Eczema, a form of dermatitis, is a common skin concern affecting roughly 31 million people in the U.S. alone — about 10% of the population, according to the National Eczema Association (NEA). The condition can be anywhere from mild to severe, but it can be cumbersome trying to navigate ways to soothe the itchy, dry skin it causes. We spoke to dermatologists to learn all about eczema, what causes it, and — most importantly — what you should look for in a lotion. We also rounded up expert-recommended and highly rated eczema lotions that may help you find some relief.
SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best eczema lotions | Best eczema lotions | How to shop for eczema lotions
Best budget pick$19.97$26.58
How we picked the best eczema lotions
To pick the best eczema lotions, we considered whether the lotion has eczema-friendly ingredients, whether it’s formulated without ingredients known to trigger the condition, how lightweight it feels on the skin and its value.
- Ingredients: When dealing with eczema, it’s important to find restorative ingredients such as colloidal oatmeal and hyaluronic acid that help heal, soothe, calm and hydrate the skin. It’s also important to know which ingredients to be cautious of in order to prevent your eczema from worsening, so if possible, stay away from lotions with fragrances that may irritate your skin.
- Texture: When deciding which eczema moisturizer is best for you, you’ll want to consider lotions, creams and balms. Some will feel lighter, while others will have a thicker consistency. (More on this below.)
- Price: We included products with a range of price points.
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The eczema lotions in 2024
We 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. Some of the products were recommended by experts, and some were chosen based on expert advice about what to look for. We also included NBC Select staff favorites.
Best overall: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
- Lightweight
- For face and body
- Noncomedogenic
- Very thin consistency
This lotion from Cerave is a favorite among dermatologists we spoke to 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, according to NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez, who has dealt with eczema her entire life. “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,” she says.
Best for flare-ups: Eucerin Eczema Relief Flare-up Treatment
- For ages three months and up
- Relieves itchiness
- Strengthens skin barrier
- Small size
- Is a spot treatment
Ceramides, colloidal oatmeal and licorice extract in this Eucerin cream work to soothe irritated skin, says Kazlouskaya. The cream also provides a cooling sensation when applied, which can help calm ongoing flare-ups, according to the brand. Suitable for all eczema-prone skin types, this option is also safe for children starting from three months of age, according to Eucerin.
Best budget pick: Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream with Oatmeal
- Rich, creamy consistency
- Relieves itchiness
- Improves skin barrier
- Not in pump packaging
This cream comes recommended by Kazlouskay because it’s made with colloidal oatmeal and ceramides, which is great for warding off eczema. Avena sativa, or oat kernel extract, is an occlusive ingredient (meaning it helps the skin hold onto moisture) that suppresses histamine release, plumps up the skin and restores the skin’s natural barrier, according to Dr. Elaine Kung, a board-certified dermatologist in New York. The cream also reduces dryness and redness, according to the brand.
Best cream: Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream
- Repairs and maintains skin
- Improves skin texture
- Thick consistency
- Nothing to note at this time
To treat her dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin, no day goes by without Alvarez applying this cream. “After applying this perfectly thick moisturizer on my face and body, my skin instantly feels more moisturized, appears less dull and all dry, itchy patches disappear,” she says. That’s because Vanicream’s products are designed with sensitive skin in mind. “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, fragrance, parabens and formaldehyde releasers. So, if you’re looking for something to re-introduce hydration back into your skin without further aggravating it, this may be a gentle option, according to Kung.
Best absorbing: Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Balm
- Fast absorbing
- Reduces dry skin discomfort
- Safe for all ages
- Nothing to note at this time
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Gabriela Soza, this non-greasy balm contains ceramides and vitamin C and is great for soothing itchy skin on both your face and body throughout the day. “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.
Best for soothing: Cetaphil Restoraderm Soothing Moisturizer
- Strengthens skin barrier
- Protects skin from flare-ups
- Non-greasy
- Nothing to note at this time
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. According to Cetaphil, the formula is also free of parabens, fragrance, and steroids.
Best for sensitive skin: Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Balm
- Relieves itchiness
- Non-greasy
- Long-lasting
- Higher price point
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. According to the brand, the airless pump keeps the balm sterile as you use it, so it doesn’t need preservatives to prolong its shelf life. This is great for those with sensitive skin: The use of preservatives can sometimes trigger allergic contact dermatitis, says Soza.
Best for dry skin: Skinfix eczema+ Extra Strength Body Cream
- Softens skin
- Rich, thick consistency
- Non-greasy
- Higher price point
This rich cream combines 2% colloidal oatmeal and sweet almond oil to help sensitive, dry and eczema-prone skin, according to Dr. Mamina Turegano, a triple board-certified dermatologist, internist and dermatopathologist. This moisturizer not only hydrates the skin but helps reduce itchiness and irritation, according to the brand.
Best for babies: Baby Dove Soothing Cream Lotion
- Developed with pediatric derms
- Reduce and prevents irritation
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Small size
This thick yet non-greasy formula is fit for newborns and adults alike, says the brand. It's free of common eczema irritants like synthetic fragrances, sulfates, dyes and parabens, and uses colloidal oatmeal and prebiotic moisturizers to strengthen the skin barrier and minimize itchiness and dryness, according to Dove.
Best for rough skin: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizer
- Large size
- Improves skin texture
- Safe for chemotherapy patients
- May be hard to pump
This moisturizer comes recommended by Kazlouskaya and Mamina because of its hydrating combination of ingredients like ceramides, glycerin and shea butter. It also contains thermal water, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, according to 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.
Best ointment: Theraplex Eczema Therapy
- Softens skin
- Only four ingredients
- Noncomedogenic
- Can be greasy
This option from Theraplex 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.
Best for itchiness: Aveeno Eczema Therapy Nighttime Itch Relief Balm
- Non-greasy
- Absorbs quickly
- May be hard to scoop
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, according to Soza.
Best splurge: GladSkin Eczema Cream
- For ages three months and up
- Reduces redness
- Balances skin microbiome
- Higher price point
If you’re looking for a dual-purpose moisturizer for the face and body, consider this option recommended by Kazlouskaya. This cream has Endolysin SA, which is “a small protein that fights ‘bad’ bacteria on the skin and balances the microbiome, helping to reduce itching in patients with eczema,” says Kazlouskaya. It also has traditional moisturizers like glycerin, petrolatum, mineral oil and colloidal oatmeal.
Best balm: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5
- Relieves all eczema symptoms
- Has a matte finish
- Safe for chemotherapy patients
- Higher price point for size
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, according to 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.
Best for skin barrier care: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Intense Hydration
- Reduces redness
- Softens skin
- For face and body
- Not in pump packaging
This thick cream helps combat dryness and irritation for those with eczema-prone, sensitive and damaged skin, according to the brand. It has colloidal oatmeal, which treats eczema and repairs the skin barrier, shea butter for moisture and barrier protection and allantoin to calm the skin, according to First Aid Beauty. This moisturizer has a 4.6-star average review from 4,300 reviews at Ulta, and you can use it on both your face and body.
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How to shop for eczema lotions
Though eczema can be finicky to treat, lotions can help make the condition more manageable, dermatologists told us. There are two main formula types to look out for: ones that reduce and soothe the symptoms of eczema (like inflammation, dryness and itchiness) and ones that work to repair and maintain the skin barrier.
Types of moisturizers
If you suffer from eczema, you want to opt for thicker moisturizers, including creams, balms and ointments, according to Soza. Ointments and balms will be more occlusive, meaning they retain water and minimize transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This is especially important for those dealing with eczema who may need to repair the damaged skin barrier, says Soza. Also, ointments and balms tend to be more soothing when applied to irritated skin, according to 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.
Ingredients
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, according to 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. Lastly, to strengthen your skin barrier, occlusive ingredients like lanolin, squalane and petrolatum jelly will help create a film on the skin’s surface and prevent transepidermal water loss.
Just as important as what’s inside an eczema lotion is what’s not in it. Consider avoiding irritants, allergens, solvents, surfactants and sensitizing preservatives if you’re battling eczema, as these can trigger a flare-up, according to 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).
Season
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.
Meet our experts
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.
- Dr. Viktoria Kozlovskaya, MD, PhD, is a Pittsburgh-based dermatologist who is double board-certified in dermatopathology and dermatology.
- Dr. Elaine Kung, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Future Bright Dermatology in New York.
- Dr. Gabriela Soza, is a board-certified dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology in New York City.
- Dr. Mamina Turegano, is a triple board-certified dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist in Louisiana.
Why trust NBC Select?
Michelle Rostamian has more than 10 years of experience covering beauty and skin care topics. Rostamian has tested dozens of skin care formulas, including lotions for eczema. For this story, Rostamian spoke to two board-certified dermatologists. Based on their guidance and recommendations, Rostamian reviewed the features of several eczema lotions.
Bianca Alvarez is 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, she interviewed dermatologists, shared their recommendations, and researched highly rated lotions that met their guidance.
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