Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
Eczema, a skin condition that can cause itchy, red, dry, rough patches, is super common. According to the National Eczema Association, it affects ~10% of people in the U.S. It can be tricky to treat and does often require the assistance of a dermatologist, but “the good news is there are many over-the-counter products that can provide relief," says dermatologist Dendy Engleman, MD. "There are so many causes and triggers of eczema, which can occur from your scalp to your toes," adds dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD. "But the one common denominator of treatment is moisturizing. In other words, using a moisturizer can go a long way toward helping you soothe your skin—so long as it’s appropriate for eczema-prone skin.
Here, a round-up of the best eczema lotions, based on the advice of top dermatologists.
Best Overall
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Soothing Relief Eczema Cream
Amazon
Affordable
Can be used on face or body
Helps soothe itchy skin
Has a very thick texture
Who else recommends it? Best Products, The Strategist, and Self all picked the La Roche-Posay Lipikar Soothing Relief Eczema Cream.
What do buyers say? 92% of 2,100+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
Accepted by the National Eczema Association, this is clinically proven to relieve itchy, irritated skin and help visibly reduce the signs of eczema, according to the brand. At work, are a host of soothing ingredients, including the brand’s eponymous Prebiotic Thermal Water, which is so effective 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 niacinamide and is safe to use on children over three years of age. The thick (though not greasy) texture makes it a choice for treating areas such as elbows, hands, and knees.
Price at time of publish: $15
Active Ingredients: Prebiotic thermal water, shea butter, niacinamide | Size: 6.76 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Drugstore
Cetaphil Restoraderm Eczema Soothing Moisturizer
Amazon
Fragrance-free
National Eczema Association approved
Rich, emollient texture
Contains alcohol
"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,” she says. 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.
Price at time of publish: $19
Active Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, ceramides | Size: 10 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Runner-Up, Best Drugstore
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Amazon
National Eczema Association approved
Non-comedogenic
Can be used on face or body
Contains parabens
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, humectants such as hyaluronic acid, and emollients, it locks in your skin's moisture for hours on end, according to the brand. 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.
Price at time of publish: $17
Active Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Size: 19 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Face and Body
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream for Sensitive Skin
Target
Easy-to-use pump dispenser
National Eczema Association approved
Thick, yet not greasy
Contains BHT
Bae, MD, 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. And 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.
Price at time of publish: $17
Active Ingredients: Petrolatum | Size: 16 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Hands
Eczema Honey Oatmeal Hand Cream
Amazon
Packed with natural ingredients
Contains colloidal oatmeal to soothe itchiness
Contains nourishing oils
Somewhat pricey
Itchy, dry, and irritated hands 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 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, clean, and free of parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, and SLS.
Price at time of publish: $24
Active Ingredients: Vitamin E, avocado oil, colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, honey | Size: 4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Budget
Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream
Amazon
Fragrance-free
National Eczema Association approved
Helps soothe itchy skin
Packaging could be improved
This wallet-friendly classic is clinically proven to relieve dry, itchy, and irritated skin associated with eczema, according to the brand. Credit a formula packed with colloidal oatmeal (a soothing ingredient that the FDA deems an effective skin protectant) plus skin-strengthening ceramides and lipids. It’s no surprise that it’s also earned the stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association.
Price at time of publish: $39
Active Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, ceramides | Size: 7.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Ointment
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Ulta
Effective multi-tasker
Affordable
Has a foam tip for easy application
Isn’t hydrating in and of itself
A thicker, petroleum-based ointment is great for helping to create a protective barrier on eczematic, compromised skin. Both 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.
Price at time of publish: $10
Active Ingredients: Petrolatum | Size: 1.75 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Lightweight
Nivea Essentially Enriched Hand and Body Lotion
Courtesy of Amazon
Lightweight and fast-absorbing
Affordable
Provides long-lasting hydration
Contains fragrance, which can be irritating
“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 even on large areas of skin.
Price at time of publish: $7
Active Ingredients: Mineral oil, glycerin, sweet almond oil | Size: 16.9 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Itchy Skin
Curel Itch Defense Calming Body Lotion
Courtesy of Amazon
Affordable
National Eczema Association approved
Absorbs fast
Contains parabens
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 to instantly help calm and soothe itchy skin but also helps ward off future flare-ups by addressing ceramide levels, pH levels, and moisture levels.
Price at time of publish: $10
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, petrolatum, dimethicone | Size: 20 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Very Dry Skin
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration
Amazon
Great for sensitive skin
Can be used on face or body
Available in multiple sizes
Pricey
"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 of one of her go-tos. You get the benefits of colloidal oatmeal, a time-honored calmer of eczema, without having to sit in an oatmeal bath, she adds. And along with being super hydrating, it also helps quell itch.
Price at time of publish: $38
Active Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, allantoin | Size: 6 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best With Hydrocortisone
Sarna Eczema Relief Whipped Foam
Courtesy of Amazon
Works quickly
Absorbs fast and isn’t greasy
Foaming texture
Shouldn’t be used daily/continuously
The truth of the matter is, when a really bad eczema flare strikes, a plain old lotion isn’t going to do much. You need a little more of a heavy-hitting active ingredient, such as hydrocortisone. The OTC steroid is often recommended by dermatologists to help quell redness, inflammation, and itch—all symptoms of an eczema flare. 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.
Price at time of publish: $16
Active Ingredients: Hydrocortisone | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Unknown | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Oil
Lizzie's All-Natural Products Eczema Oil
Courtesy of Lizzie's All-Natural Products
Strengthen's skin barrier
Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal
Super nourishing
Pricey
While this one 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-fungal properties to soothe and protect the skin while strengthening its natural barrier.
Price at time of publish: $46
Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, safflower oil | Size: 8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Mask
Topicals Like Butter Mask Hydrating Mask
Sephora
Packed with soothing, anti-inflammatory ingredients
Safe for face and body
Clean, vegan, and cruelty-free
Can pill if too much is applied
While this is more of a treatment than a lotion, this creamy mask is choice for soothing and replenishing dry, sensitive, and 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. Use it as a quick 20-minute mask before your shower, or leave it on overnight for a supremely nourishing treatment.
Price at time of publish: $34
Active Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, centella asiatica, ceramides | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Final Verdict
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. Colloidal oatmeal is a great soothing ingredient for those with eczema to seek out; find it in the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration (which can be used on the face and body) and the Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream.
Meet the Expert
- Dendy Engleman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Shaefer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York City and the Director of Dermatologist Surgery at Metropolitan Hospital.
- Francesca Fusco, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology in New York City and an associate member of the American Academy of Dermatology.
- Yoon-Soo Cindy Bae, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York. She’s authored over 40 academic articles, as well as several book chapters on a variety of topics.
- Marina Peredo, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. She is a fellow in the American Academy of Dermatology, as well as the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery.
- Nava Greenfield, MD, is a dermatologist practicing at Schweiger Dermatology Group. She’s a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and the Women’s Dermatologic Society.
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.
Hypoallergenic
Greenfield says this is a good criterion to seek out, an indication 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.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Having dealt with eczema since she was a toddler, she has extensive experience with all of the many over-the-counter eczema products on the market. (Her personal favorite on this list is the First Aid Beauty cream).