Eczema flare-ups can be frustrating — red, itchy, and uncomfortable skin makes daily life uncomfortable. But the right face cream can calm irritation, restore moisture, and repair your skin barrier — sometimes within minutes.
We’ve curated 8 derm-approved creams that soothe eczema, reduce itchiness, and provide long-lasting hydration. For each product, we explain why we love it, its best ingredients, benefits, and how to use it — so you can choose the one that fits your skin perfectly.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep creating helpful hair and beauty content!
TOP PICKS
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Soothing Relief Eczema Cream
Why We Love It
Instantly calms itching and redness, leaving skin feeling soft and comfortable without heaviness. Its lightweight, non-greasy texture absorbs quickly, making it perfect for sensitive facial skin and body areas alike. The combination of shea butter, glycerin, and niacinamide not only hydrates but also repairs the skin barrier, reducing flare-ups over time. It’s fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and clinically tested — making it a dermatologist favorite for both adults and children.
Key Ingredients & Benefits
Shea Butter & Glycerin: Deeply moisturizes and softens dry skin
Niacinamide: Reduces redness and strengthens the skin barrier
Aquaphil Technology: Locks in moisture for up to 48 hours
How to Use
Apply twice daily to affected areas
Can be used on face and body
Safe for adults, children, and babies
Eucerin Eczema Relief
Why We Love It
Eucerin Eczema Relief is our go-to for fast-acting itch relief. The colloidal oatmeal soothes irritated skin while ceramides repair the barrier, and glycerin locks in moisture. What sets it apart is its clinically proven relief in as little as 24 hours, making flare-ups more manageable. Its fragrance-free formula makes it gentle enough for daily use, even on sensitive facial areas. We love that it’s non-sticky, deeply hydrating, and reliable for eczema flare-ups.
Key Ingredients & Benefits
Colloidal Oatmeal: Relieves itching and irritation
Ceramides: Restore and strengthen the skin barrier
Glycerin: Hydrates and locks in moisture
How to Use
Apply liberally to the face and body as needed
Best used immediately after showering for maximum absorption
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Body and Face Moisturizer for Dry Skin
Why We Love It
CeraVe is iconic for sensitive, eczema-prone skin. We love this cream because of its MVE delivery system, which releases hydration gradually for long-lasting moisture. Ceramides rebuild the skin barrier, and hyaluronic acid draws moisture into the skin, leaving it plump, soft, and calm. Unlike heavier creams, it absorbs quickly without greasiness, making it perfect for morning routines or layering under makeup. It’s also fragrance-free, which makes it safe for the most reactive skin
Key Ingredients & Benefits
Ceramides: Repair the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss
Hyaluronic Acid: Attracts moisture to keep skin plump and hydrated
MVE Technology: Provides long-lasting, controlled hydration
How to Use
Apply daily, or more often for flare-ups
Safe for face and body
Fragrance-free for sensitive skin
Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Body Cream for Sensitive Skin
Why We Love It
Aveeno is a classic for instant soothing. The colloidal oatmeal calms itchiness while ceramides restore the skin’s barrier. It’s lightweight but rich enough to relieve tight, dry eczema-prone areas. What makes it stand out is the soft, creamy texture that melts into skin, leaving it feeling hydrated and comfortable all day. Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, it’s one of the easiest creams to incorporate into a daily routine.
Key Ingredients & Benefits
Colloidal Oatmeal: Soothes irritation and itch
Ceramides: Rebuild the skin barrier
Glycerin: Locks in hydration for all-day relief
How to Use
Apply generously to affected areas daily
Can be used on face and body
Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream with Pump Dispenser - 16 fl oz (1 lb) - Moisturizer
Why We Love It
Vanicream is perfect for extremely sensitive skin, including eczema and allergy-prone skin. We love it for its rich, protective emollients that lock in moisture without irritation. The pump dispenser makes it easy to apply generously without contamination. Its fragrance-free, dye-free, and paraben-free formula ensures even the most reactive skin types can use it safely. It’s our top choice for anyone needing intense hydration without risk of flare-ups.
Key Ingredients & Benefits
Petrolatum & Glycerin: Intensive moisture and protection
Hypoallergenic Formula: Safe for sensitive and allergy-prone skin
How to Use
Pump desired amount and apply to face and body
Use as often as needed for dryness or flare-ups
Murad Quick Relief Colloidal Oatmeal Treatment
Why We Love It
Murad Quick Relief is fast-acting and soothing. Within minutes, the colloidal oatmeal calms itch and irritation, while emollients restore softness. We love the lightweight, non-greasy texture that absorbs quickly, making it great for facial eczema or areas that feel tight and inflamed. It’s clinically tested, hypoallergenic, and perfect for flare-ups that need immediate relief.
Key Ingredients & Benefits
Colloidal Oatmeal: Calms inflamed skin
Glycerin & Emollients: Hydrate deeply
Anti-inflammatory Complex: Reduces flare-ups
How to Use
Apply directly to affected areas up to 3 times daily
Gentle enough for sensitive facial skin
Skinfix Dermatitis Relief Balm with 5% Colloidal Oatmeal & Vitamin E
Why We Love It
Skinfix Dermatitis Relief Balm is a powerhouse for stubborn eczema spots. The 5% colloidal oatmeal soothes severe irritation while vitamin E supports skin healing. Its rich, emollient texture creates a protective barrier without feeling heavy or greasy. We love that it provides all-day relief, is safe for sensitive facial and body skin, and strengthens the skin barrier with consistent use.
Key Ingredients & Benefits
Colloidal Oatmeal: Relieves itching and redness
Vitamin E: Supports skin repair
Rich Emollients: Provide long-lasting hydration
How to Use
Apply 1–2 times daily or as needed for flare-ups
Excellent for face, hands, and dry patches
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
Why We Love It
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream combines luxury and efficacy. The 4.5% squalane deeply hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier, while glycerin keeps skin soft and supple. Its lightweight, non-greasy texture absorbs quickly and is ideal for eczema-prone facial skin. We love it for daily use, under makeup or alone, and for the instant comfort and lasting moisture it provides to irritated, dry skin.
Key Ingredients & Benefits
Squalane: Restores moisture and strengthens barrier
Glycerin: Hydrates skin
Lightweight Texture: Absorbs quickly without greasiness
How to Use
Apply morning and night to dry or irritated areas
Suitable for sensitive and eczema-prone facial skin
Avène XeraCalm Eczema Calming Relief Balm, 3.3 Fl Oz
Why We Love It
Avène XeraCalm Balm is formulated with I-modulia to reduce inflammation and calm itch immediately. The ceramides and lipids repair the skin barrier, while its creamy texture hydrates deeply without feeling sticky. We love it for sensitive and reactive skin, especially during flare-ups, and for providing instant comfort while repairing long-term skin health.
Key Ingredients & Benefits
I-modulia: Reduces inflammation and itching
Ceramides & Lipids: Restore barrier function
Rich Hydration: Keeps skin soft all day
How to Use
Apply to face and body once or twice daily
Gentle enough for sensitive skin
FAQ
1: Can I use these creams every day?
A: Yes! Most eczema creams like CeraVe, Aveeno, and La Roche-Posay are safe for daily use. Apply once or twice daily, especially after cleansing, to lock in moisture and prevent flare-ups.
2: Are these creams safe for sensitive facial skin?
A: Absolutely. All the creams listed are fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and dermatologist-tested, making them safe for sensitive and eczema-prone faces.
3: How quickly will I see relief?
A: Many users notice itch relief and reduced redness within minutes, though consistent hydration over 1–2 weeks helps improve skin barrier health and prevents future flare-ups.
4: Can I use these creams on my body too?
A: Yes. Most creams like Eucerin, Vanicream, and Aveeno are safe for both face and body, especially dry patches on hands, arms, or legs.
5: What is the best ingredient for soothing eczema?
A: Key ingredients to look for include colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide. They soothe irritation, repair the skin barrier, and provide lasting hydration.