The 8 Best Dermatologist-Approved Face Washes for Eczema That We Tested

If you’re a longtime eczema sufferer, odds are good that Vanicream products have already been recommended to you by a dermatologist or friend. That’s because the brand makes products specifically for sensitive skin and has a reputation for being gentle and effective.

Our research found that this face wash is more creamy when applied to dry skin with minimal water, and it lathers easily into a foam when applied to wet skin with wet hands. If you have especially sensitive skin, this gentle, hydrating cleanser may quickly become a staple of your daily skin-care routine.

Letting skin “breathe” may seem like just cute phrasing — but as someone with dry skin, I get it. That’s how I felt about this facial cleanser: Washing with it was like it opening up air vents in my skin and offering it the chance to take a nice, deep breath.

I tested this product for one week and found it overall pleasing to use. It has an almost clear, slightly milky color and an average consistency — not particularly thin or thick. Although it didn’t produce much of a lather, it was easy to apply and spread across my face and neck. The best part was removing it: As I noted above, as soon as I washed the cleanser off, my face felt clean and soft. It only got softer after applying moisturizer, and that wide-awake feeling stayed with my skin for a good half an hour after washing.

One note: While this product claims to “cleanse the skin” of makeup, it does not work as a stand-alone makeup remover. It did clean my skin and begin to remove makeup, but I needed to use makeup remover wipes to fully remove my mascara and eyeliner.

Makeup removal can be dicey when you have eczema. Ideally, rather than using alcohol-based wipes, you’ll be able to find a cleanser formulated for sensitive skin that will do the job. That’s where this pick comes in.

Malissa Rodenburg, a Seattle-based writer who tested this product for Everyday Health, found that, for the most part, it delivered on its promises. In fact, she says that when she began testing it, she was dealing with an active eczema breakout — but once she’d used this product for two days, her face was less inflamed and no longer itchy. Rodenburg’s only qualm with the product was an overpromise on the packaging: The bottle says that it delivers “all-day hydration” via patented “MVE technology.” Rodenberg didn’t experience that, saying that for the rest of the day, her skin felt as hydrated as it always does, leaning toward dry. Overall, though, the product calmed her inflamed skin and offered relief.

Put it all together and you get a cleanser that’s uniquely suited for oily, eczema-prone skin. Our research found that it foams up nicely and works great when your face needs a really good clean — after a long day of makeup or excess sweat, for example. This cleanser leaves skin feeling clean, smooth, and hydrated.

Both are put to good use in this product, which our research found is light, refreshing, and absorbs quickly. It’s hailed over and over again as nondrying and nonirritating, with a moisturizing effect that’s actually long-lasting. As a bonus, a little goes a long way, so one (reasonably priced) bottle of this should hold you for a while.

I tested this cleanser and, while it was a little annoying how quickly it came out of the bottle (causing me to waste some of the product), I liked how soapy my face got while I used it, and I found the texture pleasant. It was nonirritating, and after applying moisturizer, my skin felt clean and hydrated.

Welcome to face wash: luxury edition. This product is pricier than others on our list, but in her testing process, Rodenburg found that it justified its price tag. She reported loving the texture of her skin after using it, saying that it felt soft, smooth, clean, and calm.

Rodenburg reports that this product has a thick gel texture, which felt cool on her inflamed skin. She even says that, throughout the day, she was aware of where she’d used this product versus where she hadn’t (for example, on her face but not her neck), because her eczema felt better in those spots. She describes it as “a face wash that feels luxurious.” Yes, please!

Our research found that this oil is gentle and calms flaring spots on skin, leaving it soothed and hydrated. This product can be used as both a face wash and a body wash, and some individuals have reportedly used it to spot-treat eczema patches with good results. And if you find yourself often reaching for a separate makeup remover, this cleanser also does a great job of dissolving stubborn makeup, leaving you with one less step in your skin-care routine.