The 12 Best Face Creams for Eczema in 2023

"I love Vaseline," says Dr. Gohara. "Especially around the eyes, where facial eczema can be very prevalent." While Aquaphor is part petroleum jelly, part other ointments and oils, Vaseline is just pure petroleum jelly. (Again, if your skin is super-sensitive, go for the baby-friendly variety—the gentler, the better.) Vaseline goes on heavier than Aquaphor, since the latter is more easily absorbed by your skin, and it's more of a protectant than a treatment.

Pros: Affordable; Dermatologist-approved; Good for eye area 

Cons: Not great for breakout-prone skin

Eczema spreads—not between people, it isn’t chicken pox, but it can spread from your face to your body. If you’re skeptical about using a balm that works on your face and body, I promise this one is the way to go. But the main ingredients of shea butter and niacinamide will work on any area of skin. “This product also has many clinical studies showing improvement in skin barrier and reduction of itch in patients with eczema,” says Dr. Portela.

Pros: For face and body; Dermatologist-approved 

Cons: Some report pilling 

As someone who’s had eczema their entire life, I can confidently say that you won’t be disappointed by Eucerin. I make a point to slather my body in their cream every damn day as a preventative measure, but I always have this on standby for facial flares. Thanks to a formula packed with uber-calming colloidal oatmeal and a trio of hydrating ceramides, it works wonders on itchy, scaly patches. There’s no steroids in it either, so feel free to reapply whenever your heart desires. 

Pros: Instantly soothing; Affordable; Editor favorite 

Cons: Hard to rub in

Holy grail! Hero item! Cult favorite! The CeraVe Healing Ointment is all these things for its benefits in locking in the needed moisture on the skin’s barrier. Another favorite of Dr. Portela, he loves this ointment for because it benefits “cracked and fissured skin.” For best results, lather it on when you first get out of the shower.

Pros: Dermatologist-approved; Best for cracked skin; Affordable 

Cons: Might break out acne-prone skin types 

While this isn’t a specific eczema treatment per se, it is one of the best soothing, preventative face creams on the market. The lipid-packed formula is solely focused on repairing a damaged skin barrier, which is the main cause of an eczema flare. In addition to keeping easily irritated skin in a happy, healthy state (always the goal, you guys), it’s also going to provide loads of additional benefits ranging from plumping to evening out skin texture. 

Pros: Hydrating; Preventative; Good for every day use

Cons: Expensive; Not the best option for active eczema 

When my eczema decides to flare, I want to calm it down as soon as physically possible. This new Mustela cream is one of the fastest-acting products I've tried—I notice a huge difference in just 24 hours. My skin feels softer and looks less flaky right off the bat thanks to the sensitive skin friendly blend that includes colloidal oatmeal, sunflower oil, and avocado. 

Pros: Great for kids; Fast-acting 

Cons:  Some report an oily texture 

Formulated specifically for sensitive skin, this handy little balm is a mini-sized savior for facial flares. It’s dermatologist and opthomologist tested, so rest assured it’s safe for use anywhere on the face and eyelids. It is designed for targeted treatment, so only apply the product where you’re having an issue. That in mind, it does contain pharmaceutical-grade active ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, so the brand recommends stopping use after seven days. 

Pros: Spot treatment; Safe for eyelids

Cons: Not everyday treatment 

The original, and still the best. Aquaphor is a petroleum jelly–based ointment that the pros recommend slathering on your skin immediately after a shower or bath to lock in moisture. It won't leave irritated skin feeling even more irritated, and it'll provide a barrier between your skin and anything that might hurt it (the weather, pollutants, etc). I like using the kind developed specifically for babies—to me, it's the gentlest.

Pros: Affordable; Multi-purpose

Cons: Sticky texture 

Last winter, when my eczema was at its worst, I would dab some of this on my skin if it was feeling particularly itchy. And trust, I plan on stocking up on this super-effective product once again. It's *that* good. And I'm not the only one to think so: A tub of Ultra Repair Cream is literally sold every minute.

Pros: Anti-itch; Editor-approved; Good for every day use

Cons: Expensive 

This one isn't for the faint of heart, but if you want to steer clear of prescription creams, try this during a flare-up—it's for that moment that you can't bear to itch anymore. But, it is important to note that while this can be successful in a pinch, it's not a long term treatment. Dermatologists don't recommend using hydrocortisone on the face for more than three days. 

Pros: Fast acting; Effective; Anti-itch

Cons: Must be stopped after three days 

This Eight Hour Cream is legendary in skincare circles. While not developed for eczema specifically, I've found that a tiny amount of this goes a long way toward treating my issues—it's thicker and stickier than most of the others on this list, but it also sits more comfortably on my sensitive skin than any other premium skincare product. In particular, if you get eczema on your lips (or have dry, cracked lips generally), this is perfect—make sure you get the fragrance-free kind.

Pros: Preventative; Great for lips 

Cons: Expensive; Sticky

So, miracle upon miracle, your eczema is gone. Hooray! But you know that one patch of dry skin that isn't well-moisturized can kick-start the whole cycle again. Don't fret: This moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated for hours at a time. Unlike Aquaphor and Vaseline, which can result in skin shinier than the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, this cream will go on light.

Pros: Long-lasting hydration; Not shiny

Cons: Not the best for active eczema (more preventative)