Looking for the Best Baby Eczema Wash? These Are Our Picks

There’s nothing like baby-soft skin — especially when it belongs to your little one! Because you adore your baby, it can feel upsetting and worrisome when you begin to notice their skin becoming dry, inflamed, or itchy.

You’ll want to inform your pediatrician if your baby’s skin looks unusual or you have any concerns. Meanwhile, switching to a bath soap specifically formulated for baby eczema might help.

Not sure how to begin selecting the right product?

Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered with guidance on what to look for, a roundup of our top picks, and practical tips to help manage your baby’s eczema.

What to look for in a baby eczema wash

When evaluating eczema washes to figure out which one is best for your baby, consider the following:

Ingredients

Certain ingredients can be drying and aggravating, including:

• alcohol
• glycol
• propylene
• sodium lauryl sulfate
• parabens

Conversely, eczema washes that contain hypoallergenic or soothing ingredients get extra points.

Common components in gentle or moisturizing eczema washes include:

• oatmeal
• shea butter
• chamomile flower
• organic calendula
• iris root extracts
• sunflower oil

Fragrances

Although scents like lavender can be calming and make bath time smell lovely, many parents avoid fragranced soaps for children since fragrances can provoke skin irritation.

Soap vs. cleanser

Eczema washes are available as bar soaps and as liquid or foam cleansers, and there are distinctions between them. Many caregivers prefer cleansers.

That’s because bar soaps can be more likely to upset the skin’s pH and sometimes include harsher chemicals to produce lather.

How we chose our favorite baby eczema washes

When selecting our favorite eczema washes, we focused on the factors that matter most to parents: effectiveness, ingredient quality, and cost. Since many products are similar, we also considered features that make some stand out.

Finally, we paid attention to feedback from other parents who use these washes, as real-world experiences are often the most informative.

A note on price:

Because costs depend on the retailer and bottle size, prices vary — making direct comparisons tricky. For the products on this list, prices range roughly from $0.40 per fluid ounce to $2.52 per fluid ounce.

Healthline Parenthood’s picks of the best baby eczema wash

Aveeno Baby Soothing Hydration Creamy Wash

The main component in this wash is natural oat extract, which is paraben-free and has anti-inflammatory qualities. Aveeno’s formula is fragrance-free, tear-free, and made to moisturize skin for 24 hours. It’s also widely endorsed by dermatologists and pediatricians.

California Baby Therapeutic Relief Eczema Shampoo and Body Wash

This wash’s ingredient list is packed with natural and organic elements like colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera, and calendula flower extract. Its gluten-free formula may appeal to households that avoid gluten. It’s also fragrance-free, tear-free, and free of soy, dairy, and nuts. One drawback: it’s the priciest option on our list, and some parents noted it doesn’t lather well and feels a bit slippery.

Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo with Organic Calendula

Cetaphil is a trusted brand known for mild cleansers. This product contains calendula extract, a natural anti-inflammatory that may help with eczema. It’s rich and moisturizing, which can aid in preventing flare-ups, and its lower price point makes it an attractive option.

Baby Dove Sensitive Skin Care Hypoallergenic Wash

Tear-free, fragrance-free, and marketed as hypoallergenic, this wash is endorsed by pediatricians and dermatologists. Like many Dove products, it has a lotion-like texture, which is beneficial for healing and preventing eczema. It’s formulated to be highly moisturizing and is generally more affordable.

CeraVe Baby Wash and Shampoo

Like many options here, this product is tear-free and advertised as hypoallergenic. It’s free from fragrance, parabens, dyes, phthalates, and sulfates. The National Eczema Association recognizes it as appropriate for eczema-prone babies, toddlers, and children. The price point is also reasonable.

Mustela Stelatopia Cleansing Oil for Eczema-Prone Skin

Also accepted by the National Eczema Association, Mustela’s formula contains avocado perseose and sunflower oil. It can be used daily or during flare-ups. The wash is steroid-free and labeled safe for newborns. One downside: some people dislike the residual scent even though it’s marketed as unscented. It’s also somewhat pricier than other entries on our list.

Tips for soothing baby eczema

Want additional ways to calm your baby’s eczema? Try these approaches:

• Give a brief warm bath (no more than 5 to 10 minutes) and apply moisturizer right away.
• Consider using an ointment or thick cream rather than a lotion after bathing. Though greasier, these help lock in moisture more effectively.
• Identify triggers — consider items in your environment that may irritate your child’s skin, such as clothing materials, blankets, dry air, or bodily fluids like saliva and sweat.
• If eczema is severe, ask your pediatrician whether a wet dressing might be appropriate.
• If your baby struggles with scratching, keep their skin covered with loose cotton garments.

Takeaway

Unfortunately, there’s no single eczema wash that works for every child. Finding the right one may require some trial and error.

We hope this list gives you a helpful starting point on that path.