Living with eczema is quite challenging, especially when your skin is dry, itchy, and inflamed.
Finding the best natural lotion for eczema can make a big difference in managing and feeling comfortable in your own skin.
Some of the best natural lotions for eczema include ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and ceramides that repair the skin barrier while moisturizing your skin without irritation.
Natural lotions are great because they intentionally make their products without harsh chemicals that can trigger flare-ups.
If you stay with me long enough, or you can skip ahead, I got 5 recommendations that I’ve used on my skin healing journey.
Understanding Eczema and Skin Care Needs
Eczema requires a little bit of extra attention to manage symptoms and protect your skin barrier.
But the right approach and products can make a huge impact to help you control flare-ups and stay comfortable.
The Science of Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that causes dry, itchy, rashes and inflamed skin.
Your skin barrier, which normally protects you against irritants and locks in moisture, becomes weak and compromised when you have eczema.
Eczema is often a multifactorial condition due to a combination of genetic, immune system, nutrition, stress and environmental triggers.
Common triggers include:
- Stress
- Fragrances
- Temperature changes
- Heavily processed foods
- Harsh soaps and detergents
- Certain fabrics (especially wool, nylon and polyester)
- Allergens like dust mites or pet dander
The frustrating itch-scratch cycle makes eczema challenging and tricky to heal.
When you scratch, you damage your skin further, which leads to more inflammation and itching.
So rather than me telling you to not scratch, we need to find ways to itch less and decrease inflammation.
Importance of Moisturizing Eczema Skin
Consistently keeping your skin hydrated is essential for managing eczema.
When your skin barrier is weak and compromised, moisture escapes more faster than normal, leaving your skin dry.
Proper hydration helps with the following:
- Prevent painful dry skin cracks
- Reduce itching and irritation
- Repair your damaged skin barrier
- Decrease the frequency of flare-ups
The best time to apply lotion is right after a bath or shower. This is when your skin is still damp.
This helps lock in moisture before it evaporates and helps you and your skin feel healthy.
Look for products without fragrances, dyes, or other common irritants.
Characteristics of an Ideal Eczema Lotion
Finding the best natural lotion for eczema means looking for specific ingredients that won’t trigger flare-ups while helping your skin actually heal itself.
Keep reading because I have 5 amazing recommendations for you!
Key Ingredients to Look Out For
When buying a lotion for eczema, focus on products that will help repair your skin with natural ingredients.
The first thing you want to do is look for ceramides. They are natural fats that help maintain your skin’s protective layer and lock in moisture.
Colloidal oatmeal is another common ingredient that can calm irritation and reduce itching. It became popular from the Aveeno brand.
Shea butter and glycerin are excellent moisturizers that bring water to your skin without feeling greasy.
These ingredients help keep your skin hydrated longer throughout the day.
Aloe vera can help calm your red itchy skin during flare-ups.
Beneficial ingredients for eczema:
- Ceramides
- Colloidal oatmeal
- Hyaluronic acid
- Calendula
- Glycerin
- Shea or cocoa butter
- Aloe vera
Non-Irritating Formulas Explained
Your go to eczema lotion should always be fragrance-free!
Artificial fragrances and scents are one of the most common triggers for sensitive skin.
On top of that, they are known hormone disruptors which can trigger your flares up and eczema.
Look for “hypoallergenic” on the labels, which tells us that the product is less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Lotions containing alcohol should also be avoided as this can dry out your skin.
Products labeled “for sensitive skin” usually eliminate harsh preservatives and common irritants. So keep an eye out for this.
Remember, the simpler the ingredients, the better.
Lotions with fewer ingredients generally mean fewer potential irritants for your sensitive skin.
*This post contains affiliate links. This means, at no additional cost to you, if you purchase the product, I will receive a commission. These commissions help pay for website hosting, keeping it ad-free and to spread the word on clearing eczema!
5 Best Natural Lotion for Eczema
Because I’ve been in your shoes and have already done the trial error for you… here are the 5 best natural lotion for eczema.
Remember to always patch test and what works for someone else, may not work for you.
Continue to experiment until you find that cream that doesn’t flare you up.
1. Dr Arsy Skin Moisturizer #003
Dr. Arsy’s “The Cream” is a skincare game-changer, meticulously crafted to provide comprehensive care.
This Brand and Cream is new on the block and slowly gaining popularity for it’s benefits.
This multi-functional cream boasts a unique blend of natural ingredients designed to hydrate, soothe, and rejuvenate the skin.
It’s made with:
- Shea Butter
- Cocoa Butter
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Pumpkin Seed Extract
- Oat Extract
- Vitamin B5
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
I’ve personally used this cream and love how lightweight while still keeping my skin moisturized.
A small amount goes a long way with this cream as well. It’s also fragrance-free and hypoallergenic!
I also have a 10% off coupon code to help you save on your first purchase!
Enter ” EverythingEczema” at checkout.
2. Shoosha Organic Baby Sensitive Skin Face & Body Lotion Unscented
Here’s why I love Shoosha on a personal and professional level:
- 100% USDA-Certified Organic: You won’t find any synthetic chemicals or questionable ingredients here.
- Powerful, Natural Relief: Ingredients like calendula extract, chamomile, and jojoba oil soothe irritation and deeply moisturize without clogging pores.
- Safe for the Whole Family: Whether you’re caring for your own skin or your little one’s, these products are gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.
Its main ingredients are (all organic by the way):
- Oatmeal
- Aloe Vera
- Jojoba Oil
- Shea Butter
- Coconut Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Calendula Oil
- Cocoa Seed Butter
I also have a 15% off coupon code to help you save on your first purchase!
Enter ” EverythingEczema15” at checkout.
3. Penny Lane Organics Extreme Moisturizing Cream
One of my favourite brands, Penny Lane Organics, uses natural ingredients to help you on your holistic skincare journey.
Penny Lane Organics’ 100% Natural Extreme Moisturizing Cream is a dry skin savior.
Crafted with organic ingredients, it provides intense hydration without harsh chemicals while incorporating anti-inflammatory properties.
The cream is a plant-based formula that uses these organic active ingredients below:
- Cocoa butter
- Shea butter
- Coconut oil
- Aloe vera
- Calendula oil
- Apricot kernel oil
- Rosehip oil
- Vitamin E oil
Free from artificial additives, chemical-free, gluten-free, vegan and biodegradable, this cream is a pure, natural solution for combating dryness and promoting skin health.
4. Attitude Deep Moisturizing Body Cream
Attitude Deep Moisturizing Body Cream is a plant- and mineral-based lotion designed for sensitive skin.
It absorbs well into the skin without feeling greasy while feeling rich enough to moisturize.
The formula has natural ingredients like shea butter and avocado oil for a deeper hydration.
I love that it’s vegan, cruelty-free, and free from harsh chemicals which should minimize the common skin irritants.
It works well for dry skin, though very dry or eczema-prone skin may need reapplication.
Overall, it’s a great choice for a natural lotion without any added synthetic additives.
5. Aveeno Eczema Gel
Okay so this next one is not really a lotion but deserves a shoutout.
The Aveeno Eczema gel is a lightweight and fast-absorbing gel made specifically for eczema affected areas.
It contains colloidal oatmeal to help with irritation and protect the skin barrier.
The gel-cream texture provides deep hydration without the sticky icky feeling.
It’s also fragrance-free, which is what we want to reduce the risk of a reaction or flare up.
What Makes Natural Lotions Special
Natural lotions typically avoid parabens, fragrances, and sulfates that can trigger eczema flares.
Instead, they use plant based like sunflower, jojoba, and coconut that mimic your skin’s natural lipids.
Look for products with ceramides, which are natural fats that help maintain your skin barrier.
Glycerin is a plant-derived ingredient that pulls moisture into your skin without petroleum based ingredients.
This makes it an excellent ingredient in truly natural formulations.
The best natural lotions also incorporate anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe vera, calendula, and chamomile that calm redness and irritation.
Spotlight on Key Ingredients
Natural ingredients can make a big difference in how your skin feels and heals.
These powerhouse ingredients work together to protect your skin barrier and soothe irritated eczema patches.
Benefits of Colloidal Oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal is a popular ingredient these days. Finely ground oatmeal creates a protective barrier on your skin that helps seal in moisture.
Research has show it reduces itching and inflammation thanks to compounds called avenanthramides.
These natural chemicals can calm red, irritated skin once applied.
When you use lotions with colloidal oatmeal, you’ll notice:
- Less itching
- Reduced redness
- Better moisture retention
- A strengthened skin barrier
What Are Ceramides?
Ceramides are natural fats that make up about 50% of your skin’s outer layer.
They almost like glue holding our skins together creating a waterproof seal.
Lotions with ceramides can help rebuild your skin’s protective layer.
As you work on healing your inflammation internally plus using natural lotions, your skin will feel the difference within 2-3 weeks of regular use.
The tiny cracks in your skin barrier will start to heal. Your skin will retain moisture, less irritants will bother it and ultimately reducing the itching.
Soothing Effects of Shea Butter
Shea butter is made from the nuts of African Shea trees and works well on dry, itchy eczema patches.
Because it has a rich texture, it creates a protective layer for your skin without feeling greasy.
Shea Butter is also high in Vitamins A, E, and F which is all beneficial skin vitamins. Shea butter can help:
- Calm inflammation
- Speed up skin healing
- Provide deep hydration
The awesome thing about shea butter is that its fat composition is similar to your skin’s natural oils. This makes it great at soothing flare-ups.
Creating a Skin Care Routine for Eczema
Taking care of eczema requires consistency and daily care but don’t feel overwhelmed.
We got some tips for you.
A simple routine can help keep your skin stay hydrated and prevent future flare ups.
Daily Moisturizing Tips
Moisturize at least twice daily. Before you head out for the day and after you come home.
Use a gentle cleanser or soap to strip away dirt and then apply your favourite moisturize.
When showering or bathing, minimize hot water use as it can strip natural oils from your skin.
Lastly, pat your skin dry gently with a soft towel rather than rubbing your skin down.
Bonus tip: Think about using a humidifier in your bedroom to add moisture to the air. During the dry winter months or in air-conditioned spaces, the air itself is dry and a humidifier can help add moisture back into the air.
Dealing with Eczema Flare-Ups
During a flare-up, remember to slow down and rest.
It’s important to provide your mind, skin and body with nutritious meals so it can bounce back faster from the flare ups.
Cold compresses can help reduce itching and inflammation.
Flare-up triggers to avoid:
- Harsh soaps and detergents
- Fragrances
- Wool, nylon and polyester
- Stress (try relaxation techniques)
- Highly processed and packaged foods
- Common food allergens
Another tip you should always consider is, wearing loose-fitting clothes made of 100% cotton to let your skin breathe.
What to Avoid in Eczema Lotions
When dealing with eczema, knowing what to avoid in your skin care is just as important as knowing what it should include.
The wrong ingredients can set your eczema so let’s avoid that.
Common Irritants and Allergens
Try to avoid products that contain alcohol, as they can be extremely drying and irritating.
Watch out for preservatives like methylisothiazolinone and formaldehyde-releasers, which are common triggers for sensitive skin.
Lanolin is another potential irritant for some with eczema.
If you notice your skin reacting after using lanolin-containing products, then we know it’s best to avoid it.
Products containing dyes or colorants should always be avoid. On top of it being a skin irritant, research has shown that dyes and colours are also hormone disruptors.
These offer no benefit to your skin and may trigger flare-ups.
Always look for “fragrance-free” on the label and not just “unscented”. Ideally both as sometimes unscented could have hidden fragrances.
Harsh sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) can strip your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Parabens are a type of preservative that can trigger reactions in some people.
So now a days, it’s a very common ingredient excluded by natural options.
These ingredients are way too aggressive for your sensitive skin and can trigger a flare up.
Lotions, Potions and More
Taking care of your eczema doesn’t have to be hard.
Finding the right natural lotion can make a big difference in your skincare routine.
Remember that what works for someone else, might not work for you.
Your skin is unique, and it might take some experimentation until you find your favourite one.
Avoid lotions with fragrances, dyes, and harsh chemicals. These can trigger flare-ups and make your eczema worse.
Don’t forget that healing your skin care goes beyond the best natural lotion for eczema.
If your eczema has been around most of your life, it’s time to seriously look into the root cause of your flare ups and inflammation.
It’s usually a combination of your nutrition, gut health and nervous system.
If you are ready to once and for all take control of your eczema, I invite you to Book Your Eczema Reset Chat to learn more about the Holistic Eczema Reset program.
Looking forward to seeing you on the other side!
