Baby soft skin is not a given—and if your little one has dry, irritated skin it may be a sign of eczema. The skin condition is common in babies, often first appearing between 2 and 4 months of age. “Baby eczema usually shows up as dry, pink, itchy patches on the skin,” says Brittany Craiglow , MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. “It can affect any area of the body, but the diaper area is usually spared.”
Eczema can’t be cured, but moisturizing the skin liberally with a baby eczema cream is a good first step. “Moisturizing creams contain humectants that help to retain water in our skin and ceramides that serve to strengthen and protect the skin barrier, thus preventing the entry of allergens that can cause inflammation,” explains Pooja Rambhia , MD, a board-certified dermatologist completing a cosmetic and dermatologic surgery fellowship at UnionDerm . With that said, Rambhia recommends a multi-faceted approach to treat infant eczema. “This involves the use of gentle skin care products that do not contain fragrances or other common skin irritants, liberal use of moisturizers, and in more moderate to severe cases, dermatologist-prescribed topical anti-inflammatory ointments for exacerbations.” During flare-ups eczema cream should typically be applied twice daily. The key is using baby eczema cream strategically: Slather on a thick layer right after baby’s bath and once more during the day. If the eczema itch is interfering with baby’s sleep routine or a rash looks infected, consult your pediatrician or dermatologist who can help manage your child’s symptoms with a treatment plan and a skin maintenance routine.
But which cream is best for baby eczema? Good question. Every child is different so finding the right topical treatment can be a process of trial and error. To help you on your search we’ve gathered tips on what to look for—plus, a few of the best baby eczema creams on the market.
Our top picks: Best overall baby eczema cream Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream at Walmart, $9.78 Jump to Review Best everyday baby eczema cream CeraVe Baby Gentle Moisturizing Cream at Walmart, $8.97 Jump to Review Best baby eczema face cream Mustela Baby Stelatopia Emollient Face Cream at Mustela, $15 Jump to Review Best baby eczema cream for sensitive skin Gladskin Eczema Cream for Babies and Kids at Gladskin, $59 Jump to Review Best baby eczema balm Honest Eczema Soothing Therapy Balm at Honest, $15.99 Jump to Review Best baby eczema cream for flare-ups Mommy's Bliss Baby Eczema Ease Spot Treatment at Walmart, $7.98 Jump to Review Best organic baby eczema cream Earth Mama Organics Eczema Cream at Earth Mama Organics, $16.99 Jump to Review Best affordable baby eczema cream Vaseline 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly at Walmart, $5.95 Jump to Review In this article: How we chose the best baby eczema creams Best baby eczema creams What to look for in a baby eczema cream
How We Chose the Best Baby Eczema Creams
Baby’s health and wellness is of the utmost importance, so eczema flare-ups can cause a considerable amount of stress for the whole family. So when it comes to baby eczema cream we know you want something that actually works. And our goal is to do the bulk of the research for you, so you don’t have to spend time scrolling through online retailers. To help you find the best eczema cream for baby we took the following steps:
- We consulted two board-certified dermatologists to get the low-down on how to treat infant eczema, as well as specific ingredients to avoid in lotions and creams.
- We consulted guidelines from the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) for more information on how to treat eczema flare-ups in children.
- We only considered products that were awarded the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance .
- We leveraged our familiarity with leading baby brands to make sure items are from reliable manufacturers.
- We read user reviews to get the low-down on how these products work for families, and typically don’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles , including product reviews.
Best Baby Eczema Creams
Still not sure what fits the bill? Take a look at these baby eczema creams, all designed to offer sweet relief. Whether you’re looking for a basic everyday moisturizer or a heavy-duty ointment for those super-sensitive hot spots, these are the best eczema creams for babies.
Best overall baby eczema cream
Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream Image: Walmart Buying Options Walmart | $9.78 Amazon | $9.82 What We Love- Fragrance-free
- Contains colloidal oatmeal
- Some parents dislike the natural scent
First up on our list of the best baby eczema creams is this classic choice by Aveeno. Developed by dermatologists, the star ingredient is colloidal oatmeal, which has soothing, anti-inflammatory properties. It’s enriched with vitamin B5 and the formula is free from steroids, fragrances, parabens, phthalates and phenoxyethanol. It’s thick and creamy without being greasy or tacky, making it a good all-purpose option. And, like all our picks for the best eczema creams for babies, this lotion was awarded a seal of approval from the NEA .
NEA approved: Yes | Quantity: 5 oz. | Active ingredient: Colloidal oatmeal (1%)
Buy NowBest everyday baby eczema cream
CeraVe Baby Gentle Moisturizing Cream Image: Walmart Buying Options Walmart | $8.97 Amazon | $8.97 What We Love- Contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid
- Fragrance-free
- Not specifically formulated for eczema
The magic ingredient in this top-rated baby eczema cream? Ceramides—aka lipids that help maintain the skin’s natural barrier. It also boasts skincare star hyaluronic acid, an ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. Developed with pediatric dermatologists, CeraVe’s baby cream is fragrance-free, paraben-free and gentle on sensitive skin. Plus, it’s formulated to deliver up to 24 hours of soothing relief, earning it a place among the best eczema creams for babies.
NEA approved: Yes | Quantity: 5 oz. | Active ingredient: N/A
Buy NowBest baby eczema face cream
Mustela Baby Stelatopia Emollient Face Cream Image: Mustela Buying Options Mustela | $15 iHerb | $14.50 Amazon | $15 What We Love- Naturally-derived ingredients
- Fragrance-free
- Clinically tested on eczema-prone skin
- High price per ounce
When it comes to extra-sensitive areas, like the face, a regular lotion won’t cut it. But this baby eczema face cream by Mustela, is up to the task thanks to a non-occlusive formula that won't sting if it accidentally gets in their eyes. It’s also packed with naturally derived moisturizers like sunflower oil and avocado, and the light, fast-absorbing texture makes it great for quick daytime applications (especially when you’re out and about). Gently massage it into baby’s cheeks, chin and nose for gentle, soothing relief you can rely on.
NEA approved: Yes | Quantity: 1.5 fl. oz. | Active ingredient: Avocado perseose
Buy NowBest baby eczema cream for sensitive skin
Gladskin Eczema Cream for Babies and Kids Image: Gladskin Buying Options Gladskin | $59 What We Love- Fragrance-free
- Suitable for face and body
- Good option for children with an oat-allergy
- High price point
Introducing an alternative to oat-based eczema treatments: Gladskin Eczema Cream for Babies and Kids. Formulated for sensitive, eczema-prone skin this cream boasts “Micreobalance”—a smart protein that defends against bad bacteria—to restore balance to the skin and reduce irritation. It’s free from fragrance, preservatives and parabens and is an accepted treatment by the NEA. Granted, it’s expensive. But this lotion is proven to show results and is so gentle that it can be used just about anywhere on the body (yep, even sensitive areas like the eyelids).
NEA approved: Yes | Quantity: 3.4 oz. | Active ingredient: N/A
Buy NowBest baby eczema balm
Honest Eczema Soothing Therapy Balm Image: Honest Buying Options Honest | $15.99 Target | $15.99 What We Love- Cruelty-free
- Thick ointment is good for eczema flare-ups
- USDA certified biobased product
- Slightly greasy texture
oil—this baby eczema cream soothes your little one’s sensitive skin. The thick ointment is an effective treatment for dry, flakey patches but it’s still gentle enough for daily use. It’s hypoallergenic and free of steroids, earning it a stamp of approval from dermatologists and the NEA
NEA approved: Yes | Quantity: 3 oz. | Active ingredient: Colloidal oatmeal (1%)
Buy NowBest baby eczema cream for flare-ups
Mommy's Bliss Baby Eczema Ease Spot Treatment Image: Target Buying Options Walmart | $7.98 Target | $6.29 Amazon | $6.29 What We Love- Thick formula is great for flare-ups
- High percentage of colloidal oatmeal
- Can be used on infants 2 weeks old and up
- Some parents say the salve isn’t easily absorbed
Looking for the best baby eczema cream to treat flare-ups? Mommy’s Bliss Eczema Ease Spot Treatment is a rich salve that uses the calming power of colloidal oatmeal to moisturize and soothe irritated skin. It’s free from steroids, fragrances, parabens and phthalates and is approved by the NEA. Apply it to sore spots and itchy rashes for fast relief, or use it daily in combination with Mommy’s Bliss probiotic drops and daily moisturizer.
NEA approved: Yes | Quantity: 2 oz. | Active ingredient: Colloidal oatmeal (5%)
Buy NowBest organic baby eczema cream
Earth Mama Organics Eczema Cream Image: Earth Mama Organics Buying Options Earth Mama Organics | $16.99 Target | $15.29 What We Love- Fragrance-free
- High percentage of colloidal oatmeal
- Grainy texture
- Contains essential oils
Skip the harsh chemicals in favor of natural relief with Earth Mama Organics. The soothing formula is made with organic herbs and a generous dose of colloidal oatmeal (5 percent to be exact). It’s cruelty-free, steroid-free and approved by the NEA. Plus, this baby eczema cream is an effective treatment for insect bites and rashes caused by poison ivy, oak or sumac.
NEA approved: Yes | Quantity: 3 oz. | Active ingredient: Colloidal oatmeal (5%)
Buy NowBest affordable baby eczema cream
Vaseline 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly Image: Target Buying Options Walmart | $5.95 Amazon | $15.50 for pack of 2 What We Love- Affordable price point
- Fragrance-free
- One ingredient
- Greasy texture
One of the thickest ointments out there? Plain old petroleum jelly! It’s a dermatologist favorite for deep hydration, marking it out as one of the best eczema cream for babies. It’s triple-purified to remove irritants—plus, a thin layer moisturizes the skin and forms a protective barrier to prevent chafing. And it’s super-affordable too! The only downside? It’ll pretty much turn your babe into a slippery, greased-up watermelon. Instead of applying it all over every day, save it for hot spots or intense flare-ups.
NEA approved: Yes | Quantity: 33 oz. | Active ingredient: N/A
Buy Now
What to Look for in a Baby Eczema Cream
Not sure what to look for when choosing a baby eczema cream? Here are a few key things to look for and avoid:
- Look for products with the NEA Seal of Acceptance . In general, creams with this certification are safe bets. These products have been tested for sensitivity, irritation and toxicity and are free from ingredients on the Ecz-clusion List . (An ever-evolving list of ingredients that are known to aggravate eczema symptoms.)
- Thick formulas are best. The most effective baby eczema lotions are thick, almost greasy-feeling ointments or creams. According to the AAP , the creamier the moisturizer, the better it will work to combat the symptoms of eczema. Thinner lotions are better than nothing, but they’re not as effective at locking in moisture and restoring the skin barrier.
- Take a seasonal approach to infant eczema care. Rambhia suggests taking the climate into consideration when choosing an eczema cream for your child. “In the wintertime, I prefer ointments over creams and lotions as they provide better skin barrier protection, which is ideal given cold and dry climates. These can be swapped out for creams in the summertime to minimize the greasy feeling that thicker ointments can have in warmer and more humid climates.”
- Don’t buy fragranced products. “I tell all my parents, if you close your eyes and can recognize the scent of your child’s eczema cream—get rid of it!” says Rambhia. Why? “Fragrance can be a major irritant to skin, and when the skin is already inflamed and cracked, these irritants can worsen the existing inflammation in your child’s skin,” continues Rambhia. To avoid potential flare-ups, choose baby eczema creams and lotions that are truly fragrance free. Although Rambhia notes that many baby creams marketed as “unscented” or “fragrance-free” do in fact contain fragrance used to mask naturally-occurring odors of a product. “These fragrances are a common allergen that patients with eczema-prone skin should avoid.”
- Be wary of essential oils. Rambhia recommends steering clear of creams that contain essential oils. “While they may seem more ‘natural,’ essential oils are equally as likely as synthetic fragrances to irritate skin, particularly in those with sensitive skin.”
- Avoid alcohol-based formulas. Alcohol is commonly found in gel-based moisturizers and lotions. According to Rambhia, “alcohol-based moisturizers should also be avoided, as these can cause stinging and burning when applied to inflamed skin and can dehydrate the skin.”
- Practice gentle bathing. To get the most out of an infant eczema cream, practice gentle bathing techniques. According to Rambhia this involves limiting baths to 5 to 10 minutes in length, using lukewarm water and avoiding fragrant baby soaps.
Remember that even the best eczema cream won’t work overnight and moisturizers aren’t the end-all-be-all to eczema management. “It’s important to get your baby on a good skincare regimen that minimizes exposures to irritants and common allergens, involves gentle bathing practices, twice-daily consistent use of moisturizers, and topical corticosteroids when necessary,” explains Rambhia. If you have not noticed improvement within one to two weeks, Rambia says to evaluate the products you’re using and consider alternative formulations. And if your child’s eczema is not improving with the aforementioned treatment guidelines, or symptoms are worsening, seek the expertise and guidance of a board-certified dermatologist.
