The Best Cream for Eczema-Prone Skin, According to Dermatologists (2024)

Regularly combating dry, angry, and red patches of skin? You could have eczema—a dermatologic condition that causes skin to become inflamed, resulting in rough, itchy, red, and flaky patches that can be painful. "If you think you're experiencing eczema on your face or neck, it’s best to speak with your dermatologist, who can help determine the most effective treatment options for you," says Howard Sobel, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC.

That's because there's no one-size-fits-all approach to treating eczema. "The course of treatment will depend on the symptoms and how severe they are," says Sobel. "But thankfully, there are many over-the-counter anti-inflammatory ointments, gels, and lotions that work," he says.

Look for soothing products that contain hydrating ingredients that will repair the skin barrier—shea butter, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, lanolin, and niacinamide, for example—without causing any further irritation. And steer clear of physical exfoliators (microbeads or textured cleansers), chemical exfoliators (AHAs or BHAs), sulfates, parabens, phalates, preservatives, and synthetic fragrances. These things can further irritate the skin resulting in redness, itching, burning, and even pain.

Sound like a lot to remember? There's no need to commit the list to memory or squint to read those tiny ingredient labels. Dermatologists say these are, hands-down, the best eczema creams. Each one works hard to soothe and hydrate that painful inflamed skin—stat. (There are even a few options that are perfectly safe to use on babies, toddlers, and children.)

"Vaseline traps moisture in to help heal skin," says Julie Russak, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. For a convenient, mess-free application, try this new product—a stick that's great for targeting stubborn eczema patches and hard-to-reach areas.

"Thanks to nourishing ingredients like ceramides and colloidal oatmeal, this drugstore cream by Eucerin provides immediate relief for eczema-prone skin," says Sobel.

"For adults with eczema, many of my patients find that lotions and moisturizers can feel too thick or greasy and leave behind a residue," says Erum Ilyas, a board-certified dermatologist in Philadelphia. "This lotion hydrates the skin effectively without feeling too greasy."

"For infants, toddlers, and young kids with eczema, look for a moisturizer that works to hydrate the skin and restore the skin's barrier function," says Ilyas. This pick—made especially for babies—does just that, thanks to ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

This hydrating cream checks all of the boxes: "It's formulated for sensitive skin, non-greasy, easy to spread, and absorbs quickly," says Sonia Batra, a board-certified dermatologist and cohost of The Doctors. It's also non-comedogenic and free from common irritants, like fragrance, dyes, parabens, lanolin, formaldehyde, and gluten.

"If your face is prone to flare-ups, consider this neutral tinted moisturizer," says Sobel. It's specially formulated for sensitive skin and helps reduce the appearance of redness and evens skin tone.

"The easiest way to treat eczema is by repairing the skin barrier," says Susan Bard, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. To do this, use "a generous amount of bland emollients, especially those containing ceramides," she says. This cream, by Aveeno, is a great choice, because it doesn't contain irritating ingredients, like fragrances, that can penetrate the already compromised skin barrier and lead to irritation.

"This lotion contains both ceramides and filaggrin—two proteins that help rebuild and replenish the skin barrier, which is often impaired in patients with eczema," says Tiffany J. Libby, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Brown University. It's also nice and light and absorbs quickly to provide soothing relief without weighing you down.

"Restoring the skin barrier is essential to treat and prevent eczema," says Caren Campbell, a board-certified dermatologist in San Francisco. This cream contains ceramides—the building blocks of the skin—to lock moisture in and keep the outside environment out, as well as hyaluronic acid—an ingredient that's essential for intense hydration.

"This combination of organic honey, organic beeswax, and organic almond oil works to soothe and hydrated irritated, flaky skin," says Papri Sarkar, a board-certified dermatologist. For best results, apply it to damp skin daily.