If you have eczema, sometimes it might feel like just looking at your skin makes it break out in red, flaky patches. The good news is that being intentional with the products you use on your face and body can make a huge difference in how often your eczema flare-ups happen (and how bad they are).
That includes being mindful about your body wash, dermatologists advise. “Having eczema means having a compromised skin barrier, and that means irritants are more likely to cause inflammation and water is more likely to evaporate out [of your skin],” Mona Gohara, MD, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine, tells SELF. “[Using] harsh soaps stokes both these fires by stripping the barrier even more and making itchiness, scaliness, and discomfort more likely.”
To learn what you should look for in the best body washes for eczema, we asked dermatologists which ingredients can help and which ones hurt. They also shared some of their favorite soaps to use and a few they recommend to their patients. Ready to make the switch? Shop their picks below.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Body & Face Wash
- Best Budget: Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Body Wash
- Best Bar: Dr. Bronner’s Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Bar Soap
- Best Oil: Avène Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil
- Best for Face and Body: Cerave Hydrating Body Wash
FAQs
What to consider while shopping for a body wash for eczema
Dermatologists gave us the scoop on how to shop for a body wash that leaves your skin feeling clean, but won’t make your eczema worse.
Ingredients
All of our experts agree that hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and panthenol are MVPs when it comes to eczema. Also key: Skin-barrier-reinforcing ceramides, which are fats and lipids in the outer layer of the skin, Gabriella Vasile, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Réforme Dermatology and Aesthetics in Charleston, South Carolina, tells SELF. Colloidal oatmeal, which is known to soothe irritation, is another all-star for eczema, she says.
The number one ingredient you should avoid is fragrance. “Patients with eczema are in that sensitive skin category, and products that are heavily fragranced can be irritating,” Mara Weinstein Velez, MD, board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center, tells SELF. “They smell good, but they can cause even further irritation and redness.” No, thank you.
Formula
Eczema-prone skin tends to lean dry, so you might be thinking you need to only use cream or oil washes instead of gel or foam ones. But actually, “it’s okay to use different formulas,” Dr. Weinstein Velez says. “I think it’s about what feels right on your skin, and it’s really paying attention to the ingredients, not necessarily the formulation.”
How often should you use a body wash for eczema?
All of the body washes on our list are fine to use daily, but don’t go overboard: You only need a small amount to effectively wash your skin, Gabriela Cobos, MD, a dermatologist and the associate medical director of outpatient dermatology at Tufts Medical Center, tells SELF.
Also, try to take shorter showers to avoid drying your skin out, even if you’re using a super hydrating body wash. “You don’t really want to be in the water for more than 10 minutes,” Dr. Cobos says. The longer you’re in water, the more moisture your skin might lose, she adds. Once you step out of the shower, she recommends following up with a body lotion or cream immediately to lock in that moisture.
Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Body & Face Wash
Pros
- Supports skin barrier
- Pump bottle is easy to use
- Fragrance-free
- National Eczema Association seal of acceptance
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers say it made them break out
This body wash went straight to the top of our picks after several dermatologists and SELF’s former lifestyle director raved about it. “It has prebiotic ingredients that help rebalance the skin’s microbiome, and it’s free of harsh ingredients that can irritate the skin,” Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with specialized fellowship training in cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery at Union Derm, tells SELF.
FYI: Your skin’s microbiome is made up of organisms that maintain your skin health and block bacteria that might cause infection. “Patients with eczema have a higher rate of skin infection in general because their [skin] barrier is compromised, and that’s why products with prebiotics that help the skin’s microbiome are really important,” Dr. Rambhia says.
Dr. Gohara points out that this wash is also infused with niacinamide to calm irritation and shea butter to deeply moisturize. The results? “Long-lasting hydration and reduced eczema symptoms,” she says. Also good to know: This received a seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association, which means it’s free of ingredients known to irritate eczema and has been tested by a panel of dermatologists, allergists, and scientists.
Size: 3.38, 6.76, 13.5 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Hydrating glycerin
Best Budget: Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Body Wash
Pros
- Contains anti-inflammatory ingredients
- Fragrance-free
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers wish it lathered more
Lubriderm is an unsung drugstore hero (I love the brand’s Daily Moisture Lotion), so it’s no surprise that Dr. Weinstein Velez recommended this wash. It’s made with pro ceramide, an ingredient that helps your skin produce more ceramides and retain moisture, she says. Anti-inflammatory vitamin E and nourishing vitamin B5 are also in the mix to calm your flare-ups down.
Size: 16 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Glycerin, soothing oat extracts
Best Bar: Dr. Bronner’s Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Bar Soap
Pros
- Lathers well
- Short ingredient list
- Minimal packaging
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers think it’s pricey
Unlike other bar soaps, this one doesn’t have a reputation for causing that uncomfortable squeaky-clean feeling. “This body wash is technically made for babies, but that’s what makes it perfect for my very sensitive, dry skin,” SELF’s senior commerce writer says. “It’s unscented, super gentle, and satisfyingly easy to lather up in the shower. It’s also pretty long-lasting—I’m always surprised to see how long it takes me to go through a full bar.”
It’s mostly made of oils, like coconut and hemp seed, that’ll hydrate your skin and seal in moisture.
Size: 5 oz | Other notable ingredients: Anti-inflammatory jojoba seed oil
Best Oil: Avène Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil
Pros
- Replenishes skin’s moisture
- Good alternative to bath bombs or salts
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- May make your tub slippery
If your idea of relaxation involves a long soak in your bathtub, try adding a moisturizing oil to the equation. Dr. Gohara says this Avène cleanser is “rich in emollients that nourish dry, sensitive skin,” like jojoba seed oil and evening primrose oil.
Dr. Weinstein Velez recommends this over bath bombs or salts that can irritate your skin. Pro tip: Be careful getting in and out—the oil can make your tub slippery, she says.
Size: 13.5 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Glycerin
Best for Face and Body: Cerave Hydrating Body Wash
Pros
- Supports skin barrier
- Fragrance-free
- National Eczema Association seal of acceptance
Cons
- Doesn’t foam up, which some people may not like
“I think having a soap that can serve as both your face and body wash while you’re in the shower is really efficient,” Dr. Vasile says. “It keeps it simple when you have a multi-step skin care routine.” This one from Cerave is gentle enough to fit the bill.
It has a creamy consistency that one former SELF editor says is perfect when her skin is extra parched: “It doesn’t dry me out at all (I probably have ceramides and hyaluronic acid to thank for that), and I reach for it when I don’t have time for moisturizer after my shower.”
Size: 10 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Petrolatum (an occlusive), glycerin, gently exfoliating urea
Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream Body Wash
Pros
- Contains anti-inflammatory ingredients
- Supports skin barrier
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers don’t like that it doesn’t lather
“Eczema” is quite literally this wash’s middle name—which makes sense, since it packs plenty of soothing ingredients you need to help tackle it. “In addition to ceramides, it has these omega oils that help hydrate the skin while cleansing. And it contains colloidal oatmeal, which is very soothing on the skin and has anti-inflammatory properties,” Dr. Rambhia says. “It’s great for eczema patients, and honestly, even people with normal or dry skin [types].”
Size: 13.5 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Glycerin
Attitude Body Wash for Sensitive Skin
Pros
- Contains soothing ingredients
- Fragrance-free
- Vegan formula
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers say the consistency is too thin
Most of the cleansers that help (or at least won’t exacerbate) eczema have cream formulas, but here’s a gel option that’ll give you a nice lather without stripping your skin. Dr. Weinstein Velez and Dr. Vasile both recommend it, saying that it contains oats to calm your skin.
Size: 16 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Glycerin, anti-inflammatory grape seed oil
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
Pros
- Safe for face and body
- Budget-friendly
- Fragrance-free
- National Eczema Association seal of acceptance
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers don’t like how it smells
You won’t catch us saying no to a two-in-one product, especially if it’s budget-friendly. “[This cleanser] is fine to use on your face and body and safe for kids as well,” Dr. Cobos says. She also notes that it’s fragrance-free, which is a must for anyone with sensitive, eczema-prone skin, and has a gentle formula that’ll still leave you feeling clean. FYI: Fragrance-free means it doesn’t contain any perfumes that mask ingredients or give a notable scent, but the wash can still have a natural smell, Dr. Cobos says.
Size: 16 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Glycerin, soothing and hydrating panthenol, niacinamide
Aveeno Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Body Wash with Triple Oat Formula
Pros
- Relieves itching
- Fragrance-free
- Refill pouches are available
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers have issues with the pump
