If you haveeczema, you’re all too familiar withflare-upsof itchy, patchy, and inflamed skin and the quest for the perfect cream tosoothe it.
Though there are many types of eczema, there’s one type of product that can help prevent and manage symptoms across the board. Using a quality moisturizer daily can help ease flare-ups, provideitch relief, and aid inhealingyour inflamed skin.
With the help of two board certified dermatologists, we sorted through the sea of salves to bring you only the besteczemacreams and help you pick the best one for your skin.
Best eczema creams of 2022
How we chose the best eczema creams
We talked with the pros to find out what to look for in an eczema cream as well as what to avoid. The advice of board certified dermatologists informed every option on our list, helping us single out the products that truly deliver.
Pricing guide
8 best eczema creams
Best rated eczema cream
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
If you’re overwhelmed by the options out there, Vanicream is a solid place to start. Thepetroleum jelly-basedformula seals in moisture and is perfect for dry, sensitive skin — which more than likely describes your skin sitch if you have eczema.
Chacon recommends this moisturizing cream for a fairly budget-friendly pick that’shypoallergenicand fragrance-free. It also skips out on parabens, dyes, and other potentialirritants. Since just one wrong-for-you ingredient can trigger aneczema flare-up, it’s ideal to stick with something super gentle. In general, the fewer ingredients a product has, the less likely it is to spark an allergic reaction.
Reviewers praise its ultra-hydrating properties while remaining nongreasy, although some accuse it of being a little too thick.Pro tip:If you’d prefer a thinner option, you can pick upVanicream’s Moisturizing Lotioninstead which contains less oil. Ointments and creams tend to be better for eczema, but a lotion is better than nothing.
Best everyday eczema treatment
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
“CeraVe moisturizing cream is a simple choice and it’s one of my favorites to pair before bedtime,” Chacon says. It contains hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides, all of which help repair the skin’s natural barrier and aid in hydration. Bonus: The company also offers aPM versionthat contains niacinamide which easesinflammation. It’s a great option for your face or any inflamed skin.
It goes on a bit like a lotion and some users rave that it eases itchiness in no time. Reviewers also say it helps eczema-related redness fade away. They also love that despite its thick texture, it’s not greasy.
A few reviewers complain it’s too heavy to use on their face, but the ingredient list does check out as gentle enough for all-over. Do apatch testto see if it’s right for you.
Best eczema cream for flare-ups
CeraVe Healing Ointment
According to the National Eczema Association, ointments are the ideal first line of defense against eczema. Since they contain more oil than creams and lotions, they’re especially skilled at sealing in moisture. While this ultra-thick treatment might be a little much for all-over applications, it’s a perfect option foractive flare-ups.
Chacon compares CeraVe’s healing ointment toVaseline, another petroleum-based fave that works well for eczema. The advantage of using this over Vaseline is that CeraVe’s also containshyaluronic acidand ceramides, which will give your skin some much-needed moisture.
This healing ointment has theNational Eczema Association’s Seal of Approval. A bunch of reviewers call it their “holy grail” product for eczema outbreaks.
Best heavy-duty eczema cream
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Here’s another ointment to add to your shopping list. “Aquaphor healing ointment is one of my favorites for wound healing as well as forlip dryness,” Chacon says.
If you have a particularly red, inflamed, orwound-likeeczema outbreak, reach for the Aquaphor. This formula contains particularly high petroleum content as well as mineral oil, glycerin, and panthenol, which makes it one of the most effective options for sealing inmoisture.
Aquaphor is a long-time, trusted brand that’s reached cult fave status in recent years. Reviewers love it for easing eczema symptoms as well asrashes of all kinds.
Keep in mind that it does contain lanolin, which theNational Eczema Associationnotes may irritateeczema-prone skin. Even though lanolin is a solid emollient derived from sheep’s wool, it’s not unheard of for folks with atopic dermatitis to have an allergy to it.
Reviewers sensitive to lanolin confirm: This one’s a no-go for them. Some broke out in a bumpy redrashafter applying. Remember, always do apatch testwhen trying new products.
Best eczema cream for itch relief
Aveeno Eczema Therapy Itch Balm Relief
Who knew treating eczema could be so… enjoyable? Chacon loves the pocket-sized, “fun” convenience of this Aveeno Eczema Therapy balm. It’s easy to apply and lends immediate itch relief.
It’s formulated with colloidal oatmeal, which helpshealand soothe skin quickly. (Remember thoseoatmeal bathsyour grandma always recommends? She’s onto something.)
This fragrance-free, glycerin-based balm may also help fade anyhyperpigmentationspots that eczema can leave behind. Reviewers rave that it eases eczema flare-ups in less than 24 hours.
Some with eczema did say they had some sensitivity to it, though. While it doesn’t contain any ingredients flagged by theNational Eczema Association, the small quantity of citric acid it contains could be the culprit.
Best aloe treatment for eczema
Gold Bond Medicated Eczema Relief Cream
This brand calls itself the #1 eczema symptom relief lotion brand, and they may not be far off. Chacon recommends Gold Bond products in general for folks with eczema. This 2 percent colloidal oatmeal formula, which was formulated with help from dermatologists, may be particularly effective.
Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, dye-free, and approved by the National Eczema Association, this product’s other standout healing and hydrating ingredients include aloe, jojoba,shea butter, bisabolol, andgingerroot extract.
While lots of reviewers swear by this cream for healing and soothing eczema, a few did complain of a slight burning sensation after application. (So don’t skip thatpatch test, just in case!)
Best lactic acid cream for eczema
AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Chacon recommends AmLactin for eczema thanks to the company’s staple ingredient: ammonium lactate (aka lactic acid). The 12 percent lactic acid lotion aids in skin renewal with gentle exfoliation, which makes it pretty dang good at clearing those pesky eczema flakes away.
The fragrance-free, paraben formula is formulated for thebody, but may be gentle enough for your face, too.
Some reviewers even claim that it works as well or even better than their prescription topical steroid treatment for fading flare-ups. Bonus: The lactic acid also can help heal and lighten scars and dark spots left behind byeczema.
Although it’s formulated without fragrance (a major pro for sensitive and eczema-prone skin), quite a few reviewers were hating on its au natural odor. But hey, they did say that it still works well. Just make sure not to use it near any open areas of your skin or on your face because it can cause stinging.
Best full body cream for eczema
Eucerin Eczema Relief Full Body Lotion
Chacon also stands by Eucerin, a company that’s been a go-to for folks with dry, sensitive skin for generations. This lotion is formulated with colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, glycerin, and castor seedoilfor hydration and healing.
Heads up: It’s so thick that some reviewers call it slow-absorbing or even goopy. But they do say that when it does finally soak into your skin, you’ll be stoked with the results. (So stoked, in fact, that one reviewer says they’d like to dip their bod in a barrel of it.)
How to choose the best eczema cream for you
Ready to shop until your eczema flare-ups drop? Here are some tips for finding the best cream for your needs.
Still not sure where to turn? As Graf explains, the reality is that “everyone’s treatments are unique based on the severity.” If your symptoms get worse or don’t go away, she always advises seeing a dermatologist for treatment.
Although there’snot currentlyan eczemacure, treatments canalleviate symptomsand help manage flare-ups, she says.
While our list consists of OTC options, Graf also notes that there are effective prescription treatments out there, which may be especially necessary if you have severe eczema. These could include:
Bottom line
Most types of eczema can benefit from an ultra-hydrating cream. The best eczema creams include ingredients like petroleum jelly, colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid can help seal in moisture, gently exfoliate patches, and restore the skin’s function.
If your eczema persists or gets worse with OTC products, head to a dermatologist for a complete assessment and treatment.
