Best baby eczema cream and treatment 2021: To sooth sore skin and relieve itchiness

Best: Overall

Aveeno is the magic word on everyone’s lips when you mention eczema – and rightly so. Its oat-based moisturising formulas have been calming skin for years. This emollient cream is super hydrating while also being gentle enough to use even through flare ups. It’s light and easily absorbed while also restoring calm to your child’s raw skin and giving immediate comfort.

It’s packed with avenanthramides – an antioxidant found in oats – that will reduce inflammation long after you’ve applied it. If your child has a particularly bad patch of eczema, smother them in this stuff for instant relief. In addition, there’s a new gorgeous smelling calming comfort range that will encourage relaxation while also giving your child Aveeno’s signature oat-based moisturisation.

Best: For a soothing soak

If bathing tends to leave your child’s skin feeling dry and incurably itchy, add these bath salts to the tub for a soothing soak. The facts speak for themselves as one packet is sold every three seconds in the UK.

These “dead sea” salts are completely natural and packed with magnesium sulphate which helps to relax muscles, reducing stress that may trigger skin flare ups. Sting-free and causing no irritation, even to open wounds, they dissolve instantly in the bath, so your child won’t feel any scratch while they’re bathing in the tub.

To reap the benefits of a salt bath, be generous with how much you pour in – aim for 250g for a 10 minute soak. They also aid in a better night’s sleep, which is always an added bonus when it comes to kids’ bedtime. And finally, the bath salts are just as effective on adult’s dry skin as they are on children’s, so you’re getting real bang for your buck.

Best: Natural formula

A pioneer of organic skincare, this reputable brand continues to produce some of the best natural formulas around. And this skin-friendly baby body lotion is no exception. The mild, fragrance-free formula is great for applying on your little one post-bath to keep their hydration levels high and control itchiness.

It’s packed with organic white mallow and pansy extracts to soothe your baby’s dry skin. The pleasant milky texture absorbs instantly, leaving no greasy residue or stickiness. The lotion also contains organic coconut oil which hydrates with a cooling effect, while the borage seed oil and organic safflower seed oil ensures your baby’s skin barrier is well protected. Although this is used by many baby’s that suffer with eczema, this is much better suited to those who have a mild skin disorder or just very dry skin.

Best: Family-friendly serum

Although the word serum may throw you somewhat, this light textured formula is a great choice for children that may be reliant on steroid creams that you’re keen to wean them off.

This was originally formulated for adults and children with diabetes, who are prone to developing dry and sensitive skin. This family-friendly serum is hard-working, fuss-free and works well on both face and body. At just 50ml, if your child has large outbreaks of eczema or severe dry patches on their body, you’re going to need more than one bottle.

It has a pleasant cooling effect thanks to the peppermint extract, while the wasabi and burdock leaf deliver a heavy dose of comfort and moisturisation. It’s even suitable for babies from one month upwards. Although a little goes a long way, you don’t get a lot of product for this price point.

Best: Hand cleansing gel

While washing your hands more regularly and using hand sanitiser is paramount in the current climate, it can exacerbate eczema and dry skin conditions and be painful to use on sensitive skin. With this in mind, Bramley, a long-established British skincare brand, has created an alcohol-free cleansing gel that contains soothing aloe vera, antibacterial tea tree and lavender essential oils.

We can vouch that it doesn’t cause even the smallest of wail from your little one. It’s also gorgeously fragranced with peppermint essential oils that remind us of after dinner peppermint creams. Plus, it’s suitable for children from aged six months and comes in a pump dispenser which means there’s very little waste or spillages.

Best: Wipes

Although we are well aware that wipes are not the best eco-friendly purchase, when it comes to baby bums, they’re undoubtedly an essential in every parent’s arsenal. But what about the baby or child that has a skin condition that makes wiping them clean a very painful and traumatic experience? Enter these cleansing wipes from skin-friendly brand Mustela. They work as well on bums as they do on faces and hands and without a tear or red patch in sight.

Suitable from birth, they’re thicker than regular wipes and drenched in a nourishing formula that is alcohol-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free and hypoallergenic. They work well in a single swipe, meaning there’s no unnecessary rubbing that can inflame or irritate your baby’s skin. They also make a great alternative to the usual soft cotton wool and water that parents tend to use on their newborn.

Best: For showers and baths

This cleansing oil wash will minimise the tight dry feeling that your child may experience from being in water for too long. Like all of this French dermatological brand’s products, it’s powered by thermal spring water that brings calm and balance to the skin by fighting inflammation. Lightweight yet nourishing, the oil texture makes a skin-friendly alternative to harsher shower and bath gels. Use as you would a regular shower gel and then pat your child’s skin dry with a soft towel and avoid rubbing at all costs. We particularly love to use this product in the summer, when your child is more likely to be immersed in water for long periods of time, in swimming pools, paddling pools or the sea. Add this to your holiday toiletry list now.

Best: For sensitive scalps

This gentle cleansing shampoo will stop even the itchiest of scalps from flaring up and causing irritation after washing. It contains naturally-derived cleansing agents and is infused with aloe vera to calm your child’s scalp. Not only is this reasonably priced, dermatologist and paediatrician approved (making it eczema friendly) but it’s also packed with natural ingredients that leaves your child’s hair tangle-free, super soft, and shiny too, plus it smells great. It received a big thumbs up from our mini tester who also liked the bright and fun animated packaging.

The shampoo also comes in a super handy travel pack, which is often hard to find with kids’ products. There’s also a hair conditioner in the range that is equally as kind to scalps and leaves little ones with tangle and static free hair. And if that’s not enough, it can be used on newborns too, which makes it a great choice for treating cradle cap without any rubbing, combing, or even picking.

Best: For daily use

Looking for a body wash and shampoo that is mild enough to use on your child daily? Plump for this bathtime must have. Packed with skin-loving ingredients that calm and heal, such as aloe vera, chamomile and lavender, it will gently cleanse your child’s body and scalp without stripping your child’s skin’s natural oils. This works well as a great compliment to your child’s bedtime routine without causing the irritation or dryness that is usually associated with eczema. Kids will love this product too, thanks to its fun-packaging and gorgeous smell.

Best: For improving skin barrier

This award-winning kid-friendly range was first developed after high demand from parents due to the success of its dermaspray​, which treats eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and rosacea. Soon after, this cream became its bestseller. It contains unique ingredients such as zeolite (a volcanic mineral) and jojoba, which help support and improve your baby’s skin barrier. The natural ingredients work to bind the moisture in the skin, while also flushing out allergens that cause irritation in the first place. This non-stinging, super-hydrating cream really lives up to its reputation, we saw a distinct difference in our child’s skin in just two weeks.

Best: For controlling itching

Developed by dermatologists to treat mild to moderate atopic eczema symptoms, this three-in-one cream controls itching, redness and dryness while upping moisture levels. Its clever and unique formulation activates your child’s skin’s own repair system while also offering hydration. The lotion absorbs quickly so it can be applied comfortably day and night and won’t rub or stain your child’s clothes. Unlike many dermatologist formulas, it’s steroid-free and suitable for use on babies and children from the age of eight weeks, which makes this a popular no-frills choice.

Best: Moisture

If you’ve managed to look beyond the hefty price tag, this deeply nourishing cream is said to increase skin moisture levels by 80 per cent. It’s packed with a cocktail of organic oils (neem, chamomile, tamanu, and chickweed) to calm and restore the driest of skin. The ultra-rich cream has a thick consistency making it better suited when slathered on before bed so that the greasy formula doesn’t transfer and stain clothing.

Consider this your child’s emergency cream when their skin needs a weighty amount of TLC. With the addition of calming aloe vera and squalene, your child will feel instant relief as soon as you apply. Plus, it doubles up well as a hardworking moisturiser for parents too – a family-friendly multi-tasker.

Best: Texture

Newly launched, this skincare range has been developed with paediatric dermatologists and has been approved by the National Eczema Association. We quickly fell in love with this prebiotic loaded, oatmeal-based body wash that has the perfect texture – not too runny but not too thick either. On contact with your child’s skin, it lathers up well and creates a bubbly foam, which will guarantee will put a smile on their face. Who doesn’t love bubbles in their bath?

The ultra-gentle formula means it can be used without caution – even on sore and open patches of eczema – plus it doubles up well as a shampoo. Locking in moisture for 24 hours after application, it encouraging less itching and healthier skin for your child. Suitable from newborns upwards, this tear-free body wash may not look fancy, but it’s an absolute must-have for every family bathroom, especially with kids that suffer from eczema.