About us: The Eczema Shelf is owned by the company behind Eczema Honey. We mention Eczema Honey products when relevant, always labeled. We don't currently earn commissions on other brands mentioned. Not medical advice. Please talk to your child's pediatrician or dermatologist about their skin.
Walk down any pharmacy aisle and you'll see tubs, tubes, pumps and jars that all promise "gentle" and "for sensitive skin." When your child has eczema-prone skin, that wall of options can feel overwhelming. The good news: most of the decision comes down to one question. How thick is it?
This guide explains the difference between ointments, creams and lotions in plain language, covers when each tends to work best, and compares popular options fairly, including ones from brands we don't own.
Why texture matters more than the brand name
Eczema-prone skin tends to lose water faster than other skin. Moisturizers help by doing two jobs: adding moisture and holding it in with a protective layer. How well a product does the second job depends mostly on how much oil it contains compared to water.
Ointments are mostly oil (often petrolatum) with little or no water. They're greasy, they stay put, and they usually contain the fewest ingredients.
Creams are a blend of oil and water. They're thick but absorb better than ointments, so they're a popular middle ground.
Lotions are mostly water. They spread easily and feel light, but they evaporate faster and may not hold up on very dry skin.
A simple rule many dermatologists share with parents: the thicker the product, the longer it tends to keep skin moisturized. The trade-off is comfort and convenience.
Ointments: the heavy-duty option
Best for: very dry, rough or cracked patches; nighttime; cold, dry winters; babies who don't mind feeling a little shiny.
What to know: - Ointments have very few ingredients, so there's less chance of a reaction to preservatives or fragrance. - They can feel greasy and may rub off on pajamas and sheets. Cotton pajamas you don't mind staining help. - Some kids find them too warm in hot, humid weather.
Popular choices: - Plain petroleum jelly (Vaseline or store brand). Inexpensive, one ingredient, widely available. - Aquaphor Ointment. Petrolatum-based with added lanolin and other ingredients. Many families love it. Note that lanolin can bother a small number of people. - Vanicream Moisturizing Ointment. Free of common irritants like dyes, fragrance, lanolin and parabens.
Creams: the everyday middle ground
Best for: daily all-over moisturizing, daytime, kids who resist greasy textures.
What to know: - Creams usually come in tubs or pumps. Tubs let you scoop generous amounts; pumps are more hygienic. - Because creams contain water, they need preservatives. Most kids do fine with them, but if your child reacts to a cream, the ingredient list is worth a look. - Look for "fragrance-free" on the label, not just "unscented." Unscented products can still contain masking fragrance.
Popular choices: - CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. Contains ceramides, which are naturally found in the skin barrier. Fragrance-free, widely available, good value in large tubs. - Vanicream Moisturizing Cream. A favorite of many dermatologists for very sensitive skin because it skips most common irritants. - Cetaphil Baby / Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. Gentle and easy to find. Check the specific version, since formulas vary. - Eczema Honey Original Skin-Soothing Cream (our own product). A thick, honey-based cream that many families use for dry, itchy patches. It contains honey, beeswax and almond oil, so read the full ingredient list before buying, especially if your child has food, bee product, nut or plant allergies. For nut allergies there's the Eczema Honey Nut-Free Skin-Soothing Cream (also our own product). As with any product, patch test first. - Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Cream. Contains colloidal oatmeal (see our colloidal oatmeal guide).
Lotions: light and quick
Best for: mildly dry skin, warm weather, large areas like legs and backs, kids who hate "sticky."
What to know: - Lotions are easy to apply but may need to be reapplied more often. - On very dry or flaring skin, some kids feel a sting from lotions, partly because of the higher water and alcohol content in some formulas. - They're handy for daytime, school bags and summer.
Popular choices: - CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Lotion - Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion - Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Lotion
A quick comparison
Ointment | Cream | Lotion | |
|---|---|---|---|
Feel | Greasy, heavy | Rich, absorbs slowly | Light, absorbs fast |
Holds moisture | Longest | Long | Shortest |
Typical ingredient count | Lowest | Medium | Medium to high |
Best time | Night, very dry patches | Anytime, daily use | Day, warm weather |
Kid acceptance | Mixed | Usually good | Usually best |
How to choose for your child
Start with how dry the skin is. Very dry or rough skin usually does better with an ointment or thick cream. Mild dryness may be fine with a lotion.
Consider the season. Many families use a thicker product in winter and switch to something lighter in summer.
Think about what your child will actually tolerate. The best moisturizer is the one that gets used every day. If your child runs from greasy ointments, a thick cream applied generously beats an ointment left in the cabinet.
Keep the ingredient list short and fragrance-free. Fewer ingredients means fewer chances of a reaction. Botanical extracts and essential oils are not automatically gentler; some kids react to them.
Patch test anything new. Apply a small amount to a small area (like the inner arm) once or twice a day for a few days and watch for redness, burning or itch before using it widely.
Mix and match. It's common to use an ointment at bedtime and a cream during the day.
How much and how often
Many pediatric dermatology resources suggest moisturizing at least twice a day, and right after bath time (see our "Soak and Seal" routine). Parents are often surprised by how much is recommended. For a young child, a full-body application can easily use a generous handful, and a large tub may only last a couple of weeks. Bigger tubs are usually better value than small tubes.
Apply gently in the direction of hair growth rather than rubbing hard, which can irritate skin.
Common mistakes to avoid
Choosing by marketing words. "Natural," "clean," "dermatologist-tested" and "hypoallergenic" are not regulated in a way that guarantees your child won't react.
Using too little. A thin layer may not do much on very dry skin.
Switching products constantly. Give a product a couple of weeks of consistent use (if there's no reaction) before deciding.
Using a fragranced "baby" product. Many baby lotions contain fragrance. Check the label.
When to call the doctor
Moisturizers are an everyday comfort step, not a substitute for medical care. Talk to your pediatrician or dermatologist if your child's skin:
is red, weepy, crusted, or has yellow crusts or pus-like bumps
keeps your child up at night or interferes with daily life
doesn't improve with consistent moisturizing
seems painful, or your child has a fever
is affecting the face or eyelids and you're not sure what to use
Your doctor may recommend prescription options alongside a moisturizer, and can help you figure out triggers.
The bottom line
There's no single "best" moisturizer. There's the one that suits your child's skin, the season and your routine. Ointments tend to hold moisture longest, creams are a comfortable everyday choice, and lotions are light and easy. Pick fragrance-free, patch test, use it generously and consistently, and loop in your child's doctor whenever you're unsure.
Get one plain-English eczema tip every Sunday for parents of kids with eczema-prone skin: routines, ingredients and what to try next. No hype. Sign up free at theeczemashelf.com
The Eczema Shelf is owned by the company behind Eczema Honey. We mention Eczema Honey products when relevant, always labeled. We don't currently earn commissions on other brands mentioned. Not medical advice.