains hydrating shea butter and anti-inflammatory niacinamide2 and is safe to use on children over three years of age. The thick (though not greasy) texture makes it a top choice for treating areas such as elbows, hands, and knees.
Who It’s For
This lotion would work for anyone who’s dealing with eczema, but we especially recommend it to people who don’t like rich, heavy creams, as it has more of a balm texture that absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave a residue. It’s also a great choice for toddlers and children, as it’s made without any harmful or super strong active ingredients.
Best Drugstore: Cetaphil Restoraderm Eczema Soothing Moisturizer
“Cetaphil has great products under their Restoraderm lines, which received the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association,” says Engelman. “This particular one contains a blend of 15 moisturizers and skin-essential vitamins to provide soothing relief for dry, itchy, irritated skin.”
Dr. Nava Greenfield, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group, is also a fan. “I use this because it has colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, and filaggrin, which not only hydrate but also provide nourishment to skin that lacks the ability to completely hydrate itself,” she explains.
Who It’s For
The colloidal oatmeal and ceramides in the formula make this a great pick for sensitive skin types or if you’re in the middle of an eczema flare-up and need relief fast.
Runner-Up, Best Drugstore: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Recommended by dermatologist Yoon-Soo Cindy Bae, MD, this is one of those all-in-one moisturizers that nips dryness in the bud. Packed with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and emollients, it’s able to lock in your skin’s moisture for hours on end. Dr. Marina Peredo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, sings its praises as well, lauding it for thoroughly and effectively relieving dry, flaky skin—without leaving behind a greasy or sticky after-feel (which makes it perfect for use on the face as well as the body).
Who It’s For
If you love a heavier night cream or need a thicker formula to soothe frequent eczema dry patches, this is the pick for you. Because it has such a moisturizing consistency, it’ll heal dry skin types and leave your skin nourished and soft.
Best for Face and Body: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream for Sensitive Skin
Dermatologist Bae is also a fan of this multi-tasking formula. The gentle yet hardworking cream is often recommended by dermatologists for patients dealing with all kinds of skin irritations (eczema included) because it’s paraben-, dye-, and fragrance-free. We appreciate that it works just as well on eczema patches that pop up on the face as it does for patches on the body since it won’t clog pores.
Who It’s For
This is a heavy-duty, rich moisturizer, so we recommend it for those who have more severe cases of eczema and need something extremely moisturizing. Because it has a non-irritating formula, it’s also a great pick to use around sensitive areas (like under the eyes).
Best for Hands: Eczema Honey Oatmeal Hand Cream
Itchy, dry, and irritated hands due to eczema can be a real drag, which is where this cream comes in to save the day. The award-winning, dermatologist-tested formula is packed with calming ingredients like vitamin E, avocado oil, colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and honey to totally nourish and revitalize the hands while relieving itch. Also nice? The formula is cruelty-free and and free of parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, and SLS.
Who It’s For
This hand cream has a thinner consistency, making it perfect for those who can’t handle the sometimes greasy feel of thicker creams. It absorbs easily and won’t leave a residue, so it’s easy to reapply throughout the day.
Best Budget: Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream
This wallet-friendly classic is clinically shown to relieve dry, itchy, and irritated skin associated with eczema. Credit a formula packed with colloidal oatmeal (a soothing ingredient that the FDA deems an effective skin protectant)3 plus skin-strengthening ceramides and lipids. It’s no surprise it’s also earned a stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association.
Who It’s For
With the inclusion of ceramides in the formula, the Aveeno lotion is a must for those who’s skin barrier has been weakened by exfoliant overuse as they work to reinforce it.
Runner-Up, Best Budget: Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream Full Body Lotion for Eczema-Prone Skin
Another affordable pick that we love is this drugstore cream by Eucerin that’s specifically formulated to soothe eczema. It has all the hard-hitting ingredients: colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, and even licorice root for boosting radiance and brighten dark marks and scars. It’s also fragrance and steroid-free, so it’s safe to use on children and babies three months and older.4 We love that while it’s thick, it can soothe the skin in seconds and provide hydration for 24 hours.
Who It’s For
This is a great choice for children who are dealing with eczema flare-ups, as it is completely safe for them to use. We also recommend this if you’re looking for a thicker lotion that can soothe irritated skin over time.
Best Ointment: Aquaphor Healing Ointment
A thicker, petroleum-based ointment is great for helping to create a protective barrier on eczematic, compromised skin.5 And that’s why both dermatologists Peredo and Greenfield recommend this particular option. “It’s preservative- and fragrance-free, ideal for those who have sensitive skin and eczema,” says Peredo, while Greenfield adds that it’s much easier to apply than many other petroleum ointments (which is due to it’s unique thin, spreadable texture).
Who It’s For
Eczema can often lead to dry skin that frequently cracks or scars—so if you deal with that, we recommend this ointment. The Aquaphor formula can heal and protect cracked skin from external elements. Since it’s so thick (and can be a little sticky), we recommend it for use right before bed.
Best Lightweight: Nivea Essentially Enriched Hand and Body Lotion
“I recommend this lotion for people with eczema because I like that it contains almond oil, which is rich in anti-inflammatory properties,” says Greenfield. It’s also much more lightweight than many formulas on this list, a good choice for those who don’t want super thick or rich formulas; Greenfield notes that it feels great applied evenly on large areas of the skin. We also love that it’s super affordable and can be found at your local drugstore, making it an accessible pick that you can just grab quickly when you’re having a flare-up.
Who It’s For
If you have rough, dry skin but want a soft, smooth complexion, you should definitely give this lotion a try. It’s very nourishing but not at all thick, so you’ll want to apply it to your body every day.
Runner-Up, Best Lightweight: Vaseline Advance Repair Fragrance Free Hand and Body Lotion
Made with Vaseline’s signature jelly in the formula, this lotion is somehow ultra hydrating while being super lightweight. With continued use, it’ll heal dry and itchy skin for a complexion that stays smooth and soft all day. It’s also been awarded the U.S. National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, so it’s popular for soothing and not causing irritation to eczema and dry skin types in general. It’s also unscented, making it a great choice for ultra-sensitive skin types.
Who It’s For
If you’re dealing with rough and flaky skin but don’t want to apply a thick lotion every night, you’ll love this pick.
Best for Itchy Skin: Curel Itch Defense Calming Body Lotion
Itching can be one of the most irksome symptoms of eczema; happily, this lotion can help counteract that. The fragrance-free, National Eczema Association-approved formula promises not only to instantly help calm and soothe itchy skin but also to help ward off future flare-ups by addressing ceramide levels, pH levels, and moisture levels. Eczema flare-ups can be brought on by any type of irritation to the skin, so this lotion can help avoid that by keeping these levels stable.
Who It’s For
This lotion is safe for all skin types, as well as all ages six months and up. If you have a baby or toddler who’s dealing with eczema flare-ups, this is a great option to soothe their itchy skin.
Best for Very Dry Skin: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration
“First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream is a double-hitter because it’s a head-to-toe moisturizer that provides instant relief and long-term hydration for dry, distressed skin, even when eczema is involved,” explains Fusco (this product is one of her favorites). You get the benefits of colloidal oatmeal, a time-honored calmer of eczema,6 without having to sit in an oatmeal bath, she adds. And along with being super hydrating, it also helps quell itch.
Who It’s For
If you deal with eczema on your face and body, this is a great moisturizer that’s rich enough for the dry skin on your body but not too heavy where it’ll irritate the skin on your face.
Best With Hydrocortisone: Sarna Eczema Relief Whipped Foam
The truth of the matter is, when a really bad eczema flare strikes, a plain old lotion sometimes won’t be powerful enough to combat all of the symptoms. You need a little more of a heavy-hitting active ingredient, such as hydrocortisone The over-the-counter steroid is often recommended by dermatologists to help quell redness, inflammation, and itch—all symptoms of an eczema flare.7 Here, it comes in a maximum-strength 1% concentration, though in a lightweight and fast-absorbing foam that’s much more enjoyable to use than other, goopy hydrocortisone creams.
Who It’s For
If your eczema is severe and a standard colloidal lotion isn’t cutting it, a medicated option, like this one from Sarna, will definitely be more powerful and could work better to heal your eczema symptoms. If you’re unsure whether an over the counter or prescription treatment would work better for you, we recommend discussing with your dermatologist.
Best Oil: Lizzie’s All-Natural Products Eczema Oil
While this eczema oil may technically not be a lotion, this nourishing body oil truly brings much-needed relief during an eczema flare-up Infused with coconut oil and safflower oil, the formula has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to soothe and protect the skin while strengthening its natural barrier.8
Who It’s For
Not everyone loves to apply a body lotion (and many don’t at all—it can be tiring to do everyday), so this is an eczema product for those who don’t love the sometimes sticky feeling on first application of a lotion. It’s just as hydrating and is able to soothe eczema symptoms.
Best Mask: Topicals Like Butter Mask Hydrating Mask
While it’s more of a treatment than a lotion, this creamy mask is choice for soothing and hydrating dry, sensitive, eczema-prone skin. Safe for use on the face and body, it’s packed with skin-protecting and irritation-quelling ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, centella asiatica, and ceramides.91011 Use it as a quick 20-minute mask before your shower, or leave it on overnight for a supremely nourishing treatment.
Who It’s For
This is a pretty rich mask, making it perfect for when you want to comfort your irritated skin and take the time to do a specific treatment.
Best Balm: Honest Eczema Soothing Therapy Balm
If you prefer a balm, Honest is your best bet. The therapeutic formula contains eczema-fighting all-star colloidal oatmeal to reduce redness in minutes and soothe itching,12 while aloe vera calms the skin13 and shea butter delivers much-needed moisture. Just a heads up, the thicker consistency of the lotion can make it more difficult to spread—you’ll want to warm it in your hands for a few seconds before rubbing it in. Once rubbed in, it absorbs and heals eczema syptoms quickly.
Who It’s For
If you have itchy, dry skin, a balm like this one might work best to soothe and hydrate for quick relief.
Best Double-Duty: Wild Naturals Eczema & Psoriasis Cream
For those battling both eczema and psoriasis, we recommend Wild Naturals. The natural, plant-based formula contains manuka honey to simultaneously heal flare-ups and help prevent new ones from cropping up.14 Meanwhile, aloe vera soothes,13 and a blend of shea butter and coconut oil help lock in moisture. The only potential drawback is that this cream may leave behind a white residue on first application, but absorbs completely a couple of minutes.
Who It’s For
As the name suggests, this is the perfect solution for those who deal with eczema and psoriasis. We also recommend it for those who need a super nourishing product to hydrate and heal the skin.
Where We Stand
Eczema is super common and can be tough to treat, but one of the best things to keep on hand is a good eczema lotion. The La Roche-Posay Lipikar Soothing Relief Eczema Cream is our overall favorite, a gentle yet effective pick that boasts the National Eczema Association’s seal of approval. There are also many good options to nab at the drugstore, including the Cetaphil Restoraderm Eczema Soothing Moisturizer and CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, both affordable, derm-favorites.
What to Look for in a Lotion for Eczema
- Texture: According to Peredo, the thicker the consistency, the better. “The thicker the base of the product, the more healing it will be and more effective for both preventing flare-ups and treating eczema,” she says. Some of our favorite options with thicker textures include the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration and the Vanicream Moisturizing Cream for Sensitive Skin.
- Hypoallergenic: Greenfield says this is a good criterion to seek out, indicating that it’s a good formula for sensitive, easily irritated, eczematous skin.
- Ceramides: Both Peredo and Greenfield say ceramides are one of the best ingredients to look for, as they help reinforce the skin barrier, locking moisture in and keeping irritants that can make eczema worse out. Many of the recommendations on this list are formulated with ceramides, like the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, the Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream, and the Cetaphil Restoraderm Eczema Soothing Moisturizer.
FAQ
How does lotion help to treat eczema?
“They help the skin form a healthy skin barrier, which is an essential function of normal skin. Eczematous skin does not have the same skin barrier ability, which is what leads to the itching, rashes, dryness, and redness,” explains dermatologist Greenfield.
How often should you apply lotion for eczema?
Dermatologist Peredo advises doing so at least twice a daily, ideally after showering or bathing, when the skin is moist, and the lotion can help lock in that extra moisture.
Does lotion for eczema expire?
“Yes,” says dermatologist Greenfield. “All lotions and creams have a shelf life, so check the expiration before purchasing or using.”
