The 10 Best Eczema Creams of 2024, Tested and Reviewed - Health.com
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin condition that affects approximately 30% of the U.S. population. It's characterized by dry, itchy skin, but eczema symptoms can also include redness, rashes, cracking, blisters, and bleeding.
While there is no cure for eczema, experts we spoke to said that the best over-the-counter creams and balms can help repair the skin barrier and decrease symptoms. 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 consulted dermatologists who shared their recommendations for eczema treatments based on clinical experience before we tested and reviewed them based on our first-hand experience of using them on our eczema-prone skin. A board-certified dermatologist on our Medical Expert Board also reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy.
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Target
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
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![CeraVe Eczema Relief Creamy Oil displayed on a marble bathroom counter]()
Health / Ashleigh Morley
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![Dab of CeraVe Eczema Relief Creamy Oil on a person's hand]()
Health / Ashleigh Morley
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Amazon
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
Health
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Walmart
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
Health
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Amazon
If you have severely dry skin, this balm will soften, comfort, and form a protective barrier around the skin.
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.
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
Health / Donna Freydkin
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Amazon
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
Health / Donna Freydkin
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Amazon
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
Health / Julia Warren
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Amazon
Formulated without fragrance, parabens, and phthalates, it's safe for children.
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.
Product Details:
- Size: 6.76 fl oz
- Key Ingredients: Petrolatum, sunflower seed oil, avocado
- Formulation: Balm
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
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