Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brands Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story If you’ve finally reached the point where you’re ready to stop guessing and start finding the best face moisturizers for eczema , you’re in the right place. “When you’re dealing with dry, rough patches, you need a moisturizer that does more than just add hydration. It should help repair the skin barrier and still feel comfortable and lightweight enough for everyday wear,” says Sarah Sung , MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Seattle. Because when your barrier is compromised, even a so-called “gentle” cream can sting, burn, or leave skin feeling tight and angry.
To find formulas that do more than just moisturize, look for ceramides that restore barrier function, humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid that pull in water, and soothing ingredients (like oatmeal) to calm irritation—all without fragrance, harsh preservatives, or pore-clogging fillers. You’ll also notice that many of the products on this list carry the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, which means they’ve been reviewed against the organization’s criteria for ingredients and formulation and deemed suitable for people with eczema or sensitive skin. It doesn’t guarantee a product will work for everyone, but the seal can be a helpful shortcut when you’re scanning labels and trying to figure out which formulas are more likely to work well for eczema-prone skin.
Ahead, you’ll find our favorite derm-backed picks that check every box and show that comfort and relief are possible.
What moisturizer is best for facial eczema? How do over-the-counter face moisturizers for eczema compare to prescription formulas? Meet the experts How we test and review products Our staff and testers Best Overall: Eau Thermale Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Eau Thermale Avène
Why we love it: If you were a fan of Avène’s Cicalfate back in the early aughts, you may have noticed one small but meaningful change in more recent years: the addition of a “+.” When Avène reformulated the cream as Cicalfate+, it added C+-Restore, its patented postbiotic ingredient derived from Aquaphilus dolomiae , a microorganism that supports epidermal restoration—meaning it helps repair and bolster the skin’s outermost layer. A copper-zinc sulfate complex complements it with antimicrobial properties that help keep compromised skin clean and support the conditions it needs to recover. “It’s even gentle enough for periocular eczema, which affects the delicate skin around the eyes—but substantial enough to slather wherever your face is feeling dry or irritated,” says Pooja Rambhia , MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. The rich, fragrance-free cream is deliberately light on bells and whistles, which is exactly the point: “Patients with eczema need something stripped back to the essentials,” says Dr. Rambhia.
She also calls the brand’s mineral-rich thermal spring water “deeply soothing” and says the cream reinforces the compromised barrier that’s so common with eczema-prone skin.
Allure commerce editor Madison San Miguel applying the Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
San Miguel after applying the Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream
Tester feedback from commerce editor Madison San Miguel
“My eczema flares in the winter, but throughout the year, my skin leans dry to very dry (emphasis on very). F…