Best body cream for dry itchy skin

If you’re constantly dealing with red, itchy, dry patches of eczema, you’re probably familiar with the struggle to find the best eczema creams out there. Chances are, by now, you’ve tried seemingly every hand cream or lotion available over-the-counter. It’s incredibly tough to find a product to treat eczema, and finding a moisturizer without irritating your poor skin further is especially essential in the winter if you have winter eczema. Eczema creams are not one-size-fits-all, and it is way too easy to spend a ton of money on products that don’t provide eczema relief. So how can you be sure you’re using the right one for you? 

What to look for in eczema creams

Eczema, most commonly known as atopic dermatitis, is a condition in which the skin barrier is not able to maintain the necessary moisture to provide protection from allergens and environmental stressors. “People with eczema tend to have dry, irritated, inflamed skin,” says Shari Lipner, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of clinical dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine. “Choosing the right moisturizer can help in preventing eczema flare-ups and treating the eczema.”

The best eczema creams and lotions are “thicker moisturizers,” Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, M.D., double board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mudgil Dermatology, tells SELF. It’s especially important to look for a product that contains humectant ingredients (like hyaluronic acid and glycerin) as well as moisturizing and skin-protecting ingredients (like ceramides, petrolatum, and colloidal oatmeal). Humectants help add additional hydration, while ceramides and occlusive ingredients reinforce the skin barrier, ultimately helping to protect you from irritants that might trigger an eczema flare. Keep an eye out for products with a high oil-content-to-water-content ratio as well, Dr. Lipner recommends.

What ingredients to avoid in eczema creams

Of course, there are ingredients you’ll want to avoid too, Dendy Engelman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Medical Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, tells SELF. Ingredients to watch out for include fragrances, exfoliating acids (like glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids), harsh soaps, and retinol, she says: “These can further irritate the skin by drying them out.”

Dr. Nada Elbuluk, M.D., director of the Skin of Color Center and Pigmentary Program at USC, also notes to look at ingredients lists for anything you might be allergic to, because that will also cause a flare-up. “I also recommend avoiding physical exfoliants and even certain fabrics such as wool, which can make eczema worse,” she says.

So what are the absolute best eczema creams to hydrate, strengthen, and protect against flare-ups? We asked dermatologists to tell us what moisturizers they commonly recommend to their eczema patients. Here’s what they suggest.

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Suffering from itchy skin? Here are 7 best lotions for itchy skin to try out!

by P R Gayathri   |  Updated on Aug 01, 2022 01:39 PM IST  |  241.5K

7 Best lotion for itchy skin under $60 from Amazon

Different seasons and climatic conditions make skin itchy and dry and few of us are prone to it very easily. But finding the best product for dry, irritated skin can sometimes feel overwhelming. While ceramides and occlusive ingredients reinforce the skin barrier, ultimately helping to protect you from irritants that might trigger an eczema flare. Keep an eye out for products with a high oil-content-to-water-content ratio as well. Here we bring to you 7 best lotions for itchy skin.

Here are 7 best lotion for itchy skin:

Scroll on to grab the best lotion to combat dry and itchy skin.

1. Curél Ultra Healing Lotion

This lotion is clinically proven to relieve and repair extra-dry skin 2 times better than the leading intensive lotion. It provides instant dry skin relief that lasts for over 24 hours and contains extra-strength, naturally hydrating agents to help even the driest, tightest skin feel soft, supple and restored.

Price: $ 32

Buy Now 

3. CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion for Itch Relief

This lotion temporarily relieves itching associated with insect bites, sunburn, and poison ivy while moisturizing dry skin. The lightweight texture that is absorbed quickly for softened skin with a non-greasy feel. All CeraVe products are formulated with three essential ceramides to help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier.

Price: $ 59.85

Buy Now 

4. Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion

This therapeutic body lotion is rich, yet fast-absorbing and provides all-day hydration leaving skin feeling softer, smoother and healthier-looking. It features a clinically proven formula with coconut oil, dimethicone skin protectant and Triple Oat Complex containing oat flour, oat extract and oat oil to help relieve and moisturize very dry skin.

Price: $ 15.77

Buy Now 

6. O'Keeffe's Skin Repair Body Lotion

This unscented, non-greasy, hypoallergenic formula absorbs quickly into your skin to moisturize and protect against dryness for 48 Hours. This concentrated, highly effective body moisturizer heals, relieves and repairs extremely dry, itchy skin. Apply a small amount to dry skin - it's all you need.

What is the best cream for itchy dry skin?

What is the best lotion for extremely itchy skin?