The 10 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+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream is even suitable for babies, as well as for patients 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 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.