Eczema Moisturisers & Flare Control Creams

Two treatments used well

Many people feel unsure about how to treat eczema. Because eczema changes over time, it can be hard to know which treatments to use and when. There are two main treatments for eczema: flare control creams (usually steroid creams) to get control, and moisturising creams (emollients) to keep control. Flare control creams are usually prescribed by your treating health professional.

Finding the best moisturiser for eczema can make a big difference. Below, we explore how to choose an eczema safe moisturiser, share dermatologist recommended options, and explain the role of flare control creams in managing eczema.

Understanding eczema, flare control creams and moisturisers

Caring for eczema often involves a combination of moisturisers and flare-control treatments, each playing a different but important role in keeping skin healthy and comfortable:

Flare control creams (to get control): . These creams and ointments contain medicines to make the skin less sore and itchy. This helps the skin heal.
Moisturisers/Emollients (keep control): Daily medical moisturisers that soothe and protect the skin barrier to help prevent flare-ups.

Natural products (often not for eczema): Many natural products have ingredients that can make eczema worse, like essential oils. Some contain food based ingredients that may trigger allergy development.

Eczema treatment products – flare control and moisturising creams

Which is the best moisturiser for eczema-prone skin?

There is no single moisturiser that suits everyone with eczema. The best one is the one that feels comfortable on your skin, doesn’t irritate, and helps keep the skin soft and protected.

Regular use of moisturiser is one of the most important parts of eczema care. The Eczema Care Plan recommends using a generous amount every day – usually between 125g and 500g per week, depending on the person’s age and body size.

It’s important to use enough of a moisturiser you like. A product that you are comfortable using regularly will help keep your skin barrier healthy and reduce the chance of flares.

Sometimes a cream or lotion may sting when applied, especially on red or broken skin. This doesn’t necessarily mean it is harmful. It may simply reflect the skin’s sensitivity at that time. If discomfort persists or worsens, try another brand or switch to a thicker ointment.

Tip for ointments in tubs: Use a spoon or implement to take out the ointment for each application. Be careful not to dip your hands into the tub as this may contaminate that ointment with bacteria.

Here are the recommendations when choosing a moisturiser.

Ingredients to avoid when selecting a moisturiser for eczema:

Food ingredients such as nuts, coconut, milk, oats, soy, seeds (sunflower, sesame) or wheat
Essential oils such as lavender, rosemary, chamomile, orange or tea tree
Aqueous cream (containing sodium lauryl sulphate)
Benzalkonium chloride
Preservatives MCI/MI (methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone)

Moisturisers commonly recommended by dermatology experts

This list is provided for general information only and does not represent endorsement by Eczema Support Australia. Always check ingredients and talk with your doctor, pharmacist or dermatologist.

The following moisturisers are examples often recommended by Associate Professor Gayle Ross (Dermatologist) and Dr Deryn Thompson (Eczema and Allergy Nurse Educator).

This list is not exhaustive, and inclusion does not imply endorsement by Eczema Support Australia. We do not accept any advertising payments or incentives for product listings.

Avène

XeraCalm A.D. – fragrance-free and formulated for sensitive and atopic-prone skin.
Cicalfate + – can be used on irritated or healing skin.

Bioderma

Atoderm Intensive Baume – suitable for very dry or atopic skin.

CeraVe

CeraVe Moisturising Cream – contains ceramides and is fragrance-free.
CeraVe Lotion – lighter option for everyday use on non-inflamed skin.
CeraVe Healing Ointment – very rich, suitable for extremely dry or cracked areas.

Ego QV

QV Cream – suitable for daily use.
QV Intensive Cream – thicker texture, often used for very dry skin.
QV Dermcare Ceramide Cream – contains ceramides; some people report stinging on inflamed skin.
QV Sting-Free Ointment – thick and well tolerated but available only in smaller tubes.

Epaderm

Epaderm Ointment – used widely in hospitals and can also be used as a soap substitute when mixed with warm water.

La Roche-Posay

Lipikar Baume AP+M – for dry, eczema-prone skin.
Cicaplast Baume B5 – can be used on irritated or healing skin.

Dermatologist-recommended moisturisers for eczema-prone skin

Flare control creams

Flare control creams are normally prescribed and are usually steroid creams (topical corticosteroids). Sometimes they are TCIs (Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors).

Steroid creams (topical corticosteroids) are the most common type of flare control creams. The steroids in these creams are like the ones produced naturally by the body. They are very good at treating eczema flares by reducing itching, and helping soreness and swelling. They are not the same as steroids sometimes taken by athletes or body builders. Flare control creams, also known as topical steroids, are very safe.

Like all medicines, it is important to use them as prescribed.

For more information, visit our dedicated page: Flare Control Creams for Eczema.

Tips for daily use

With the right care routine, many people find they can reduce discomfort and feel more confident in managing their symptoms day to day.

Example routine:

Cleanse gently with a soap-free, fragrance-free wash or plain water.
Apply moisturiser all over, everyday.
Use flare control cream on sore or itchy areas until the skin feels smooth and is itch free or as directed by your treating health professional.
Avoid common eczema triggers like prickly fabrics, sand, scratching and soaps.
Reapply moisturiser throughout the day whenever your skin feels dry or tight.

Eczema skincare routine with moisturiser and flare control cream

Frequently Asked Questions

Sometimes creams or lotions may sting, especially on inflamed or broken skin. This doesn’t always mean the product is harmful — it may simply reflect the skin’s temporary sensitivity. If stinging continues or worsens, try a different brand or switch to a thicker ointment for better tolerance.

Evidence, Not Endorsements

Eczema Support Australia is a registered charity, not a commercial organisation. We provide independent, evidence-based information to help Australians make safe and informed choices about eczema care.

We do not accept advertising payments or incentives from any skincare or pharmaceutical companies. Our guidance is informed by clinical evidence, expert review, and the lived experience of people affected by eczema — not by commercial arrangements or product partnerships.

We encourage consumers to look beyond product badges or marketing claims such as “dermatologically tested” or “supports eczema organisations.”

Such labels do not necessarily mean a product is suitable for eczema-prone skin. Always focus on the ingredients, how the product feels on your skin, and how consistently you can use it as part of your everyday care routine.

Need more support?

Eczema Support Australia offers help through:

Online Communities: Join our online groups to connect with others.
Mental Wellbeing Services: Support for those dealing with the mental impact of eczema.
Information and Advocacy: Visit our Eczema Care Online Toolkit for practical resources and videos on eczema management.

For personalised advice, always talk to a healthcare professional.

Information & Support

Toolkits

Events & News

Eczema Moisturisers & Flare Control Creams

Information

Moisturisers Factsheet

Flare Control Creams Factsheet

Understanding eczema, flare control creams and moisturisers

Which is the best moisturiser for eczema-prone skin?