The best cream for baby eczema and dry skin
Newborn skin flares easily, and most of it is dry, eczema-prone patches that calm with the right routine. Every product here is fragrance-free. None of this replaces a pediatrician for a serious or spreading rash.
Tested on real dry-skin and eczema-prone flare-ups. Every pick is fragrance-free. See a pediatrician for a rash that spreads, weeps, or does not settle.
The shortlist, compared
CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Cream
CeraVe
- Price
- $12.99
- Rating
- 4.7
Pros
- Ceramides support the skin barrier
- Fragrance-free
- Good value tub
Cons
- Better for daily care than active flare-ups
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment
Tubby Todd
- Price
- $22.00
- Rating
- 4.7
Pros
- Visibly calms red, flaky patches
- Gentle enough for the face
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- The most expensive option here
Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment
Aquaphor
- Price
- $13.99
- Rating
- 4.8
Pros
- Cheap and easy to find
- Strong moisture barrier
- Pediatrician-familiar
Cons
- A barrier, not an eczema treatment
- Greasy on the skin
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
Vanicream
- Price
- $13.49
- Rating
- 4.7
Pros
- Free of dyes, fragrance, and common irritants
- Recommended for sensitive skin
- Large pump bottle
Cons
- Plain texture, no frills
Why this is our pick
CeraVe Baby is fragrance-free, includes ceramides that help skin hold moisture, and costs the least of the group. Aquaphor is the better choice for sealing a small raw patch: it is an ointment, not an everyday cream.
Common questions
Cream or ointment?
A cream, like CeraVe or Vanicream, is for everyday moisturizing over larger areas. An ointment, like Aquaphor or Tubby Todd, seals and protects a small, raw, or chapped patch.
How often should I apply it?
For dry, eczema-prone skin, twice a day, and again after a bath while the skin is still damp, works for most babies.
When is it more than dry skin?
A rash that spreads quickly, weeps, blisters, or comes with a fever is a reason to call your pediatrician rather than reach for a cream.