Managing Eczema with Everyday Skincare

Taking care of your baby’s skin every day is one of the best things you can do to manage your baby’s eczema. These steps are simple, and a steady routine can go a long way in reducing itching, preventing flare-ups, and helping your child feel better. Keep reading to learn more about:

• Moisturizers
• Bath time
• Building helpful habits

Moisturizing

Moisturizing is one of the best and easiest things you can do as part of daily eczema care!

When and how often should you apply moisturizer to your baby?

Try to moisturize your child’s skin at least once every day. One of the best times to do this is right after a bath—within about 3 minutes—while the skin is still slightly damp. This helps “lock in” moisture before it can evaporate. If you wait too long, the skin can dry out quickly, making it harder to keep that protective barrier strong.

What kind of moisturizer should you use?

The best moisturizers are the ones you’re willing to use regularly! These can be a lotion, cream, or ointment — whatever you and your baby like. What makes something a lotion, cream, or ointment? Generally, how much of it is water and how much of it is oil. The balance between these can change how thick the product is, what it feels like when you put it on, and how quickly it rubs into the skin.

Lotions, creams, and ointments each have different pros and cons, depending on what you’re looking for. For instance, creams are absorbed (soak into the skin) easily, which may help soften rough patches, but ointments are thick and can sit on top of the skin to protect against things like dry and cold air. Sometimes lotions and creams are irritating to open skin or rashes, and ointments can be less irritating and feel better on the skin. You may also see some moisturizers in gel form, but gels are often drying and can bother the skin.

If you’re overwhelmed when choosing a moisturizer, try to look for products that are fragrance and dye-free. In general, thicker products work better: Ointments and creams tend to protect the skin more effectively. If your child says a cream stings, you might try an ointment (like petroleum jelly), which is often gentler.

Some products include ceramides, which are natural fats that help fix the skin barrier. These can be helpful for children with eczema.

Your baby’s healthcare team can make some recommendations if you’re unsure, and it’s okay to try different moisturizers until you find what works for you and your baby. There’s no single “best” brand—what matters most is finding something that:

• Fits your budget
• Is easy to find
• Feels comfortable on your child’s skin

Many families use over-the-counter options successfully, and these often work just as well as prescription moisturizers. Common over-the-counter options include:

• CeraVe
• Cetaphil
• Eucerin
• Vanicream
• Aquaphor
• Vaseline

How do you apply moisturizer to your baby’s skin?

While the straightforward answer to this is “put it on your baby’s skin,” there are a few small things you can do to get the most out of the moisturizer:

• Use a large amount
• Apply it to all skin—not just areas with a rash
• Warm it in your hands first
• Gently smooth it on (no need to rub hard)

Can moisturizer prevent eczema?

If your baby is eczema-free, studies show that using a daily full-body moisturizer does not necessarily prevent eczema. For these babies, simple care with gentle bathing and basic, routine skincare is usually enough. If putting moisturizer on your baby’s skin daily fits your life and budget, then feel free to keep it up. If not, then stick with a simpler routine.

That said, if your child already has eczema, daily moisturizing is a must.

Bathing

Lots of babies love bath time. Fun toys, splashing water, bonding with their caregiver… what’s not to love? For babies with eczema, bath time also becomes a helpful part of their skincare routine when done the right way.

How do you best prepare a bath for your baby?

There are a few key things you can do to make the best bath for your baby. First, use lukewarm water instead of hot water, since hot water can dry out and irritate the skin. Check the temperature of the water against your wrist if you’re not sure. Second, try to keep baths short—about 5 to 10 minutes is usually enough. Third, choose a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser to help clean the skin. Avoid harsh soaps, which can strip the skin of its natural moisture and make eczema worse.

How often should you give your baby a bath?

• Children with eczema: daily bathing is recommended
• Children without eczema: 2–3 times per week is usually enough

What do you do after the bath?

What you do right after the bath matters just as much as the bath itself. Try the “soak and seal” method:

• Gently pat the skin dry (try not to rub)
• Leave the skin slightly damp
• Apply any prescribed medications, if needed
• Apply moisturizer right away

This routine helps seal in moisture and protect your child’s skin.

Everyday Habits

Your small, daily choices — beyond moisturizing and bath time — can make a big difference in how your child’s skin feels.

What clothing is best for infants with eczema?

Soft, breathable fabrics like cotton are usually the best option because they are gentle on sensitive skin. It’s helpful to avoid wool or other rough materials that can scratch or irritate the skin. These can trigger itching. Washing new clothes before your child wears them can also help remove any chemicals or residues left over from manufacturing.

When doing laundry, choose fragrance-free and dye-free detergents whenever possible, since added scents and dyes can sometimes make eczema worse.

What can you do in your home to help manage your child’s eczema?

There are small things you can do to your home environment to help keep your baby’s eczema from getting worse. Try to keep the indoor air from becoming too dry, especially during the winter months when heating systems can bring humidity down.

Using a humidifier during colder seasons may help keep the air more comfortable for your child’s skin. It can stop dryness that can lead to itching. It’s also helpful to avoid smoke and strong scents, such as air fresheners or heavily fragranced products, since these can bother sensitive skin and trigger flare-ups.

What are some of the common triggers to avoid?

Some things can irritate or bother the skin and lead to flare-ups. Try to limit contact with:

• Fragrances and dyes
• Essential oils (these can sometimes irritate skin or cause allergies)
• Harsh detergents
• Dust
• Food left on the skin (like peanut butter on hands or face)

How important is hand washing?

Clean hands can help protect your child’s skin. Be sure to wash your hands before applying any creams or ointments to your child’s skin to keep the treatment area clean.

It is also important to wash your hands after handling foods, especially common allergens, to reduce the chance of transferring anything that could irritate your child’s skin or trigger a flare-up.

These are important due to the Dual Exposure Idea.

What about your baby’s nails?

Because eczema can be very itchy, scratching is common—especially in babies and young children. This is why nail care is so important.

Trimming your child’s nails short and smooth can help keep your baby from hurting their skin, prevent bleeding, and lower the chance of infections.