What are the benefits of body washes for eczema?

The benefits of body washes for eczema are that they contain specific ingredients that help protect, repair, and treat the skin. Body washes for eczema often contain ingredients that increase moisture, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and dimethicone. Other ingredients minimize itching and irritation, including colloidal oatmeal, chamomile, and aloe.

What can I wash my eczema with?

Wash your eczema with a cleanser or body wash designed for eczema. This will ensure you are treating the skin while repairing and protecting it effectively. Choose gentle cleansers that are fragrance-free and avoid harsh soaps.

How often should you use body washes for eczema?

Use body washes for eczema each time you bathe or shower. These body washes will repair and protect your skin to relieve and prevent flare-ups. Wetting and cleaning your skin is essential for those with eczema to avoid bacteria growth and worsening outbreaks. Be sure to avoid hot water and moisturize immediately following your exposure to water.

The 12 Best Body Washes for Eczema of 2023

If you've had it, you know. The itchy, flaky, inflamed patches caused by eczema can be a real drag. And unlike pimples, a hands-off approach won't necessarily make the problem go away. While the frustrating, recurring skin condition sometimes pops up on the face, board-certified dermatologist Lian A. Mack, MD, explains atopic dermatitis (the most common form of eczema) often appears below the neck.

"The patches…typically present in the folds of the arms and behind the knees," Dr. Mack tells Byrdie. Then there's dyshidrotic eczema, which she says "affects the palms and soles primarily," and nummular eczema (aka discoid eczema) that "presents as coin-shaped or round patches."

Whichever below-the-neck variant you're battling, the right body wash can help clear things up and calm irritation. According to Diane Madfes, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, "colloidal oats are a naturally soothing ingredient for the skin," and fragrance-free formulas are ideal. Dr. Mack is a fan of ceramides, fatty acids, and petrolatum for eczema, as they help replenish the skin barrier.

Meet the Expert

Lian A. Mack, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City specializing in skin conditions as they apply to people of color, along with various aesthetic enhancements, including laser treatments and injectables.
Board-certified dermatologist Diane Madfes, MD, FAAD, specializes in facial rejuvenation, chemical peels, and general skin care at her New York City practice.
Hadley King, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical and cosmetic skin care treatments.

Without further ado, here are the best body washes for eczema, according to dermatologists.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream Body Wash at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

Dove Beauty Bar at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Fragrance-Free:

Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Flaky Skin:

Olay Cleansing & Firming Body Wash at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Natural:

Nola Skin Essentials Oats of Glory at Nolaskinsentials.com

Jump to Review

Best for Flare-Ups:

Avène XeraCalm A.D Cleansing Oil at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Soothing:

The Honest Company Soothing Therapy Eczema Body Wash at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Sensitive Skin:

Dove Sensitive Skin Nourishing Body Wash at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Dry Skin:

Monat Body Care Moisture & Replenish Body Wash at Mymonat.com

Jump to Review

Best Oil:

Skinfix Eczema+ Foaming Oil Body Wash at Sephora

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Itch relief
Fragrance-free
Dermatologist-recommended

What We Don't Like

Difficult to spread

Some of the best formulas for eczema are not only budget-friendly but also widely available online and at most drugstores. Case in point: Eucerin.

"For those looking for a non-foaming gentle cleanser, I recommend Eucerin's Eczema Relief Cream Body Wash that contains colloidal oatmeal," says Dr. Mack. "Colloidal oatmeal soothes itching and irritation." We also like that the fragrance-free formula contains ceramides, which, as Dr. Mack notes, help replenish the skin barrier.

Price at time of publish: $12

Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, ceramides | Size: 13.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On CVS

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Soap-free formula
Dermatologist-recommended

What We Don't Like

Contains synthetic fragrance

"Cleansers should be gentle soap substitutes like Dove Beauty Bar…that are free of harsh detergents that strip natural oils from the skin and that contain moisturizing ingredients," says board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD.

Price at time of publish: $13

Key Ingredients: Cocamidopropyl betaine, palm kernelate | Size: 3.8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

4.4

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Itch relief
Fragrance-free

What We Don't Like

Contains PEGs

Containing oat flour, oil, and extract, this hefty 33-ounce pump bottle from Aveeno pulls out all the stops to soothe dry, itchy skin while gently cleansing your body.

Price at time of publish: $11

Key Ingredients: Oat flour, oat oil, oat extract, glycerin | Size: 33 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Olay Premium Cleansing and Firming Body Wash with Collagen

Target

View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Pump bottle
Dermatologist-recommended

What We Don't Like

Contains synthetic fragrance

"Olay Body Wash contains a vitamin B3 pro-glycerin complex that helps the skin absorb moisture and petrolatum to lock in moisture," says Dr. King. "It's formulated to cleanse gently, removing dirt and grime but not beneficial skin lipids."

Price at time of publish: $33

Key Ingredients: Collagen, niacinamide, glycerin, petrolatum | Size: 17.9 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Nola Skin Essentials

View On Nolaskinsentials.com

What We Like

Natural formula
Itch relief
Soothes inflammation

What We Don't Like

Small amount

If you're partial to natural formulas, go with Oats of Glory. As the name suggests, this delightfully milky body wash calls on colloidal oatmeal to relieve itchiness and chamomile to soothe inflammation.

Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, glycerin, chamomile | Size: 4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

AvÃ¨ne XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Dermstore View On Walmart

What We Like

Fragrance-free
Soothes inflammation
Moisturizing

What We Don't Like

Contains PEGs

When a flare-up strikes, reach for Avène XeraCalm A.D. The kicker of this moisturizing cleansing oil is the brand's proprietary thermal spring water, which has shown to calm inflammation and offer relief for symptoms of eczema.

Price at time of publish: $31

Key Ingredients: Thermal spring water, glycerin, primrose oil | Size: 13.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Honest Soothing Therapy Eczema Body Wash

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart

What We Like

Natural formula
Itch relief
Moisturizing

What We Don't Like

Difficult to spread

If you're looking for something that provides itch relief and ample moisture, go with Honest. Formulated specifically for eczema-prone skin, this plant-based body wash combines colloidal oatmeal with coconut oil to soothe, hydrate, and gently cleanse.

Price at time of publish: $14

Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, coconut oil | Size: 8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Dove Sensitive Skin Nourishing Body Wash

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Generous amount
Dermatologist-recommended

What We Don't Like

Contains synthetic fragrance

Dr. King recommends Dove Body Wash for folks with sensitive skin, which cleanses without irritation. "This creamy sulfate-free wash contains ingredients like lipids and glycerin that moisturize and support the skin barrier," she tells Byrdie. "It's hypoallergenic and gentle on the skin microbiome."

Price at time of publish: $10

Key Ingredients: Lipids, glycerin | Size: 34 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Monat

View On Mymonat.com

What We Like

Moisturizing
Doesn't strip skin
Dermatologist-recommended

What We Don't Like

Pricey
Contains synthetic fragrance

"Monat's Moisturize & Replenish Body Wash is a wonderful option for individuals suffering from dry, eczema-plagued skin," says Dr. Mack. "Packed with niacinamide (vitamin B3) and several botanical oils, this gentle cleanser leaves you feeling clean without stripping the skin and over-drying."

Price at time of publish: $42

Key Ingredients: Plant oils, niacinamide, glycolic acid, rose water | Size: 9 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Sephora

View On Sephora

What We Like

Moisturizing
Itch relief
Pump bottle

What We Don't Like

Results aren't drastic

We're also big fans of Skinfix Eczema+. This exceptionally moisturizing sulfate-free body wash is full of plant oils and earth-sourced cleansers, plus anti-itch colloidal oatmeal and Mother Nature's anti-inflammatory, aloe vera.

Price at time of publish: $26

Key Ingredients: Plant oils, colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera | Size: 12.5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Chloe + Chad Titan Head-to-Toe Body Wash

Chloe and Chad

View On Chloeandchad.com

What We Like

Natural formula
Itch relief
Moisturizing

What We Don't Like

Pricey

Chloe + Chad's Titan wash calls on olive, coconut, grapeseed, and sunflower oils, plus panthenol (vitamin B5) to replenish dry skin, while oat extract offers itch relief. What's more, the multi-use formula can be used on your hair or body.

Price at time of publish: $35

Key Ingredients: Plant oils, oat extract, panthenol | Size: 8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance Free Shampoo & Wash

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart

What We Like

Organic ingredients
Pump bottle

What We Don't Like

Difficult to spread

Formulated for babies and gentle enough for kiddos, this fragrance-free wash is a great option for eczema-prone skin at any age. Thanks to oat protein, chamomile, and coconut oil, the ultra-mild formula soothes itchiness during flare-ups while delivering plant-based moisture to dry skin.

Price at time of publish: $17

Key Ingredients: Oat protein, chamomile, coconut oil | Size: 16 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Final Verdict

The best overall option is Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream Body Wash, a dermatologist-recommended cleanser that relieves itchiness with colloidal oatmeal and replenishes the skin barrier with ceramides. For something even more affordable, we suggest Dove's Original Beauty Bar, a dermatologist-approved whole-body cleanser that doesn't strip the skin.

What to Look For When Buying Body Wash for Eczema

Soothing Ingredients

It's best to choose body wash formulas containing colloidal oatmeal or its derivatives such as beta-glucan, avenanthramides, and flavonoids. These ingredients relieve itchiness and soothe the skin.

Look for other soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as chamomile, aloe vera, white tea, witch hazel, rose water, and niacinamide.

Humectants and Occlusives

Formulas containing humectants such as ceramides and fatty acids repair and strengthen the skin barrier by preventing water loss. Look for ceramides and other humectants, including hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane, collagen, and niacinamide.

Occlusives such as petrolatum assist the skin in holding the moisture it already has, preventing loss. Also, look for body washes that include the occlusive ingredients dimethicone, silicone, mineral oil, and certain plant oils.

Fragrance-Free Formula

Body washes for eczema should typically not include fragrances, which can be irritating. Fragrances can cause skin sensitivity or cause allergic reactions that lead to more or worsening eczema. Check the label for perfumes and fragrances to avoid them, or if you do purchase a product with fragrance, keep track of whether it seems to cause a reaction for you.

FAQ

What are the benefits of body washes for eczema?

The benefits of body washes for eczema are that they contain specific ingredients that help protect, repair, and treat the skin. Body washes for eczema often contain ingredients that increase moisture, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and dimethicone. Other ingredients minimize itching and irritation, including colloidal oatmeal, chamomile, and aloe.
What can I wash my eczema with?

Wash your eczema with a cleanser or body wash designed for eczema. This will ensure you are treating the skin while repairing and protecting it effectively. Choose gentle cleansers that are fragrance-free and avoid harsh soaps.
How often should you use body washes for eczema?

Use body washes for eczema each time you bathe or shower. These body washes will repair and protect your skin to relieve and prevent flare-ups. Wetting and cleaning your skin is essential for those with eczema to avoid bacteria growth and worsening outbreaks. Be sure to avoid hot water and moisturize immediately following your exposure to water.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer specializing in wellness and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed dermatologists, pored over user reviews, and researched the general-purpose, and benefits of using body washes for eczema. Theresa is a regular contributor at Byrdie, where she covers apparel, hair care, and cosmetics.

The 15 Best Lotions for Eczema of 2023

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.