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When eczema leaves you with dry, itchy skin, you need a nourishing moisturizer that you can count on. Although your doctor can prescribe you medications as part of your eczema treatment, many MyEczemaTeam members search for over-the-counter eczema remedies to use at home daily. If you’re looking for the best lotion for eczema to soothe your skin, you’ve probably come across CeraVe’s eczema formulas.
In this article, we discuss members’ experiences with CeraVe skin care products and the science behind their ingredients. Everyone’s skin responds differently to skin care products, so it’s important to do your research and speak to a healthcare professional before adding a new product to your eczema treatment plan.
The National Eczema Association (NEA) has given its Seal of Acceptance to 26 CeraVe products. These include CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, CeraVe Healing Ointment, CeraVe Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF 45, Cerave Eczema Relief Creamy Oil, CeraVe Soothing Body Wash, and CeraVe Hydrating Makeup Removing Plant-Based Wipes. On the NEA’s website, you can read about specific products, including their ingredient lists and any safety warnings.
Products with the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance have been tested and do not have harmful ingredients. However, this does not mean every CeraVe product on the list will work for everyone. The only way to know if a product will work for your eczema is to try it, with the help of your dermatologist.
MyEczemaTeam members have shared their experiences with a wide variety of CeraVe products. When asked to pick a favorite skin product, one member shared: “I like CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Cream, in red lettering. It has a pain/itch relief ingredient. There are other formulations.”
Another member agreed: “I use CeraVe on my extremities.”
Members have also shared other types of CeraVe products that help soothe their sensitive skin. “CeraVe has a good sunscreen — CeraVe Hydrating 100% Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen,” one member shared.
When talking about soaps that help with itching, another member shared, “I used CeraVe soap and my itching went away. Make sure it doesn’t have any scent. It must be fragrance-free and clean.”
But not everyone has had good experiences with CeraVe. One member described a flare-up after using CeraVe: “I used to use CeraVe. But I recently found after a flare that they have parabens, which is why I went into a flare that threw me into painful, intense itchiness that was unrelenting.”
It’s hard to predict how your skin will react to a new skin care product. Next, we’ll look at the major and minor ingredients in CeraVe products to help you decide whether this brand might be a good fit for your skin.
The main ingredient in CeraVe skin care products is ceramides, which gives the brand its name. Ceramides are natural fats found in your skin that help form a protective barrier. They keep moisture in and harmful irritants out.
On cold, dry days, your skin’s natural oils can get stripped away, leaving you with dry, cracked skin that’s more likely to flare up from eczema. Using products with ceramides — like creams or moisturizers — may help restore your skin’s natural moisture barrier and soothe irritated skin.
What does science say about ceramides and eczema? According to the National Eczema Association, ceramides help lock in moisture while keeping out environmental triggers. Ceramides are especially helpful for people dealing with eczema symptoms like burning, itching, and dryness.
Some studies have looked at how people with eczema react to ceramide-based eczema cream. In one 2018 study, 50 people applied a ceramide cream to affected areas three times a day. They found a significant improvement in skin scores, including water loss, water content of the skin, and skin smoothness. None of the participants had allergic reactions.
In a 2021 study published in Dermatologic Therapy, researchers compared a ceramide-based lotion with a placebo lotion (a lotion with no active ingredients). By day 28, people who used the ceramide lotion had much better skin hydration and less water loss. The placebo group’s skin actually got worse. People who tested the ceramide lotion were also more satisfied with their results. Again, there were no side effects from using the ceramide lotions.
Overall, skin care products with ceramides are considered safe and effective for people with eczema. However, CeraVe products contain more than just ceramides.
Each CeraVe product has a different set of ingredients. In addition to ceramides, many CeraVe products contain emulsifiers, moisturizing agents, and pH buffers. Below are some of the more common ingredients and what they do.
Emulsifiers help mix ingredients that don’t normally blend well, such as oil and water. This keeps creams and lotions smooth, thick, and stable.
Ceteareth-20 is one such emulsifier. It helps keep ingredients evenly mixed so the product stays consistent.
Carbomer is another inactive ingredient that thickens cosmetic products and improves texture. It also helps prevent the ingredients from separating, making it easier to apply creams, lotions, and gels.
Xanthan gum is a natural thickener used in CeraVe products to emulsify and thicken their creams and lotions. It prevents various ingredients from separating and keeps lotions smooth and uniform.
Glycerin is a common ingredient in skin creams and lotions. It strengthens the skin’s protective barrier and helps protect it from irritants and bacteria.
Hyaluronic acid, listed as sodium hyaluronate and potassium hyaluronate, is a powerful hydrator skin found in some skin care products. It keeps the skin soft and moisturized.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient that softens and nourishes your skin and makes creams and lotions thicker for easy application. As a fatty alcohol, it doesn’t dry out or irritate your skin like other forms of alcohol.
Caprylyl glycol is a moisturizing ingredient used in moisturizers, cleansers, and some hair and makeup products.It helps with dryness.
Isopropyl palmitate is a fat made from rubbing alcohol. It’s used to make creams, lotions, moisturizers, and sometimes makeup feel smoother and more moisturizing.
Petroleum jelly (also known as petrolatum) is a moisturizing agent that comes from petroleum. It forms a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, helping to lock in moisture and prevent dryness.
Potassium phosphate is an ingredient that helps keep the skin care product at the same pH (acidity level) as your skin. This is called a buffer. It helps reduce irritation and keeps the product gentle. Potassium phosphate can be found in many skin care and health products such as moisturizers, sunscreens, shampoos, and conditioners.
Another buffer found in CeraVe products is dipotassium phosphate. Like potassium phosphate, it helps maintain pH levels and makes the product feel smoother on your skin.
If you have eczema, there are other skin care products to consider besides those with ceramides. Oat-based products can help add moisture to the skin. Hydrocortisone creams, which contain a mild steroid, can reduce inflammation and itching. Ask your dermatologist to help you create a skin care plan that works for you, whether or not it includes CeraVe products.
Even though many people with eczema find relief with CeraVe products, they may not work for everyone. If you try a new product, do a patch test first. Apply a small amount to a small area of your skin and wait to see if you have a reaction. If the product doesn’t cause any eczema symptoms such as itching or irritation after a day or two, it’s usually safe to try on a larger area.
Talk to your medical team about which active ingredients and skin care products can help treat your eczema at home. Always check with your doctor before adding any new eczema products to your eczema skin care routine.
MyEczemaTeam is the social network for people with eczema and their loved ones. On MyEczemaTeam members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with eczema.
Are you or a loved one looking for over-the-counter products to relieve eczema dryness? What eczema creams, lotions, and gels have worked best for you? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.
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