The 17 Best Eczema Creams Derms Swear by for Instant Itch Relief

One of Dr. King's go-to body lotions for addressing eczema flare-ups is the Bliss Lemon & Sage Body Butter. She says it's a great choice for dry, irritated skin since it's infused with hydrating sodium hyaluronate, conditioning shea butter, and moisture-locking coconut oil. "It's rich and creamy and also contains skin-calming ingredients like arnica montana," Dr. King says.

According to Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified New York City-based dermatologist, Vaseline Healing Jelly Ointment can instantly soothe dry, itchy patches. "As an occlusive, this petrolatum-based ointment locks moisture in, helping to reduce dryness of the skin," she says.

Yes, eczema flare-ups can happen anywhere, including on your lips. Diane Madfes, MD, the assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine In New York City, suggests swiping on Badger's Unscented Classic Lip Balm to calm dry, chapped, and irritated lips. This fragrance-free formula contains nourishing ingredients like anti-inflammatory beeswax, calming rosemary extract, and moisturizing extra virgin olive oil.

Board-certified dermatologist Nava Greenfield, MD, who's based at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, says REN Skincare's Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm is a must 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.

Dr. Garshick is also a major fan of Dove's Body Love Sensitive Care Hand Cream for dry, cracked hands, an area of skin that she says is commonly affected by eczema. "I love this hand cream because it contains ceramides that help strengthen the skin barrier and protect against dryness," she says. "It absorbs quickly and won’t leave your hands feeling greasy, making it easy to use multiple times per day."

Infused with the French brand's famous thermal spring water, Avène's Eau Thermale Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream provides immediate comfort for dry, red, and itchy skin affected by eczema. It contains a soothing copper-zinc sulfate blend, which supports a healthy skin environment, as well as its own protein-rich ingredient called C+ Restore that helps protect and preserve the skin barrier. 

Board-certified dermatologist Jennifer Segal, MD — who is based in Houston, Texas — says this product is her favorite rich-in-texture eczema cream. Segal notes that it's ideal for facial eczema, specifically the eyelid and neck areas.

CeraVe's Moisturizing Cream contains ceramides (a lipid naturally found in the skin), as well as glycerin and hyaluronic acid to deeply moisturize dry and irritated skin. "This cream can help restore the skin’s protective barrier and hydration," says board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD, who is based in New York City, adding that it keeps the barrier itself intact and retains moisture in the skin.

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 Adam Friedman, MD — an associate professor of dermatology at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C. — research studies show that Lipikar Cream can help to "normalize and diversify the bacterial communities on the skin." This, he explains, helps to reduce the activity of the disease and decrease recurrence after stopping topical steroids.

Packed with glycerin to seal in moisture and colloidal oatmeal to soothe irritated skin, Aveeno's Eczema Therapy Itch Relief Balm will stop itch in its tracks — on your face and body. This fragrance-free option even has a National Eczema Association Seal of Approval and two thumbs up from New York City-based dermatologist Michele Green, MD to back it up. "Rich in colloidal oatmeal, this lotion is the perfect over-the-counter treatment for mild to moderate eczema," she says. "The oats bind to the skin creating a shield against irritation while locking in natural moisture from your skin."

SkinFix’s Eczema+ Hand Repair Cream is clinically proven to improve dryness, redness, or cracked skin on hands (and this includes irritation caused by eczema). New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD names this eczema cream as her favorite option for patients. Combining ingredients like soothing colloidal oatmeal, plus moisturizing allantoin and sweet almond oil, the cream curbs itch while hydrating the skin simultaneously.

The latest 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.

Board-certified dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD, who is based in New York City, says she 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.

Board-certified dermatologist Scott Paviol, MD — who is based in Charlotte, North Carolina — 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 percent concentration), the cream is designed to relieve itching and irritation almost immediately.

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. Dr. Garshick says this rich, thick cream also contains antioxidants to help fight off environmental stressors.

Britt Craiglow, MD — a board-certified dermatologist specializing in rare skin conditions (including eczema), who is based in Fairfield, Connecticut — 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.

Eczema Honey's Original Skin-Soothing Cream feels like a lightweight balm, but melts into the skin quickly without leaving any greasy residue behind. Instead — thanks to a hydrating blend of pure honey, along with almond and sunflower oils — it leaves the skin looking moisturized and visibly healthier. You'll also find colloidal oatmeal in the formula to help temper itchiness and calm irritation.