If you have eczema, you have to be very careful about which products you put on your face. Luckily, the National Eczema Association (NEA) has a full directory of products they’ve given the eczema-safe Seal of Acceptance. The list contains a wide variety of recommended face moisturizers, creams, and oils at different price points. Best of all, they’re chock full of ingredients that are safe and beneficial for irritated, itchy skin. If eczematic flare-ups are a problem for you, our list of NEA-approved face moisturizers for eczema is here to help.
The Best Face Moisturizers for Eczema, at a Glance:
- Tatcha, The Indigo Cream, $25
- SkinClinical, Extreme Healing Repair Cream, $29
- CLn Facial Moisturizer, $35
- Abby Rose, Soothe-X Face & Body Oil, $18
- Pacifica, Vegan Ceramide Barrier Cream, $18
- CeraVe, SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Lotion, $15
- Avéne, XeraCalm A.D. Lipid-Replenishing Cream, $36
- Eczema Honey, Original Skin Soothing Cream, $30
- Zo Skin Health, Hydrating Cream, $120
- Avene, Soothing Eye Contour Cream, $32
- La Roche-Posay, Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream, $16
- Skinfix, Eczema+ Dermatitis Relief Balm, $45
What Makes a Moisturizer Good for Eczema?
Eczema-prone skin is very sensitive to certain ingredients, like isopropyl alcohol, lactic acid, and fragrance. In order to receive the Seal of Acceptance, products undergo rigorous testing to ensure they’re free of known eczema irritants. The list includes (but is not limited to):
- Added fragrance
- Chemical UV absorbers
- Benzocaine (a topical anesthetic)
- Citrus extract
- Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers
Instead, eczema-friendly formulas focus on hydrating ingredients like ceramides, emollients (like colloidal oatmeal or jojoba oil), and humectants (like hyaluronic acid, honey, or glycerin). They’re fragrance-free, and may also include anti-inflammatory ingredients like niacinamide or aloe vera.
How to Test a Moisturizer for Eczema
While products that hold the NEA’s Seal of Acceptance, it’s important to remember that everyone’s skin is different. While the chances of NEA-approved products irritating eczema-prone skin is low, it’s not impossible. “The first time you apply a new product use a small amount (about the size of a pea) to the pulse of your wrist or the crook of your elbow,” advises the National Eczema Association. “Do not wash the area for 24 to 48 hours and watch for any allergic reaction such as redness, a rash, any form of breakouts on the skin, itchiness, pain, flaking, etc.”
Shop 12 Face Moisturizers for Eczema, Approved by the NEA
This velvety-rich cream is designed to tackle dryness and uneven texture on sensitive, eczema-prone skin. The star ingredient is natural Japanese Indigo extract, which calms and soothes skin, along with colloidal oatmeal to help relieve minor skin irritation and itching, and Hadasei-3, a trinity of anti-aging Japanese superfoods.
The SkinClinical Extreme Healing Repair Concentrate is designed to immediately soothe and repair damaged skin by strengthening the skin’s natural moisture barrier. In addition to soothing eczema-prone skin, this moisturizer also works for people with psoriasis, rosacea, diabetic ulcers, scars, burns, and more.