What Body Lotion Is Good For Eczema

Best For Hands: Exederm Flare Control Cream

Courtesy of Walgreens

• Contains hydrocortisone to heal irritated skin

• Relieves itching, inflammation, and rashes quickly

• Works on hands and face

• Not suitable for those sensitive to hydrocortisone

Specially formulated for very sensitive skin, Exederm Flare Control Cream contains 1 percent hydrocortisone, an ingredient that can help heal inflammatory skin conditions. It has no fragrance, parabens, color or dyes, and it is also accepted by the National Eczema Association.

While not suitable for those sensitive to hydrocortisone, it can provide fast, soothing relief for eczema flare-ups, which are typically characterized by dry skin, inflamed patches, serious itching, and small raised bumps.

Price at time of publish: $14

Active Ingredients: Hydrocortisone | Scent: Fragrance-free | Usage: Apply to the affected area not more than three to four times daily

Murads Deep Relief Acne Treatment Will Put Your Derm Out Of Business

Eczema. Even the word sounds irritating, like an itch we want to scratch .

Especially so during the winter, when the cold temps have us reaching for the best dry skin products under the sun or the best body lotions known to man.

But, with eczema comes the urgency for near-instantaneous relief. Smooth skin is the goal, but product choices usually have to be specific to sensitive skin types and, of course, must be effective to head toward smoother skin.

Some signs that eczema is starting to occur is if your skin is feeling dry, rough, red or flaky,Tiffany Libby, MD, FAAD, FACMS, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Brown Dermatology in Rhode Island, told the Post. When eczema becomes severe, you may notice more extensive involvement of your skin and or cracks in the skin, which can be painful and may risk becoming infected.

To help solve the tangible side effects of eczema, we consulted Dr. Libby and two other dermatologists on the best eczema creams, treatments, ointments, balms and everything in between. But first, take a look at the following FAQ.

How Do Moisturizers Work

The skin functions as a barrier, protecting underlying tissues from desiccation, infection, mechanical stress and chemical irritation. Impaired function leads to increasing trans-epidermal water loss associated with various kinds of dermatitis.9

Water from deeper epidermal layers moves upward to hydrate stratum corneum cells and is then lost to evaporation. Epidermal water content is essential to prevent skin dryness and maintain plasticity.10 Stratum corneum is an active membrane, described as a bricks and mortar model, where loss of intercellular lipids, forming the bilayers will result in water barrier formation damage leading to dry skin.1

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Cerave Daily Moisturizing Lotion

The dermatologists we spoke to recommended this lotion from CeraVe, citing its use of ceramides as the main selling point. “This lotion has a unique blend of high-quality moisturizing agents ,” said Dr. Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, dermatologist at Khrom Dermatology. “Specifically, ceramides play a key role in skin protection and barrier function,” she added. The ingredients are released slowly during the day for all-day hydration, according to the brand.

Should I Use A Product That Earned The National Eczema Foundation Seal Of Approval

The National Eczema Association created the Seal of Approval acceptance program to help sensitive-skinned consumers properly select skincare.

The NEA Seal of Approval criteria includes a list of ingredients that are known for causing irritation, Dr. Mack explains. The Seal of Approval review panel evaluates ingredient and formulation data. Lastly, the Seal of Acceptance makes the products ideal for sensitive skin types easily identifiable.

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Whats The Best Treatment For Eczema

Theres no one-size-fits-all treatment for eczema.

Some may find relief with topical moisturizing products like CBD creams, while others may see results using other OTC options like antihistamines. Steroid creams and ointments can also help, while some people may benefit from lifestyle changes to manage stress or even experiment with light therapy .

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Balancing The Skins Acidity Levels

Vinegar is highly acidic. The skin is naturally acidic, but people with eczema may have less acidic skin than others, which can weaken the skins defenses.

Applying diluted apple cider vinegar could help balance the skins acidity levels, but vinegar can cause burns if it is not diluted.

In contrast, many soaps, detergents, and cleansers are alkaline. They can disrupt the acidity of the skin, which can leave the skin vulnerable to damage. This may explain why washing with certain soaps can cause eczema flares.

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Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream $747

Eucerins Eczema Relief Cream for eczema-prone skin is excellent at reducing flare-ups thanks to its ingredients of colloidal oatmeal, which treats redness and swelling, and ceramides that help to repair the skin barrier, Dr. Mack said.

Not to mention, the less-than-$10 ticket price on this formula cant be beaten.

Best Budget: Cetaphil Eczema Soothing Moisturizer

Courtesy of Walmart

• May not be effective for severe eczema

• Not suitable for those sensitive or allergic to oat

Studies have shown that oats soothing properties can help treat itchiness in dry skin and help reduce inflammation in skin conditions such as eczema. This National Eczema Associationapproved Cetaphil lotion contains 1 percent colloidal oatmeal that helps relieve skin irritation.

It also has creamy but non-greasy consistency that’s soothing and hydrating without feeling tacky on the skin. Its a great budget-friendly option for those looking for an effective but still lightweight skin protectant. Its paraben-, fragrance-, and steroid-free and has been endorsed by the National Eczema Association as gentle for eczema-prone skin.

Price at time of publish: $16

Active Ingredient: Colloidal oatmeal | Scent: Fragrance-free | Usage: Can be used as often as needed or as recommended by doctor

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Best For All Skin Types: Kiehl’s Creme De Corps

Kiehl’s Since 1851 Crème de Corps

Kiehl’s Since 1851 Crème de Corps

For dry, chapped, and irritated skin, its really important to minimize fragrance,” says Rieder. “This is a hydrating moisturizing cream without a greasy feel or a significant fragrance component. Its great for generally dry skin and also for people with eczema. It also comes in a variety of vehiclescreams, oils, lotions, and body butterallowing people to customize the product to their skin type.

Best Overall: Aquaphor Healing Ointment

• Multiuse: Good as a moisturizer and as an ointment for cuts, scrapes

• Not suitable for those sensitive to lanolin

Who else recommends it? Good Housekeeping, The Strategist, and Byrdie all picked Aquaphor Healing Ointment.

What do buyers say? 87% of 62,500+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 5 stars.

We love this ointment as our best overall pick because it’s made with 41 percent petroleum, but also contains glycerin, which has humectant properties that attract water from the dermis and a humid environment into the epidermis. The addition of lanolin in the ingredient list also adds more occlusive benefits for those who are not allergic. A 2017 study indicates that lanolin can reduce water loss through the skin by 20 to 30 percent, so it helps to hydrate and soften the skin.

Aquaphor is a multitasking skin protectant. Its not only a great, thicker moisturizer, it can also be used to relieve dry, chapped lips, and can enhance healing and soothe minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.

Price at time of publish: $14

Active Ingredients: Petroleum | Scent: Fragrance-free | Usage: Apply to the affected area and can be used as often as needed

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Does Eczema Get Worse In Different Seasons

According to board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Sheel Desai Solomon of Preston Dermatology, cold weather and dry air often go hand in hand. Too much dry air can zap your skin of natural moisture. Dryness often leads to itching, which then leads to scratching and inflammation, she explains.

On the other hand, hot weather can also irritate eczema. Heavy perspiration can lead to itchy skin as well as prolonged exposure to water is another eczema-trigger. Water can cause dry skin, which can lead to persistent itching, adds Dr. Solomon.

How We Chose The Best Eczema Creams

We talked with the pros to find out what to look for in an eczema cream as well as what to avoid. The advice of board certified dermatologists informed every option on our list, helping us single out the products that truly deliver.

• Contains proven ingredients.Dr. Jeannette Graf, board certified Dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai, gave us some tips for scouring ingredient lists:
• Unscented petroleum jelly helps repair skin barrier function and lock in hydration.
• Aloe vera soothes inflammation and can aid in the healing process.
• Niacinamide helps improve skin function.
• Other effective ingredients include ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, and other humectants like glycerin, lactic acid, and hyaluronic acid

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If youre overwhelmed by the options out there, Vanicream is a solid place to start. The petroleum jelly-based formula seals in moisture and is perfect for dry, sensitive skin which more than likely describes your skin sitch if you have eczema.

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Cerave Therapeutic Hand Cream $10

This formulation contains dimethicone, ceramides, hyaluronic acid and ceramides. All of the above ingredients help to lock in hydration and improve the functionality of the skin barrier, Dr. Mack said. I use this personally after hand washing multiple times a day the nongreasy formula makes compliance easy.

Three Steps To Caring For Eczema

Note: serious cases of eczema may require prescription treatments.

Luckily, there are plenty of over-the-counter options that can help eczema-prone skin. We have found the 5 best moisturizing creams that are fragrance-free and have been awarded the Seal of Acceptance by the National Eczema Association. Their criteria include a list of ingredients and contents that should be avoided because they contain ingredients known to induce eczema and irritate sensitive skin.

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Top 5 Most Common Otc Treatments For Eczema

Eczema treatment can go beyond prescribed medication. There are many OTC products which can provide hydration and itch relief, stop some skin types from becoming scaly and prevent skin dryness. Check out these four OTC products and see how they might work with your eczema therapy and treatment plan.

Wrap Up In Cold Weather

Cold, harsh winter winds can dry out the skin and cause eczema flares.

Keep the skin covered when temperatures are low. Also, consider covering the face with a scarf if eczema occurs in this body region.

While many home remedies are suitable for babies and children, always speak with a doctor before using them.

The following home remedies and tips may help:

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When To See A Doctor

In general, it is a good idea to see a doctor about eczema when outbreaks cause a person significant physical or emotional discomfort.

Although doctors often prescribe corticosteroids for eczema, other medications can help people with severe eczema that does not respond to corticosteroids. These drugs include:

• calcineurin inhibitors

Although there is no cure for eczema, working with a health professional can help people manage their symptoms more effectively and control and reduce the severity of their flares.

It is also important for a person to make sure their skin condition is, in fact, eczema and not something else that may require different treatment.

The following are common questions and answers about lotions for eczema.

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For those who have suffered from eczema, moisturiser is like oxygen and finding a good product that soothes, repairs and heals is essential.

Eczema breaks down the skins natural barrier, making it less able to regulate its own moisture levels. Thats why it results in dry and flaky skin something that can not only make you feel self-conscious but also uncomfortable, itchy and irritated. Therefore, the skin needs to be continuously hydrated to help protect it.

When looking for a moisturiser, ingredients to look out for vary depending on what your skin needs we found that oats, borage seed oil and rose water always work wonders. For this reason, wed also recommend testing out pure ingredients The Ordinary has a great range of pure pressed oils to see what your skin likes.

However, if you have particularly sensitive skin that is prone to flare-ups, we always suggest patch testing any new product before going for broader application.

What Are The Different Types Of Eczema

There are different types of dermatitis, including atopic eczema, allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, and asteatotic eczema. When most people talk about eczema they usually are referring to atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema. Atopic dermatitis is common and tends to run in families along with asthma, hay fever, sinus trouble, and dry skin.

Recommended Reading: Best Cream For Eczema Around Eyes

Best For Families: Vaseline All Over Balm

• Can also be used on dry heels

• Some may find greasy on skin

• May be hard to extract product from stick

If you find creams or ointments too messy for everyday application, the Vaseline All-Over Body Balm, which comes in a roll-up stick, is a solid option. The stick applicator makes it easy to apply to targeted and hard-to-reach areas and to children who may not like the tacky feel of petroleum jelly on their skin.

Petroleum jelly is widely recommended by dermatologists for treating eczema due to its occlusive formula and hydrating, moisturizing, and healing properties. Its also good for cuts, burns, and chafing.

Price at time of publish: $21

Active Ingredient: Petroleum | Scent: No synthetic fragrance | Usage: Can be used as often as needed or as recommended by doctor

Best Multipurpose: Vaseline Skin Protectant

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly Original – 13oz

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly Original – 13oz

One of the best topicals for eczema is Vaseline ointment,” says dermatologist Evan Rieder, MD. “Though it can be greasy, nothing protects the skin like it. One tip I give to my patients who are really suffering from itchy, dry skin or eczema is to apply Vaseline to their arms and legs before they go to bed and wrap with socks and gloves or Saran wrap. The occlusive barrier allows the skin to recover through the night and alleviates concerns about getting work clothing messy during the days.

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Aquaphor Healing Ointment $16 Original Price: $17

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.

Comparison Chart For Best Body Lotion For Eczema

In this article weve included our suggestions for the Body Lotion For Eczema after analyzing 47574 reviews.

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What The Experts Say

Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotions formula has hyaluronic acid, an ingredient recommended for building up the skins moisture barrierit can retain up to 1,000 times its weight in water, so it will keep skin hydrated throughout the day. Angie Seelal, registered physicians assistant at Advanced Dermatology PC

Cetaphil Restoraderm Skin Restoring Unscented Body Moisturizer $17

This body lotion is one of Dr. Libbys favorites for relieving dry, itchy eczema-prone skin. Its armed with colloidal oatmeal, allantoin, shea butter, ceramides, sunflower seed oil and Cetaphils patented Filaggrin Technology to help soothe dry, stressed skin, and repair and nourish the skin barrier, she notes.

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