7 best eczema creams to soothe dry, irritated & itchy skin

Do you suffer from eczema? You’re not alone. This is a skin condition affecting nearly 32 million Americans, according to the National Eczema Association. 

This uncomfortable condition often requires treatment to soothe dry, itchy skin. And although symptoms can vary from mild to severe, there are some over-the-counter creams that may be able to provide relief. 

To help you on your journey to alleviating discomfort, our editors rounded up a list of excellent eczema creams that stand out. We’ve considered price, ingredients, and reviews to bring you the best lotions for your skin.

Here are the top seven eczema creams and the details you need to know to decide which is right for you.

Read more: Shop the best skincare for sensitive skin and get glowing

Browse the best treatment creams

Top-rated eczema cream

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream

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$14.99 at Walgreens

Best for dry skin

Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream

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$12.79 at Target

Best for kids

All Terrain Kids Eczema Cream

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$11.99 at Walmart

Best cream for babies

Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Body Creme

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$9.78 at Walmart

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Top-rated eczema cream

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream

$14.99

$14.99 at Walgreens

Specifications

• Ingredients: Shea butter, colloidal oatmeal

• Texture: Thicky and creamy

Pros & Cons

• Non-greasy

• Steroid-free

• Hydrates up to 48 hours

• Can cause breakouts and flareups in acne-prone skin

• Can trigger a rash for those with celiac disease

La Roche Lipikar cream has a rating of 4.7 stars and it’s accepted by the National Eczema Association, which means it's free from ingredients that are likely to cause a flareup. Additionally, it has a non-greasy texture, which we like because we don't know anyone who enjoys feeling like a well-greased machine.

This eczema treatment also gains bonus points for containing colloidal oatmeal and shea butter, which can help mild and severe eczema by soothing the itch and reducing redness.

We also like the fact that the La Roche Lipikar cream is steroid-free. Yet, it maintains the power to visibly reduce eczema signs like those red, itchy bumps. Plus, you can stay hydrated for up to 48 hours.

Best for dry skin

Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream

$12.79

$12.79 at Target

Specifications

• Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, ceramides

• Texture: Thick and creamy

Pros & Cons

• Contains ceramides

• Accepted by the National Eczema Association

• Dermatologist tested

• Can leave you feeling greasy

• Not suitable for children

Ah, we’ve so much to say about this product. First, this cream gained raving reviews –we're talking about a massive 5-star rating. From a brand that’s well-known in skincare, we expected nothing less. 

Aveeno's cream is also dermatologist tested and carries the seal on its package. Additionally, it's accepted by the National Eczema Association. This tells you two things about this cream – that it's safe and effective for irritated skin and that it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals.

You can use this cream all over your body, which makes it a versatile product for eczema treatment. However, it's not intended for use on your eyelids. For that, you'll need a different product. We also like that it's made with soothing colloidal oatmeal. 

However, the star ingredient would have to be ceramides. Ceramides are a lipid — fat — that helps your skin retain moisture and protect against germs, making it perfect for flaky, dry skin.

Best for kids

All Terrain Kids Eczema Cream

You save $1.63 (11.97%)

$11.99$13.62

$11.99 at Walmart

Specifications

• Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, aloe vera, tea tree oil, neem oil, eucalyptus oil

• Texture: Smooth

Pros & Cons

• Contains aloe vera

• Paraben-free

• Made with 95% natural-derived ingredients

• Some ingredients can irritate the skin

• Potential for allergic reactions

All Terrain Kids Eczema Cream is a non-greasy, smooth cream with kid-friendly ingredients. Out of the

95% naturally derived ingredients, one of them is aloe vera, which offers anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant, humectant, antifungal and anti-itch properties. We also love that it contains colloidal oatmeal and shea butter to fight the itch and redness from eczema.

However, there are also a few caveats to be aware of. This cream also contains tee tree oil, neem oil, and eucalyptus oil, all of which have the potential to react with sensitive skin. Additionally, research has shown that neem oil is not recommended for children.

Best cream for babies

Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Body Creme

$9.78

$9.78 at Walmart

Specifications

• Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, ceramides

• Texture: Thick and creamy

Pros & Cons

• Provides 24-hour moisture

• Contains licorice root

• Recommended by dermatologists and pediatricians

• Not effective for everyone

• May worsen a rash in some cases

Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Body Creme is a product we find hard to find fault with. It comes highly recommended by both dermatologists and pediatricians alike. It's free of irritants and provides 24 hours of moisture.  

One of the things we love about this eczema cream is that it contains colloidal oatmeal and ceramides, like one of our other top picks. These two powerhouse ingredients pack a punch to soothe red, inflamed and itchy skin. We also like that it contains licorice root, which has skin-soothing properties according to some studies. 

If you’ve been searching for a cream for newborn babies, you’re in luck as this is formulated for babies as young as three months. Finding an eczema cream or body lotion for babies with delicate and sensitive skin is hard, but Eucerin has done it.

Best for facial use

Eczema Honey Soothing Facial Cream

$15.99

$15.99 at Target

Specifications

• Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, honey

• Texture: Light cream

Pros & Cons

• Contains real honey

• Accepted by the National Eczema Association

• Lightweight on skin

• May require multiple applications

• May not be effective for every one

Eczema Honey is a cream that is specially formulated to calm the itch on your face and soothe your irritated skin. It also has the pleasant, natural scent of honey because it contains real honey. 

This cream was accepted by the National Eczema Association, so you can use it confidently, knowing it contains no harsh chemicals or known irritants. Additionally, Eczema Honey received an average of 4.4 stars.

We love that it comes packed with several natural ingredients. We also like that the cream is light and airy and won't leave you feeling greasy. However, because it is a lightweight cream, you may need to apply it more than once to keep the benefits going.

Best anti-itch cream for eczema

Cetaphil Eczema Restoraderm Itch Relief Gel

$24.99

$24.99 at Walgreens

Specifications

• Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, 

• Texture: Gel

Pros & Cons

• Relieves itchiness for up to eight hours

• Works in 30 seconds

• Relieves flareups

• Pricier than alternatives

• Designed as part of a three-step regimen

Cetaphil is another brand that comes highly recommended by experts. Its formula is dermatologist tested and accepted by the National Eczema Association. So, it's unsurprising that this product received an average of 4.7 stars.

We like the fact that it's fast and effective. While pricier than some alternatives, this anti-itch gel promises to stop the itch in as quick as 30 seconds. We also like that it helps during flare-ups, often the most challenging times for anyone with irritated, sensitive skin.

One caveat is that it's technically designed as part of a three-step regimen. However, you can still use it individually. Still, to maximize the benefits, it should be paired with two other products in the Cetaphil line.

Best for flareups

Cetaphil Eczema Flareup Relief Cream

$19.97

$19.97 at Walmart

Specifications

• Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal

• Texture: Rich cream

Pros & Cons

• Steroid-free

• Starts repairing skin barrier within 24 hours

• Relieves symptoms after first use

• High price point

• Designed to be part of a three-step regimen

Cetaphil Eczema Flareup Relief Cream is a rich, colloidal oatmeal cream that starts working after your first use. Like most creams on our list, it's also dermatologist tested and accepted by the National Eczema Association so there are no irritants or harsh chemicals to worry about. Of its 144 reviews, this cream received an average 4.7-star rating.

We like that this formula is steroid-free, and even more so that it starts working immediately. No waiting and reapplying before you see relief.

Like our last top pick, this cream is part of a three-step regimen, the same as our previous pick. That doesn't mean you can't use this separately. Still, Cetaphil recommends pairing this cream with two other products from their line to maximize results.

Your questions about eczema answered

Eczema is a common skin condition that causes your skin to be dry, itchy and bumpy. It’s common and can affect anyone at any age. Thankfully, it isn’t contagious but you might feel self-conscious about it and the itchiness could cause some discomfort.    

What is eczema?

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition. Some call it atopic dermatitis, which can happen at any age. Some symptoms that characterize it include dry, itchy skin and a red rash.

What causes it?

There are many things that can cause eczema flare-ups including:

• Food allergies

• Cosmetics, soaps and detergents

• Fabrics

• Environmental factors

Are the ingredients of these eczema creams safe for sensitive skin?

Any of the creams approved by the National Eczema Association and tested and recommended by doctors are safe for sensitive skin. However, everyone’s situation differs, and some may have more sensitive skin than others. Always check with your healthcare provider if you’re uncertain or have questions.

Our top choices for eczema cream

If you’re still weighing your options on which cream to get to help you out with your flare-ups, let us help you by listing our top two favorites.

• La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream: Non-greasy, steroid-free and provides up to 48 hours of moisture — there’s a reason we voted this our favorite eczema cream overall.

• Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Body Creme: It comes highly recommended by dermatologists and pediatricians so who are we to deny your children the best care possible?

Prices updated on 08/07/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.