If you have eczema, I feel your pain—not to mention the itch. Eczema can be a troublesome and painful skin condition and particularly difficult to manage, no matter how big or small a flare is. Skincare products that once worked for you now make your skin sting, and trying to find products for your skincare routine that won't irritate your sensitive skin can be a long, laborious task—and an expensive one, too.
I've had a number of major eczema flares on my face and body, and what no one tells you about buying eczema or sensitive skincare products is the sheer cost of trial and error when you're looking for eczema creams that actually work. And when you're in the midst of an eczema flare, you're usually willing to try anything to help soothe your skin. However, trying too many serums, cleansers or moisturisers can also make matters worse by affecting your skin barrier, and you can end up in a vicious cycle.
My skin during an eczema flare.
My skin post-eczema.
Name a product made for eczema-prone skin, and I've probably tried it. Over the years, I've tried hundreds. However, everyone's skin and eczema flares are personal to them. A holy-grail eczema cream that works for one person might not work for another, and what triggers one person's eczema flare might be perfectly tolerable for another person.
For me, stress and fragranced products can be big triggers for my eczema, so I try to manage this where I can. Seeing my GP and eventually being referred to see a dermatologist helped hugely in learning to manage and understand my eczema flares, and I was prescribed creams and ointments that really helped to get the eczema under control. However, I seriously overhauled my skincare routine too, which helped me to repair my skin barrier and bring my skin back to a happy place.
I've tried and tested lots of different eczema products. These are some of my favourites.
My biggest change was switching over all my skincare. I totally avoided any exfoliating acids, retinoids and vitamin C products, as my skin couldn't tolerate these during a flare. And trust me, as a beauty editor with a cupboard full of fancy serums and creams, it felt like a bit of a punishment. Knowing it was the right thing to do to heal my skin, I instead switched to reliable pharmacy skincare. My dermatologist recommended sticking to fragrance-free skincare and ranges designed for sensitive skin alongside my prescribed steroid creams. Brands such as La Roche-Posay, Avène, Eucerin and CeraVe cater very well to sensitive skin and are mostly affordable, too.
Ahead, I've listed all the best eczema creams and products. I've tried every single one and can vouch for their effectiveness to help soothe eczema flares without irritating. What's more, most of these products can be picked up in your local pharmacy, but I've also linked them below if you want to stock up.
The Best Eczema Creams, Tried & Tested
1. Avène Cicalfate
I'm quite prone to eczema flares on my eyelids, which can be one of the sorest areas for eczema to appear. This cream from Avène really works to help repair broken skin. In fact, in France, pharmacies often recommend this cream as an antidote to grazes for its ability to repair sore skin. It has a cream-like consistency that creates an antibacterial "bandage" over the skin. Oh, and Hailey Bieber is also a fan Cicalfate fan.
2. Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
During eczema flares, this is the only hydrating hyaluronic acid serum that doesn't sting my skin. It really infuses the skin with moisture, and I love to layer it underneath a moisturiser to help keep my skin feeling comfortable throughout the day.
3. Aveeno Dermexa Emollient Cream
I've gone through countless tubes of this amazing body lotion. When the skin on my body flares, this really helps to take the fire out of the skin. It also has a balmy, velvety texture that's long-lasting and hydrating. My skin literally breathes a sigh of relief when I use it.
4. Curél Intensive Moisture Facial Cream
This brand launched in the UK a couple of years ago, but it's one of the most popular brands in Japan for sensitive skin, and I can totally understand why. This moisturiser has a light-than-air texture that somehow manages to leave skin feeling hydrated for hours.
5. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Moisturising Body Balm Ap+M
This is the type of body balm that you really have to squeeze out of the tube. It has that kind of thick, long-lasting consistency that covers skin in a protective shield. I rely on this during winter to help protect my skin from cold weather and moisture-sapping heating.
6. Avène Tolerance Extrême Emulsion Moisturiser
I often rely on Avène's moisturisers when my skin is sensitive and my skin barrier has been compromised. It's a rich texture, so it's better suited to wintertime, but really helps to soothe and repair while being ultra-gentle on the skin.
7. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
My hands are often prone to stubborn eczema flares that never seem to completely go away. Cleaning products, fragrance and, to be totally honest, anything seems to cause a flare-up. For on-the-go, I love to keep a tube of this in my bag to help soothe irritation. I've lost count of how many tubes of Cicaplast I've gone through over the years. It's brilliant.
8. CeraVe Moisturising Cream
Ceramides are an ingredient to look out for in eczema products. They help to repair the building blocks in your skin, which, if they are compromised, can leave your skin feeling irritated. This whopping big tub from CeraVe is seriously good value and is a permanent fixture in my eczema-cream roster, as it helps to rebuild the skin barrier.
9. Epaderm Ointment
I'll admit it's not the sexiest-looking product out there. But this tub of creamy ointment is great to pat on to sore areas that need a bit of extra care or shielding from harsh elements. A little goes a long way, and it really helps to cocoon compromised areas of skin to help eczema heal.
10. Avène Xeracalm A.D. Lipid-Replenishing Balm Moisturiser
This is another of my favourite eczema creams. It has a balmy texture that envelops skin with a hydrating and lipid-replenishing film. It also helps to calm itchiness and repair the skin barrier.
11. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Moisturiser
I discovered this cream during an eczema flare, and it's become a mainstay in my skincare routine. If you have sensitive skin that's crying out for moisture, then I would recommend this moisturiser. In fact, I really rate everything in La Roche-Posay's Toleriane range, which caters to sensitive skin.
12. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra 8 Face Mist
While I wouldn't say that a face mist is essential, I really like this hydrating one from La Roche-Posay on the days I wear makeup. When I wear foundation, I find that my skin often looks dry by midday. However, I keep this on my desk to spritz my skin, which helps me hydrate my skin without the need to reapply a moisturiser over makeup.
13. Eucerin Acute Lip Balm
I absolutely swear by this lip balm from Eucerin. I suffer from really dry lips and eczema around my mouth, which can often lead to the corners of my mouth cracking. This was the only lip balm that actually helped to soothe the irritation and repair soreness. It has a balmy texture that I adore. I'm never without a tube in my bag.
14. La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVmune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF 50+
When I was using my prescription creams, I wanted to make sure I was protecting my fragile skin from the sun. This SPF from La Roche-Posay is so gentle and leaves my skin feeling hydrated and comfortable.
15. Avène Gentle Milk Cleanser
This is one of my favourite cleansers ever, and it just so happens to be brilliant for eczema-prone skin types too. It's ultra gentle and melts away makeup without any stinging on compromised skin.
16. Curél Hydrating Water Essence
When you have eczema, it can feel like the joy is taken out of your skincare routine when using prescription medications and basic skincare. This hydrating essence, however, is a great way to slot more hydration into your skincare routine without upsetting your skin. It has a watery texture that's designed to sit underneath a serum. It's like a tall glass of water for your skin.
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