Our Testers With Eczema Swear By These 7 Soothing Lotions (2025)

Eczema, a skin condition that can cause itchy, red, dry, rough patches, is widespread, affecting roughly 10% of people in the U.S., according to the National Eczema Association. However, it can be tricky to treat and often requires the assistance of a dermatologist. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Francesca Fusco, M.D., explains, "There are so many causes and triggers of eczema, which can occur from your scalp to your toes."

But there is some good news, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engleman, M.D. "There are many over-the-counter products that can provide relief." To help find you the best lotions for eczema, we spent four weeks testing some of the most popular and highest-rated products available. We evaluated each lotion's effectiveness, texture, feel, and application. We also noted what the formulas don't contain—fragrance, parabens, or other potential irritants—and consulted with dermatologists to land on the top lotions.

Key Ingredients: Prebiotic thermal water, shea butter, niacinamide | Size: 6.76 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Accepted by the National Eczema Association, this lotion is clinically proven to relieve itchy, irritated skin and help visibly reduce the signs of eczema. We love that it contains a host of soothing ingredients, including the brand’s eponymous prebiotic thermal water, which is so soothing for the skin that there’s even a La Roche-Posay Thermal Center in France where eczema patients from all over the world come to experience its healing properties.

The prebiotic thermal water, coupled with patented bacteria, is meant to help the skin’s microbiome; maintaining this balance of bacteria that live on the surface of the skin can not only help treat existing eczema symptoms but also ward off future flare-ups. This gentle but powerful lotion contains some of our favorite products, such as ultra-hydrating shea butter and anti-inflammatory niacinamide. We think this lotion is good for the whole body, but the thick (though not greasy) texture also makes it a top choice for treating areas such as the elbows, hands, and knees. This lotion is available at most drugstores and is safe for children over three years of age.

Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, ceramides | Size: 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Cetaphil is one of our favorite drugstore go-to brands—and for a reason. "Cetaphil has great products under their Restoraderm line, which received the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association," says Dr. Engelman. We especially like this formula for its soothing benefits. According to Dr. Engelman, it "contains a blend of 15 moisturizers and skin-essential vitamins to provide soothing relief for dry, itchy, irritated skin."

Dr. Nava Greenfield, M.D., of Schweiger Dermatology Group, is also a fan. “I use this because it has colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, and filaggrin (a protein that supports skin barrier function), which not only hydrate but also provide nourishment to skin that lacks the ability to completely hydrate itself,” she explains. With a fantastic price, this will become your new favorite.

Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, ceramides | Size: 7.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Aveeno’s Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream is made with gentle ingredients and since it’s free from steroids and fragrances, it’s a good option for daily use. It’s a wallet-friendly product that can be found in most drugstores, and we appreciate how effective it is in relieving dry, itchy, and irritated skin associated with eczema.

Credit a formula packed with colloidal oatmeal (a soothing ingredient that the FDA deems an effective skin protectant) plus skin-strengthening ceramides and lipids. Unsurprisingly, it’s also earned a stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association. We can’t say enough good things about it, but it’s worth noting that the formula can leave a sticky residue, so we recommend letting the product absorb for a few minutes to let it thoroughly soak in.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, avocado oil, colloidal oatmeal | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Itchy, dry, and irritated hands due to eczema can be a real drag, which is where this cream comes in to save the day. The dermatologist-tested formula is packed with calming ingredients like vitamin E, avocado oil, colloidal oatmeal, and honey to nourish and soften the hands while relieving itchiness. We love that the formula also includes shea butter, so it leaves the skin deeply moisturized.

It’s also worth mentioning that the formula is cruelty-free (what’s not to love about that?!) and free of parabens and phthalates. We also appreciate how thick the lotion is. The richer consistency only requires a pea-sized amount of lotion to feel the benefits, so even though it’s packaged in a smaller tube than other products, it will still last a long time.

Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, ceramides | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We love Eucerin’s Eczema Relief Body Cream for dry skin (with or without flare-ups) because it’s super gentle with long-lasting moisturizing benefits. With regular use, our tester found that the lotion improved his skin texture—taking it from very dry to smooth and even.

What really makes this lotion stand out is its instant relief. It’s formulated with colloidal oatmeal and ceramides, and our tester felt the lotion’s soothing benefits almost immediately upon application. Its texture is on the thicker side, but it’s not greasy or sticky, and it’s easy to apply. That said, it applies best when skin is fully dried, with no lingering droplets from the shower.

Saleam, tester with eczema flare-ups on his legs: “I started to see improvements in my skin condition after about one to two weeks. The lotion helped reduce dryness that typically leads to itching. I only apply once a day, and I get all-day relief.”

Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, turmeric, Chinese rhubarb root | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Despite its smaller size, Topicals’ Like Butter Moisturizer delivers some big results—especially for red, itchy skin. Our tester, whose eczema flare-ups are often painful and very itchy, was blown away by how much soothing relief this lotion brought. It also provides long-lasting moisture and protects the skin barrier throughout the day.

It has a rich, balmy texture that does take a little extra effort to fully rub in, but it doesn’t feel heavy or leave skin feeling greasy or sticky. We love that it applies well to skin, whether it’s wet or dry, and even in areas with scabs. Our biggest complaint is that it comes in such a small tube because it’s effective enough to want to use all over, not just for spot treatments.

Chelsea, tester with itchy, inflamed flare-ups: “I felt that in the first week of testing, redness reduced drastically, and I wasn't as itchy as I typically am when the onset of a flare-up shows face.”

Key Ingredients: I-modulia, cer-omega, Avene thermal spring water | Size: 13.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Avene’s XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream is perfect for someone looking for a deep eczema treatment that absorbs quickly without leaving any residue behind. This lotion completely rubbed in and absorbed in around 20 seconds for our tester, who experiences flare-ups on her hands. It’s also very lightweight and smooth, and it doesn’t leave any residue or greasy or sticky feeling behind (however, you may have to reapply a few times per day).

This lotion is formulated with i-modulia, a postbiotic complex that helps relieve itching while protecting the skin, cer-omega, which nourishes and hydrates, and Avene’s thermal spring water, which soothes, softens, and calms the skin. We especially appreciate that it’s packaged in a large bottle that features a pump for easy dispensing and less product waste.

Ashley, tester with red, painful flare-ups on her hands: “The product absorbed into my skin so smoothly and effortlessly, not leaving any greasy feeling on my hands compared to when I use petroleum jelly-based products, which do just that.”

What to Look for When Buying Lotions for Eczema

• Texture: Dr. Marina Peredo, M.D.,a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, believes that the thicker the consistency, the better. “The thicker the base of the product, the more healing it will be and more effective for both preventing flare-ups and treating eczema,” she says.
• Hypoallergenic: Dr. Greenfield says this is an important criterion to seek out, indicating that it’s an ideal formula for sensitive, easily irritated, eczematous skin.
• Ceramides: Both Dr. Peredo and Dr. Greenfield say ceramides are one of the best ingredients to look for, as they help reinforce the skin barrier, locking moisture in and keeping irritants that can make eczema worse out.
  

How We Tested Lotions for Eczema

Meet Our Experts

To get a full understanding of eczema and what to look for in a lotion, we consulted the dermatologists listed below. Their insights, combined with our testers’ experiences, helped us narrow down our list of the best lotions for eczema.

• Dr. Dendy Engleman, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in New York City.
• Dr. Francesca Fusco, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in New York City.
• Dr. Nava Greenfield, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at Schweiger Dermatology Group, based in New York City.
• Dr. Marina Peredo, M.D.,is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of the New York City-based Skinfluence, where she specializes in aesthetic, laser, and surgical dermatology.

Why Trust Byrdie

Ashley Ziegler is a lifestyle writer specializing in beauty and fashion. She also tests products and services so she can stand behind her recommendations. While Ashley doesn’t have eczema herself, her 5-year-old daughter does, so she understands flare-ups and how to treat them.

According to ourDiversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough lotions for eczema from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.