10 Best Lotions for Eczema, According to Dermatologists

"This cream is a great option. It's an elegant, rich balm, that works great to soothe skin," says Shari Sperling, D.O., a New Jersey-based dermatologist who operates her own clinic and practices at St. Barnabas Medical Center. "It's made with to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier oatmeal and also with ceramide to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier."

If you're trying to treat dry, itchy skin for the first time, start with this basic option first, Dr. Zeichner says. "This easy to spread lotion contains triple purified petrolatum to form a protective seal over the skin without leaving you feeling heavy or greasy."

This Vaseline product also happens to be a winner of the GH Beauty Lab's body lotions test, where it increased skin moisture by an average of 60%. All of the consumers who tested this product in our Lab agreed that this lotion absorbed quickly, without feeling sticky or gunky throughout the day.

If you're traveling and won't have access to your skincare essentials, you'll find this must-have treatment at any local pharmacy. "Aquaphor is one of the best moisturizers — it keeps moisture in the skin while providing a nice barrier to cold and other elements," says Cindy Wassef, M.D., an assistant professor at the Rutgers University Center for Dermatology

This reliable formula is a Good Housekeeping Seal-holder thanks to moisturizing additives like panthenol, and glycerin that hydrate skin and create a less tacky texture.

"If you're dealing with eczema spots around your face, this product is a great spot treatment," Dr. Wassef says. "It contains shea butter and glycerin just to name a few ingredients, and it shea butter and glycerin. A small amount goes a long way."

If you have eczema rashes in areas that lie beneath your clothes, this option is best for you. "It's good for those who would prefer something that dries quickly and is less" tacky, Dr. Wassef shares, adding that this formula contains an elevated amount of ceramide.

Our GH Institute experts haven't tested this on eczema-prone skin, and Neutrogena doesn't make specific eczema-related claims — but this particular hand cream is one of Dr. Wassef's favorites. "It provides a nice film on the skin to relieve the dryness without being greasy," the dermatologist shares. As a Good Housekeeping Seal holder, we stand behind its hydrating performance and its fragrance-free formula, making it suitable for sensitive skin.

"This cream contains three essential ceramides to help repair the outer skin's layer and offer hydration," Dr. Zeichner tells us. "It is a dermatologist favorite that can be used across all skin types, even the most sensitive skin patients and those with eczema."

CeraVe's cream is made with ceramides, a form of lipids that naturally occur within the skin's structure. And while it doesn't claim to treat eczema or eczema-prone skin specifically, a seal from the National Eczema Association shows shoppers that this CeraVe product doesn't contain common irritants for sensitive skin — over 40,000 reviewers can't stop raving about it on Amazon.

This product makes use of hyaluronic acid — and for good reason. "Hyaluronic acid is a hero ingredient for dry and itchy skin. It's like a sponge that can bind to 1,000 times its weight in water to moisturize the skin," Dr. Zeichner tells us. "This balm is loaded with hyaluronic acid in a rich formula that won't have your skin feeling sticky." While our Lab evaluations did not specifically include eczema-sufferers, our beauty experts found that the hyaluronic acid in this formula produces a moisturizing effect on skin for up to 12 hours.

While this product doesn't make direct claims for those with eczema-prone skin, its 17,000+ reviews on Amazon illustrate how effective it is for steady moisturization. "Finally, a moisturizer that doesn't burn, sting, or irritate my skin," one verified shopper recently shared. "The moisturizer [cream] is a bit thick, so you don't need a lot." Plus, Vanicream's product carries an approval seal from the National Eczema Association, signaling it's free of known skin irritants, including dyes, fragrances, lanolin, parabens, and formaldehyde, among others.

This advanced treatment packs a powerful moisturizing punch for spotty eczema rashes. "This cream contains fats that are naturally found in the skin but are deficient in people with eczema," Dr. Zeichner explains. "It forms a protective seal over the skin to help hydrate and repair the skin barrier."