Best Creams and Moisturizers for Eczema Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Beauty Toolbox Best Soothing Creams and Moisturizers to Help Tame Eczema You can help hydrate your skin and ease eczema symptoms with these calming lotions and moisturizers. By Anne L. FritzMedically Reviewed by Ross Radusky, MDReviewed: September 5, 2018Medically ReviewedThese soothing creams and moisturizers can help hydrate eczema-prone skin. iStockAll products and services featured here are chosen for their potential to inspire and enable your wellness. Everyday Health may earn an affiliate commission on items you purchase. If you have eczema, keeping your skin hydrated is one of your best defenses against unpleasant symptoms. Moisturization not only soothes the dry, itchy skin associated with eczema, but it also helps to repair the skin barrier function, says Jessica Weiser, MD, board-certified dermatologist at the New York Dermatology Group in New York City. This is important because during a flare-up, particularly when you scratch uncontrollably, tears in the skin barrier make you more prone to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, according to the National Eczema Society. Because there is no cure, treating the symptoms of eczema is essential — and what you don’t put on your skin is almost equally as important as what you do. “Avoid acids (alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids), fragrance, excessive additives, and preservatives because they can cause irritation and further aggravate the skin barrier dysfunction,” says Dr. Weiser. The way in which you incorporate these creams and moisturizers into your skincare routine is also important. “Applying moisturizers immediately after showering helps to trap moisture into the skin, repair the skin barrier function, and make the skin less prone to irritation and further flares of dermatitis,” says Weiser. She also recommends opting for creams and ointments, rather than lotions, because the latter tend to be lighter in consistency and less hydrating. If your doctor prescribed medicated topicals, it’s best to apply them to the affected areas before applying your moisturizer. Ingredients to Look for in a Cream or Moisturizer for Eczema Weiser says the following ingredients can help soothe eczema symptoms:PetrolatumSilicone derivatives (such as dimethicone)GlycerinHyaluronic acidCeramidesFatty acids Need more help choosing products? The National Eczema Association (NEA) recognizes products that are suitable for care of eczema or sensitive-skin with the NEA Seal of Acceptance. Acceptance of a product means that “the product has been evaluated to determine that it does not contain ingredients or contents that are known to be unsuitable for use by persons with eczema or sensitive skin conditions.” You can find the NEA Seal of Acceptance logo on product packaging and labels. With that in mind, here are our picks for the best creams and moisturizers for eczema: CeraVe Eczema Soothing Creamy Oil This CeraVe creamy oil glides on smoothly, absorbs quickly, and offers many of the benefits of a thicker cream. It has three essential ceramides, which Weiser says can help strengthen your skin’s barrier and provide long-lasting hydration, and safflower oil, which is gentle on eczema-stressed skin, to lock in moisture post-shower. It’s hypoallergenic, fragrance, and alcohol-free, and earned the NEA Seal of Acceptance. See price on Amazon Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Creme Reach for Eucerin Eczema Relief creme that soothes the itch of eczema while improving hydration. It contains colloidal oatmeal, which is a balm to irritated skin, ceramides to boost your skin’s barrier and moisturization, and licochalcone to improve the appearance of red, flaky skin. This gentle formula is fragrance-, steroid-, and dye-free. See price on Walmart Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly Classic Vaseline is often the go-to product recommendation of dermatologists. Petroleum jelly creates a thick barrier between your skin and the outside elements, allowing your skin to heal itself and reducing the risk of infection, Weiser says. But many people don’t like its thick and gooey texture, and if that’s you, save it to use as a targeted treatment for eczema hotspots or only at night. Apply it directly to damp skin for the best results. The Vaseline brand petroleum jelly has been purified three times to remove impurities, plus it’s free of paraben, dye, fragrance, and phthalates. It has the NEA Seal of Acceptance. See price on Target Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream Fragrance Free Hands can be especially challenging to treat for eczema as they’re so often exposed to the elements and you need to wash them often throughout the course of a day. To help combat the damage, slather on a Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream every time after your hands come in contact with water. A small dab of this glycerin-rich formula goes a long way to soothe and protect your hands instantly. It’s fragrance and dye free, and has the NEA Seal of Acceptance. See price on Walgreens Moisturel Therapeutic Lotion This petroleum-based Moisturel Therapeutic lotion is blended with glycerin and dimethicone, a type of silicone, to help it glide silkily over your skin and absorb quickly. It’s a good choice for those who want the protection of petroleum without the gunky feel. It’s free of paraben, lanolin, fragrance, and dyes. See price on Walmart NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Healthy Skin Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Beauty Toolbox Do LED Light Masks Really Work LED light therapy devices, including masks, have the potential to give you smoother, clearer skin. 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