The Best Eczema Creams To Soothe Compromised Skin
SKIN CARE REVIEWS
Dry skin is one thing, but how do you know if you need an eczema cream or eczema lotion? Eczema, also referred to as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition affecting 16.5 million U.S. adults. Approximately 7.3% of these individuals have had eczema since they were less than two years of age with nearly 40% affected by moderate or severe disease.
This chronic skin condition is characterized by extreme dryness, deep fissures, severe itching, and other uncomfortable symptoms that are best addressed with an eczema treatment cream. So, what causes this skin condition, and what ingredients should you look for in the best lotion for eczema?
Were glad you asked. Here at the Derm Review, weve reviewed hundreds of products with a scientific lens to ensure youre creating a skincare routine thats safe and effective.
Ahead, 14 of the best eczema creams to help soothe, soften, nourish, and repair your skins compromised barrier.
Egyptian Magic All Purpose Cream, $21.99
Neosporin Eczema Essentials Daily Moisturizing Cream, $12.31
How To Choose A Product Safely
There are many products out there. What works for someone else may not work for you.
The best options are:
- Fragrance free
- Perfume free
- Dye free
Unscented products may still have fragrances, so they can still irritate your skin. They’re just covered up so you can’t smell them. Look for moisturizers marked “fragrance-free.”
Check the label if you know youâre allergic to a certain ingredient.
Dab a pea-sized bit of any new product onto the crook of your elbow or the inside of your wrist. Wait 24 to 48 hours to see if it causes a rash, redness, or itching before you use it on your entire body.
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Best For Toddlers With Eczema: Puriya Over The Counter Lotion For Eczema
The Puriya Over The Counter Lotion For Eczema is suitable and reliable and fits well with your daily use. The puriya over the counter lotion for eczema is made for heavy duty, comes with good stuff and it is great for sensitive. The Manufacturer says: Our revolutionary formula helps to maintain your skins barrier yet is mild enough to be used as part of your daily skincare routine. In addition, it is good for rough skin, is satisfactory and it is perfect for dry.
The lotion is made for external use, is perfect for body care and it works for immediate relief. Moreover, this does not contain ingredients or contents known to be unsuitable for use by people with eczema or sensitive skin conditions. Finally, the puriya overthe counterlotion foreczema smells nice and it is great for eczema.
Almost all customers opine that the lotion improves dry/cracked skins and also measures to reduce swelling. Also, they strongly agree that the lotion is hard to diagnose any particular result without firsthand observation of the specific problem. Moreover, a few say that this cream helps to keep the skin soft and non itchy. Overall, the tone of buyers is very positive and we believe that the lotion suits the purpose.
Top Customer Quotes:
- This is a wonderful cream, almost a miracle drug.
- This is good as the other reviewers have written.
- Gently effective and made just for you in a non greasy cream.
- This is the ultimate cure for dry, cracked hands.
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Eczema Cream: The Bottom Line
Eczema, also referred to as atopic dermatitis, is characterized by extremely dry skin, severe itching, red bumps that may leak fluid, and deep cracks. Eczema is believed to be caused by genetics rather than an allergic reaction. It surfaces when the skin barrier, which protects from pollutants, irritants, and bacteria, becomes compromised and cannot provide proper protection. Keeping the skin hydrated can help maintain the integrity of the skin barrier to prevent or treat flare-ups.
Along with avoiding the triggers that cause flare-ups and adopting an anti-inflammatory diet,
Several over-the-counter eczema creams can help alleviate even the most aggravating symptoms. Avoid those formulated with fragrances, dyes, alpha and beta hydroxy acids, and potentially dangerous ingredients like parabens and denatured alcohol.
The best eczema creams contain skin-soothing and reparative ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, aloe, honey, ceramides, fatty acids, and glycerin.
Whats the best eczema cream, in your opinion? Let us know in the comments below!
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Things To Consider With Otc Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration decides whether a medicine is safe enough to sell over the counter. However, using OTC medicines still has potential risks. Some interact with other prescription or OTC medicines, supplements, foods or beverages. Others cause problems for people with certain medical conditions. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any OTC medicines for eczema.
Its important to correctly follow directions for OTC medicines and be careful when administering them to children. You should never take OTC eczema drugs for longer durations or in higher doses than the product label recommends.
Some common OTC treatments for eczema include:
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Best Multitasking Cream: Vanicream Moisturizing Ointment
According to Dr. Marmon, this ointment soothes irritated and cracked skin anywhere on the body, so it can be used for eczema symptoms as well as other general skin issues.
“It’s great for chapped lips and hands. Plus, it’s fragrance- and preservative-free and comes in an easily portable travel size,” she says. “I also love to use it on my kids when they come home with cuts and scrapes.”
âBuy itâ: âPriceâ: $10 for 2.5 oz
How To Treat Eczema On Your Face
Its common and generally safe to treat body eczema with topical steroids, but you need to be careful applying the same products to your face, says Kenneth Mark, MD, a dermatologist practicing in New York City and Aspen, CO. Steroids can thin your skin if used improperly.
Thats why its important to start with more mild, moisturizing products, then go from there. The goal is to restore the barrier function of your skin without causing more irritation, Dr. Mark says.
One extra challenge when treating facial eczema: You probably use a lot of products on your face that you dont use on your body, and some of those products arent the best choice when tackling a flare-up. Avoid any potentially irritating products that can increase inflammation, Dr. Mark says.
We love reducing wrinkles, dark spots, and saggy skin just as much as anyone else, but eliminating facial eczema should be your number one priority. Eczema is a medical condition that can turn into an infection if untreated, Dr. Peredo says.
Ready for your super approachable treatment plan? Keep your routine simple and hold off on makeup during a flare-upno eye shadow if you have eczema around your eyes or lip stains if its on your lips. After taking a lukewarm shower , apply a fragrance-free moisturizer as soon as you dry off when your skin will absorb it better, Dr. Peredo says.
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What To Know About Prescription Eczema Creams
If your eczema isnt letting up, see your dermatologist, who may write you a prescription for something stronger.
- Hydrocortisone cream: Hydrocortisone is an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid that can soothe severely dry skin. The strongest you can buy over the counter is 1% hydrocortisone, but your doctor can prescribe up to 2.5%. And there are even stronger prescription steroid products that might be prescribed in certain situations.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories: Prescription-strength hand creams and lotions may better hydrate and repair your skin barrier than products you buy on your own.
- Calcineurin inhibitors: These topical medications help suppress your overactive immune system, which can decrease inflammation caused by eczema.
- Crisaborole ointment: Sold under the brand name Eucrisa®, crisaborale is a boron-based medication that helps reduce redness, itching and swelling.
There are other options, too, like JAK inhibitors and biologics .
In short, there are a variety of ways to treat and control your eczema, so if over-the-counter products arent doing the trick, seek guidance from your dermatologist about what might work best for you. There are new products coming out all the time, Dr. Anthony encourages.
Looking For A Different Wayto Treat Your Eczema
than other treatments. Learn more.
Important Safety Information & Indication
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not use EUCRISA if you are allergic to crisaborole or any of the ingredients in EUCRISA.
EUCRISA may cause side effects including allergic reactions at or near the application site. These can be serious and may include hives, itching, swelling, and redness. If you have any of these symptoms, stop using EUCRISA and get medical help right away.
The most common side effect of EUCRISA is application site pain, such as burning or stinging.
EUCRISA is for use on skin only. Do not use EUCRISA in your eyes, mouth, or vagina.
INDICATIONEUCRISA is a prescription ointment used on the skin to treat mild-to-moderate eczema in adults and children 3 months of age and older.
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Are Baths A Good Treatment For Eczema
Eczema is more than just dry skin. Flares erupt unpredictably: dry, scaly, irritated spots on the face or hands, or inside the crease of the elbow or knee. The itch is almost unbearable and scratching makes it worse, resulting in what feels like an endless cycle.
Eczema has no cure, so preventing and managing flare-ups becomes a priority. The trick is figuring out how to get moisture back into the skin and keep it there. Slathering on moisturizer by itself usually wont do it neither will simply soaking in a bath.
In fact, some people think bathing dries out the skin and makes it worse. We all know how frequent hand-washing dries out the hands. The reason for this is not the water itself, however, but the soaps we use and the fact that we often just wash and dry forgetting to add a moisturizer to seal in the water.
Best Luxury Buy: Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore : : 2
This eczema cream gets its name from its patented lipid ratio of 2% pure ceramides 1 and 3, 4% natural cholesterol and 2% fatty acids, Dr. Baumann says.
Although it’s marketed primarily as an anti-aging cream, the lipid ratio helps work to restore and protect the skin’s barrier.
âBuy itâ: SkinCeuticals.com âPriceâ: $130 for 1.6 oz
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Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream $1356
As one of Dr. Chans favorites for those with allergies especially, Vanicreams Moisturizing Cream comes in an easy-to-use pump, is fragrance-free and is non-comedogenic, so it wont clog your pores.
The lotion formulation makes this product cosmetically elegant for the face, while still being effective to minimize eczema flares, Dr. Mack said.
What Creams Are Best For Eczema
In terms of what dermatologists recommend and what the reviews reveal, Diprobase comes out top for the best eczema cream. Its an emollient-based moisturising and protective cream that relieves and soothes red, inflamed, dry and chapped skin. Sounds like an all-round winner.
Eucerins Body Creme is a steroid free formula that is clinically proven to reduce eczema flare ups. One Amazon review read: I have been using it for 1.5 months and eczema is almost invisible. I had to wear cotton gloves before as my hand was red and itchy, now I can make it without.
Elsewhere, La Roche Posays Lipikar Moisturising Body Balm AP+M has singing reviews. Dermatologically tested, the formula calms irritated and sensitive skin with its gentle and hydrating balm-like finish. Locking in hydration for up to 48 hours, its perfect for eczema-prone skin as it encourages the skins barrier to restore itself.
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Aquaphor Healing Ointment $1374
Dr. Libby adores Aquaphors Healing Ointment as one of the best eczema ointments because its an occlusive moisturizer to seal in moisture and prevent transepidermal water loss from the skin. Not to mention, its relatively affordable at less than $20.
Both Dr. Chan and Dr. Mack recommend this as one of her favorite eczema ointments, too. Formulated with 41% petrolatum, glycerin and panthenol, Aquaphor helps to repair dry, cracked skin in the setting of eczema, Dr. Mack adds. Its also preservative and fragrance-free, helping to minimize the risk of allergic contact dermatitis.
What To Look For In An Eczema Cream
The best eczema cream may vary from person to person, depending on what you’re looking for. For instance, your eczema symptoms may be on your face or your hands, or you may have extra-sensitive skin, so you’ll want to tailor the products you choose.
With that said, here are some of the important factors to look for in an eczema cream, according to dermatologists.
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What Are The Treatments For Severe Hand Eczema
If your hand eczema is severe, discuss the possibility of a dermatology referral with your GP. The referral may be for diagnosing contact allergy or for treatment, which may include a short course of oral steroids or immunosuppressants . Alternatively, dermatology departments may recommend alitretinoin or phototherapy, as described below.
The Best Baby Eczema Products For 202:
- Best overall Aveeno baby dermexa emollient cream: £8.50, Boots.com
- Best for various uses Kit& Kin magic salve, £7.99: Kitandkin.com
- Best for fragrance-free Weleda baby derma white mallow body lotion: £12.83,
- Best for hair and body Nalas baby body wash and shampoo: £5.50, Boots.com
- Best for sensitive skin Childs Farm oatderma baby moisturiser fragrance-free: £7.50, Childsfarm.com
- Best for gentle fragrance Bloom & Blossom baby hair and body wash: £5, Waitrose.com
- Best for the whole family SOS Serum: £5, Sosserum.co.uk
- Best for dribbly babies Mum & You face the day stick: £10.99, Mumandyou.com
- Best for bubble baths MooGoo 2-in-1 bubbly wash: £11.90, Moogooskincare.co.uk
- Best for repairing the skin barrier Avène cicalfate and restorative protective cream for very sensitive skin: £13.50, Boots.com
- Best for a gentle cleanse Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser wash: £19.99, Boots.com
- Best for soothing sore skin La Roche-Posay baby cicaplast B5 multi-purpose repairing balm: £13.50, Boots.com
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Things To Consider When Buying Over
- Skin condition:
It is so important to know exactly what is irritating your skin. Often, we need to simply tweak our daily habits, diets or sleep cycles to keep our bodies healthy and happy. But sometimes, it takes a little help from a medical professional. If you have persistent skin allergies and problems, consult a dermatologist and get tested. If you do, in fact, have eczema or dermatitis, then you know youll need a cream to relieve the symptoms, isolate the problem and help your skin heal and regenerate.
- Skin needs :
Just like every individual is different, so is every individual need. The last thing you should do is buy a generic product that you believe will solve your problems. Eczemas have a variety of symptoms and each body reacts differently to skin irritation. Some have breakouts or rashes. Others develop inflamed red patchy skin. Then there are breakages on excessively dry skin and skin tears may even cause bleeding. So it is crucial you identify what exactly is bothering your skin the most. This will help you decide what kind of over-the-counter eczema treatment is ideal for you.
- Ingredients :
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Baby-soft skin isnt a given when you have little ones. Unfortunately, at least one in five children has eczema, while 57 per cent of children suffer with some sort of skin sensitivity or irritation. Atopic eczema is the most common form of eczema, a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked.
Despite the figures, all babies skin is very delicate, so its very important that its treated with care. Sensitive skin can develop when the natural skin barrier becomes damaged, allowing moisture to escape from the skin. This moisture loss can lead to a frustrating circle the skin underneath becomes dry, which leaves it vulnerable to irritants. These irritants then inflame the skin, which can make it tender and itchy.
Environmental factors such as seasonal changes, fragranced products, washing powders and some baby wipes can make a babys skin more delicate and prone to itchiness.
Dr Ross Perry GP and Medical Director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics specialises in eczema. He says, Most people will outgrow eczema during childhood. However, it has been estimated that up to 15 million people in the UK could be living with eczema. In 2015, GPs in England wrote about 27 million prescriptions for the topical agents used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis at a cost of approximately £169 million.
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What Is The Main Cause Of Eczema How Do You Treat Eczema
A combination of immune system activation, genetics, environmental triggers and stress is what causes eczema. If you have eczema, its likely that your immune system overreacts to small irritants and/or allergens and causes your skin to inflame. To treat eczema, the best practice is to keep your skin moisturised with thick formulas , apply bandages where cases are really bad, and take warm baths regularly to relieve irritation. Avoiding ingredients such as highly perfumed products or things with dye in them is recommended too.