The 11 Best Dermatologist-Approved Lotions for Itchy, Eczema-Prone Skin
If you have eczema, you probably have an arsenal of products that you use to keep your skin happy. I certainly do. I’ve had eczema my whole life, and I’ve cycled through a variety of lotions for eczema in my attempts to keep flares at bay. Still, as I began my research for the best lotions for eczema, I didn’t 100 percent understand the difference between lotions, creams, and ointments. I was determined to find out — and figure out which ingredients good eczema lotions contain while I was at it.
“Lotions are the most lightweight, are easy to spread over large areas, and are better for skin that’s not extremely dry,” compared with creams and ointments, says Jacquelyn Dosal, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at The Dermatology House in Park City, Utah. She explains that lotions should be reserved for an area that needs high spreadability, like the scalp, or a large body surface area such as the back.
Finally, an eczema lotion that works on one part of your body may not have the same results on a different part. You may need to experiment with different varieties to find something that helps. In other words: As someone with eczema, you’ve got to become a master of trial and error. Not everything will work for everyone, but our hope is that this list can offer a few options that will offer relief. Here’s what we recommend.
Our Top Picks for the Best Lotions for Eczema
- Best for daily use: Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion
- Best overnight: Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy Hydrating Lotion
- Best no-frills: Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion
- Best for hands: Gold Bond Eczema Relief Medicated Skin Protectant Lotion
- Best for body: Nécessaire The Body Lotion
- Best for itch relief: Cortizone-10 Intensive Healing Lotion for Eczema
- Best with honey: Eczema Honey Oatmeal Body Lotion
- Best lightweight: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
- Best rich: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Body Lotion for Normal to Dry Skin
- Best drugstore: Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
- Best for kids: Evereden Protecting Baby Lotion

Best for Daily Use
Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion
Pros
- Long-lasting moisture keeps skin hydrated all day
- Enriched with ceramide-3
- Fragrance-, dye-, paraben-free
- Lightweight
- Fast absorbing
Cons
- Some users report an unpleasant smell
- Does not have the NEA Seal of Acceptance
However, it does not contain a Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association (NEA). The NEA seal is generally a great way to gauge a product’s safety and efficacy. To meet the NEA’s standards, products undergo testing for sensitivity, irritation, and toxicity from the NEA’s Scientific Oversight Committee, which also reviews the product’s ingredients and formulation data. For this list, we’ve tried to stick to products that have the seal. Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion was recommended by Dina Strachan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Aglow Dermatology in New York City, and our research indicated that it deserved a spot on our list even without the seal.

Best Overnight
Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy Hydrating Lotion
Pros
- 72-hour hydration with ceramides and squalane
- Not greasy
- Fragrance-free
- Absorbs quickly
- NEA Seal of Acceptance
Cons
- Runny texture
- May leave oily feeling on hands
This lotion from Physiogel delivers hydration that lasts for 72 hours, making it a great choice for the overnight shift. Ceramide-3, or ceramide NP, works hard here, as does squalane, a moisturizing oil, and lecithin, an emollient. All three work together to deliver a lotion that’s extremely hydrating and calming.
This lotion also absorbs quickly. It’s perfect for applying after a shower and before pj’s, then slipping into an itch-free sleep.
/cvs-vanicream-daily-facial-moisturizer-500x500.jpg?sfvrsn=75f32bec_3)
Best No-Frills
Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion
Pros
- Common, effective ingredient list
- Free from fragrances, dyes, lanolin, paraben, and botanical extracts
- Lightweight
- NEA Seal of Acceptance
Cons
- Contains propylene glycol, which can be an allergen
- Doesn’t contain shea butter or colloidal oatmeal
Among people with eczema, Vanicream can feel like our little secret. It’s not advertised, the bottle isn’t sexy, and celebrities don’t list it in their 10-step skin-care routines. But the brand makes solid, no-frills products that consistently moisturize eczematous skin. With 11 common listed ingredients — the first one being purified water — it’s the antithesis of overwrought.

Best for Hands
Gold Bond Eczema Relief Medicated Skin Protectant Lotion
Pros
- Leaves hands feeling soft, not greasy
- Relieves roughness and redness
- Contains 2 percent colloidal oatmeal, aloe
- NEA Seal of Acceptance
Cons
- May pill on skin
- Thick texture may not appeal to all

Best for Body
Nécessaire The Body Lotion
Pros
- Contains 2.5 percent niacinamide, peptides
- Shea butter, glycerin to moisturize
- Fragrance-free
- Free from silicone, phthalates, parabens
- NEA Seal of Acceptance
Cons
- Most expensive lotion on our list
- May not feel moisturizing enough for some

Best for Itch Relief
Cortizone-10 Intensive Healing Lotion for Eczema
Pros
- Contains 1 percent hydrocortisone to help relieve itchy skin
- Includes vitamins A, C, and E and aloe to soothe inflamed skin
- Glycerin, shea butter to moisturize
- NEA Seal of Acceptance
Cons
- Not for those who dislike using hydrocortisone
- Should not be used more than seven consecutive days

Best With Honey
Eczema Honey Oatmeal Body Lotion
Pros
- Rich, nongreasy texture
- Contains colloidal oatmeal to soothe itch
- Shea butter, glycerin to moisturize
- Fragrance-free
- NEA Seal of Acceptance
Cons
- Comes in small bottle
- Pump makes it difficult to access all of the lotion

Best Lightweight
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Pros
- Lightweight, nongreasy
- Contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid
- Fragrance-free
- NEA Seal of Acceptance
Cons
- Thinner consistency
- Contains parabens
All that good stuff is evident in how this lotion performs. It absorbs quickly, has a silky feeling, and even works well under makeup. That may be due to CeraVe’s proprietary MultiVesicular Emulsion technology, which the brand says is a structure of time-released spheres that moisturize in multiple phases.

Best Rich
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Body Lotion for Normal to Dry Skin
Pros
- Rich, creamy texture
- Contains shea butter, glycerin, and niacinamide to moisturize
- Not greasy
- Fragrance-free
- NEA Seal of Acceptance
Cons
- Pump makes it difficult to access some of the lotion
- Some users report oily smell
A thick, rich lotion can feel especially soothing when your skin is angry — and this lotion from La Roche-Posay is just that. The deep hydration hits upon application, and it absorbs fast, so you start to feel relief right away.

Best Drugstore
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
Pros
- Widely available in stores, online
- Contains niacinamide, panthenol, and glycerin for hydration
- Absorbs quickly
- Free of fragrance, parabens, lanolin, sulfates
- NEA Seal of Acceptance
Cons
- May feel greasy to some
- Not for those who prefer a lighter texture
Cetaphil’s texture is thick and creamy, and it absorbs quickly, leaving skin feeling hydrated, and has no noticeable smell.

Best for Kids
Evereden Protecting Baby Lotion
Pros
- Formulated especially for newborns
- Contains glycerin, shea butter to moisturize
- Free from fragrance, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, petrolatum
- NEA Seal of Acceptance
Cons
- Texture may feel greasy to some
- May be difficult to dispense
Even if you’ve managed with eczema as an adult and know the ins and outs, seeing your child live with it can be heartbreaking. For all kids — and especially for newborns and babies — you want to find the right product that is sure to help, not harm, and to offer real relief.
Comparison Table
Other Lotions for Eczema We Considered
Target up&up Daily Moisturizing Lotion was also on our list for daily use. It does have the NEA Seal of Acceptance and contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid to replenish moisture. The Eucerin lotion got our top spot because we trust our expert’s recommendation, but this is certainly a viable alternative.
Sarna Sensitive Anti-Itch Lotion also boasts the NEA Seal of Acceptance. This one uses 2 percent colloidal oatmeal as well as shea butter, jojoba oil, and beta-glucan to attack itch and can be quite effective.
How We Chose the Best Lotions for Eczema
I’ve had eczema all my life, and I have over a decade of experience writing about health, wellness, and lifestyle topics. To come up with our picks for the best lotions for eczema, I considered my first-hand experience, read hundreds of reviews from other people with eczema, and spoke to three dermatologists to narrow it down to our top eight picks.
I asked our experts for specific product recommendations and guidance on topics like when lotion is appropriate for eczema (as opposed to cream or ointment), what ingredients they look for in lotions for eczema, and which ingredients to avoid. Finally, I spent time reading studies to back up their recommendations and ensured that each product recommended met their criteria. Here are the experts I consulted:
- Jacquelyn Dosal, MD, board-certified dermatologist at The Dermatology House in Park City, Utah
- Dina Strachan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Aglow Dermatology in New York City
What to Consider When Buying a Lotion for Eczema
When shopping for lotions to calm your eczema, look for products that are fragrance-free and don’t contain alcohol. Also, keep an eye out for eczema-friendly ingredients like ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin.
You can also get peace of mind by looking for the NEA Seal of Acceptance. For a product to meet the NEA’s standards, it undergoes testing for sensitivity, irritation, and toxicity by the NEA’s Scientific Oversight Committee. The committee also reviews the product’s ingredients and formulation data.
What’s the Difference Between Lotion, Cream, and Ointment?
As far as when to use which kind of treatment, Dosal says that ointments are better for trapping in moisture and are better for sensitive or damaged skin. Creams, made from oil in a water base, are still great for hydration and have the bonus of being a bit easier to spread. Finally, lotions are the most lightweight, making them easier to spread over large areas and better for skin that’s not extremely dry.
What’s the Difference Between Eczema and Psoriasis?
Will My Eczema Get Better or Worse as I Get Older?
FAQ
Why Trust Everyday Health

Jana Pollack
Author
Jana Pollack is a freelance writer, editor, and creative strategist with significant experience writing about health, wellness, and lifestyle topics, including mental health, fitne...

Jacquelyn Dosal, MD
Medical Reviewer
Jacquelyn Dosal, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at The Dermatology House in Park City, Utah. Her areas of expertise include acne, rosacea, integrative treatments...

Ray Finch
Fact-Checker
Ray Finch is a content specialist with expertise in fact-checking, copy-editing, sensitivity reading, and content management, and has worked with publishers including Health.com, P...

Lili Ladaga
Editor
- Fujii M. The Pathogenic and Therapeutic Implications of Ceramide Abnormalities in Atopic Dermatitis. Cells. September 10, 2021.
- Patel K et al. Irritant Contact Dermatitis — a Review. Current Dermatology Reports. April 7, 2022.
- Spada F et al. A daily regimen of a ceramide‐dominant moisturizing cream and cleanser restores the skin permeability barrier in adults with moderate eczema: A randomized trial. Dermatologic Therapy. May 24, 2021.
- What Are Ceramides? Cleveland Clinic. April 15, 2025.
- Breternitz M et al. Placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, prospective study of a glycerol-based emollient on eczematous skin in atopic dermatitis: biophysical and clinical evaluation. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 2008.
- Celleno L et al. The Use of Urea Cream for Hand Eczema and Urea Foam for Seborrheic Dermatitis and Psoriasiform Dermatoses of the Scalp. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. November 11, 2022.
- Can Squalane Help Eczema? National Eczema Association. September 20, 2024.
- Raut S et al. Lecithin Organogel: A Promising Carrier for the Treatment of Skin Diseases. ACS Omega. February 2024.
- Czarnowicki T et al. Petrolatum: Barrier repair and antimicrobial responses underlying this "inert" moisturizer. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. April 2016.
- Pemberton MA et al. Propylene glycol, skin sensitisation and allergic contact dermatitis: A scientific and regulatory conundrum. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. February 2023.
- Weidinger S et al. Hand Eczema. The Lancet. December 14, 2024.
- Reynertson KA et al. Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. January 2015.
- Hekmatpou D et al. The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review. Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences. January 2019.
- Top 6 Benefits of Niacinamide. Cleveland Clinic. December 19, 2022.
- Zhu J et al. A single‐center, randomized, controlled study on the efficacy of niacinamide‐containing body emollients combined with cleansing gel in the treatment of mild atopic dermatitis. Skin Research and Technology. September 19, 2023.
- Moisturizing for Eczema. National Eczema Association. March 21, 2025.
- Pintea A et al. Peptides: Emerging Candidates for the Prevention and Treatment of Skin Senescence: A Review. Biomolecules. January 9, 2025.
- Hydrocortisone Cream, Lotion, Ointment, or Solution. Cleveland Clinic.
- Over-the-Counter Medications. National Eczema Association. May 6, 2025.
- Mohammed H. Anti-inflammatory properties of raw honey and its clinical applications in daily practice. Qatar Medical Journal. April 2022.
- Palma-Morales M et al. A Comprehensive Review of the Effect of Honey on Human Health. Nutrients. July 2023.
- Hyaluronic Acid. Cleveland Clinic. May 4, 2022.
- Taub A et al. An open label study evaluating a hyaluronic acid–ceramide based prescription emollient foam in the treatment of mild to moderate eczema. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. February 2011.
- Sivapiromrat P et al. The Comparative Efficacy Between Shea Butter-Ceramide Cream and 1% Hydrocortisone Cream in Childhood Atopic Dermatitis. The Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. 2021.
- Breternitz M et al. Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Randomized, Prospective Study of a Glycerol-Based Emollient on Eczematous Skin in Atopic Dermatitis: Biophysical and Clinical Evaluation. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 2008.
- Zeichner J et al. From Probiotic to Prebiotic Using Thermal Spring Water. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2018.
- Stettler H et al. A new topical panthenol-containing emollient for maintenance treatment of childhood atopic dermatitis: results from a multicenter prospective study. The Journal of Dermatological Treatment. December 2017.
- Chen HJ et al. Moisture retention of glycerin solutions with various concentrations: a comparative study. Scientific Reports. June 17, 2022.
- Nadora D et al. Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Vehicle-Controlled Study of Topical Coconut and Sunflower Seed Oil-Derived Isosorbide Diesters on Atopic Dermatitis. Dermatitis: Contact, Atopic, Occupational, Drug. January-February 2024.
- How to Choose the Best Eczema Cream. Cleveland Clinic. April 29, 2022.
- Eczema or Psoriasis? How to Tell the Difference. Cleveland Clinic. June 7, 2022.
- Is it Eczema or Psoriasis? National Eczema Association. March 3, 2025.
- Can You Get Eczema as an Adult? American Academy of Dermatology.