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When you think of a newborn baby, you probably have visions of smooth, velvety skin. After all, the phrase “smooth as a baby’s bottom” had to come from somewhere. So, what do you do if you discover that your little one is itchy, flaky, and covered in a skin rash?
If you’ve found yourself in this position, welcome to the world of baby eczema. Sometimes, offering your baby a quick supervised soak in the bath — no more than 10 to 15 minutes — followed by eczema cream can help lock moisture in.
Which cream? Well, that’s a tough question. You may find that your baby’s skin responds better to some treatments than others. This means you might have to try a few to find the best choice for you.
To help you on your quest, we’ve selected what we feel are the best baby eczema creams out there.
So, how do you know which creams are more likely to be effective? You’ll want to look for one that doesn’t irritate your baby’s skin.
You’ll also want to make sure that it locks in moisture to help treat the current flare-up while providing a barrier to prevent future flare-ups.
When choosing our favorite baby eczema creams, we tried to find ones that had a higher chance of success by considering:
- whether it’s a cream, lotion, or ointment
- if it’s fragrance-free
- if it’s hypoallergenic
Creams tend to be thick and good for all-day use, but they can include allergenic preservatives or fragrances that can make eczema worse.
Ointments tend to be very greasy and are not appropriate for weeping eczema. However, they have a lesser chance of stinging or burning than creams and lotions and tend to be more moisturizing. They may be better tolerated by infants.
Lotions have fewer fats than creams, and they’re usually water-based. This makes them easier to rub into the body but less effective at moisturizing skin.
Just because a cream is organic or natural, it doesn’t guarantee it’s hypoallergenic, so you’ll want to double-check for that distinction.
Also, we know that price can be a factor, so we made sure to keep that in mind.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $10
- $$ = over $10
Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream
Price: $
Colloidal oatmeal is the secret ingredient in this cream, which has the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance.
If you’re seeking something natural, you can rest easy knowing that this cream doesn’t include synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, or artificial coloring. But it’s still clinically proven to reduce itching and irritation caused by eczema.
Pros
- no synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, or artificial coloring
- National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
- well-known brand can be easy to find in a variety of stores
Cons
- may not clear skin as quickly as some other creams
CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Cream
Price: $
A thick cream, this product has the NEA Seal of Acceptance. The brand also offers lotion options, but we prefer the cream consistency.
Developed by dermatologists, this product can be used multiple times a day. Since it’s oil-free and fragrance-free, even those with super sensitive skin tend to tolerate it well.
As a bonus, it can be used anywhere on the body without leaving a greasy feeling behind.
Pros
- oil- and fragrance-free (nongreasy!)
- National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
- sold at a wide range of stores, which makes it easy to find
Cons
- can sting when applied to chapped and broken skin
Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Body Creme
Price: $
The major ingredients in this cream are colloidal oatmeal, glycerin, and water. It’s clinically proven to relieve itching, dryness, and irritation without the use of synthetic fragrances, steroids, or artificial coloring.
Trying to avoid eczema flare-ups in the future? Some parents say they had success using the product preventatively as well.
Pros
- no fragrance, dyes, and steroids
- thick cream offers 24-hour relief
- may be used preventatively to help with future flare-ups
Cons
- can be hard to squeeze remaining cream out of the tube, resulting in waste
Earth Mama Kids Eczema Cream
Price: $$
If you guessed this product includes colloidal oatmeal as a key active ingredient, you’d be right! It’s formulated without steroids, petroleum, fragrance, or harsh artificial preservatives, and it’s certified to the NSF/ANSI 305 standard by Oregon Tilth with a minimum of 70 percent organic ingredients.
Downside? This cream comes in a small container and costs more than many of the other options.
Pros
- no steroids, petroleum, and fragrance
- certified to the NSF/ANSI 305 standard (minimum of 70 percent organic ingredients)
Cons
- higher cost than many of the other options
- smaller container means you’ll need to go shopping for it more often
Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment
Price: $
Petroleum is the primary active ingredient in this ointment. It’s a moisture blocker, so it keeps moisture locked inside the skin.
The preservative-free and fragrance-free formula is useful for both babies and adults and can be extremely versatile. Teething drool got your baby’s chin chapped? Diaper rash? Dry elbows? Aquaphor can help with any of these.
The downside is that it feels a bit greasy to the touch.
Pros
- preservative- and fragrance-free
- ointment can be used for more than just healing eczema
- works fast
Cons
- greasy
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
Price: $$
This petroleum-based cream prides itself on a reputation of being nongreasy, easy to spread, and fast absorbing. It’s also free of dyes, lanolin, masking fragrances, parabens, and formaldehyde, which makes it a great choice for babies or adults with sensitive skin.
As a bonus, it comes in a large 16-ounce tub, so you’ll have plenty to use on both your baby and you.
Pros
- comes in a large container, so no need to buy as frequently
- no dyes, lanolin, parabens, and formaldehyde
- option to purchase with a pump lid for easy dispensing
Cons
- petroleum-based, which some parents prefer to avoid
Cetaphil Baby Eczema Soothing Lotion
Price: $
The main active ingredient in this lotion is colloidal oatmeal, and it also includes allantoin and shea butter. This product is paraben-free, colorant-free, mineral oil-free, and hypoallergenic.
Did we mention it has the NEA Seal of Acceptance?
Pros
- National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
- no parabens, colorants, and mineral oil
- hypoallergenic
Cons
- thinner lotion, which may require more applications
Baby Dove Eczema Care Soothing Cream
Price: $
Like many of the other creams, the major active ingredient in this cream is colloidal oatmeal. It’s free from synthetic fragrances, artificial coloring, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and steroids.
This cream has the NEA Seal of Acceptance, and the manufacturer claims it can provide a moisture barrier for up to 25 hours.
Pros
- National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
- no parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and steroids
- hypoallergenic
Cons
- thicker texture can make it harder to rub in
Vaseline Baby Petroleum Jelly
Price: $
We love that this product is 100 percent petroleum jelly — there are no mystery ingredients to worry about. The petroleum jelly offers a pseudo second layer of skin without causing a stinging feeling. Note that it’s one other ingredient is fragrance.
This product is recommended by the NEA for use all over the body.
Make sure to use a small amount and rub it in thoroughly to avoid a greasy mess.
Pros
- available at a wide range of stores, making it easy to find
- budget-friendly option
Cons
- greasy
- includes fragrance
Weleda Baby Sensitive Care Face Cream
Price: $$
Made from plant-based ingredients, like mallow and coconut oil, it does have a sweet honey scent, but this comes naturally from the beeswax base. This product contains alcohol but is free of essential oils.
If this product works well on your baby’s face, it’s also available in a diaper care cream. Both Weleda products are recommended by the NEA for use on sensitive skin.
Pros
- made from plant-based ingredients
- absorbs easily and highly moisturizing
- received support from the National Eczema Association
Cons
- has a stronger scent (though you might like it)
- one of the more expensive options on our list
- contains alcohol
MG217 Baby Eczema Therapeutic Moisturizing Cream
Price: $
Most of the ingredients in this product should sound familiar: colloidal oatmeal, avocado oil, shea butter, and menthol. However, it also includes the brand’s signature SalSphere skin repair complex made to help restore the skin’s natural moisturizing barrier.
This is an ultra-gentle formula that can be safely used on your baby’s face, especially since it’s fragrance-free, steroid-free, paraben-free, and hypoallergenic.
Pros
- National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
- hypoallergenic
- no fragrance, steroids, and parabens
Cons
- super thick texture means it can take longer to absorb into the skin
Is adult eczema cream safe for babies?
Adult eczema creams can include chemicals not appropriate for baby skin. You’ll want to talk with your child’s doctor to ensure that any eczema cream is safe for them.
Can baby eczema cream be applied to the face?
Many baby eczema creams are fine to apply all over — including the face. You’ll just want to make sure to be careful when applying around the eyes, nose, and mouth. (Especially if your little one is wiggling around!)
You can check the product instructions and talk with your child’s doctor when in doubt.
When should you apply baby eczema cream?
It’s a good idea to apply eczema cream to your baby’s skin right after their bath to seal in moisture. You can reapply it several times throughout the day, or when their diaper is changed.
Check the product instructions and talk with your child’s doctor for more specific information about how often to apply your preferred eczema cream on your baby.
Wondering whether it’s time to book an appointment with your child’s doctor about their eczema? Get in touch if:
- itching is not able to be controlled
- the rash looks infected (yellow scabs, spreading redness, etc.)
- the rash continues to spread
- fever accompanies the eczema
Please note this isn’t an exhaustive list. Always reach out to your pediatrician if you believe your baby needs to be seen for any reason.
Before rushing to the store to pick up some baby eczema cream, you may want to talk with your child’s pediatrician.
With newborns, it’s normal for their skin to go through some dryness and redness as it adapts to an arid environment. In these cases, it’s frequently advised to leave the skin alone.
Your doctor can also rule out any other medical issues that might be at play. Or, they might advise you on which creams they prefer. Remember: When in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Catherine Crider, CD/PCD(DONA), CLEC, CBE, JD, MEd, has worked with children for the past decade as a trained elementary and special education teacher, and finds special joy in supporting blossoming families and their infants. She enjoys educating new parents and parents-to-be about their different options as well as the current best practices in baby care. Catherine writes for various websites and teaches full-spectrum childbirth and postpartum education in several locations in California’s North Bay Area and Peninsula.