The Best Soap for Eczema-Prone Skin: What to Look For (and Our Pick)

The best soap for eczema-prone skin is the one that gets you clean without leaving skin dry, tight or itchy afterward. That usually means a mild, low-lather bar or wash with moisturizing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, glycerin and plant oils, and no harsh detergents or synthetic fragrance. Here's what to look for, what to skip, and how we use bar soap at home with our kids.

Why the wrong soap bothers eczema-prone skin

Eczema-prone skin has a harder time holding on to moisture. Many traditional soaps are designed to strip oil, and strong perfumes are a common trigger, so a harsh bar can leave skin feeling even drier once you step out of the shower. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a mild, fragrance-free cleanser, and the National Eczema Association suggests a short, lukewarm bath or shower followed by moisturizer.

What to look for in a soap for eczema-prone skin

• Mild cleansers and low lather. Big, bubbly lather usually means more surfactant. A gentle bar or a syndet (soap-free) bar strips less.
• Moisturizing ingredients. Colloidal oatmeal, glycerin, honey and plant oils such as coconut, safflower or grapeseed help skin feel soft after rinsing.
• No synthetic fragrance or dyes. If you react to essential oils, choose fragrance-free. "Unscented" doesn't always mean fragrance-free, so read the label.
• A short ingredient list. Fewer ingredients make it easier to spot your personal triggers.
• The NEA Seal of Acceptance is a helpful shortcut if you want a product that has been reviewed for eczema-prone skin.

What to avoid

• Heavily perfumed soaps, deodorant bars and bubble baths
• Gritty, exfoliating bars on irritated or broken skin
• Very hot water, long soaks and rough washcloths or loofahs

Our pick: Eczema Honey Gentle Oatmeal and Lavender Soap

Our Gentle Oatmeal and Lavender Soap is the bar we keep in the bath for our kids. It's a handmade, low-lather cleansing bar with colloidal oatmeal, organic honey, glycerin and coconut, safflower and grapeseed oils. It has no synthetic fragrance, dyes, parabens or harsh detergents, and more than 500 customers have given it an average of 4.7 stars.

One honest note: the bar contains lavender oil for a light, natural scent. Most of our customers love it ("this subtle, natural lavender is pleasant and not at all headache-inducing," says Renee I.), but if you avoid essential oils, patch test first or use our fragrance-free Gentle Foaming Hand Soap instead.

Bar soap or body wash?

Both can work. Bars are easy to travel with and use less plastic, while a wash makes it easy to use just a small amount. If you prefer a liquid, see our guide to the best body wash for eczema-prone skin. For the sink, our guide to the best hand soap for eczema-prone skin covers frequent hand washing.

How to use bar soap on eczema-prone skin

1. Keep baths and showers short (about 5 to 10 minutes) and lukewarm.
2. Lather the bar in your hands instead of rubbing it on skin, and use it mainly where you need it.
3. Rinse well and pat dry with a soft cotton towel.
4. Moisturize within about three minutes with a lotion like our Oatmeal Body Lotion.
5. Let the bar dry between uses on a draining soap dish so it lasts longer.

For bath time with little ones, see our baby eczema bath routine, and for a broader look at cleansers, read how to choose a soap for eczema-prone skin.

How to patch test a new soap

Try a new soap on a small area, such as the inner forearm, for a few days before switching your whole routine. If you notice redness, burning or more itching, stop using it.

Frequently asked questions

Is bar soap or body wash better for eczema-prone skin?

Either can work if it's gentle. A mild, moisturizing formula used in small amounts matters more than the format. Bars are handy, travel well and use less plastic; washes are easier to use in small amounts.

Is oatmeal soap good for eczema-prone skin?

Many families like oatmeal soap because colloidal oatmeal is gentle and helps skin feel soft after washing. Look for one without synthetic fragrance or harsh detergents, and patch test first.

Is lavender soap OK for eczema-prone skin?

Some people with eczema-prone skin are sensitive to essential oils, including lavender. If that's you, choose a fragrance-free cleanser. If not, patch test a lightly scented bar on a small area for a few days first.

How often should I use soap if I have eczema-prone skin?

Many people use soap only where it's needed, such as hands, underarms, feet and the diaper area, and rinse the rest with lukewarm water. Ask your doctor what's right for you.

What's the best soap for eczema-prone skin on kids?

Use a small amount of a gentle cleanser, keep baths short and lukewarm, and moisturize right after. Always check with your pediatrician before starting a new product on a baby.

This article is for general information only and isn't medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pediatrician about your skin or your child's skin.

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