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If you’re dealing with constant itching, finding the best body washes for eczema can make a bigger difference than you’d think—starting in the shower, not just with your moisturizer. Because with atopic dermatitis, your skin barrier is already compromised, so the wrong cleanser can make things worse. “Look for something fragrance-free, and formulated with barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides or beta-glucan, along with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid,” says Danny Guo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Calgary, Canada.
Texture matters, too. Cream and oil-based washes tend to be the most forgiving, especially if your skin skews very dry, since they cleanse without that tight, stripped feeling. But even the best formula isn’t meant to do all the heavy lifting. “A body wash won’t treat eczema, but it’ll help you manage it better,” says Dr. Guo. “The goal is to remove irritants and create a clean palette for the rest of your routine.” Think of your cleanser as the first (and very important) step in keeping flare-ups at bay before your moisturizers and medicated treatments do the heavy lifting.
Our Top Body Washes for Eczema
- Best Overall: Vanicream Gentle Body Wash, $12
- Best for Dry Skin: Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil, $46
- Best Fragrance-Free: Seen Body Wash, $24
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Everist Exfoliating Body Wash Concentrate, $24
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What should I look for in a body wash if I have eczema?
- Is a cream, oil, or gel body wash better for eczema-prone skin?
- Can a body wash actually treat eczema, or just help manage it?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
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Vanicream
Gentle Body Wash
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: It’s not exactly the bottle that’s going to rack up likes on your shower shelfie, but when your skin is itchy and reactive, aesthetics drop way down the priority list. Vanicream’s Gentle Body Wash boasts “no sulfates, no dyes, no fragrance, no lanolin, no parabens, no unnecessary extras,” says Nana Duffy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Rochester, New York. Instead, it features a short, no-fuss ingredient list with gentle cleansers (coco-glucoside and sodium cocoyl glycinate) that won't strip, plus glycerin and panthenol to keep skin soft and hydrated. It’s also accepted by the National Eczema Association: Products earn that seal by meeting strict criteria for being free of common irritants and suitable for eczema-prone skin. “For any patient who has contact allergies, this is my go-to,” adds Kellie Reed, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, panthenol
- Fragrance-free: yes
- National Eczema Association-accepted: yes
Best for Dry Skin: Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil
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Avène
XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil
Amazon
Dermstore
Why it's worth it: With eczema, your broken skin barrier loses moisture more easily (which is why eczema-prone skin is usually also dry). Avène’s XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil is a silky, National Eczema Association-approved formula that cushions skin with glycerin and lipid-replenishing ingredients like evening primrose and jojoba oils, restoring what your barrier is missing as it cleanses. And then there’s the star: The brand’s signature Thermal Spring Water, which “contains probiotics that soften and calm the skin,” making it especially beneficial during flare-ups when everything feels more reactive, says Dr. Duffy.
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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“The one good thing about having eczema my whole life? I was prepared for it when both of my kids got it as infants, and one of the universally used products in our bathroom is the Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil. It's gentle on the skin, fragrance-free, and can be used all over the body—including the face! This sounds counterintuitive, but getting wet can be really hard on dry skin. Avene's thermal spring water and focus on barrier-building (and repairing) ingredients really help prevent further moisture loss from taking showers or baths.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Avene thermal spring water, glycerin, primrose oil, jojoba oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
- National Eczema Association-accepted: yes
Best for Daily Maintenance: Seen Body Wash Fragrance-Free
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SEEN
Body Wash
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Seen
Why it's worth it: This eczema-friendly body wash from a dermatologist-developed brand is a 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner for its “effective combo of bisabolol (soothes skin), hemisqualane (a lightweight, plant sugar–derived emollient), and glycerin (pulls in hydration),” says Dr. Reed. Seen's Body Wash is also truly fragrance-free—not just “unscented”—meaning no masking fragrances are lurking in the formula, which is key for sensitive, eczema-prone skin that tends to react to even subtle scent additives. (Worth noting: The brand does offer a scented version of its body wash, so if you’re shopping, double-check you’re buying the fragrance-free one.) The gentle, non-stripping formula makes it an “easy everyday go-to for daily maintenance,” but it’s also the kind you’ll especially appreciate during flare-ups, adds Dr. Reed.
Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly
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“Between the two of us, my eczema-prone son and I have been emptying a bottle of this fragrance-free body wash every month or so. It lathers just enough to feel effective, which it definitely is. The formula may be no-frills or irritants, but it leaves skin completely clean (even after a day at the beach spent reapplying sunscreen).” —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: bisabolol, hemisqualane, glycerin
- Fragrance-free: yes
- National Eczema Association-accepted: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Prequel Gleanser
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Prequel
Gleanser
Prequel
Why it's worth it: If you’re not yet familiar with Prequel—which was awarded best new brand in our 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards—here’s the deal: It was founded by Samantha Ellis, MD, a Danville, California-based, board-certified dermatologist who built a line around actual skin fixes—so no, you won’t find trend-chasing formulas here. Prequel’s Gleanser is a perfect example: a low-lather, barrier-friendly wash that gently cleans while soothing eczema-prone skin. Instead of harsh surfactants, it relies on ultra-gentle cleansers to lift away dirt without stripping the moisture your dry skin is trying to hold on to. Speaking of dry skin, glycerin draws in hydration, colloidal oatmeal calms itchiness and irritation, and aloe provides an immediate, cooling relief when skin feels hot or reactive. Even the less flashy additions, like inulin (a prebiotic that supports the skin microbiome), keep skin soft, not squeaky.
It’s also accepted by the National Eczema Association and recognized by the National Rosacea Society Seal of Acceptance—meaning the formula is free from common irritants and unlikely to trigger flushing, stinging, or sensitivity in rosacea-prone complexions (which eczema-prone skin is very on board with).
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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“I'm super adamant about showering twice a day—once before work, and then again before bed. (I live in New York City—it's gross here!) And with multiple showers a day, I need a full-body cleanser that gets me quickly clean without drying me out. Enter, Gleanser. It's packed with moisture-locking glycerin, lathers well on wash cloths (my preferred delivery method), and is fragrance-free, which is a must for my sensitive skin. Everything below the neck is easily irritated by any scent, so I try to stay far from it. My seasonal eczema is grateful for it. I love how big the bottle is—and it has a pump! Truly the best delivery system for someone who goes through body wash like it's… water.” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, colloidal oatmeal, aloe, inulin
- Fragrance-free: yes
- National Eczema Association-accepted: yes
Best for Uneven Texture: Everist Exfoliating Body Wash Concentrate
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Everist
Exfoliating Body Wash Concentrate
Amazon
Revolve
Everist
Why it's worth it: If you know Everist, you know it made its name by ditching filler ingredients and turning everyday shower staples into ultra-concentrated formulas. Considering that traditional body washes are mostly water, cutting it out not only makes the formula more potent but also reduces the need for heavy preservatives and excess packaging. Everist’s Exfoliating Body Wash Concentrate squeezes out like a rich cream but transforms into a soft, satisfying lather once it hits water. And while eczema-prone skin might side-eye the whole “exfoliating” aspect, this one keeps it gentle. Instead of scratchy scrubs, it uses fine bamboo charcoal to smooth rough patches without rubbing skin raw.
The base is also doing your skin many favors: Glycerin pulls in hydration, lecithin keeps skin soft, and aloe vera soothes irritation. The only caveat is that while it doesn’t have any added synthetic fragrance, it does include essential oils (orange peel, peppermint, rosemary, bergamot, and sage) for a fresh, spa-like scent, which some ultra-sensitive skin types may want to patch-test.
Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva
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“Finding an exfoliating body wash for my sensitive, dry skin has always been a challenge. In my current shower routine, I use the Everist Exfoliating Body Wash Concentrate once a week to refresh my skin, and it has helped reduce my flare-ups. If I'm in a flare, I'll skip this version and go for the standard, non-exfoliating version of the product. Since it's a concentrate, you only need about a quarter-size amount to do your full body. I'll add a little to my palm, and once it hits the water, it quickly works into a smooth lather.
The packaging really reduces the clutter in my shower, which is already crowded with toddler bath toys. The $25 sticker price can be a bit of a shock for a body wash, but the product lasts so long due to how little I use per shower, and it's still more affordable than many luxury body washes. The one part that I have a love-hate relationship with is the metal key. It's genius to get more product out; I just have to stop misplacing it…” —Kassidy Silva, social director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: bamboo charcoal, glycerin, lecithin, aloe
- Fragrance-free: yes (no synthetic fragrance; orange peel, peppermint, rosemary, bergamot, and sage oils)
- National Eczema Association-accepted: not disclosed
Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash
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La Roche-Posay
Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: If you, your baby, and your toddler are all dealing with eczema, here’s a small silver lining: You can all use the same body wash. La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash is designed for the whole family (we’re talking babies as young as two weeks), and it proves that a foaming cleanser can still be kind to dry, reactive skin. While some foaming washes get a bad rap for being stripping, this one balances gentle surfactants (like coco-betaine, a mild, coconut-derived cleanser that boosts foam while reducing irritation) with a serious lineup of skin-soothers. “Glycerin pulls in hydration, shea butter replenishes the skin’s lipid barrier, and niacinamide works to calm inflammation and support overall barrier function,” says Dr. Reed.
Then there’s the drugstore brand’s signature La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, rich in selenium for antioxidant support, plus Aqua posae filiformis (a probiotic-derived ingredient) that rebalances the skin microbiome. You can even use it on your face, so you’ll definitely appreciate that it comes in a generously sized 13.5 fl. oz. bottle.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, shea butter, niacinamide, La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, Aqua posae filiformis
- Fragrance-free: yes
- National Eczema Association-accepted: yes
Best for Itchiness: Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream Body Wash
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Eucerin
Eczema Relief Cream Body Wash
Amazon
Why it's worth it: If your itchiness is at cannot-stop-thinking-about-it intense, “Eucerin’s Eczema Relief Cream Body Wash contains extracts of oats, which act as a natural anti-itch ingredient,” says Dr. Duffy. More specifically, the formula uses 2% colloidal oatmeal, a gold-standard level shown to soothe irritation, calm inflammation, and support the skin barrier—the “colloidal” part matters because the oats are finely milled and dispersed so they actually adhere to skin and do their job. Beyond that, it’s stacked with nourishing extras: Glycerin pulls in hydration, ceramides replenish the barrier, and a mix of fatty emollients plump skin so it doesn’t feel stripped post-shower. The texture is so creamy, you’d swear it’s a lotion, but it is, in fact, a rinse-off formula.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 2% colloidal oatmeal, glycerin, ceramides, fatty emollients
- Fragrance-free: yes
- National Eczema Association-accepted: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a body wash if I have eczema?
If you have atopic dermatitis, keep your skin-care products simple. “If you are going to use a body wash, look for one free of artificial fragrances and dyes,” says Dr. Duffy, since those are common triggers for irritation. Instead, prioritize formulas with barrier-friendly ingredients like “colloidal oatmeal (to soothe itch), ceramides (to replenish the skin barrier), and glycerin (to draw in hydration), along with calming extras like niacinamide and aloe vera,” says Dr. Duffy. The goal isn’t just to cleanse—it’s to avoid stripping your skin and reinforce the barrier so it stays calm, comfortable, and less reactive.
Is a cream, oil, or gel body wash better for eczema-prone skin?
For atopic dermatitis-prone skin, texture really matters. “Creamy and oil-based washes are better than foaming gels as they are less disruptive to the skin barrier,” says Dr. Reed. These richer formulas cleanse without stripping away moisture, which is key when your barrier is already compromised.
Foaming gels, on the other hand, can sometimes leave skin feeling tight or dry—with a few exceptions. One standout on our list is La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Moisturizing Wash, which delivers a satisfying lather while still prioritizing hydration, thanks to barrier-supporting ingredients like shea butter and the brand’s soothing thermal spring water. So if you love the lather of a foam but still need something eczema-friendly, it shows you don’t always have to choose.
Can a body wash actually treat eczema, or just help manage it?
“Body washes do not treat the eczema and the underlying inflammation; however, they can be a supportive tool to manage eczema and minimize flares,” says Dr. Reed. In other words, the right formula keeps your skin calm and prepped for the products that do treat it, while the wrong one (think: harsh, fragranced, or overly stripping) can trigger or worsen symptoms.
Meet the experts
- Nana Duffy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology based in Rochester, New York
- Danny Guo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Danny Guo Dermatology based in Calgary, Canada
- Kellie Reed, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology based in Austin
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best body washes for eczema, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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