These Are the Best Baby Washes for Infants With Eczema, According to Experts

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You only want the best when it comes to skin products for your baby, and that’s especially true when your little one has eczema. Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema “is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by red, itchy, and inflamed patches,” Dr. Calvin Williams, a dermatologist at Essential Dermatology Group, tells SheKnows. These eczema outbreaks can happen anywhere on the body, but on babies, they tend to occur on the face, knees, elbows, scalp, or neck folds, pediatrician Dr. Mona Amin explains. The affected skin can be irritated, painful, itchy, and rough — nothing you want to see your baby dealing with. But there’s good news, too: From baby washes for eczema to creams, ointments, and balms, there are plenty of products to help.

Eczema is more common than you might realize, affecting about 25 percent of children, Dr. Amin tells SheKnows, and is especially common in the first 12 months of life. And while some cases of eczema resolve as the child grows older, there’s no reason to cross your fingers and wait it out when your child is suffering. After all, Dr. Amin points out, a baby with eczema requires special care. “If a child doesn’t have eczema, it’s okay if you miss a day of lotion,” she explains. “But if your child does have eczema, it’s so important to know that that’s what it is [and get a diagnosis], because moisturization and a good ointment can really help reduce the frequency of flares. Gentle skin care and generous use of ointments or moisturizers can contain the eczema.”

That’s where eczema baby products come in. Not sure where to start? We spoke to three experts to gather the top, doctor-recommended eczema baby washes and care tips to help you keep your baby soothed, moisturized, and on the path to feeling better.

Caring For Your Baby With Eczema

In babies, eczema symptoms may include inflamed, discolored skin, itchiness, and potentially even oozing or crusting in severe cases. In babies with darker, melanated skin, Dr. Amin notes, you may not notice as much obvious redness; in that case, she recommends looking more closely at the texture of the skin, paying attention to patches of roughness, and noting whether your child is itching more frequently.

When it comes to treating your baby’s eczema, your first course of action is to take your baby to the dermatologist or pediatrician. “It’s really important for the parent of the child to advocate if they’re concerned,” Dr. Amin says. Treatment options typically include ointments, moisturizers, and in some cases, prescription steroids. If you’re using one of those topical treatments, Dr. Amin stressed the importance of reapplying when you notice your baby’s skin getting dry or irritated.

“What we want to do is prevent that itch-scratch cycle where they get dry, they start to scratch it, and then that causes more inflammation on the skin which leads to more scratching,” she explains. “My goal is to keep their skin moisturized.”

How to Use Baby Washes for Eczema

Eczema develops due to an impairment in the protective skin barrier caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. “Those with eczema may not have certain proteins in their skin which allow moisture to stay in,” Dr. Amin explains. “They’re more likely to lose moisture from the skin, making that sort of dry patches that we commonly see with eczema.” When that’s happening to your baby, the products you put on their skin — and how you use them — become all the more important.

Both Dr. Amin and Dr. Williams recommended bathing your baby in water no hotter than lukewarm, as hot water can further dry out the skin. It’s also important to keep an eye on the clock, as longer baths can also lead to drier skin. “For babies, bath time can be playtime, but it’s important to keep baths short,” Dr. Williams notes.

After gently applying your eczema-safe baby wash (more on those in a minute!) and rinsing them clean, make sure to pat-dry your baby’s skin. You should also pay attention to what bathing frequency works best for them. “It really depends on the child and their eczema,” Dr. Amin says. “Some eczema children really respond well to everyday baths. Some need every few days.”

When it comes to applying your baby’s eczema ointment, lotion, or balm, the sweet spot is right after their bath. “The best time to apply a moisturizer is shortly after a bath when the skin is still damp after towel drying,” Dr. Brendan Camp, a double-board-certified dermatologist physician assistant at MDCS Dermatology in New York, tells SheKnows. “Applying a moisturizer when the skin is damp helps trap water in the skin for improved hydration.”

What to Look For in Eczema Baby Washes

Our experts agreed that baby washes for eczema should always be hypoallergenic and either low-fragrance or fragrance-free. It’s also important to opt for cleansers with hydrating ingredients, which “can prevent skin from drying out and triggering an eczema flare,” Dr. Camp explains.

Specifically, look for hydrating ingredients like:

Colloidal oatmeal, which helps to replace lost moisture and “restore the moisture barrier that is lost in a lot of eczema patients,” Dr. Amin says. Colloidal oatmeal can also help to “repair or relieve flare-ups.”

Ceramides, a type of lipid (aka fat) that improves the skin barrier

Glycerin, which helps with skin hydration and elasticity

Hyaluronic acid to improve overall skin health, flexibility, and texture

Shea butter to help calm inflammation

It’s equally important to steer clear of baby washes with potentially drying or irritating ingredients. “Avoid cleansers with fragrances and dyes, which can sometimes elicit a contact dermatitis reaction in those with more sensitive skin,” Dr. Camp says. He also recommends using a liquid baby wash instead of bar soap, which tends to be rougher and more prone to drying skin. Dr. Williams recommends avoiding cleansers with “harsh surfactants,” which can lead to further irritation.

And of course, it’s always best to speak to a pediatrician or dermatologist if you’re concerned about your baby’s skin or eczema treatment, especially if you notice that a certain routine or product isn’t soothing their symptoms.