“The key in any eczema cream is to find a gentle, hypoallergenic product,” says Ife Rodney, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Maryland’s Eternal Dermatology. “When it comes to eczema and skin creams, it’s essential to pat your skin dry (and not completely dry your skin), so there’s still moisture, then apply large amounts of a gentle moisturizer to your skin.” Rodney adds that these should be “hydrophilic,” meaning they melt into your skin and bond with the water left behind to reinforce the protective skin barrier. You want to avoid fragrances, dyes, and other allergenic ingredients, she says; meanwhile, ingredients like ceramides and colloidal oatmeal will make your skin feel its best, as board-certified dermatologist Julie Russak, MD, previously told Real Simple.
