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Best Eczema-Safe Cleansers to Soothe and Protect Skin
Skin Care

Best Eczema-Safe Cleansers to Soothe and Protect Skin

18 May 2025


Best Cleansers for Eczema

Cleansers, facial gels, and body washes play an important role in treating eczema and atopic dermatitis because they have a strong effect on the skin barrier.

Cleansers for eczema should protect and repair the skin barrier with fatty acids and soothe and calm the skin with anti-inflammatory ingredients.

They should not contain harsh cleansers that damage the skin barrier.

In this blog post, I share the same information about how to properly cleanse eczema-prone skin with my dermatology patients.

Knowing your Baumann skin type is the best way to find the right facial care products. If you haven’t taken the skin care quiz yet, you should.

Soaps, Cleansers, and Detergents for Eczema

A good cleanser for eczema should protect and repair the skin barrier, reduce harmful bacteria, and leave soothing lipids on the skin.

The right cleanser for people with eczema can help prevent skin dryness, irritation, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation.

There are many types of cleansers for eczema, and I will discuss them all in this blog post.

I suffer from eczema myself, so I share my years of experience treating eczema and treating people with eczema.

Eczema-specific Face Cleansers

Cream-based Cleansers for Eczema

The best face cleansers for eczema are cream-based ones that deposit lipids (fatty acids) on the skin. These cleansers often contain oils to give them a creamy texture.

Here are some of the best cream cleansers that are safe for eczema-prone, allergic skin and protect the skin’s moisture barrier:

Meder Beauty Nrj-Net Energizing Cleansing Mask – Stabilizes your microbiome while protecting the skin barrier. Vegan.

CeraVe Hydrating Cream Foaming Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin – The best affordable face and body cleanser for eczema.

VMV HYPOALLERGENICS Red Better Deep Soothing Cleansing Cream – The ideal face cleanser for allergy sufferers with eczema, free of formaldehyde, fragrance, and allergenic preservatives.

Great for babies with atopic skin.

Zerafit Soothing Calming Cleanser is barrier compatible and leaves soothing lipids on the skin.

Neurodermatitis Gel Cleanser

Personally, I prefer using cream-based cleansers for my facial atopic dermatitis.

However, if you prefer a gel-like consistency, here are some cleansers with minimal or skin-friendly surfactants that can be used to treat atopic dermatitis:

Fragrance-free Cleansers for Eczema

Many people with atopic skin are allergic to fragrances. Fragrances such as limonene are sometimes not listed as fragrances on labels because they are referred to as “fragrance blends” or preservatives. These fragrance-free cleansers are safe for eczema-prone skin:

Anti-eczema Body Wash

This body wash for eczema was developed by dermatologists who recognized that many people with eczema develop skin infections. The sodium hypochlorite ingredient has antimicrobial properties that kill skin bacteria but is still gentle enough to be used on atopic skin.

Best Natural Soaps for Eczema

Despite my efforts, I was not able to find a natural soap for eczema that was worth recommending. The problem is that many of the herbal ingredients in natural and organic products can cause skin allergies. Most soaps can irritate eczema-prone skin. If you’re looking for a natural alternative, consider using a cleansing oil.

There are many causes of eczema, but one I often see in my patients is using a soap or cleanser that isn’t appropriate for Bowman’s skin type. The best soap for eczema is no soap! Many soaps can further damage the skin barrier and make eczema worse. Instead of using soap, choose a soap-free eczema cleanser that contains soothing fatty acids and calming ingredients.

Best Cleansing Oils for Eczema

Best Cleansing Oils for Eczema

Cleansing oils can also be used to treat eczema and are very effective when used as part of a double cleansing routine because they remove dirt and impurities without drying out the skin. Cleansing oils are more effective than soaps for cleansing eczema because they are rich in soothing fatty acids.

Look for oils like argan, glycine soya, grapeseed, almond, safflower, and coconut. They all provide a lot of moisture and offer unique benefits to the skin:

Argan oil soothes the skin and heals infections and wounds.

Glycine soya protects the skin from damage and promotes the growth of healthy skin cells.

Grapeseed oil improves skin elasticity.

Almond oil is a well-known remedy for treating dry skin and reducing scars.

Safflower oil prevents dandruff.

Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

What are lipids and why are they in dermatologist recommended cleansing products for eczema:

Lipids are the natural fats of the skin. Names for different types of fats. The relevant lipids of the skin barrier are fatty acids, ceramides, and cholesterol.

A balanced ratio of these lipids is essential for the treatment of eczema.

Fatty acids help maintain the skin barrier.

Fatty acids retain moisture while protecting against allergens, irritants, and bacteria.

Unsaturated fatty acids have a soothing effect on the skin, while saturated fatty acids provide moisture.

I suffer from eczema, so I became very interested in studying the skin barrier and finding the best skin care products for atopic dermatitis.

To manage my eczema, I use one of the following face cleansers to prevent eczema flare-ups:

Cera Ve Hydrating Cleanser

La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo Milky Cleanser

PCA Skin Daily Cleansing Oil

Zerafite Cleanser

Why is choosing the right cleanser so important for eczema?

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition caused by a damaged skin barrier, which causes redness, itching, and inflammation of the skin.

When you have eczema, your skin barrier is damaged and cannot properly retain moisture. This is often due to genetic or environmental factors, such as B.

Using the wrong body wash or face cleanser. Ingredients in soaps and detergents can remove important fatty acids from the skin, causing dry and inflamed skin.

Once inflammation begins, it activates many different inflammatory pathways and is difficult to stop. In darker skin, inflammation can lead to pigmented spots and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Can I use essential oils for eczema?

I do not recommend using essential oils for eczema because they only contain the scent of the oil and not the essential moisturizing fatty acids. Essential oils do not contain fatty acids.

Essential oils often trigger allergic reactions in skin conditions with a compromised skin barrier, such as eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis.

Therefore, if you want a natural cleanser for eczema, I recommend using natural oils such as argan oil or safflower oil. However, avoid essential oils altogether.

Some specific essential oils are beneficial for treating eczema because they contain fatty acids such as linoleic acid that have barrier functions.

Rose oil is considered anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in certain concentrations. It won’t cure your eczema alone, as it can interact with cholesterol and ceramide-containing moisturizers.

What cleansing products should you avoid if you have eczema?

Aside from essential oils, I don’t recommend using foaming cleansing products that create a lot of foam.

Foaming cleansers can remove important fats in your skin that protect the skin barrier and moisturize the skin.

I also recommend not using soaps or heavily scented soaps, as they can dehydrate the skin and further irritate it.

Also avoid mechanical exfoliants, such as facial scrubs, as they can irritate the skin.

What detergent should I use to wash my clothes if I have eczema?

The best detergents for sensitive skin, such as eczema, are Tide Free or All Free, as well as other unscented detergents. All heavily scented detergents should be avoided.

While organic laundry detergents may seem like the best option, their ingredients may actually trigger eczema. Therefore, we recommend that you use organic detergents with caution.

Conclusion

Choosing the right cleanser for eczema is easy if you follow our dermatologists’ advice and avoid foaming.

Creamy cleansers are the go-to for eczema because they are gentle, moisturizing, and protect the important lipids of the skin barrier.

Always combine an eczema cleanser with a moisturizer to repair the barrier.

We’ll help you find the best face and body cleanser for eczema for your skin type!

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
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