Understanding Eczema and Its Symptoms

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that leads to dryness, itching, inflammation, and irritation. It often manifests as red, scaly patches that can crack and bleed, making the skin vulnerable to infections.

For many, eczema first appears in infancy or early childhood, commonly affecting the face, arms, legs, and stomach. In adults, it tends to develop on the eyelids, neck, hands, and joint folds (National Eczema Association, 2023).

Why does eczema happen? While the exact cause is complex, gut health, immune function, environmental triggers, and genetics all play a role. If you’re interested in learning more about what causes eczema, how to manage it from the inside out, and other natural treatments, check out our blog post: What Causes Eczema in Children?

Choosing the Right Eczema Cream: Why Ingredients Matter

Healing eczema from the inside out takes time, as it often requires calming a runaway immune system and addressing root causes. However, while working on long-term healing, many people still need immediate relief and that’s where lotions and creams come in.

When selecting a topical solution, it’s essential to choose clean, gentle products. Many conventional eczema treatments rely on steroids or synthetic preservatives, which can lead to long-term skin sensitivity. In contrast, a holistic approach prioritizes soothing inflammation naturally, supporting the skin barrier, and minimizing triggers. The right cream can provide comfort during flare-ups while you focus on the internal work of healing.

To help you navigate the overwhelming world of skincare, I’ve compiled a list of scientifically-backed holistic eczema creams that contain ingredients known to reduce inflammation, support healing, and lock in moisture.

💡 Looking for a quick guide to the best eczema creams? 

Download our Free Eczema Cream Guide Here.

Excerpt from Ending the Eczema Epidemic

When my daughter was 3 years old, she had multiple bouts of eczema flares. Her patches covered her inner arms and the back of her legs. When she was 6, she developed a horrible skin infection, which required oral and topical antibiotics and steroids. At age 7, she contracted molluscum contagiosum, a viral skin condition that thrives in eczema-prone individuals.

We spent thousands of dollars on topical creams to keep her eczema under control. I cannot even remember all the steroid strengths and formulations we tried. What I learned is that eczema isn’t just a skin problem—it’s an inside-out condition. While we work on healing the gut, we still need safe, effective skincare to relieve the itch and prevent infections.

The reality is: there are no FDA regulations on what companies put in skincare products, so we have to be extra cautious when selecting creams for our children. Below, I’ve listed some evidence-based natural alternatives that have helped my patients find relief.

📖 Get the full book here.

Best Holistic Eczema Creams & Their Research-Backed Ingredients

B12 Creams

📌 Properties: Reduces inflammation, supports skin healing

• A controlled clinical study found that topical vitamin B12 cream significantly improved eczema symptoms in children compared to a standard emollient (J Altern Complement Med, 2009).
• Another study in adults confirmed B12 cream’s effectiveness in reducing redness and irritation (British J of Dermatology, 2004).

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We’ve removed phenoxyethanol to reduce the risk of irritation and added colloidal oatmeal for its calming, skin-soothing benefits. The result? A more effective, natural solution for eczema relief.

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Aloe Vera

📌 Properties: Anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial

• A double-blind placebo-controlled study found that 0.5% aloe vera cream improved psoriasis symptoms in 83% of participants (Syed et al., 1996).
• Aloe has also been shown to help heal burns, protect against radiation damage, and improve wound healing (Pharmacognosy Reviews, 2014).

Calendula

📌 Properties: Anti-inflammatory, wound healing

• A clinical trial comparing calendula ointment and aloe vera found calendula to be more effective at reducing diaper rash (ScientificWorldJournal, 2012).
• While no eczema-specific trials exist, calendula is widely used for soothing irritated skin and promoting healing.

Chamomile

📌 Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, promotes wound healing

• Chamomile cream has been found as effective as hydrocortisone in reducing eczema inflammation (Brown & Dattner, 1998).

Coconut Oil

📌 Properties: Moisturizing, anti-bacterial

• A randomized controlled trial found that virgin coconut oil was superior to mineral oil in improving eczema symptoms in children (Int J Dermatol, 2014).

Colloidal Oatmeal

📌 Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, soothes itching

• A double-blind control study found that oatmeal-based emollients significantly improved eczema symptoms in adults (JDD, 2014).

St. John’s Wort

📌 Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial

• A clinical study found that St. John’s Wort cream significantly reduced eczema symptoms after 4 weeks (Schemmp et al., 2003).

Zinc

📌 Properties: Anti-inflammatory, reduces histamine release

• A 2014 study found that zinc sulfate cream combined with a corticosteroid was more effective than the steroid alone (JEADV, 2008).

Final Thoughts: Finding the Right Natural Eczema Cream

When selecting an eczema cream, always check the ingredients and start with a patch test before full application. Some natural ingredients—like coconut oil or botanical extracts—can still cause sensitivities in certain individuals.

For a complete guide to holistic eczema creams, including my top recommended brands, and direct shopping links, download our FREE Eczema Creams Guide below!

📥 Click Here to Download the Eczema Holistic Cream Guide!

References: 

British Journal of Dermatology. (2004). Efficacy of vitamin B12 cream for atopic dermatitis. British Journal of Dermatology, 150(5), 977-983. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2004.05996.x

Brown, D., & Dattner, A. M. (1998). Botanical medicine for dermatological conditions. Archives of Dermatology, 134(10), 1276-1279. https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.134.10.1276

International Journal of Dermatology. (2014). Randomized double-blind controlled trial on the effects of virgin coconut oil for atopic dermatitis. International Journal of Dermatology, 53(1), 100-108. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.12217

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (JDD). (2014). The role of colloidal oatmeal in maintaining skin barrier integrity. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 13(3), 324-329. https://jddonline.com/articles/the-role-of-colloidal-oatmeal-in-maintaining-skin-barrier-integrity

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (JEADV). (2008). Zinc sulfate and corticosteroids in the treatment of hand eczema: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 22(10), 1184-1190. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2008.02889.x

National Eczema Association. (2023). Understanding atopic dermatitis. Retrieved from https://nationaleczema.org

Pharmacognosy Reviews. (2014). Aloe vera: A comprehensive review. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 8(15), 118-126. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.134229

Schemmp, C. M., Winghofer, B., Ludtke, R., & Simon, J. C. (2003). Topical St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) for atopic dermatitis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine, 10(S4), 31-37. https://doi.org/10.1078/094471103321648593

ScientificWorldJournal. (2012). Comparative study of calendula ointment and aloe vera for the treatment of diaper dermatitis. The Scientific World Journal, 2012, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1100/2012/810234

Syed, T. A., Ahmad, S. A., Holt, A. H., Ahmad, S. A., Ahmad, S. H., & Afzal, M. (1996). Management of psoriasis with Aloe vera extract in a hydrophilic cream: A placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 1(4), 505-509. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3156.1996.d01-97.x

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. (2009). Topical vitamin B12 for eczema in children: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15(4), 387-392. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2008.0159