It also carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, meaning a panel of dermatology experts has reviewed the formula and its ingredients to make sure it plays nicely with sensitive, eczema-prone skin.
“When the seasons are changing, I struggle a lot with eczema patches between my fingers, which is such an uncomfortable spot, and so far, this formula has helped ease my symptoms significantly. After slathering on the thick white cream several times a day for the first few days, I noticed a major improvement in my hands. The redness faded, the itchiness subsided, and the painful cracks began to close and heal. By the third day, my hands looked (and felt) almost as good as new. Since then, I’ve been using the rich formula anywhere that my skin needs some extra TLC—such as on my feet, and on my neck and undereyes where the skin is thinner.” —Kaleigh Fasanella, former Allure associate digital editor
- Key ingredients: thermal spring water, copper-zinc sulfate, postbiotics
- Who it’s for: anyone who prefers rich textures
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Barrier Repair: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream
Kiehl’s
Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream
Why it’s worth it: When eczema makes skin itchy, it’s all too easy to scratch—and suddenly you’re dealing with an angry, compromised barrier on top of the irritation. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream is “an intensive barrier cream specifically designed for compromised, sensitized skin,” says Aderonke Obayomi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. The formula combines colloidal oatmeal to relieve itching with beta-glucan to soothe, plus proprietary tech that mirrors the skin’s natural lipid structure to support repair. Dr. Obayomi notes that you’ll feel immediate comfort, making it especially helpful during flare-ups or if you’re dealing with dryness from active ingredients like retinoids.
“I get itchy from head to toe the minute winter rolls in, and to make things more interesting, my year-round allergies trigger eczema flare-ups very easily. I’ve become borderline paranoid about not having a tube of this within reach. The creamy texture, the slip, the soothing factor—it’s exactly what my skin needs, and the best part is that it calms everything down fast.” —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure contributing commerce writer
- Key ingredients: colloidal oatmeal, beta-glucan
- Who it’s for: people with extra dry skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Steroid: PCA Skin CliniCalm 1%
Why it’s worth it: If facial eczema has you stuck in a constant itch spiral, PCA Skin CliniCalm 1% is the kind of cream you’ll want within reach. The formula blends 1% hydrocortisone with skin-soothing standbys like hyaluronic acid and honey, so it helps calm redness, itching, and irritation fast without feeling heavy or greasy. Charlotte-based board-certified dermatologist Scott Paviol, MD, calls it an excellent option for facial eczema, especially during flares when skin needs quick, no-nonsense relief. One important note: Since corticosteroids like hydrocortisone can thin or irritate skin with prolonged use, PCA recommends using this cream for up to seven days at a time. Think of it as your eczema fire extinguisher (not an everyday moisturizer) that comes in handy when skin’s feeling extremely uncomfortable.
- Key ingredients: 1% hydrocortisone, asiaticoside, hyaluronic acid, honey
- Who it’s for: people who need more control than non-steroid creams
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Long-Lasting: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Soothing Relief Eczema Cream
La Roche-Posay
Lipikar Soothing Relief Eczema Cream
Why it’s worth it: If you’re tired of eczema creams that seem to wear off within an hour of application, La Roche-Posay Lipikar Soothing Relief Eczema Cream is designed for staying power. Its barrier-supporting formula, recognized by the National Eczema Association, relies on colloidal oatmeal to calm itching and irritation, plus rich emollients and humectants that seal in moisture so skin stays comfortable for hours—not just until your next hand wash. Board-certified dermatologist and George Washington School of Medicine professor Adam Friedman, MD, notes that studies show the cream can help “normalize and diversify the bacterial communities on the skin,” which may reduce flare activity and lower the chance of rebound irritation after stopping topical steroids.
Tester feedback from Fasanella
“The first time I slathered the cream on, my skin was being wildly sensitive and I more or less expected it to burn or exacerbate the issue. But that’s not what happened at all. Instead, the lotion instantly calmed the redness covering my limbs and soothed the cracked, dry patches in my crevices, which most moisturizers fail to do anything for. What’s more, the aggressive urge to scratch was alleviated, which is major in my book.” —Fasanella, former Allure associate digital editor
- Key ingredients: vitamin E, colloidal oatmeal, niacinamide
- Who it’s for: anyone with an active flare and sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Itchy Skin: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
First Aid Beauty
Ultra Repair Cream
Why it’s worth it: Anyone with eczema knows that once you find your cream, backups are essential. Luckily, First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream comes in four sizes, making it easy to stash one everywhere from your purse to your vanity. Colloidal oatmeal helps calm itching and irritation, ceramides support a compromised skin barrier, and shea butter softens and nourishes dry, stressed skin. The formula—a favorite of Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City—is rich, cushiony, and recognized by the National Eczema Association, which means you can slather it on generously with extra peace of mind.
- Key ingredients: colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, ceramides
- Who it’s for: people with very distressed or open skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Drugstore: Aveeno Eczema Therapy Itch Relief Balm
Aveeno
Eczema Therapy Itch Relief Balm
Why it’s worth it: If there’s one thing Aveeno has always done well, it’s harnessing the power of oats—and providing eczema-prone skin benefits because of it. The Eczema Therapy Itch Relief Balm layers multiple forms of oat (including colloidal oatmeal, oat kernel oil, flour, and extract) to calm irritation while helping restore a compromised moisture barrier. New York City–based dermatologist Michele Green, MD, calls the National Eczema Association-approved formula a go-to for mild to moderate eczema. “The oats bind to the skin, creating a shield against irritation while locking in natural moisture from your skin.” Glycerin and ceramides help lock in hydration, so skin stays comfortable long after you apply.
- Key ingredients: oat kernel oil, flour, and extract, glycerin, ceramides
- Who it’s for: people with mild to moderate eczema
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Hypoallergenic: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
Vanicream
Moisturizing Cream
Why it’s worth it: The tricky thing about most eczema creams is that they have to be rich enough to repair the barrier, but sometimes that richness can feel heavy or clog-prone. Vanicream Moisturizing Cream hits the sweet spot: deeply protective without the greasy aftermath. Board-certified dermatologist Britt Craiglow, MD, calls it an excellent option for eczema because it provides strong barrier protection while still feeling surprisingly lightweight on skin. The formula hydrates and soothes without relying on dyes, fragrance, or common contact allergens, which makes it appealing for extra-sensitive or reactive skin types.
- Key ingredients: petrolatum, sorbitol, simethicone
- Who it’s for: people with contact dermatitis
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Babies: Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume
Bioderma
Atoderm Intensive Baume
Why it’s worth it: If it’s gentle enough for babies, it’s gentle enough for your eczema-prone skin. Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume is a French pharmacy favorite for very dry, atopic skin that tends to lose moisture more easily. The formula sticks with the classics: Glycerin and mineral oil keep skin comfortably hydrated, sunflower seed oil softens skin, and a blend of ceramides, cholesterol, and phytosphingosine helps patch up a weakened barrier. “This is a real workhorse for eczema patients who need relief ASAP,” says Dr. Obayomi, noting that it excels at calming itchiness and breaking the scratch cycle. Despite its richness, it sinks in quickly—and the pump-style bottle makes it easy to slather on the entire family.
- Key ingredients: glycerin, paraffinum, sunflower seed oil, ceramides
- Who it’s for: people who want long-lasting hydration
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Day Cream: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream
Dr. Jart+
Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream
Why it’s worth it: It’s no secret that K-beauty understands the assignment when it comes to sensitive, dry skin—and Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream is “exceptional for eczema because of its ceramide blend,” says Dr. Obayomi. The brand’s 5-cera complex “mimics the ceramides naturally found in skin to help restore the protective barrier that’s compromised in eczema,” she says. Panthenol (a form of vitamin B5) helps skin hold onto moisture, while glycerin steps in to quickly take the edge off that tight, uncomfortable feeling. The texture is “cushiony and rich, yet absorbs quickly without greasiness,” making it just as wearable under makeup as it is at night, when skin needs extra reparative care.
- Key ingredients: ceramides, panthenol, glycerin
- Who it’s for: people with dry, sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Night Cream: Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair Redness-Reducing Barrier Cream
Tatcha
Indigo Overnight Repair Redness-Reducing Barrier Cream
Why it’s worth it: Created to calm stress-related redness, irritation, and a weakened skin barrier—a concern personal to Tatcha’s founder and heightened during the COVID era—Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair Redness-Reducing Barrier Cream is made to do its best work while you sleep. “This luxurious cream is one of my favorites for patients with eczema-prone facial skin,” says Dr. Obayomi, who points to Japanese indigo for its “powerful anti-inflammatory and calming properties,” paired with rice extract that relieves itching and irritation. (She also likes that the texture is “velvety but absorbs beautifully without feeling heavy, making it ideal for daily use.”) It’s fragrance-free, accepted by the National Eczema Association, and even comes in a travel-friendly mini size—perfect for spot-treating flare-ups on the go.
- Key ingredients: Japanese indigo extract, ceramides, rice extract
- Who it’s for: people with irritation and redness
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Redness: Senté Dermal Repair Cream
Senté
Dermal Repair Cream
Why it’s worth it: To understand what makes Senté Dermal Repair Cream different from the rest, let’s do a science deep-dive. At the heart of the formula is the brand’s heparan sulfate analog, a lab-developed ingredient inspired by a molecule that your skin naturally uses to heal and calm itself. “It’s a unique formulation that helps calm inflammation and supports the skin’s built-in repair system, which is especially helpful when the barrier is stressed or compromised,” says Dr. Safaee. Recognized by the National Rosacea Society, it’s comforting for redness linked to eczema flare-ups and moments when skin feels easily reactive. “The cream feels rich without ever weighing skin down”—making it an easy, no-brainer addition to even the most sensitive skin routines, she says.
- Key ingredients: heparan sulfate analog, vitamin E, green tea extract, glycerin
- Who it’s for: people experiencing redness and inflammation
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Can adults get eczema?
Although eczema is common in babies, adults can develop eczema, too. No matter what age you develop eczema, one thing is clear: “We can’t cure eczema, but we can keep it under control,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. To figure out the most comprehensive treatment plan for eczema-prone skin, it’s best to talk to a board-certified dermatologist who can prescribe topical steroids and creams that will fight the uncomfortable itchiness and irritation that are synonymous with eczema. But if you have milder symptoms and/or want to use something in conjunction with prescription creams, many over-the-counter products help soothe symptoms.
What ingredients should I look for in eczema creams?
New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Kenneth Mark, MD suggests looking for creams that contain soothing, itch-relieving ingredients for eczema, such as colloidal oatmeal, aloe, vitamin E, hydrocortisone, and green tea. Emollients such as petrolatum can also help to lock in moisture and repair the skin barrier, as can humectants, which draw water into skin. What to avoid? Irritants like drying, alcohol-based gels, and fragrances. “For all ages, moisturizing and supporting the skin barrier is the mainstay of maintenance,” Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously told Allure.
Meet the experts
- Britt Craiglow, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut based in Fairfield, Connecticut
- Adam Friedman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and professor at George Washington School of Medicine based in Washington, D.C
- Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology based in New York City
- Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.
- Kenneth Mark, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Aderonke Obayomi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at Mount Sinai based in New York City
- Scott Paviol, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Charlotte
- Maryam Safaee, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles
- Jennifer Segal, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Metropolitan Dermatology Institute based in Houston
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, associate professor of dermatology, and the director of cosmetic & clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital based in New York City
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