Keeping Your Skin Healthy
For other skin ailments, you can find psoriasis treatments and more. There are various lotions and oils and itching and rash treatments to soothe problem areas. Try gentle, fragrance-free hair and body washes and soaps that won?t irritate your skin. You can also keep your skin hydrated and comfortable with sensitive skin lotions that contain mild ingredients.
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Best On A Budget: Vaseline
“At under $5, this classic coats, soothes and protects the skin,” says Shoshana Marmon, MD, PhD, board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor and director of clinical research in the department of dermatology at New York Medical College.
And while it might sound too simple, a February 2017 study in JAMA Pediatrics found that petroleum jelly was the most cost-effective remedy for eczema in children.
Buy it:CVS.com Price: $2.99 for 1.75 oz
These Are The Best Creams For Soothing Eczema According To Dermatologists
© Provided by Refinery29As if it isn’t enough for eczema to be itchy, irritating, and sometimes even painful, the common condition also known as atopic dermatitis is sneaky and unpredictable, too. Flareups can appear on different parts of your body, in the form of dry, dark, or red patches, and the symptoms are far from one-size-fits-all.
“Eczema happens when your skin’s barrier is compromised,” says dermatologist Caroline Robinson, MD. “There’s more hydration leaving the skin than coming in, causing it to be dry, cracked, and inflamed.”
Common triggers include things like allergens, dust, fragrance, and even the climate, but an exact cause and therefore proven cure for eczema is still unknown.
We do know that there are still ways to seek sweet relief from those painful patches. Prescription-strength treatments like hydrocortisone are available through a dermatologist, but plenty of over-the-counter treatments can also help soothe symptoms on the spot.
If you’ve been struggling with irritating flare-ups but aren’t sure where to start with a regimen, we asked top dermatologists for their go-to picks, ahead.
At Refinery29, were here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Read Also: Can I Use Psoriasis Cream For Eczema
For Comfort And Healing
Many types of eczema cream include ingredients to not only help stop the itch, but to calm and soothe your skin as it heals. Creams made with natural ingredients can also be safe to use over time without breaking down the skin. Choose from options for the body and the face. You can also find baby eczema cream to help relieve your little one?s symptoms.
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.”
Buy it: Price: $10 for 2.5 oz
Recommended Reading: Soap For Sensitive Skin Eczema
Best Skin Care Products For Eczema
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream with Pump
- Vanicream Moisturizing Cream with Pump $12.99 at
- Vanicream Moisturizing Cream with Pump $14.99 at Walgreens
- Vanicream Moisturizing Cream with Pump $13.43 at Walmart
When you’ve got eczema, products with harsh ingredients can be a bit irritating. This cream’s soothing formula is fragrance-free and even earned a seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association.
“I like this cream because it’s extremely hypoallergenic and void of many chemicals that are known to cause eczema to flare up,” Marc Glashofer, M.D., M.S. told said. “It’s also safe to use on all parts of the body and face and is relatively inexpensive.”
- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream $16.08 at
- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream $15.99 at CVS
- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream $18.29 at Target
Finding a moisturizer that offers lasting hydration can be a challenge, but it can certainly help offer your skin a nice boost when dealing with eczema. This one from CeraVe is full of hyaluronic acid, and the gentle formula is free of fragrance and oil. That makes it a great option for those with eczema, according to board-certified dermatologist Mary Lupo.
“I love this cream because it uses ceramides, an essential ingredient that helps repair lipid-depleted eczematous skin,” Lupo told TODAY.
- Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream $7.47 at
- Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream $7.47 at Walmart
- Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream $9.79 at CVS
The Best Eczema Creams For Your Dry Parched Skin
Ive had eczema since I was a kid, which means my skin has never not been dry, scaly, and red, even in the summertime. Im always itchy, too right now, I can pinpoint about three different places on my body that Id love to scratch.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for eczema. And although steroids do help, when youve used them for as long as I have Im going on three decades now they can wreak havoc on your skin, adding extra wrinkles and discoloration and thinning out the top layers.
Thankfully, however, Ive found creams that, with diligent use, help prevent my eczema from getting to the point where I actually need steroids. They keep my skin smooth, moisturized, and free of that pesky itch. Below are the best eczema creams Ive ever used.
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What Should You Look For In An Eczema Cream
Eczema is a condition in which the skin barrier is not able to maintain the necessary moisture to provide protection from allergens and environmental stressors. People with eczema tend to have dry, irritated, inflamed skin, says Shari Lipner, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of clinical dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine. Choosing the right moisturizer can help in preventing eczema flares and treating the eczema.
The best eczema creams and lotions are thicker moisturizers, Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, M.D., double board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mudgil Dermatology, tells SELF.
Its especially important to look for a product that contains humectant ingredients as well as moisturizing and skin-protecting ingredients . Humectants help add additional hydration, while ceramides and occlusive ingredients reinforce the skin barrier, ultimately helping to protect you from irritants that might trigger an eczema flare. Keep an eye out for products with a high oil-content-to-water-content ratio as well, recommends Dr. Lipner.
Of course, there are ingredients youll want to avoid too, Dendy Engelman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Medical Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, tells SELF. Ingredients to watch out for include fragrances, exfoliating acids , and retinol, she says: These can further irritate the skin by drying them out.
Best Overall: Zerafite Ultra Rich Body Cream
Leslie Baumann, MD, a dermatologist in Miami, Florida, recommends this cream because it’s fragrance-free and was developed using MLE technology, which means it uses a combination of ceramides, fatty acids, cholesterol and other lipids to mimic the natural structure of your skin.
It also contains soothing and healing ingredients, such as glycerin, argan oil and grapeseed oil.
Buy it:ParsaMD Price: $40 for 8 oz
Recommended Reading: Why Do I Have Eczema On My Elbows
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.
Best For Face: Cerave Moisturizing Cream
“The hyaluronic acid and ceramides in this super cream trap and retain moisture,” Dr. Marmon says. “Also, it is oil-free and non-comedogenic, which means it won’t leave your skin greasy or cause breakouts.”
According to Dr. Marmon, this product line is specifically designed for sensitive skin because it’s free of fragrance, dyes and formaldehyde.
Buy it: Price: $12.99 for 16 oz
Read Also: What Percent Of The Population Has Eczema
Burt’s Bees Hydrating Overnight Mask
Dr. Baumann also recommends trying the Burt’s Bees Hydrating Overnight Mask if you need a quick boost of hydration in a travel size. It’s 99% natural and includes fatty acids from avocado, as well as prebiotics to support the skin’s microbiome.
Buy it: BurtsBees.com Price: $14.99 for 2.5 oz
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In This Article
Eczema is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that can lead to breakdowns in the skin barrier and symptoms such as an itchy rash, blisters and cracking.
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According to the National Eczema Association, more than 31 million Americans deal with eczema, and unfortunately, there is no cure for the condition. But there are treatments, including medications, lifestyle changes and over-the-counter eczema creams that can help manage symptoms.
Here are the best, dermatologist-recommended eczema creams, along with tips on what to look for when you’re shopping, including the best ingredients to help ease symptoms.
Tip
No matter which eczema cream you choose, apply it to damp skin for the best results.
Also Check: How To Prevent Hand Eczema
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.
Buy it: SkinCeuticals.com Price: $130 for 1.6 oz