What should you look for?
Start with the actual ingredient list and your known triggers. A sensitive skin claim is not a substitute for checking what is inside. Choose fragrance free rather than unscented: an unscented product can contain fragrance masked so you cannot smell it. For eczema, avoid scents, dyes, alcohol and ingredients you know you are allergic to. Natural ingredients can also irritate eczema prone skin.345
If you have eczema, a cream containing ceramides is worth considering. Ceramides are naturally present in skin and help it hold moisture; people with eczema can have less of them. Check the rest of the formula against your avoidance list rather than choosing by one appealing ingredient.5
Should you choose a cream, ointment or lotion?
For dry, eczema prone skin, creams and ointments usually retain moisture better than lotions.56
| Texture | What to expect | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Cream | Less greasy than an ointment and absorbed relatively quickly. | Daytime use or when you want moisture without a thick coating. |
| Ointment | Thick, greasy and very moisturizing. | Very dry skin or nighttime use. Do not use on weeping eczema. |
| Lotion | Thin and easy to spread, but less moisturizing. | Hairy areas. For eczema, a cream or ointment is generally the better starting point. |
You can use a cream during the day and an ointment at night. Ointments can rub off on clothes and sheets, so some people use them only on dry patches. Choosing a texture you will actually use is more useful than choosing the jar with the most ambitious vocabulary.56
How to apply your moisturizer
- 1Wash gently with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water. Avoid hot water and scrubbing.
- 2Pat your skin dry, leaving it slightly damp. Apply moisturizer immediately; for eczema, aim to do this within three minutes of bathing.
- 3Smooth the moisturizer gently over your skin rather than rubbing vigorously.
- 4Reapply whenever your skin feels dry or tight, especially after washing your hands. For eczema, regular applications two to three times a day can help keep skin soft.
If you use a prescribed steroid cream or another skin treatment, leave 20 to 30 minutes between that treatment and an emollient, a moisturizing treatment that traps moisture. Ask your prescriber which should go first. Use a clean spoon or spatula to take moisturizer from a tub. Keep emollient soaked clothing and bedding away from flames and cigarettes.6
What if your skin still reacts?
Stop using a product that triggers irritation. Sensitive skin can burn, sting or itch even without a visible rash. Write down when symptoms started and which products touched your skin; a dermatologist can help identify triggers and decide whether allergy testing is needed. If home care has not helped after about a week, or symptoms are very bothersome, seek medical advice.2
Moisturizer helps soften skin and retain water, but eczema that worsens or does not respond needs medical review. Contact a clinician for signs of infection, including increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain or fever.4
Where this answer comes from
- 1Eczema types: Dyshidrotic eczema self-careaad.org
- 2Sensitive Skin: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes & Treatmentmy.clevelandclinic.org
- 3Dermatologist-recommended skin care for people with diabetesaad.org
- 4Atopic dermatitis - self-care: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopediamedlineplus.gov
- 5Eczema Skin Care Routine: Best and Worst Productshealth.clevelandclinic.org
- 6Emollientsnhs.uk
- 7How Often Should You Shower?health.clevelandclinic.org
