10 Best Lotions for Eczema, According to Dermatologists (2024)

For those who are struggling with eczema, enduring periods of itchy, dry, and inflamed skin across the body — and even the face and scalp — is a regular occurrence. "Eczema is a condition where the skin barrier isn't working as well as it should be; when the skin's outermost layer develops microscopic cracks, the skin loses hydration and it becomes inflamed," says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research at the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.

If you're one of the 32 million Americans affected by eczema searching for relief, there are many over-the-counter moisturizers that can soothe your skin. At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our Beauty Lab regularly tests moisturizers to see how well they actually hydrate skin, and we also send products home with a panel of testers who report on each product's texture, scent, and hydration capabilities to find the best of the best. While we haven't expressly tested lotions for claims related to healing eczema, or what works best on eczema-prone skin, we've teamed up with top dermatologists to round up the best lotions that can help soothe angry skin and promote a healthy barrier to ease further flareups.

Beyond avoiding creams that include irritants, such as perfumes and glycolic acids, these topical solutions are supercharged with essential skin agents, such as ceramides, are gentle on skin, and are packed with proven skin hydrators. We've found the best face moisturizers, best body lotions, top-tested hand creams, and Good Housekeeping Seal-holders that are recommended on eczema-prone skin, per these medical pros.

"This cream is a great option. It's an elegant, rich balm, that works great to soothe skin," says Shari Sperling, D.O., a New Jersey-based dermatologist who operates her own clinic and practices at St. Barnabas Medical Center. "It's made with to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier oatmeal and also with ceramide to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier."

"If you're dealing with eczema spots around your face, this product is a great spot treatment," Dr. Wassef says. "It contains shea butter and glycerin just to name a few ingredients, and it shea butter and glycerin. A small amount goes a long way."

If you have eczema rashes in areas that lie beneath your clothes, this option is best for you. "It's good for those who would prefer something that dries quickly and is less" tacky, Dr. Wassef shares, adding that this formula contains an elevated amount of ceramide.

Our GH Institute experts haven't tested this on eczema-prone skin, and Neutrogena doesn't make specific eczema-related claims — but this particular hand cream is one of Dr. Wassef's favorites. "It provides a nice film on the skin to relieve the dryness without being greasy," the dermatologist shares. As a Good Housekeeping Seal holder, we stand behind its hydrating performance and its fragrance-free formula, making it suitable for sensitive skin.

This product makes use of hyaluronic acid — and for good reason. "Hyaluronic acid is a hero ingredient for dry and itchy skin. It's like a sponge that can bind to 1,000 times its weight in water to moisturize the skin," Dr. Zeichner tells us. "This balm is loaded with hyaluronic acid in a rich formula that won't have your skin feeling sticky." While our Lab evaluations did not specifically include eczema-sufferers, our beauty experts found that the hyaluronic acid in this formula produces a moisturizing effect on skin for up to 12 hours.

While this product doesn't make direct claims for those with eczema-prone skin, its 17,000+ reviews on Amazon illustrate how effective it is for steady moisturization. "Finally, a moisturizer that doesn't burn, sting, or irritate my skin," one verified shopper recently shared. "The moisturizer [cream] is a bit thick, so you don't need a lot." Plus, Vanicream's product carries an approval seal from the National Eczema Association, signaling it's free of known skin irritants, including dyes, fragrances, lanolin, parabens, and formaldehyde, among others.

This advanced treatment packs a powerful moisturizing punch for spotty eczema rashes. "This cream contains fats that are naturally found in the skin but are deficient in people with eczema," Dr. Zeichner explains. "It forms a protective seal over the skin to help hydrate and repair the skin barrier."