The 9 Best Soaps for Eczema, Tested by Eczema Sufferers and Approved by Dermatologists

This unassuming bar soap is a great pick for eczema sufferers. It was first recommended to me by a dermatologist in 2017, and it’s been my go-to body soap in the shower ever since. It’s mild and gentle, without any scent, and does what it’s supposed to do — that is, clean me off, without doing anything else to give my skin grief. It lathers up nicely (I even use it instead of shaving cream while shaving my legs) and doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry. Paired with a moisturizer after stepping out of the shower, I’ve found that it keeps my skin clean, soft, and as happy as it can be.

As an eczema sufferer who gets flares mostly on my hands, I’m well-versed in feeling like a weirdo in public places when I refuse the offer of hand sanitizer or pull my own nonantibacterial soap out of my purse. Hand soap, which we (should) use multiple times every day, really matters — and this one is a calming, soothing, and effective option.

I tested this hand soap for two weeks and found that I liked the texture — and for some reason, I found it comforting that it’s clear as opposed to white. It felt cool on my skin and left my hands clean without feeling dried out. I often have one or two small open sores on my fingers from scratching, and this soap never irritated those spots. Along with consistent moisturizing, it kept my hands clean and germ-free, without any burning or drying, and I plan to continue using it.

For eczema sufferers who can tolerate (and like) scented hand soaps, this also comes in two scented versions: Lavender Flower & Mint and Mandarin Orange & Grapefruit.

Lili Ladaga, an Everyday Health editor who tested this soap for two weeks, says that she likes the limited ingredient list and found that she uses less moisturizer than normal after washing with it because it leaves her skin smooth, soft, and moisturized. During flares, we often have to forego things we’re used to in order to keep the situation from worsening, so it’s an especially nice bonus that this soap creates a robust, pleasing lather.

If you’re looking to minimize the number of products in your home, please read on. This liquid soap is multipurpose with a capital M. Not only can it be used on your body (as a shampoo, body wash, facial cleanser, or shaving oil) — it can also be used to clean your countertops, wash your clothes, and scrub your dishes. It can even be used to clean fruit. “One cleaner to rule them all,” says Raki Swanson, a Minnesota-based writer who tested this soap for Everyday Health.

Swanson reports that the liquid is thin, almost like water, but it does produce a nice lather, and she found that it didn’t irritate her skin, no matter how she used it. She used it as a body wash, shampoo, laundry detergent, and dish soap. While she found it was too drying for her hair, it still wasn’t irritating. If you’ve struggled with finding detergents and dish soaps that don’t aggravate your eczema, this is definitely worth a try.

In addition to being fragrance-free, this liquid soap comes in several versions that are scented with essential oils, including Peppermint, Orange & Ginger, Lavender, Eucalyptus, and Almond.

Ladaga — who had been using Cetaphil face wash for years before trying this product — found this bar soap to be a great addition to her daily routine. It lathers up nicely and left her skin clean and moisturized without feeling dry and tight. She used it during a flare, with no negative reactions. The masking fragrance, which is included in the ingredients, does leave a slight smell of baby powder, but it rinses away.

While this bar soap itself doesn’t have the NEC Seal of Acceptance, several Cetaphil products do — just look for a blue badge on the product label.

If you like to use body wash in the shower but struggle with pain or irritation in infected areas, CLn BodyWash is worth a look. Swanson found that it didn’t make her eczema worse, and in fact helped to soothe it. It also didn’t leave her skin feeling dried out.

Although CLn Body Wash is pricey, Swanson found that she didn’t need to use a large amount — a little goes a long way, so a bottle may last a while. And while this product has a consistency more similar to hand soap than typical body washes, and creates less lather, she had no problem applying it with a loofah. Overall, she was relieved to find a product for full-body use that worked to calm — and crucially, not exacerbate — her eczema, even during flares.

Case in point: Swanson found that this simple bar was moisturizing, even noting that she didn’t use lotion after washing with it during the testing period and still found that her skin felt hydrated. She says that it didn’t hurt her problem areas at all, and it kept them from feeling dried out. Although she says that the bar has a mild granular feel to it, it isn’t overwhelming. The soap doesn’t produce much of a lather, but it glides easily and smoothly over the skin.

It can be especially tough to have a baby or kid with eczema, as it’s often a struggle to help them manage it (as a former kid with eczema and a mom of a kid with eczema, I should know). This product can be a real lifesaver. Many parents report that their little ones respond well to this soothing body wash, enjoying the bubbles and not suffering from any irritation.

One thing to watch out for though: The brand warns that this is not a “tear-free” formula, so you’ll need to be careful when washing around your child’s eyes. This body wash can be used by kids and adults alike, so if you’ve got a kid in the house with eczema, it may be worth buying for them and using for the whole family. It can also double as a hand wash.

If your eczema comes with extreme dryness all over, this body wash may be a solution. Fair warning, though, that this is a body wash and a cream, emphasis on the cream — it’s moisturizing and soothing, but it doesn’t lather up like a typical body wash does.