The 12 Best Eczema Creams to Soothe Your Itchiest Flare-Ups

Editor Tip: SkinFix is no stranger to Allure Best of Beauty Awards—just last year, it won in the sensitive category for its Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen Eye Treatment. To supplement your eczema care, the Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream is a lightweight daytime formula that won't aggravate acne.

Key Ingredients: Peptides, ceramides, colloidal oatmeal | Who It's For: Those with frequent flares or intense symptoms

Best Steroid: PCA Skin CliniCalm 1%

Why It's Worth It: Charlotte, NC-based board-certified dermatologist Scott Paviol, MD, tells Allure that PCA Skin CliniCalm 1% is an excellent soother for facial eczema. Featuring ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, honey, and hydrocortisone (in a 1% concentration), the anti-itch cream is designed to relieve discomfort and irritation almost immediately. You can also use it to quickly soothe any type of inflammation, like post-waxing redness.

Editor Tip: Since corticosteroids like hydrocortisone have side effects—they can thin and irritate skin with prolonged use—only use this when you're experiencing a flare (so seven days at a time, says PCA).

Key Ingredients: Hydrocortisone 1%, asiaticoside, hyaluronic acid | Who It's For: Those who need more control than non-steroid creams

Best Spot Treatment: SkinCeuticals Epidermal Repair

Why It's Worth It: While this heavy-duty cream was technically formulated to soothe skin after cosmetic procedures, like chemical peels and laser resurfacing, the SkinCeuticals Epidermal Repair Cream works well for red, irritated skin, too. It uses a blend of Centella asiatica, beta-glucan, and sodium palmitoyl proline to soothe and comfort compromised skin. Since it's free of silicones and non-comedogenic, the formula is a good option for those prone to acne.

Editor Tip: It's a small tube, so save it for facial eczema or for spot-treating smaller affected areas on the body.

Key Ingredients: Beta glucan, Centella asiatica, sodium palmitoyl proline | Who It's For: People with facial eczema or eczema in small areas

Best for Face: Eau Thermale Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream

Why It's Worth It: Infused with the French brand's signature thermal spring water (rich soothing minerals), Avène's Eau Thermale Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream provides immediate comfort for dry, red, and itchy skin affected by eczema. It contains a copper-zinc sulfate blend, which supports a healthy skin environment, as well as its own protein-rich ingredient called C+ Restore which helps protect and preserve the skin barrier. This is the go-to eczema cream for those who want richer textures, says Houston, TX-based board-certified dermatologist Jennifer Segal, MD, who notes that it's ideal for facial eczema, specifically the eyelid and neck areas.

Editor Tip: While it's great for your face, "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 under eyes where the skin is thinner," our tester said in her review.

Key Ingredients: Thermal spring water, copper-zinc sulfate, postbiotics | Who It's For: Anyone who prefers rich textures

Best Balm: Ren Clean Skincare Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm

Why It's Worth It: Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, calls Ren Clean Skincare's Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm a must-have for replenishing much-needed moisture to dry, itchy skin. This overnight balm contains lipid-rich olive, almond, sunflower, and jojoba oils to condition skin while calming beta-glucan reduces redness and itchy sensations. "It even made good on its promise of calming redness—after a few days of using it, the redness I tend to get on my forehead was significantly less noticeable," says Allure deputy beauty director Liz Siegel.

Editor Tip: Even though it's a balm, it's lightweight and absorbs quickly, so you can use it on your face.

Key Ingredients: Olive oil, jojoba oil, beta-glucan | Who It's For: People with redness and dry skin

Best Cream: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Soothing Relief Eczema Cream

Why It's Worth It: La Roche-Posay's Lipikar Soothing Relief Eczema Cream is a miracle for those suffering from stubborn dry spots and patches of irritation. According to board-certified dermatology and professor at George Washington School of Medicine Adam Friedman, MD, research studies show that Lipikar Cream can help to "normalize and diversify the bacterial communities on the skin." This, he explains, helps reduce the activity of the disease and decrease recurrence after stopping topical steroids.

Editor Tip: Our tester noted that while the body lotion made a big difference in redness and dryness, it also reduced the intensity of itchiness.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, colloidal oatmeal, niacinamide | Who It's For: Anyone with an active flare

Best for Daytime: Murad Quick Relief Colloidal Oatmeal Treatment

Why It's Worth It: Formulated to relieve the oozing, crusting, and lichenization (a.k.a. thickening of skin) associated with eczema, the Murad Quick Relief Colloidal Oatmeal Treatment offers just that: quick relief. The eczema-relief cream uses 5% colloidal oatmeal alongside ground cherry, which takes a cue from steroids to calm and replenish skin. It's intended to be layered beneath moisturizer.

Editor Tip: Consider following up an application with the brand's Daily Defense Colloidal Oatmeal Cream, which helps seal in the ingredients.

Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, ground cherry extract, mondo grass sugar | Who It's For: People seeking fast results

Best for Nighttime: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

Why It's Worth It: Spiked with a skin-calming trifecta of colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and ceramides, First Aid Beauty's Ultra Repair Cream will smooth everything from rashes to itches. Packed with emollients, this rich, thick cream also contains antioxidants to help fight off environmental stressors, which makes it a favorite of Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.

Editor Tip: Since it's so thick and leaves a slight residue, use it as a spot treatment for daytime or as a sleep mask at night.

Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, ceramides | Who It's For: People with very distressed or open skin

Best Drugstore: Aveeno Eczema Therapy Itch Relief Balm

Why It's Worth It: Packed with glycerin to seal in moisture and colloidal oatmeal to soothe irritated skin, Aveeno's Eczema Therapy Itch Relief Balm will stop itching in its tracks—on your face and body. This fragrance-free option is a favorite of New York City-based dermatologist Michele Green, MD. "Rich in colloidal oatmeal, this lotion is the perfect over-the-counter treatment for mild to moderate eczema," Dr. Green says. "The oats bind to the skin creating a shield against irritation while locking in natural moisture from your skin."

Editor Tip: It has the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance, which means the nonprofit's safety panel has reviewed and approved its ingredients, formulation, and testing data.

Key Ingredients: Oat kernel oil, glycerin, ceramides | Who It's For: Those who want one option for face and body

Best Face Mask: Topicals Like Butter Hydrating Mask

Why It's Worth It: To soothe skin, the Topicals Like Butter Hydrating Mask assembles a Who's Who of soothing ingredients, such as 1% colloidal oatmeal, Centella asiatica, green tea extract, and Chinese rhubarb root; they work in a variety of ways calm and replenish skin. "Twice a week, before bed, I apply a thin layer of this hydrating mask—containing squalane, ceramides, and shea butter—and leave it on for 20 minutes or, sometimes, overnight for even more moisture," says Allure associate special projects manager Talia Gutierrez. "Over time, I’ve also noticed a brightening effect on my skin."

Editor Tip: If you don't love thick formulas, no sweat—this actually feels more like a gel cream, and sinks in so quickly that you can use it as a hand cream.

Key Ingredients: Squalane, niacinamide, glycerin | Who It's For: Those seeking versatility

Best Mist: Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Ointment Body Spray

Why It's Worth It: A time-saving version of Aquaphor's original healing ointment, its Advanced Therapy Ointment Body Spray, offers the same skin-softening and protective benefits—minus the thick, somewhat greasy feel that some people can't get into. Instead, this lightweight spray delivers an even mist that soothes skin upon contact and softens dry or scaly patches, too. New York-based board-certified dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD, recommends it because you can easily spritz, rub it in, and go in one easy motion—and it works just as well as the original.

Editor Tip: Aside from the propellant—which evaporates immediately—this is the same exact formula as the original.

Key Ingredients: Bisabolol, glycerin, panthenol | Who It's For: Those who prefer more lightweight textures

Best Hypoallergenic: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream

Why It's Worth It: Britt Craiglow, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Fairfield, CT, suggests Vanicream as a non-greasy eczema treatment that "provides excellent barrier protection." Craiglow also notes that Vanicream is free of common contact allergens, making it an even better choice for people with extra-sensitive skin. It hydrates and soothes the skin's barrier, without any dyes or fragrances to worry about.

Editor Tip: While the formula is non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores, those with oily skin might prefer the brand's Daily Facial Moisturizer.

Key Ingredients: Petrolatum, sorbitol, simethicone | Who It's For: People with contact dermatitis

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.

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.

• Scott Paviol, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Charlotte, North Carolina
• Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City at SmarterSkin Dermatology
• Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City at Schweiger Dermatology Group
• Adam Friedman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Washington, D.C and professor at George Washington School of Medicine
• Jennifer Segal, MD, a Houston-based board-certified dermatologist at Metropolitan Dermatology Institute
• Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City at MDCS NYC
• Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
• Anthony Rossi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Robert Finney, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City at Soho Skin & Hair
• Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, associate professor of dermatology, and the director of cosmetic & clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and
• Kenneth Mark, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
• Britt Craiglow, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Fairfield, CT at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut

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More skin care well suited for sensitive skin:

• The Best Skin Care for Rosacea: 15 Hardworking Products for Soothing Redness & Irritation
• 9 Best Baby Eczema Creams to Soothe and Comfort Their Delicate Skin
• Allure Best of Beauty Awards 2023: Sensitive Skin Products

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