The best creams for baby and toddler eczema

The best eczema cream is usually the thickest, plainest one your child will tolerate, applied at the right time. Here's how to choose, and what I use.

By Dr. Chaudhry, board-certified pediatrician and mom of two · Updated October 2026

Ointment, cream or lotion?

Moisturizers differ mainly in how much water they contain. For eczema, less water is better: thick products hold moisture in and sting less.

Type	What it is	For eczema
Ointment	Oil-based, greasy, almost no water (petroleum jelly)	Best protection, least likely to sting. Ideal for babies and very dry patches.
Cream	Thick mix of oil and water, comes in a tub	Good for daytime and kids who dislike greasy feel.
Lotion	Mostly water, pumps easily	Usually too thin, and often stings on broken skin.

What to look for on the label

Fragrance-free, not just "unscented" (unscented products can contain masking fragrance).
Short ingredient list. Fewer ingredients means fewer chances of irritation.
No dyes, and be careful with botanicals and essential oils, which can irritate sensitive skin.
A tube or tub rather than a pump, which usually means a thicker product.

My picks

CURAD Petroleum Jelly Skin Protectant (12-pack)

Plain petroleum jelly is the gold standard for sealing eczema skin: protective, gentle, and inexpensive. The small tubes mean you can keep one in the diaper bag, the car and every room.

Earth Mama Baby Face, Nose & Cheek Balm

A plant-based balm I like for chapped cheeks and drooly chins. It contains calendula, so try a small spot first if your child reacts to botanicals.

When and how to apply

Within 3 minutes of the bath, while skin is still slightly damp ("soak and seal").
At least twice a day, all over, even when the skin looks clear.
Generously. The skin should look shiny afterward.
Last in the routine. On flaring spots, apply any prescribed medicine first, then the moisturizer on top.

Creams alone may not be enough. If your child's eczema keeps flaring or gets infected, staph is often part of the problem. I start every routine by lowering staph with a hypochlorous acid spray or CLn BodyWash, then treat flares with prescribed ointments, then seal with a cream. Here's the full routine I used.

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