Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, can be a frustrating skin condition. If you have eczema-prone skin, you’ll know first-hand how tough it is to manage. Whether it’s dust, heat, or even fumes from a fresh coat of paint, an unbearable itch can be conjured, exacerbating dry scaly patches.
While there isn’t a cure for eczema, there are treatments and products out there that can soothe your skin and minimise the symptoms. The key to tackling the condition is hydration, which is why those with eczema-prone skin often have an eczema cream within arm’s reach.
Ahead, Daily Vanity has gathered 16 eczema creams to keep your skin smooth, moisturised, and free of that pesky itch.
What to Look for and Avoid in an Eczema Cream
Credit: Linda Prebreza/Pexels
When you’re considering an eczema cream, it’s important to look for ingredients that will support and strengthen your skin barrier. Humectants, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, add additional hydration, while occlusive ingredients like petrolatum, shea butter, and nourishing oils reinforce the skin barrier, ultimately protecting you from irritants that might trigger an eczema flare-up.
Colloidal oatmeal is one you’ll want in an eczema cream too. This ingredient has been used for centuries to soothe dry, itchy skin. That’s because it contains a unique blend of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant chemicals called avenanthramides that boost your skin’s health.
Moisturising ceramides also help to form a protective layer that limits moisture loss and shields your skin from environmental stressors.
Of course, there are ingredients you’ll want to avoid too. Steer clear of fragrances, colourants, exfoliating acids (like glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids), as well as retinol. These can further irritate the skin or dry it out, exacerbating your eczema flare-up.
Related read: 21 best moisturisers for sensitive skin that will save your complexion
16 Best Eczema Creams
A-Derma EXOMEGA CONTROL Emollient Cream
A pioneer in the field of plant-based dermatology, A-Derma aims to treat and protect delicate skin with the beneficial properties of plants. Its most popular collection is the EXOMEGA CONTROL range, and its star product is none other than the EXOMEGA CONTROL Emollient Cream.
Natural and fragrance-free, the cream delivers a rich texture that absorbs quickly to deeply moisturise dry skin, reducing irritation and itching fast. Plus, it’s a safe solution that’s suitable for infants, children, and adults.
At the heart of the eczema cream (as well as all A-Derma products) is the exclusive plant-based active ingredient, Rhealba Oat. Selected out of 26,000 oat varieties worldwide, it is considered the purest oat, chosen for its unrivalled properties to care for fragile skin.
Cultivated in southwest France, Rhealba Oats are packed with anti-inflammatory, reparative, and moisturising actives – perfect for rebalancing, soothing, and repairing fragile skin. Made with over 95% naturally derived ingredients, the formula also contains Filaxerine and Vitamin B3 (niacinamide), which calm, protect, and restore a fragile skin barrier.
A-Derma EXOMEGA CONTROL Emollient Cream retails for S$49.90 (400ml) at Guardian, Watsons, and Colorplay.com.sg.
QV Moisturising Cream
Recommended by dermatologists, QV is the number one brand* in Singapore hospitals. Their products are known to take extra care of dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin, and one of the bestsellers is none other than the QV Moisturising Cream.
This concentrated, fragrance-free cream boasts five moisturising ingredients to soothe eczema-prone skin, including squalane – a natural component that’s found in the skin’s sebum. Although it has a rich texture, it absorbs into the skin fast and leaves a non-greasy finish for optimal comfort.
It creates a protective barrier on the skin and locks in moisture for hours on end, soothing dry, itchy, flaky skin as it effectively prevents dryness. Ingredients like fragrance and colourants may trigger skin irritation, which is why this pH-balanced formula is free of fragrance, colourants, lanolin, and propylene glycol.
A study even showed that it was able to boost the skin’s hydration levels by 30% in 24 hours** – impressive results observed in such a short period of time. And based on the brand’s online consumer survey, 93% of reviewers agreed that the cream was able to soothe dryness and the associated itch of eczema-prone skin.
Simply slather this on your skin twice a day on areas that are prone to dryness, such as your elbows, knees, and hands. Its gentle formula is suitable for infants and the elderly too.
QV Moisturising Cream retails for S$38.30 (500ml, pictured above), and S$65.70 (1kg) at leading pharmacies, supermarkets, and online at Shopee and Lazada. View the full list of retailers here.
*Only applicable to QV Moisturising Cream. IQVIA NSA for D02 Emollients & Protective Market, Hospital channel, MAT Mar 2020 – Sales Values
**Average increase of around 30% in skin hydration (corneometer) in a group of 33 females. Measurements taken pre-application and 24 hours after application.
Mustela Stelatopia+ Lipid-Replenishing Cream
Mustela Stelatopia+ Lipid-Replenishing Cream is a true game-changer if you have very dry to eczema-prone skin.
Originating from France, Mustela stands tall with over 70 years of expertise and is still driven by the same ambition: to make parents’ lives easier with naturally derived skincare.
The cream’s effectiveness lies in its hero ingredients. The certified organic sunflower oil distillate, combined with the patented Active Relipidation® process, not only soothes your skin but actively helps it rebuild its protective layer.
Additionally, the Bioécolia® prebiotic, derived from natural sugars, acts as a natural protector, maintaining the balance of your skin.
To enhance these hero ingredients, Mustela has included a trio of organic elements – avocado oil, shea butter, and sunflower oil. Avocado oil adds essential fatty acids, shea butter provides intense moisturisation, and sunflower oil stimulates lipid biosynthesis, strengthening and soothing your skin.
Mustela’s commitment to quality shines through their careful selection of ingredients, which are sourced directly from organic farms in France. Additionally, the cream is certified as COSMOS Organic by Ecocert Greenlife, a renowned organisation that establishes strict standards for organic and natural cosmetic and skincare products.
But here’s the best part – Mustela Stelatopia+ Lipid-Replenishing Cream is a family-friendly solution, suitable for everyone, including babies and expectant mothers. It effectively addresses compromised skin lipid barriers.
Containing 99% ingredients of natural origin, this vegan, fragrance-free formula ensures the safety of your entire family and has been clinically tested. For adults with mild to moderate eczema, it provides instant and significant results, reducing itching by 95%, redness by 87%, and significantly improving dryness by 97%.
Pregnant women with dry skin and a history of eczema experience immediate and lasting 100% efficacy and a 95% overall soothing effect. Even for babies with eczema-prone skin, it offers fast-acting relief, instantly reducing redness by 90% and decreasing irritation by 88%.
And if you still have doubts, no need to worry—sampling is an option. Just shoot Mustela your request on WhatsApp (available for Singapore residents only and while stocks last), and you’ll have the chance to witness the magic of the cream in action!
Mustela Stelatopia+ Lipid-Replenishing Cream retails for S$49.90 (300ml) and S$27.80 (150ml) on Shopee.
Derma Lab Gentle Relief Cream
Say hello to one of the newest additions to Derma Lab’s range, the Gentle Relief Cream. Designed to soothe eczema symptoms on the body, this cream provides up to 2.7 times* faster itch relief on dry, itchy skin. It’s also gentle enough to be used on the face.
Ceramides strengthen the skin barrier, while glycerin draws and locks in moisture. Anti-inflammatory bisabolol also helps to relieve itching and redness.
Hypoallergenic and free from alcohol, colourants, fragrances, and more, this cream is great for anyone with dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone skin. Simply slather it on and feel the itch disappear.
Derma Lab Gentle Relief Cream retails for S$39.90 (450g) or S$19.90 (100g) at Watsons.sg and Watsons stores islandwide.
*Based on an in-vitro test result.
ILLIYOON Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
Offering deep hydration for your skin, ILLIYOON’s Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream enlists the help of its patented Ceramide Skin Complex™ to soothe and strengthen your skin barrier. It enhances your skin’s abilities to retain hydration, keeping it moisturised for hours on end.
Squeeze some out of the tube and you’ll notice little Ceramide Capsules in the cream, which burst when you massage it in to provide instant relief. The eczema cream absorbs quickly for a refreshing finish too. Plus, it’s formulated without animal-derived ingredients, mineral oil, artificial colourants, fragrances, parabens, triethanolamine, and imidazolidinyl urea, so it’s safe for the whole family.
ILLIYOON Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream retails for S$28.61 (200ml) at YesStyle.
The Honest Company Soothing Therapy Eczema Cream
Made with the gentle power of prebiotics, The Honest Company’s Soothing Therapy Eczema Cream features soothing colloidal oatmeal to provide lasting moisturisation to itchy, irritated, eczema-prone skin.
It’s also packed with emollients, such as coconut oil, safflower oil, and shea butter, as well as glycerin to seal in the goodness.
The Honest Company Soothing Therapy Eczema Cream retails for S$16.62 (207ml) at iHerb.
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+M
Loved for its Thermal Spring Water, La Roche-Posay has an equally popular eczema cream in its lineup. The Lipikar Baume AP+M contains postbiotic Aqua Posae to support and improve the health of your skin’s microbiome, soothing the skin immediately to reduce scratching.
With its anti-relapse efficacy, it spaces out eczema flare-ups, nourishing and restoring the skin’s barrier. Shea butter and soothing niacinamide calm the skin, making it a great formula for babies, children, and adults with very dry, eczema-prone, or allergy-prone skin.
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+M retails for S$56.90 (400ml) at Watsons and Guardian.
Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Cream
If you prefer a thicker, heavier eczema cream, try this Eucerin moisturiser. It’s clinically proven to relieve itching, dryness, and minor irritations due to eczema. Lightweight and fast-absorbing, the cream is enriched with colloidal oatmeal, ceramide-3, and licorice root extract to strengthen your skin’s protective barrier.
You can even use this cream on infants as young as three months old. In a clinical study, the brand also found that four out of five children remained flare-free for six months with daily use. The formula is also free of steroids, fragrances, and dyes.
Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Cream retails for S$28 (226ml) at Shopee and Amazon.
Pyunkang Yul ATO Cream Blue Label
This ceramide-rich eczema cream from Pyunkang Yul doubles down on moisture with additional peptides and nutrients, which soothe and strengthen irritated skin. Its thick, creamy texture forms a protective layer on your skin, and yet it leaves a non-sticky finish.
Macadamia seed oil, shea butter, and beeswax replenish dry, itchy, and dehydrated skin, protecting it from environmental triggers. It’s also formulated without 20 types of harmful ingredients, so it works even on the most sensitive of skin.
Pyunkang Yul ATO Cream retails for S$21.58 (120ml) at YesStyle.
Aveeno Dermexa Daily Emollient Cream
Developed with dermatologists, Aveeno’s Dermexa body cream is clinically proven to help relieve the four common signs of dry, eczema-prone skin: itchiness, the appearance of redness, scaling, and tightness.
It’s formulated with Prebiotic Triple Oat – which consists of oat flour, oat oil, and oat extract – as well as ceramides, essential lipids that are naturally found within our skin, to strengthen its protective function.
Aveeno Dermexa Daily Emollient Cream retails for S$19.90 (200ml) at Watsons and Guardian.
Suu Balm Rapid Itch Relief Moisturiser
We awarded this eczema cream “Body Moisturiser For Eczema Skin” at our recent Daily Vanity Beauty Awards for good reasons.
The Suu Balm Rapid Itch Relief Moisturiser not only provides deep moisturisation, but also fast itch relief to prevent scratching. Designed for anyone with dry, itchy, sensitive, and eczema-prone skin, it contains skin-strengthening ceramides and a hint of menthol to refresh and break the itch-scratch cycle.
Suu Balm Rapid Itch Relief Moisturiser retails for S$49.90 (350ml) at Watsons and Guardian.
Cetaphil Pro AD Derma Skin Restoring Body Moisturizer
A lightweight, non-greasy daily body moisturiser, Cetaphil’s Pro AD Derma is clinically proven to soothe and alleviate dryness and itching. It’s powered by Filaggrin technology™ and ceramide technology to increase and retain moisture in the skin, providing intensive hydration to restore your skin’s barrier.
It’s also hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and preservative-free, which makes it safe for all to use. You can slather it on immediately after a shower while your skin is still slightly damp. This helps to seal in moisture and hydrate the skin.
Cetaphil Pro AD Derma Skin Restoring Body Moisturizer retails for S$49.90 (295ml) at Watsons, Guardian, and Shopee.
Ceradan Skin Barrier Repair Cream
Made for eczema-prone skin, Ceradan’s Skin Barrier Repair Cream is a ceramide-dominant moisturiser that’s formulated in a 3:1:1 ratio of essential skin lipids in the order of ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids.
This rich cream has been clinically proven to rebuild your skin’s protective barrier. It also helps to reduce the symptoms and incidences of flare-ups, leaving you with healthier, stronger, itch-free skin.
Ceradan Skin Barrier Repair Cream retails for S$49.90 (80ml) at Watsons and Guardian.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Using a patented formulation called Multivesicular Emulsion Technology, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ensures time-released nourishment throughout the day for complete hydration. This provides a lasting protective barrier on the skin’s surface.
Known for its ceramide-enriched products, CeraVe uses three different ceramides to soothe and restore your skin’s moisture barrier. An added bonus? The large, cost-effective tub will last you a long time.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream retails for S$26.50 (539ml) at Shopee and Amazon.
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
If there’s one eczema cream that comes highly recommended by dermatologists, it’s the Vanicream Moisturizing Cream. It’s free of common irritants and allergens, such as fragrances, dyes, and lanolin. Plus, it has a thicker consistency to really lock in the moisture, which is incredibly important.
Despite its heavier texture, it spreads out and absorbs easily without feeling sticky on your skin. We also appreciate the convenient pump dispenser it comes in, which makes application a breeze.
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream retails for S$29.90 (453ml) at Amazon.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
While it’s more of a clear jelly than a cream, Aquaphor’s Healing Ointment has been a staple for those with eczema-prone skin for years now. Unlike Vaseline, which contains 100% petrolatum, Aquaphor boasts additional hydrators like mineral oil, panthenol, and glycerin.
This blend of ingredients helps to repair and support the skin’s barrier, so it can better withstand environmental triggers such as dust and pollutants.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment retails for S$11.69 (99ml) at iHerb.
