How does soap for eczema differ from regular soap?

People with eczema have an impaired skin barrier, so soap made for this condition is designed to be super gentle and non-irritating to that already-delicate barrier, says Dr. Campbell. In many ways, these eczema-friendly soaps are basically anti-soaps: “Some body and face cleansers don't contain [traditional] soap, and these soap-free options are oftentimes best [for people with eczema].” Traditional soap is made from a combination of sodium hydroxide, fats, and oils to make an alkaline mixture. But this mixture can throw off the pH balance of skin, especially if it’s sensitive, so soaps made for eczema often include alternative, non-alkaline ingredients to cleanse the skin instead.

How often should you use a soap for eczema?

For the most part, you can use eczema soap as often as your routine calls for; in other words, an eczema hand soap can replace your regular product and be used as often as you wash your hands every day (and the same goes for your face or body wash). More important than the frequency of use, says Dr. Campbell, is how you use the soap: Avoid soaping up your whole body every day unless it’s visibly dirty; stick to your underarms, groin, and face to prevent unnecessary irritation. Use your hands to gently apply the soap to the skin. Use lukewarm water (even though a hot shower feels so good!). “Hot water causes evaporation of water from the skin, and results in even more water loss,” leaving your skin extra dehydrated, explains Dr. Campbell.

Can you use soap for eczema on babies?

Dr. Campbell doesn’t recommend using eczema-specific soaps for babies, but that doesn’t mean you should wash them with whatever’s lying around the house, either. “Again, fragrance-free is most important,” she says, “[and you can also] consider soap-free cleansing alternatives.”

The 9 Best Soaps for Eczema of 2023

One in 10 people will experience eczema at some point in their life. “Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a condition caused by a defect in the barrier of the skin in combination with inflammation in the skin," explains Charlotte Birnbaum, MD, FAAD, at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. "Because the barrier is defective in eczema, the skin is more sensitive to allergens and irritants.” That's where soaps for eczema come in.

Cleansing soaps are a great way to help soothe some of the symptoms of eczema while keeping the skin clean and healthy. When looking for soap for eczema, consider how the skin reacts to avoid future irritation and outbreaks. We researched dozens of soaps for eczema and evaluated them based on their reviews, active ingredients, additional ingredients, and application directions. A dermatologist from our Medical Expert Board reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy as well as when to seek further advice from a healthcare provider.

Here are the best soaps for eczema on the market today.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar at Amazon

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Best Body Wash:

CeraVe Soothing Body Wash at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Basis Sensitive Skin Bar at Amazon

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Best Facial Cleanser:

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser at Amazon

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Best Hand Soap:

Free & Clear Liquid Cleanser at Amazon

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Best Baby:

CeraVe Baby Wash & Shampoo at Amazon

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Best Vegan:

Splendor Santa Barbara Pure Coconut Oil Soap at Amazon

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Best for Dry Skin:

CLn BodyWash at Amazon

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Best Natural:

SheaMoisture African Black Soap Eczema Therapy at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Health

4.3

Walmart

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Pros

Specialized formula for sensitive skin
Like a cleanser and moisturizer in one
Can be used daily

Cons

Bar soap can be harder to lather
Some users complain of leftover residue after washing

We chose this mild, non-alkaline bar as our top pick because it was specifically designed for dry, sensitive skin. It moisturizes and cleans your skin simultaneously, making it an excellent choice for full-body cleansing while caring for your eczema. Its neutral pH formula and lack of harsh detergents allow your skin to heal without stripping away any natural oils or barriers, making it safe for adults and children alike.

Price at time of publication: $12

Key Ingredients: Glycerin | How to Use: After wetting face and hands, work soap into a lather, wash face, and rinse.

Amazon

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Pros

Protects the skin barrier
Contains omega oils for extra dry skin
Free of parabens and sulfates

Cons

Some users dislike the thin consistency
Doesn’t lather well

CeraVe’s Soothing Body Wash works to cleanse and calm the skin with a formula designed by dermatologists to restore skin to its natural, healthy state, thanks to omega oils, hyaluronic acid, and three essential ceramides. With no parabens or sulfates, individuals can feel safe using this product on their skin while avoiding allergens and irritants. CeraVe is fragrance-free and safe for both children and adults, and this product is also recommended by the National Eczema Association.

Price at time of publication: $26

Key Ingredients: Ceramides and omega oils | How to Use: Cleanse body during showering or bathing as needed.

What the Experts Say

“A patient with eczema or atopic dermatitis has an impaired skin barrier: the proteins that make up the skin's barrier are mutated, which means they let too much moisture out of the skin and too many environmental [irritants] like allergens into the skin.”—Caren Campbell, M.D., San Francisco-based board-certified dermatologist

Amazon

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Pros

Affordable
Can be used as hand or body soap
Free of fragrances and dyes

Cons

Bar soap can be harder to lather
Some users with sensitive skin reported reactions

Specialized soap, while worth it, can often get expensive. Basis’s Sensitive Skin Soap lets you take care of skin sensitivities without breaking the bank. It's full of natural, soothing ingredients like chamomile tea and aloe vera, while avoiding irritants like fragrances, dyes, and other harsh chemicals. This soap is dermatologist-recommended and leaves your skin feeling clean, calm, and replenished—it's an excellent, easy addition to your daily routine.

Price at time of publication: $8

Key Ingredients: Chamomile and aloe vera | How to Use: Use as needed in shower/bath or as a hand soap; lather, cleanse, and rinse.

4.7

Amazon

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Pros

Can be used as a daily cleanser or makeup remover
Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic
Can be used with acne, eczema, and rosacea

Cons

May be too drying
May not remove dark or layered-on makeup
Some users with sensitive skin reported reactions

Recommended by the National Eczema Association, this mild, creamy cleanser helps remove dirt, makeup, and other blemishes from your face without adding harsh chemicals and irritants to your skin. Its small ingredients list ensures that your face is only coming into contact with helpful tools to calm your eczema, thanks to its skin-nourishing polyglycerin formula. It doesn’t contain any fragrances, parabens, or allergens, making it safe for even the most sensitive skin.

Price at time of publication: $9

Key Ingredients: Glycerin | How to Use: Wet face, pump a small amount of soap into hands, massage onto face, and rinse.

What the Experts Say

“[Don’t use] loofahs or washcloths to put soap on your skin, as those can harbor bacteria and just abrade the skin or worsen the skin barrier issue.”—Caren Campbell, M.D., San Francisco based board-certified dermatologist

Amazon

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Pros

Can be used by the whole family, including kids
Free of irritating ingredients like sulfates, fragrances, and dyes
May also be used as face or body wash

Cons

Some users complain that pump is faulty or hard to use
Could be too drying for some people

Free & Clear’s hand soap is exactly how it sounds—simple, without any irritating additives that could set off your hand eczema. It’s dermatologist-recommended and only contains ingredients found to be effective while remaining gentle to your skin. It is paraben-free, oil-free, gluten-free, sulfate-free, and fragrance-free, leaving you with a formula that's cleansing and calming on your skin.

Price at time of publication: $8

Key Ingredients: None | How to Use: Lather onto wet skin, rinse, and dry.

Amazon

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Pros

2-in-1 baby shampoo and body wash
Tear-free for sensitive eyes
Vitamin-formulated to protect the skin barrier

Cons

Doesn’t lather well
Online customers report inconsistencies; in-person purchase preferred

CeraVe’s Baby Wash & Shampoo maintains CeraVe’s standard of clean, calm ingredients that are safe enough to use for babies. This tear-free formula includes CeraVe’s noteworthy three essential ceramides for not only calming the skin but restoring its protective barrier for optimal health and sustainability. Thanks to enriching vitamins and “no nasties” (sulfates, parabens, and fragrances), CeraVe Baby leaves skin feeling soft and moisturized.

This product is recommended by the National Eczema Association.

Price at time of publication: $9

Key Ingredients: Ceramides and vitamin E | How to Use: Wet your baby’s hair and skin, apply soap where needed, rinse, and dry.

Amazon

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Pros

Much better lather than many eczema soaps
Mild but non-irritating scent from natural ingredients
Made with coconut oil, not palm oil

Cons

Small-size bars
It doesn’t last very long
Handmade bars are not always consistent in amount of scent or oil

Coconut oil has proven to be an anti-inflammatory ingredient, both for topical uses and consumption. It's the first ingredient in Splendor’s Pure Coconut Oil Soap, alongside aloe juice, colloidal oats, organic chamomile, and organic calendula. These all-natural ingredients are void of chemical allergens and irritants, creating a creamy soap that moisturizes and calms dry skin.

Price at time of publication: $14

Key Ingredients: Coconut oil | How to Use: With wet hands, rub the bar until it lathers; apply to face, body, or hands, rinse, and dry.

Amazon

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Pros

For use in treatment of eczema, folliculitis, and acne
Safe for anyone 6 months and older
Cleanses without disrupting skin barrier

Cons

Some users reported breakouts or rashes after use
More costly than other eczema soaps

CLn’s BodyWash is designed to reduce redness, dryness, and flakiness. It's a cleanser that is safe for daily use, preserved with sodium hypochlorite for a strong but calming sensation for your eczema. This body wash does not contain any parabens, steroids, or fragrances, so it's a great choice for both adults and children.

This product is recommended by the National Eczema Association.

Price at time of publication: $20

Key Ingredients: Sodium hypochlorite | How to Use: Wet skin and pump small amount of soap into hands; lather, massage into skin, rinse, and dry.

Amazon

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Pros

Natural bacteria-fighting ingredients
Contains aloe and oats for soothing irritated skin
Ultra-hydrating

Cons

May not work for severe cases of eczema or psoriasis
Has a stronger scent than many other eczema soaps

SheaMoisture’s Eczema Therapy soap uses an all-natural formula, packed with shea butter, aloe, lemon balm, African black soap, and gotu kola. It’s designed to keep new bacteria out of the skin’s protective barrier, while letting moisture in to heal dryness and inflammation caused by eczema. It simultaneously moisturizes and soothes, is anti-bacterial and therapeutic, and is ready to help heal your skin.

Price at time of publication: $6

Key Ingredients: Shea butter | How to Use: With wet hands, rub the bar until it lathers; apply to face, body, or hands, rinse, and dry.

What to Look for in an Eczema Soap

It’s important to note that while all of these anti-itch creams are able to assist in minor to medium irritations, they may not be able to clear up an eczema outbreak entirely. If you aren’t noticing any improvement after a week or two of use, it may be time to consult your dermatologist.

Active Ingredient

An eczema soap’s active ingredient is the element that will make the biggest healing difference on your skin. This can range from natural soothing elements like green tea to more medical elements.

“The biggest mistake individuals make when choosing an eczema soap is picking a soap by a name-brand rather than taking a closer look at the ingredients the product contains. I always tell my patients to look at ingredients,” says Denisse M. Serrano, MS, PA-C at JUVA Skin & Laser Center in New York City.

Possible Irritants

As eczema often means that skin is more sensitive or irritable, it is crucial for individuals to be aware of things that may set off their skin and cause an outbreak. The NEA has a list of possible irritants of skin that’s experiencing eczema. This list contains, but is not limited to, fragrances, dyes, preservatives, and solvents.

“Soaps for patients with eczema are usually fragrance-free, as you are more likely to develop allergies to things like fragrance when your skin barrier is impaired,” explains Caren Campbell, MD, San Francisco based board-certified dermatologist.

Non-lathering

Most of us want soap that creates a nice, foamy lather to massage into our skin, and while this is okay for some people with eczema (and may be easier to spread, reducing the risk of friction or scrubbing on delicate skin), technically it’s better if your eczema soap doesn’t have any lathering ingredients.

“The foaming agents in soap can cause potential allergies and irritation,” says Dr. Campbell, who suggests sticking with the most basic, fragrance- and essential oil-free soap you can find.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does soap for eczema differ from regular soap?

People with eczema have an impaired skin barrier, so soap made for this condition is designed to be super gentle and non-irritating to that already-delicate barrier, says Dr. Campbell. In many ways, these eczema-friendly soaps are basically anti-soaps: “Some body and face cleansers don't contain [traditional] soap, and these soap-free options are oftentimes best [for people with eczema].”
Traditional soap is made from a combination of sodium hydroxide, fats, and oils to make an alkaline mixture. But this mixture can throw off the pH balance of skin, especially if it’s sensitive, so soaps made for eczema often include alternative, non-alkaline ingredients to cleanse the skin instead.
How often should you use a soap for eczema?
For the most part, you can use eczema soap as often as your routine calls for; in other words, an eczema hand soap can replace your regular product and be used as often as you wash your hands every day (and the same goes for your face or body wash).
More important than the frequency of use, says Dr. Campbell, is how you use the soap:
- Avoid soaping up your whole body every day unless it’s visibly dirty; stick to your underarms, groin, and face to prevent unnecessary irritation.
- Use your hands to gently apply the soap to the skin.
- Use lukewarm water (even though a hot shower feels so good!). “Hot water causes evaporation of water from the skin, and results in even more water loss,” leaving your skin extra dehydrated, explains Dr. Campbell.
Can you use soap for eczema on babies?

Dr. Campbell doesn’t recommend using eczema-specific soaps for babies, but that doesn’t mean you should wash them with whatever’s lying around the house, either.
“Again, fragrance-free is most important,” she says, “[and you can also] consider soap-free cleansing alternatives.”

Why Trust Verywell Health

As a previous fitness coach, long-time wellness enthusiast, and current health editor, Lily Moe understands the importance of products that meet your individual requirements. As someone who has dealt with severe eczema, Lily has gone through dozens of anti-itch creams, from heavily medicated to all-natural—she knows how crucial it is to be wise in what ingredients you put on your skin for your specific need! Most importantly, Lily always looks for research and first-hand reviews when it comes to deciding on a product.

Additional reporting by Sarah Bradley

Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since 2017—everything from product roundups and illness FAQs to nutrition explainers and the dish on diet trends. She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy and expert-approved advice about over-the-counter products that manage everyday health conditions, from GI issues and allergies to chronic headaches and joint pain.