Top Natural Skincare Products for Eczema
Even with effective TCM herbal medicine treatment, eczema-prone skin requires long-term management. Using the right topicals during active and remissions phase are key to keeping the skin healthy and non-reactive. If eczema is mild, topicals may be enough to settle the inflammation and quell a flare, but internal herbal medicine is often required to really prevent future flares. It is always best to consult a TCM practitioner who specializes in treating skin conditions to get specific recommendations tailored to your skin, but I’ve outlined the products I most commonly recommend to my clients below.
Dermatology-M is the brand I most often recommend to patients dealing with chronic inflammatory skin conditions. They have a wide range of products to benefit many different skin concerns including eczema. Always be sure to check ingredient lists before use if you have any specific allergies. My favorite Dermatology-M products for eczema are:
Zi Cao Shui Gao : A wonderful anti-inflammatory emollient to moisturize the skin, reduce redness and inflammation, and help restore healthy skin function. I often combine this with Shi Zhen Shui Gao or Shi Zhen Gao for added effect.
Shi Zhen Gao : This ointment is best for eczema with a lot of redness and inflammation and some weeping and crusting. It can be used in combination with Zi Cao Shui Gao for added moisturizing.
Shi Zhen Shui Gao : This cream is best for dry, red, itchy, flakey eczema. It can be used in combination with Zi Cao Shui Gao for added moisturizing. It is also great for red, itchy hand eczema and pompholyx.
TSW Lotion : This lotion is specially formulated for steroid-damaged skin. It provides anti-flammatory effects and itch reduction as well as supporting the skin microbiome to help prevent infection.
Hu Zhang Shui : When eczema is widespread and the skin feels hot and irritated by lotions and creams I like to use this gel lotion to help reduce itching and inflammation. It is not very moisturizing as it is an aloe base, but it can be combined with other moisturizers as the skin can tolerate them.
Jin Yin Hua Honeysuckle Wash: This can be used in bath water for babies with eczema or as a face wash or body wash for adults with sensitive or eczema-prone skin. It is gentle, and soap-free, so it won’t dry out your skin. The honeysuckle extract adds a mildly anti-microbial effect which is beneficial when managing eczema-prone skin.
Dermatology M Brand - Soothing Eczema Cream
“Cools and comforts sensitive skin — For people prone to dry, scaly and itchy eczema
Our deeply calming cream harnesses a synergistic blend of Chinese herbal actives. It helps cool and reduce the heat, redness and itching of dry skin, while protecting against moisture loss. Inspired by Shi Zhen Shui Gao, a traditional TCM formulation, it is also suitable for skin prone to dry, scaly types of eczema.”
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Borago Officinalis (Borage) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Nut Butter, Prunus Persica (Peach) Kernel Oil, Calcium Sulfate, Phellodendron Amurense (Amur Cork) Bark Extract, Polygonum Tinctorium (Chinese Indigo) Leaf/Stem Extract, Zinc Oxide, Panthenol, Squalane, Phenoxyethanol, Lactic Acid, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Hydrated Silica, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Xanthan Gum, Retinyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Urea, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice Powder, Caprylyl Glycol, Pantolactone.
Dermatology-M Brand Nourishing Cream
“Our iconic moisturiser is a must-have for all skin types. Its synergistic Chinese herbal complex intensely nourishes and soothes, restoring supple, soft and smooth skin. Inspired by Zi Cao Shui Gao, a traditional TCM formulation, it is also suitable for skin prone to dryness, eczema, psoriasis, hyper-sensitivity and topical steroid withdrawal.”
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Nut Butter, Panthenol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Tocopherol, Angelica Polymorpha Sinensis (Dong Quai) Root Extract, Arnebia Euchroma (Redroot) Root Extract, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Urea, Phytic Acid, Pantolactone, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice Powder, Phenethyl Alcohol, Limonene.
Dermatology-M Hu Zhang Shui
This gel-based formula is easily spread over large surface areas of the body. Great for widespread eczema or hives. It dries quickly and is not heavy or greasy like a lotion or cream. If this product stings on application try Run Ji Gao instead.
“Swiftly calms itchy skin
Especially effective for itchy eczema and urticaria
Our calming gel harnesses a unique blend of Chinese herbs traditionally used to swiftly minimise skin irritation while supporting the skin's natural barrier function. Inspired by Hu Zhang Shui, a traditional TCM formulation, it is also suitable for skin prone to urticaria types of eczema.”
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Zinc Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Menthol, Smilax Glabra Root Extract, Cnidium Monnieri Fruit Extract, Kochia Scoparia Fruit Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract, Zizyphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice Powder, Ferric Oxide, Methylparaben, Sodium Dehydroacetate
Soap-free natural face wash
“Our soap-free face wash is enriched with a unique blend of Chinese herbs known to soothe, rebalance and soften. It's designed to be gentle enough to calm delicate skin during the daily cleanse and is ideal for all skin types. Inspired by Jin Yin Hua, a traditional TCM formulation, it is also suitable for skin prone to acne, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis and hyper-sensitivity.”
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Sodium Cocoyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Glycerin, Peg-10 Olive Glycerides, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Methyl Isethionate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Coconut Acid, Lactic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Geraniol, Linalool, Limonene, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Cocoate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Citronellol, Sodium Benzoate, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Dalbergia Sissoo Wood (Rosewood) Oil, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Sweet Orange) Peel Oil Expressed, Benzyl Benzoate.
Preferred cream for facial eczema, especially around the eyes and eyelids.
“Our rich, colourless cream is enriched with a unique complex of Chinese herbs. Formulated to minimise irritation, it powerfully moisturises and calms dry, sensitive skin. Inspired by Ma Chi Xian Shui Gao, a traditional TCM formulation, it is also suitable for skin prone to dry types of eczema.”
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Butylene Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Borago Officinalis (Borage) Seed Oil, Myrica Cerifera (Bayberry) Fruit Wax, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Nut Butter, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Panthenol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Zinc Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, C12-16 Alcohols, Glycerin, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Urea, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice Powder, Caprylyl Glycol, Pantolactone
Emily Skin Soothers is a great brand of soaps and ointments that are helpful with mild eczema. I particularly like their soaps which are oil-based and add moisture rather than drying out the skin. The liquid soap is great for babies and kids who are eczema-prone as it contains no fragrances and is very gentle.
Emily Hot Skin Soother: This heavy, thicker ointment is great for red, hot itchy rashes. Safe for use with infants and babies. If there are signs of infection I would be careful about applying too many heavy topicals.
Emily Dry Skin Soother: This thick ointment is great for dry and cracked winter skin. Great for hands and feet, I recommend this one for people who wash their hands a lot at work and get lots of finger tip cracking. For added effect you can apply this ointment to your hands and feet and cover with socks and lightweight cotton gloves to help the ointment absorb into the skin better.
Emily Diaper Skin Soother: While this product was designed as a diaper cream (which it works great as!) it can also be used for red, hot, irritated, skin. It is especially good for use in areas of delicate skin. I often recommend this topical for vulvar eczema or genital lichen sclerosis.
Emily Liquid Soap : I always recommend my eczema patients switch out their regular hand soap and body wash for this liquid soap. Regular soaps and detergents can dry out the skin, but Emily’s Liquid Soap is made of ingredients that won’t strip natural oils from the skin.
Another, all-natural, TCM herbal-based product line we love is CMD Skin Solutions. These products are made of all-natural ingredients, with limited preservatives and no fragrances or essential oils. I recommend these products for patients with allergies to other ingredients as this company uses fewer ingredients and fewer potential allergens in their products. Their products are safe for infants and children and are a great option for the youngest eczema sufferers.
CMD Au Natural Lotion: This is my go-to plain emollient moisturizer. It is fragrance-free, and moisturizes with sunflower seed oil and shea butter. It is lightweight enough for easy application but offers a good amount of moisture for a lotion. This can be layered with other stronger topicals during flares and makes a great gentle moisturizer for long-term use when the skin is more stable.
CMD EC Hot Blood Cream: This cream combines moisturizing with herbal ingredients to reduce itch and inflammation in the skin. It is similar to the Dermatology-M Zi Cao Shui Gao I recommended above but contains fewer ingredients and is sometimes better tolerated with highly reactive skin.
CMD DH Cream: This cream has added medicinals for a stronger anti-itch effect. This is great for pompholyx and hand eczema that can be very itchy and uncomfortable. This can be used when there is mild weeping but should be combined with other appropriate topicals if there is active infection.
When looking for conventional creams and lotions for soothing eczema-prone skin you generally should avoid products containing mineral oil, opting instead for sunflower oil, safflower oil, Shea butter, Cocoa butter, and jojoba oils which are better for the skin microbiome long-term. Look for ceramides on the ingredient labels especially ceramide 1, 2, 3, 6, EOS, EOP, NG, NP, and/or NS. Below are a few over the counter options that are easily found in drugstores nationwide.
Mustela Baby Eczema Relief Cream
If you or someone you love is dealing with eczema or atopic dermatitis and need customized support, Dr. Allison is available for in-person and virtual consultations. In you’re interested in more information, contact for details.