The best eczema cream for babies

eczema cream for babies

by Arabella Horspool |
Updated on

If your child is part of one in five children who are reported to have eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, then you'll need the best eczema cream for babies and bath products to keep their little skin protected and smooth. Characterised by dry and itchy skin, eczema can appear on any part of the body or face, and although it can't be cured, it can be successfully treated.

Finding a great eczema cream can keep your baby's skin hydrated and stop them from feeling itchy. While prescription products are often a necessity, there are also plenty of over-the-counter lotions you can try. Mum Pippa Jones says high-street products work well for her baby, "I’ve found Aveeno and E45 the best creams to use." Bethany Mackman also finds shop-bought creams soothing for her eldest son, "We use Bioskin Junior Daily Moisturising Spray every day after his bath and if he has a flare-up we use the Bioskin Junior Rescue Remedy."

Editor's choice:
Best eczema cream for sensitive skin: Childs Farm Baby Moisturiser - View offer on Amazon
Best natural eczema cream for babies: Weleda Baby Eczema Treatment Coconut Oil Body Lotion - View offer on Amazon
Best for a vegan eczema cream: Nala's Baby Body Lotion - View offer on Boots

Below our experts and real mums have listed some of the top-rated eczema creams on the market so that you can find the right product for your child. As always, be sure to check with your GP if you're unsure before using any of the products mentioned. It's really important to keep your baby's doctor informed about any conditions that may appear.

If you've found that regular baby body wash or nappy rash cream has been making your baby's eczema worse, experts recommend that adding a special cleansing oil to the bathtub can help soothe dry and irritated skin and prevent further flare-ups. We've done our research and found the products that come up time and time again.

The best eczema cream for babies 2023

Best eczema cream for sensitive skin

Suitable for: Newborns and upwards on all skin types | Size: 500ml | Dermatologist and paediatrician approved | Award: Won Gold at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023 for Best Product For A Newborn 0-4 Months 

Although it's not specially formulated for eczema prevention, the award-winning mildly fragranced baby moisturiser from skincare brand Childs Farm protects and hydrates your baby's soft and delicate skin. It's suitable for all skin types including those with eczema. Your baby's skin will never feel so silky smooth.

Our reviewer said: "It made my baby’s skin feel so soft, it’s nice to know the moisturiser has been paediatrician and dermatologist approved. I put some on my son's scalp to help soften his cradle cap and it really helped to loosen the flakes, I have been using the childs farm moisturiser myself as well on the back of my arms where I have really dry rough skin and I am happy to say it has improved and isn’t as dry."

Read our Childs Farm baby moisturiser, mildly fragranced review here.

Pros

  • Paediatrician and dermatologist approved
  • Lovely consistency

Cons

  • Some say that the fragrance is too strong

Best natural eczema cream for babies

Weleda - eczema cream for babies
Price: £18.14

This soothing lotion is a celebrity favourite. Formulated by midwives, it contains organic white mallow extract to cool and protect the skin with coconut and sesame oils to nurture it. It's fragrance-free to prevent irritation yet still has a mild pleasant scent you'll love. Custom-made for hypersensitive or atopic skin, this affordable lotion is a must-buy.

One reviewer said: "Using this cream for my 5-month-old to treat her eczema. The cream is very light so I needed to apply it more often, but her skin got so much better and is nearly clear of eczema now after five days of use! I’m using this one for the flared up areas and a thicker emollient for regular moisturising. I recommend the cream for red itchy ‘angry’ skin patches. Plus, it smells nice too. I used it on a recent flare-up and it disappeared within 30 minutes after using this cream!"

Pros

  • Light formula
  • 100 per cent certified natural and organic

Cons

  • Needs to be applied regularly

Best non-toxic eczema cream for babies

Although Sudocrem is used by many parents to treat nappy rash, this little pot of cream is brilliant for eczema too. Sudocrem can protect your baby's delicate skin in thee simple ways; firstly, it's an emollient, so it can help soothe sore and irritated skin. Secondly, it acts as a mild local anaesthetic, easing pain, irritation and preventing infection, which makes it a great go-to for mild eczema flare ups. Thirdly, its ingredients are gentle on all skin types.

A parent reviewer wrote: "The ONLY antiseptic cream I trust wholeheartedly for all the family's' needs! While it boasts a range of applications (of which I do make ample use), it primarily cares to my children's needs. Treating nappy rash and sores, by providing gentle, yet efficient relief. It creates a protective barrier, and it's still lets your skin breath, and serving as an antiseptic – it's the perfect aid for unfortunate cuts and bruises. For so many times, it has provided solace to my kids and even my husband, who, like one of my children, has to deal with with eczema."

Pros

  • Suitable for using on eczema, acne, minor cuts and scrapes
  • Lasts a long time, as a little goes a long way

Cons

  • Has a mild smell that you may or may not like

Best for a vegan eczema cream

Designed by rapper Casyo 'Krept' Johnson and influencer Sasha Ellese Gilbert to be inclusive for all skin types. This product is dermatologist-approved, paediatrician-approved, cruelty-free, vegan, eczema-friendly, tear-free, fully recyclable and made in Britain.

One reviewer said: "Credit where credit is due. My daughter had to temporarily have to go back to wearing nappies for a short time which resulted in a nasty nappy rash. I used the Nala's baby moisturiser and I'm just 3 days the rash was completely clear. I will now never use any other product and I'm currently putting a order in online to try the other products which I know are going to smell incredible and have such lovely results. Me and my daughter chant Nala's baby when we get the cream out after bath time."

Pros

  • Suitable for vegans
  • 99% natural

Cons

  • Stock sells out fast

Best anti-itch eczema cream

Best baby eczema cream: MooGoo Sensitive Skin Balm
Price: £17.50

This is one of the most popular natural eczema creams in the UK. MooGoo Irritable Skin Balm is free from paraffin oil and all other petroleum-based chemicals and preservatives. Designed specifically for skin conditions, it soothes the skin to prevent scratching. It was brought over to the UK from Australia after high demand.

One reviewer put: "I tried some cream from the pharmacy for my 3 year old's dry itchy skin but I wasn’t keen on the paraffin based products and it appeared to be making it worse. I found good reviews for this and tried it out; I'm so pleased I did as it cleared up the dry skin in no time. Plus, the smell of rosemary is nice too and I will buy again if needed."

Pros

  • Good for dry skin
  • smells wonderful

Cons

  • Small tube

Best for an eczema cream multipack

A best seller that many eczema sufferers swear by. It's made with oatmeal which soothes and hydrates the skin. It's also non-greasy and absorbs quickly for instant relief. The lotion is formulated to minimise the risk of allergies and is designed for babies' delicate, sensitive skin. It is free from parabens, dyes and alcohol.

A reviewer said, "I bought it for my newborn daughter after doing some research and it was highly recommended for the delicate skin prone to eczema and allergic reaction. I loved it from the first use. The scent is very delicate and it’s not too greasy and it gets absorbed nicely. I use it every day on my baby and she had no problem at all. I liked it so much I use it sometimes as a moisturiser for myself!"

Pros

  • Fast absorbing
  • Non-greasy

Cons

  • A few reviewers have seen better results in summer than winter

Best for a lightweight eczema cream

 Cetraben Cream
Price: £7.72

Made from light liquid paraffin to replace natural oils lost during washing, it has a 3-in-1 formula to soothe your little ones' dry and irritated skin. It has a natural, mild smell, unlike some other creams. We like that it comes in a small bottle, meaning you can take it with you wherever you go.A reviewer said: "This cream changed my eight-week-old baby boy from cradle cap covered and eczema all over his face and ears to a healthy happy baby within minutes. As soon as I applied this the redness went and with a regular application within 24 hours he looked brilliant. I recommend this to all my friends!"

Pros

  • Portable bottle
  • Reduces redness

Cons

  • Some said that the pump may occasionally be faulty

Best kids' eczema cream

 Best baby eczema cream: Oilatum Junior Eczema and Dry Skin Emollient Cream
Price: £16.99

A parent favourite for years, this emollient is especially built for eczema treatment. It moisturises the skin after washing with fast soothing and softening. It’s gentle enough to use on your baby from day one.

A parent reviewer said: "My 4 month old son started to get dry skin and a bit of a rash seemingly after using a different make of washing detergent, the health visitor advised to buy some of this and try it with him. This in combination of returning to the original washing detergent, plus a change in baby bath soap really resolved this issue. Now I use it on him daily as a moisturiser instead of coconut oil and it really makes his skin feel so soft."

Pros

  • Suitable for babies
  • Little goes a long way

Cons

  • Better for dry skin

Best multipurpose eczema cream

 Best baby eczema cream: Epaderm Emollient For Dry Skin
Price: £24.85
Alternative retailers
Walmart$44.89View offer

This 3-in-1 product can be used as a skin wash as well as an ointment for your baby. It was developed for eczema sufferers by doctors at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne. It’s prescribed by the NHS, but it can be bought over the counter too. The emulsifying wax and yellow soft paraffin combination counteract the loss of essential oils after washing and it's safe enough to use on your baby's sensitive skin.

One reviewer said: "The cold weather has made my daughter's dry skin/eczema awful to deal with. Luckily, she only has a scant few patches here and there, but the ones on her face (namely her eyelids and small patches on both cheeks) were bothering her, as they'd be incredibly dry and flaky. Epaderm kept the skin moisturised and helped to relieve the symptoms of dryness. Coupled with some anti-allergy tablets, the dryness has reduced dramatically in severity and the patches are soft and lovely again."

Pros

  • Long-lasting effect
  • Suitable for all ages

Cons

  • Thick and greasy

Best eczema flare up cream

This best-selling cream has been specially designed to help baby's eczema-prone skin. It contains unique ingredients such as Zeolite (a volcanic mineral) and Jojoba. The junior range was developed after high demand from parents due to the success of their Dermaspray and has lived up to it’s high reputation. Suitable for babies over three months and gentle enough to even use on the face, it's great for flare-ups.

One reviewer put: "We tried several ointments and creams for our toddler's eczema. Nothing seemed to calm it or control it for more than a few minutes to hours. Then we came across this cream and it has now become our go-to. It works brilliantly well. At one point we were able to get rid of the eczema sites off the arms and legs almost permanently for nearly 6-8 months until it reappeared in winter which isn’t uncommon. Using the cream again is sorting that issue."

Pros

  • Rich in vitamins and minerals
  • Good for eczema, dermatitis and other skin allergies

Cons

  • Needs to be applied regularly throughout the day

Best baby eczema cream for face

Little Butterfly - eczema cream for babies
Price: £22.95 (was 27)

www.sephora.co.uk

From the Little Butterfly London range, this formulated organic-certified baby face cream works to soften aggravated skin. Using anti-inflammatory and natural ingredients such as moringa tree extract and evening primrose, it helps to prevent baby's sensitive skin from getting chapped or dry.

One review said: "This is great. I used it on dry and flaky skin and it automatically starts soothing the dry area with its rich and luxurious formula. It helped to clear up patchy eczema on my hands after using too much hand sanitizer over the last few months!"

Pros

  • Uses organic and naturally derived ingredients
  • Contains anti-inflammatories and antioxidants

Cons

  • Small tub

Best for an effective eczema cream

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You may or may not have heard of Goat Skincare. The Australian company was founded by mum-and-dad-of-three, Sally and Ray, after discovering goats milk was the only ingredient that helped soothe one of their daughter's itchy eczema. Each of their products are made using pure goat’s milk, which is packed with vitamins A, B6, B12, C and D, and it also contains essential fatty acids, which makes it ultra moisturising for optimal skin suppleness. They’re also free of parabens, sulphates, fragrances and colourants and are pH balanced so they can be used daily, without irritating the skin.

This particular moisturiser is great for soothing dry, itchy and irritated skin and can be used on all skin types and ages. The 100ml tube is also a great size for fitting inside your baby changing bag, or even your handbag and we love the family-friendly packaging too.

**
One reviewer wrote:** "This cream has saved my 3 year old skin. It is AMAZING. It is AMAZING! Our family have moved over to your shampoo, conditioner and body wash. These products have truly been a blessing for us. Dealing with eczema and dry skin. Thank you so much!"

Pros

  • Ethically farmed and sourced
  • Not tested on animals

Cons

  • Only 100ml per tube

Best soap free eczema oil

Avène is acclaimed for creating products suitable for sensitive skin. This cleansing oil is suitable for infants and children, for the face and body and leaves skin feeling comfortable and soft. It's fragrance free and soap free too, so it won't irritate even the most sensitive of skin. Just use as you would a regular shower gel and pat your babies skin dry (don't rub) when finished.

One reviewer said: "I've been using XeraCalm A.D Lipid Replenishing Cleansing Oil since about 2019. I'm sensitive to soap and products containing perfume. I tried XeraCalm A.D and now I will not use anything else on my face when cleansing. This is scent free and gentle on my skin. I've just started using it on my entire body. It really is calming and leaves the skin soft."

Pros

  • Suitable for all ages
  • Brand is acclaimed for creating products suitable to sensitive skin

Cons

  • No scent

Best oil for eczema

Recommended

You know from your skin that some soaps can dry out the skin during cleansing. This soothing product cleanses and hydrates at the same time. Made with oats - a natural ingredient that is known for calming the skin and reducing inflammation, it relieves any itchiness, and the oil will prevent further spreading of eczema caused by scratching.

One reviewer said: "I looked into the A-Derma range of products after it was recommended to me by a parent at my eldest daughter's school. My now two-and-a-half-year-old toddler has had eczema since she was two months. I have tried every cream, lotion and potion going. Steroid, non-steroid, expensive and cheap - you name it we've tried it. I am so glad I took the plunge and tried yet another product." "I have been using it for three days now with the Emollient cream and the cleansing oil. The difference in her skin is so dramatic that it's hard to comprehend that it has no chemicals in it. The top layer of eczema has completely dried out and fallen off. The Exomega moisturises, softens the skin without drying it out even more as some of the steroid creams have done in the past. She now has a new layer of skin that is healing and responding to the cream so well. I am one happy parent. My baby is not scratching her skin off, and both me and daddy are less stressed out. Our baby is not uncomfortable. Thank you so much A-Derma."

Pros

  • A little goes a long way
  • Good for dry, itchy skin

Cons

  • Strong perfume

What are the symptoms of baby eczema?

Symptoms of baby eczema are dry, itchy skin that is often red, scaly, inflamed and looks sore. It can develop anywhere on the body, but in babies it’s often found on the cheeks and scalp.

Eczema can also cause the skin to crack and bleed, increasing the risk of infection. The following symptoms are a sign that your baby’s eczema may have become infected:

• If they have a high temperature and generally feel unwell

• If fluid is oozing from the skin

• If a yellow crust or yellow-white spots develops on the skin

• Pus-filled blisters

If you think your baby’s eczema has become infected, take them to the doctors as soon as possible.

According to the British Skin Foundation, eczema often starts in childhood and affects one in five children in the UK at some stage. The Foundation says that eczema tends to run in families and children who have eczema are also likely to experience hayfever or asthma.

Preventing and treating baby eczema

There are two types of baby eczema creams: prevention and treatment.

To prevent eczema (usually from returning) you can buy a specialised cream from any pharmacy, which will soothe your baby’s skin. However, to treat severe eczema it is recommended you visit your GP to get a formula which contains steroids. The cream will make an eczema flare-up shorter and much more bearable. There are different strengths of steroid cream depending on the severity of eczema you’re trying to treat, so it’s important to check it with your baby’s doctor first. In both cases, check out the above selection of both prevention and treatment creams.

Eczema cream FAQs

How do I use baby eczema cream?

Follow your doctor's orders or read the instructions as each cream may have set guidelines for maximum results. If you are using a baby eczema prevention cream, you can add it to your baby daily hygiene routine. Their skin can get dried out right after a bath so that is the best time to apply eczema treatment.

If you are using a baby eczema cream treatment, everything depends on the severity. If it’s mild eczema, your baby will need a light eczema cream, with a low-strength steroid for a short period. However, if it’s intense eczema, your baby’s doctor will recommend a stronger baby eczema cream for you to apply for a longer time. Again, you should use any baby eczema cream following your baby's doctor's recommendations.

How can I prevent baby eczema breakouts?

Whilst eczema isn't always avoidable for some babies, there are ways you can reduce it. Here are our top tips for eczema-prone skin:

• Avoid bathing your baby too often - this can strip your baby's skin of protective oils and dry it out further.

• Be careful when towel-drying the skin as this can dry the skin out further. Pat your baby's skin dry rather than rubbing it.

• Use bath oil to keep your baby's skin moisturised.

• Make sure the water is lukewarm rather than hot.

• Use a baby eczema prevention cream to keep the skin moisturised and hydrated.

• Avoid wool or synthetic clothing if these irritate your baby's skin. Cotton is always a good choice as it allows the skin to breathe.

• Keep your baby's nails short so they do less damage if they do scratch at their skin.

Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.

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