While applying a rich moisturizer to the skin, many times daily, is your first line of defence, bathing is also important!

Bathing with emulsifying oil allows skin to absorb some of the moisture from the bath, and helps to trap moisture in the skin once the topical moisturizer is applied, immediately following the bath. Decades ago, doctors often recommended that eczema sufferers limit baths and showers; however, leading dermatologists around the world agree that bathing is an important part of controlling eczema. Allergens, bacteria, and daily dirt build up on the skin, and need to be removed; otherwise they can contribute to the worsening of the condition. Bathing also allows medication and moisturizers to better penetrate the skin following the bath. Bathing is also an important social and development al experience for babies and children. After bathing, gently pat the skin dry, and then immediately apply your rich moisturizer, to skin that is still damp. Apply prescription products, as recommended by your physician.

Follow these bathing steps to hydrate the skin, at least once a day, and up to three times a day when the skin is flared.


What you will need:

  • a bath tub or bathing basin for babies or toddlers

  • an emulsifying oil (e.g. Kerri Oil ®, Oilatum Bath & Shower Oil ®)

  • a gentle soap or cleanser (e.g. Aveeno Eczema Skincare Body Wash ®, Cetaphil Cleanser ®, Dove Baby Sensitive Skin Body Wash ®, La Roche Posay Lipikar Syndet Soap Free Cleanser ®)

  • a rich moisturizer (e.g. Aveeno Eczema Skincare Moisturizing Cream ®, Cetaphil Moisturizer ®, IMPRUV Cream ®, La Roche Posay Lipikar Balm ®, Vaseline ®)

  • prescription treatments, if necessary

  • a timer, watch or clock

  • a soft natural fibre towel


Steps to Bathing the Eczema Sufferer:

  1. Fill the bath with lukewarm water and add some emulsifying oil. Mix well. The skin will actually absorb some of the water and oil.

  2. Immerse the patient in the water/oil mixture, trying to cover as much of the body as possible. Do not immerse the head in water. If eczema is on the face, or areas of the body not soaking in the water, gently apply a soft wash cloth, soaked in the water/oil mixture, to those areas.

  3. Have the patient soak in the water/oil for five minutes. Use your timer or watch the clock. Try and make this a fun to for children, using safe toys.

  4. Clean areas of the body that need additional cleaning with your gentle cleanser.

  5. The person being bathed will be slippery, so take extra care when getting out of the bath, to avoid injury. Take extra care when handling infants and children.

  6. When coming out of the bath, try and leave as much water on the skin as possible. Gently dry off excess water with a soft towel, or briefly air dry if air is warm. If your medicated treatment is corticosteroids (e.g. Hydrocortisone), apply now to the still damp skin. For the non-cortisone based prescriptions, such as Elidel or Protopic ensure the skin is completely dry before applying.

  7. Apply prescription products to flared areas, carefully avoiding healthy skin.

  8. Apply your moisturizer to the remaining patches of healthy skin. The patient’s entire body can and should be moisturized between bathing with your regular, non-prescription moisturizer.

How do I select the best bathing and moisturizing products?

The best products for bathing and moisturizing are:

  1. Products that have few ingredients and that are formulated for sensitive skin or eczema. You want to avoid moisturizers that have high water content (e.g. lotions) as they can actually be drying to the skin. You want a rich moisturizer. Petrolatum is a good choice for areas with active red patches, as they are more likely to sting with a regular, white moisturizer. A regular moisturizer should be applied to the remaining healthy skin.

  2. Products that fit your budget. More expensive it not necessarily better.

  3. Products that the eczema sufferer will tolerate and will actually use! If you or your child dislikes the greasy feeling of petrolatum, then find a moisturizer that works for you! Some people like to use petrolatum on the actively flaring patches, and a regular rich moisturizing cream on the rest of the skin. Different products work for different people.

Please note that we list product names in an effort to help eczema sufferers, and we do so in response to receiving an overwhelming number of e-mails and phone calls asking for product name suggestions. These listed products are known to be well tolerated by some eczema sufferers, and various products have been reviewed by us through our Seal of Acceptance program. We list products made by companies who provide unrestricted educational grants to us, and we list those made by companies who do not sponsor or support our efforts in any way.

Speak with your local pharmacist to find these products, or others that are suitable for eczema sufferers.