Best Eczema Creams for Babies and Kids

What is Eczema?

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that affects babies and children. It causes dry, itchy skin that often appears as red patches.

Eczema is often associated with discomfort and scratching. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a likely underlying cause of eczema is a weakened skin barrier that makes skin more prone to dryness and irritation. However, environmental factors may also play a role. 

My youngest kiddo has had eczema since he was a young infant. After much trial and error, we found a good system to keep his eczema under control!

Eczema typically starts before 6 months of age and can continue well into childhood. 

Where and When Does Eczema Appear?

Babies often get eczema on their heads or faces, while older kids tend to get it in skin folds like behind the knees. However, eczema can appear all over the body.

Sometimes, there is no identifiable trigger, and eczema flare-ups just occur.

Other times, a clear trigger is involved: soap, laundry detergent, lotion, sweat, or sunblock, for example.

Weather, humidity, dust, or pet dander could also play a role. 

How is Eczema Treated?

The main goal of eczema therapy is to keep the skin moisturized.

Loss of moisture leads to dry skin, and dry patches can cause itching, irritation, cracking, inflammation, and possible secondary infections. 

Natural eczema remedies and tips:

• Bathe in lukewarm water every 1-2 days.
  • Keep the water temperature mild.
  • Baths and showers should be short.
• Avoid harsh soaps, fragrances, bubble baths, and similar products. 
  • Use water only or gentle, mild soap and shampoo formulated without fragrance and indicated for eczema.
• Apply a thick, gentle, fragrance-free cream or ointment after every bath and as needed throughout the day.
  • Creams or ointments are preferred because they have low water content and help to lock moisture into the skin.
  • Lotions don't work as well, but they are an option if your child can't tolerate a thick, greasy cream or ointment.
  • Moisturizing is the most important step in eczema management! Stay consistent, even when your child's skin looks good.
• Avoid known triggers like fragrances or skin care products not made for eczema-prone skin.
  • Chlorine from the pool, sweat from a soccer game, and pollen from outdoor play can be triggers.
  • Pay attention to what triggers your child's eczema so you can avoid it or wash it off as soon as possible.
• Consider dressing your child in 100% cotton and using fragrance-free gentle detergents. 
• Wet wraps (warm, damp clothing covered by dry clothing, applied in a comfortable, warm room for about 30 minutes) may help skin lock in moisture.

Treatment of moderate-to-severe eczema

If home remedies and good moisturizing aren't enough, see a doctor.

• Topical steroids are the preferred first-line treatment for eczema that is resistant to OTC moisturizers.
  • Steroids help to calm irritation and flare-ups.
  • Some steroids like hydrocortisone are available for purchase over the counter.
• For infants and young children, see a pediatrician for guidance before initiating steroid therapy. 
• For older children, teens, or adults, it is reasonable to try a course of OTC topical 1% hydrocortisone cream or ointment (twice a day for up to 2 weeks); have a doctor evaluate eczema on the face or over large areas of the body first.
• Continue your bathing and moisturizing routine along with topical steroid application - remember, hydration and moisturization are key! 

If eczema doesn't improve after 2 weeks of topical steroid treatment, or if it recurs frequently, see your pediatrician for advice and prescription options. 

You may need to alter the formulation of the steroid or try a different drug.

KidsMedGuide Eczema Product Recommendations: 

For my son, we found a winning combination of Mustela® bath oil, Vanicream® moisturizing cream, and prescription triamcinolone ointment as needed for flare-ups. 

Different products may work better or worse for each kid, and sometimes, eczema management involves trial and error!

Ask your doctor for samples or buy small/travel sizes until you know what works. 

The following OTC products and home remedies are personally tested, used, and recommended by the KidsMedGuide family and friends!

Note: The rest of this post contains affiliate links. 

Eczema bath products:

Mustela® makes great moisturizing bath oils and shampoo. These are the only products I use for bath time with my son! Everything else I've tried has made his scalp and legs itchy.

Cleansing oil:

Foam shampoo:

Cleansing gel:

Eczema moisturizing products

For topical creams and lotions, I've had great luck with Vanicream®. I slather the heavy cream all over him after every bath and twice a day in the summer, when he tends to flare up!

I use the face lotion on his cheeks, neck/forehead, and hairline because he doesn't tolerate the cream on his face. I also use it on my daughters and me when our skin is dry in the winter.

Cream:

There's also a baby face cream and a body lotion option for children who don't like heavy creams.

Face cream:

Body lotion:

You can't talk about eczema treatment without mentioning Eucerin®. Eucerin is a favorite of dermatologists. I use these products myself when my skin gets really dry!

Eczema ointment

Ointment didn't work well for my child, but a few of my family members and patients have had good luck with a heavy, occlusive ointment over eczema patches. Ointment is a recommended option for treating eczema flares, and it's easy to apply to rough, dry patches of skin.

It may not be the best option for moisturizing the whole body because it's greasy, but ointment is definitely worth a try for treating problem areas.

Healing ointment:

Sunblock

Unfortunately, sunblock is a big trigger for my son. His eczema flares in the summer, partly because of all the sunblock!

I've had good luck with Thinkbaby® sunblock. It causes the least irritation for his skin and spreads decently well for a mineral sunblock.

Mineral sunblock:

Final Thoughts

Eczema treatment can be trial and error. Avoid triggers, stay moisturized, and contact your doctor for prescription options if you cannot control flare-ups.

Note: While KidsMedGuide may receive commissions from any products purchased on the Amazon links above, we stand by these recommendations as we've personally tested and regularly use them.

References:

Chu, D. K., Schneider, L., Asiniwasis, R. N., Boguniewicz, M., Benedetto, A. D., Ellison, K., Frazier, W. T., Greenhawt, M., Huynh, J., Kim, E., LeBovidge, J., Lind, M. L., Lio, P., Martin, S. A., O’Brien, M., Ong, P. Y., Silverberg, J. I., Spergel, J. M., Wang, J., … Chu, D. K. (2024). Atopic dermatitis (eczema) guidelines: 2023 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology/American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters GRADE– and Institute of Medicine–based recommendations. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 132(3), 274–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2023.11.009

Eczema in Babies and Children. (2020, March 6). HealthyChildren.Org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/skin/Pages/Eczema.aspx

How to Treat & Control Eczema Rashes in Children. (2020, March 6). HealthyChildren.Org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/skin/Pages/How-to-Treat-and-Control-Eczema-Rashes-in-Children.aspx