9 Best Baby Eczema Creams to Soothe and Comfort Their Delicate Skin
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For a new parent, even a tiny red rash or dry skin on your baby's otherwise perfect butt can lead to freakout—so having the best baby eczema cream on hand can be a game-changer when you're navigating the early days of keeping your newborn happy, healthy, and generally alive. And that rash, be on your little one's face, behind their ears, in their neck folds, on their butt, or in any other of their many nooks and crannies, is totally normal. In many cases, it's just a sign of baby eczema.
First, a quick overview of eczema, full stop. Often known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is "a chronic skin condition that results in red, dry, itchy skin," says Laura Melnick, MD, a board-certified pediatric dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. Because this already common skin issue is so frequently seen among babies, most parents know to look out for the best-known eczema symptoms, such as redness, itchiness, dryness, and otherwise irritated skin, according to Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Square Dermatology in NYC.
But, while many eczema flareups are mild, baby eczema can still impact your bb's quality of life, making it tough to sleep and turning a notoriously challenging period in life for you into more of a hellscape. Not only that but not treating eczema-prone skin can be dire, too. "In the absence of treatment, the skin can be prone to itchiness, frequent flares, and, in some more severe cases, infection," says Dr. Melnick.
With that in mind, scroll ahead for the most effective eczema treatments for managing and protecting your child's skin. Hopefully, your baby will thank you — with an extremely long and very comfortable nap.
Mustela
Mustela Stelatopia Eczema-Prone Skin Emollient Baby Cream
Amazon
Why It's Worth It: When her daughter had horrible eczema, Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin relied on Mustela Stelatopia Intense Eczema Relief alongside the prescribed steroid cream. This combination "got us through it," she says. “Yes, it's thick and creamy, but it provided overnight healing and seemingly instant relief until we got to the bottom of her triggers.” Infused with a blend of colloidal oats and sunflower oil, it helps quell inflammation, relieve itchiness, and protect fragile skin from irritants. The emollient formula is also fragrance-free and has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, which means it meets standards like being free of certain allergens.
Editor Tip: The collection also includes the brand's Face Cream and Cleansing Oil, a gentler alternative to harsh soaps and cleansers found in standard washes.
Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, sunflower oil, avocado perseose
Noodle & Boo
Noodle & Boo Ultimate Ointment
Amazon
Saks Fifth Avenue
Maisonette
Why It's Worth It: If you've tried all oats everything, consider the Noodle & Boo Ultimate Ointment instead. "I got a sample of this in a baby gift set and found that it worked wonders for the eczema behind my daughter's knees," says Allure contributor Deanna Pai. Free of fragrance and common infant allergens like soy, dairy, and nuts, the formulation uses zinc oxide (the same ingredient found in physical sunscreens) to protect skin while it heals. It also creates a moisture-repelling barrier to keep damp skin, like that in creases and folds, from getting irritated.
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Editor Tip: It does contain lanolin, an ingredient derived from sheep's wool, so it's not vegan (although the brand says it's cruelty-free).
Key Ingredients: Aloe, allantoin, aloe vera extract
REN Skincare
Ren Clean Skincare Evercalm Barrier Support Body Balm
Dermstore
Amazon
Sephora
Why It's Worth It: Balms tend to be more solid than creams and ointments and create an additional, protective barrier over skin. That's the case with Ren Clean Skincare's Evercalm Barrier Support Body Balm, which transforms into an oil once it comes in contact with the warmth of the body. This rich formula "is formulated for sensitive skin, and contains naturally derived ceramides and a combination of oils to nourish the skin and provide long-lasting hydration and barrier support," says Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.
Editor Tip: This balm contains fragrance but has been tested to be hypoallergenic.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, sunflower oil, camellia seed oil
Aquaphor
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Amazon
Walmart
Why It's Worth It: You probably know it. You probably love it. Aquaphor Healing Ointment really is that girl for all things, your child's eczema included. Dr. Chang is a fan of this multipurpose, petroleum jelly-based ointment, noting that it "can be used to moisturize, heal, and protect baby’s skin." She also liked that you can use it daily without trouble, and that it provides extra defense for severe eczema flares in which skin gets chapped. It's also free of both fragrances and preservatives like parabens.
Editor Tip: Get the biggest possible tub so that after you're done slathering it onto your baby's neck folds, you can apply extra to chapped knuckles, onto dry lips, and into cuticles.
Key Ingredients: Petrolatum, panthenol, glycerin
Evereden
Evereden Baby Moisturizing Lotion
Amazon
Evereden
Why It's Worth It: For a more lightweight option, the Evereden Baby Moisturizing Lotion sinks in quickly and can layer nicely beneath other, more occlusive ointments when extra protection is needed. It has the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association and contains a blend of humectants, emollients, and occlusive ingredients to nourish skin on multiple fronts. Along with the usual suspects like oat extract, coconut oil, and sunflower seed oil are cucumber and quinoa extract, which help calm skin.
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Editor Tip: The pump on the bottle makes it a dream if you have a wiggly baby and only one hand to spare.
Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, coconut oil, shea butter
SkinFix
Skinfix Eczema+ Dermatitis Ceramide Face + Body Cream
Sephora
Why It's Worth It: The Skinfix Eczema+ Dermatitis Ceramide Face + Body Cream has an impressive lineup of active ingredients, with a whopping 5% colloidal oatmeal, 1% ceramides, and a 3.75% patented complex with lipids found in the skin barrier. In other words, the math is mathing, which means that together, this formula has been tested to be as effective as a 1% hydrocortisone cream—no actual steroid needed.
Editor Tip: It has a handy pump dispenser so you can dose out applications with one hand.
Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, shea butter.
Vanicream
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why It's Worth It: Dermatologists always point to this brand for sensitive skin, and Vanicream Moisturizing Cream is a good example of why. "It's a hypoallergenic, no-frills moisturizer that can provide relief to the skin," says Dr. Chang, who (no surprise) calls it one of her go-to brands for people of any age. "I love that it comes with a pump to maintain the cleanliness of the moisturizer."
Editor Tip: Vanicream offers a dedicated moisturizing cream for babies, but it's currently being reformulated, so she considers this formula a safe and similarly gentle substitute.
Key Ingredients: Petrolatum, simethicone
Eucerin
Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Flare-Up Treatment
Amazon
Walmart
Why It's Worth It: Dr. Chang calls Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Body Cream "a moisturizing cream that contains ceramides and colloidal oatmeal to soothe and repair the skin." Not only is it formulated without fragrances or dyes, but it also contains licorice root extract to further calm skin on top of the usual moisturizers.
Editor Tip: The brand only recommends it for babies three months and older, so check with your pediatrician before using it on a newborn.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, licorice extract
CeraVe
CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream
Amazon
Why It's Worth It: In some cases, steroids can be the fastest and most effective way to soothe seriously itchy skin. That's why the CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains 1% hydrocortisone—the maximum allowed over-the-counter—to help reduce eczema flares and offer quick itch relief, says Dr. Chang. Plus, "it's formulated with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to repair and protect the skin," she says.
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Editor Tip: Since this is recommended for toddlers over two years old, check with your pediatrician first to make sure it's okay to use. (Some might prefer to write their own prescription instead, too.)
Key Ingredients: Hydrocortisone, ceramides, hyaluronic acid
Aveeno
Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream
Amazon
Walmart
Why It's Worth It: The Aveeno Baby Eczema goes all-in on oats, which is why Dr. Chang is a fan. Along with oat oil and oat extract, "it's formulated with colloidal oatmeal to moisturizeand calm down irritated, itchy skin due to eczema," she says. Plus, she likes that it's unscented and doesn't contain common allergens like parabens, phthalates, and fragrances, making it a good option if other formulas tend to set off or worsen flares.
Editor Tip: The brand also has an Overnight Balm to seal in moisture overnight for healthier, more comfortable skin by the A.M.
Key Ingredients: Oat oil, colloidal oatmeal, panthenol
There's no one cause of eczema in babies, but it's "likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors," says Dr. Melnick. Eczema can also be triggered by external factors such as common allergens (like fragrance in skin-care products and laundry detergents), dry air, saliva or sweat, or long, hot baths, says Dr. Chang. The good news? Getting rid of these triggers can help alleviate or even prevent an eczema flare-up.
For itching, your baby's pediatrician might prescribe a steroid cream, which i
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