The 14 Best Dermatologist-Approved Creams for Eczema

Pacifica Vegan Ceramide Barrier Face Cream has the National Eczema Association’s (NEA) Seal of Acceptance, which means it’s undergone testing and review to determine that it’s free of ingredients that can trigger eczema or other skin irritations and is safe and gentle enough for use on eczema-prone skin.

Ahh, hands. If only we didn’t have to use them so much, maybe they wouldn’t be so susceptible to eczema flares. As it is, though, our hands are on the front lines in terms of exposure to irritants, and for eczema patients, that often means that they are consistently dry, cracking, and in desperate need of moisture.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Hand Cream can help soothe dry, cracked skin, and it stands up to frequent handwashing. Although the texture is very thick and even presents a bit like an ointment, it absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave your hands feeling greasy or sticky.

Put all those good ingredients together, and you get a rich cream that’s extremely hydrating and works fast to relieve the dry, cracked skin that results from eczema. The creamy texture spreads easily over large surface areas, like the legs and back. La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+MAX Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream is even suitable for babies as well as for people who are undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.

For an everyday moisturizer, you want something that’s dependable, long-lasting, and, ideally, budget-friendly. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is just that. Unlike some more trendy options that come in small amounts, this is sold in a 19-ounce tub that’s perfect for popping on your dresser and dipping into every morning.

Finally, as with all CeraVe products, it’s made with CeraVe’s proprietary Multivesicular Emulsion (MVE) technology, which the brand says is a structure of “time-released” spheres that provide multiple phases of moisturization. It’s nongreasy and leaves skin feeling soft. Although it’s thick, it absorbs quickly and works fast to help relieve dry, flaky skin.

I was first recommended Vanicream by a dermatologist in 2017. I hadn’t heard of it previously — after all, it’s not flashy or widely advertised — but when I began talking to other people with eczema about it, I learned that it’s generally a trusted and well-loved brand within that community.

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream is gentle and moisturizing, and it is generally well tolerated by people with sensitive skin. It has a thick, creamy texture that feels lightweight once it’s absorbed. You can use it on both your face and body.

Having a baby with eczema is a unique kind of stress (my son had it when he was around 8 months old, and I recall it well). You’d do anything to keep their sweet little face clear and relieve their discomfort, and you also want to be sure that whatever you use to moisturize their skin is safe and gentle. That’s where Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream comes in.

Our research shows that this product works well on babies and adults alike. It’s easy to apply and absorbs fast — a major pro when you take a wiggling baby into consideration — and it calms redness effectively. It doesn’t leave a sticky or greasy feeling, and it helps to keep little ones moisturized and clear.

In our research, we found that eczema patients get real itch relief from this cream, and that — although it’s thick and takes some rubbing in order to absorb — it’s also effective at reducing redness from flares.

This cream provides long-lasting hydration and can quickly clear up eczema flares and stubborn patches. The texture is rich and velvety, and it feels appropriately luxe.

“Squalane is a natural emollient and antioxidant for skin hydration because it is full of polyunsaturated lipids,” says Tanya Kormeili, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Derm & Rejuvenation Institute in Santa Monica, California. The cream also contains ceramide NP, hyaluronic acid, acai berry sterols, and plant-derived omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids, all of which work together to hydrate and strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier.

Dr. Kormeili notes that each type of omega fatty acid plays a distinct role: “Omega-3 is a great anti-inflammatory agent and protects against UV damage. Omega-6 is important for barrier function and helping restore dry eczema-prone skin, and omega-9 is highly hydrating and also reinforces the skin barrier.”

The cream absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel greasy as some others do, so it won’t transfer onto your clothes. It is, however, the priciest option on our list.

Mustela made Stelatopia+ Lipid-Replenishing Cream for extremely dry, eczema-prone skin with a compromised skin barrier. It’s one of the few creams on our list that’s safe for newborns, kids, and adults alike. “When the skin barrier is compromised, the outer layer of the skin, called the stratum corneum, no longer functions effectively as a protective barrier,” says Samantha Ghiselli, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist and founder of SKN Dermatology in Glendale, Colorado. “The skin loses its ability to retain water, leading to the loss of water, lipids, and ceramides, which results in dry, rough, and itchy skin.”

Dr. Ghiselli notes that thicker formulas like this one are generally the way to go, though they may take longer to absorb into your skin after application. “Creams contain a higher oil and lipid ratio, making them feel thicker, while lotions have a higher water content, making them thinner and easier to spread,” she explains. “Creams are far superior and much more effective for people with dry skin and eczema.”

If you’re already a fan of CeraVe like us, its Therapeutic Hand Cream is a more targeted option for dry, cracking skin. Like other CeraVe staples, it contains essential ceramides and uses the brand’s time-release MVD technology, so you get steady moisture throughout the day rather than a quick hit. The inclusion of hyaluronic acid is also a major win for people with eczema, says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist currently practicing in New York and New Jersey.

“For patients with eczema, maintaining hydration is essential, as dryness can worsen irritation and itching, so incorporating hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid can be a helpful part of a skin care routine,” she adds. This cream also contains niacinamide and dimethicone, which help protect the skin and prevent moisture loss. The texture feels balanced (thick but absorbs quickly), so you can carry on with your day without feeling sticky.

The main downside is the 3-ounce tube, which means you may find yourself restocking more than you’d like.

Garshick adds that over-the-counter creams with colloidal oatmeal can be beneficial for people with mild to moderate eczema and for those with dry, sensitive, or easily irritated skin. “They’re often a great option for anyone who experiences intermittent flares and needs a gentle, daily moisturizer to help maintain the skin barrier,” she says.