Is It Better to Keep Eczema Moist or Dry? (2026 Update)

If you or your kids have eczema-prone skin, you've probably heard both pieces of advice: "let it breathe and dry out" and "keep it moisturized." So which is it? Here's what dermatologists actually recommend, how to keep eczema-prone skin hydrated day to day, and whether drinking more water makes a difference.

Updated November 2026: we added sections on how to keep eczema-prone skin hydrated and whether drinking water helps, a note on weeping eczema, and a longer FAQ. All sources were rechecked this month.

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

Is it better to keep eczema moist or dry?

Moist. The American Academy of Dermatology and the National Eczema Association both point to regular moisturizing as a cornerstone of everyday eczema care. The NEA explains that eczema-prone skin has a weaker skin barrier, which makes it harder for skin to hold on to water. The result is the dry, itchy skin most families know too well. The AAD puts it simply: eczema creates tiny cracks in the skin, so the skin loses water quickly (AAD).

That's why "drying it out" usually backfires. A moisturizer adds water back to the top layer of skin and helps seal it in, so skin feels softer, less tight and more comfortable.

Should you let eczema dry out?

No. Leaving eczema-prone skin bare in dry air, or skipping moisturizer after a shower, tends to make things worse, not better:

• Dry skin feels itchier. Scratching then irritates the skin further, and the itch-scratch cycle keeps going.
• Cracks and rough patches are more likely when skin is left dry, especially in winter or after long, hot showers.
• Drying products such as strongly scented soaps, alcohol-heavy formulas and harsh scrubs strip skin even more.

Where the "let it air out" idea does make sense is clothing: loose, breathable cotton is kinder to eczema-prone skin than tight, scratchy or sweaty fabrics. See our guide to the best fabrics for eczema-prone skin.

What about weeping or oozing eczema?

Sometimes eczema patches blister and ooze clear or yellowish fluid that dries into a crust. This is the one time people are most tempted to "dry it out." Don't try to manage it on your own. According to the AAD's guide to weeping eczema, any type of eczema can weep, and oozing can sometimes be a sign of infection. Call your doctor or dermatologist so they can check it and give you a plan.

How to keep eczema skin hydrated: the soak-and-seal routine

This is the routine dermatology groups describe and the one we use with our kids:

1. Bathe short and lukewarm. Keep baths or showers to about 5 to 10 minutes and skip very hot water (AAD, NEA).
2. Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser only where needed. Our Soothing Body Wash and Gentle Foaming Hand Soap are made for sensitive skin. Skip bubble bath.
3. Pat, don't rub. Leave skin slightly damp.
4. Moisturize within 3 minutes. Applying moisturizer while skin is still damp helps lock in water. If you use a prescription cream, follow your doctor's directions for the order.
5. Choose a thicker texture. The AAD suggests a thick cream or ointment. Our Original Skin-Soothing Cream is made with honey, beeswax, plant oils and 1% colloidal oatmeal and carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. If anyone in your home has a tree-nut allergy, choose the Nut-Free Skin-Soothing Cream.
6. Use a lighter layer for big areas. Our fragrance-free Oatmeal Body Lotion spreads easily over arms, legs and backs. For extra softness after a shower, some people like a few sprays of Antioxidant Body Oil on damp skin before lotion (it contains a little lavender oil, so patch test first).

How often should you moisturize eczema-prone skin?

The AAD recommends moisturizing at least twice a day. Many families also moisturize after every bath, shower and hand wash, since water and soap pull moisture out of skin. Hands often need a dedicated hand cream you can keep by the sink. For very dry spots at night, see our guide to slugging for sensitive skin, and for a deeper dive read how often to moisturize eczema-prone skin.

Does drinking water help eczema?

It's one of the most common questions we get, and the honest answer is: not as much as people hope. Drinking enough water is good for your overall health, but there's little evidence that drinking extra water changes eczema. In an article from the National Eczema Association, a dermatologist advises drinking the recommended amount of water but not overdoing it, and says the best and proven way to hydrate your skin is applying a good moisturizer every day, after showering or bathing.

Research points the same way. According to a 2023 review on water intake and atopic skin, extra water seems to improve the hydration of the skin's outer layer mainly in people who drank very little to begin with, and moisturizers applied to the skin remain the first-line way to care for dry, atopic skin.

So keep a water bottle handy, but put your energy into moisturizing.

Does staying hydrated help eczema in winter?

Winter is when "hydration" matters most, and it's mostly about the air around your skin. Heated indoor air pulls moisture out of skin all day. The AAD suggests keeping temperature and humidity comfortable and avoiding very dry air. A cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom can help; our humidifier guide covers the right humidity range and how to keep it clean. For more cold-weather tips, read our winter skin barrier guide, and if showers leave you itchy, see why skin itches after a shower.

Common triggers that dry out eczema-prone skin

Moisturizing works best alongside avoiding your personal triggers. Common ones include long, hot showers, sweat followed by cold air, long swims in chlorinated pools, wool or scratchy fabrics, strong fragrances, harsh soaps and dust. Not sure whether you're dealing with eczema or everyday dryness? Our guide to eczema vs. dry skin walks through the differences.

When to talk to your doctor

If your skin is cracked, oozing, crusting, very painful, or keeping you or your kids up at night, or if it isn't getting better with good daily skin care, talk to your doctor, dermatologist or pediatrician. They can help you build the right plan.

Moist vs. Dry Eczema: FAQ

Should you let eczema dry out?

No. Dermatology groups like the American Academy of Dermatology and the National Eczema Association recommend keeping eczema-prone skin moisturized. Eczema-prone skin already loses water quickly, so letting it dry out usually leaves it tighter, rougher and itchier.

Is it better to keep eczema dry or moist?

Moist. Skin with eczema does better when it is kept moisturized with a thick, fragrance-free cream or ointment, especially right after bathing. Loose, breathable cotton clothing is fine, but the skin itself should not be left bare and dry.

How do you keep eczema skin hydrated?

Take a short, lukewarm bath or shower (about 5 to 10 minutes), pat skin lightly so it stays a little damp, and apply moisturizer within 3 minutes. Moisturize at least twice a day, after every hand wash, and keep indoor air from getting too dry.

Does drinking water help eczema?

Drinking enough water is good for your overall health, but there is little evidence that drinking extra water changes eczema. Studies suggest extra water mainly helps skin hydration in people who drank very little to begin with. Dermatologists say the proven way to hydrate skin is a good moisturizer every day.

Does moisturizing help with atopic dermatitis?

Yes. Moisturizing is a cornerstone of everyday care for atopic dermatitis. The AAD explains that eczema creates tiny cracks that let skin lose water, and that applying a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer right after a bath helps keep skin hydrated.

What if my eczema is weeping or oozing?

Wet, oozing or crusted patches are a reason to call your doctor or dermatologist, not to dry the skin out at home. Oozing can sometimes be a sign of infection and may need a different plan.

Our Original cream, Nut-Free cream and Oatmeal Body Lotion are HSA/FSA eligible. Free shipping on U.S. orders over $60. You can also find Eczema Honey on Amazon, Walmart.com, and at select Meijer and select Sprouts stores (call ahead).

Sources

1. National Eczema Association, Moisturizing
2. American Academy of Dermatology, Atopic dermatitis: Self-care
3. American Academy of Dermatology, Moisturizer to reduce eczema flares
4. American Academy of Dermatology, Weeping eczema
5. National Eczema Association, Does the Amount of Water You Drink Affect Your Eczema? (2024)
6. Douladiris N, Vakirlis E, Vassilopoulou E. Atopic Dermatitis and Water: Is There an Optimum Water Intake Level for Improving Atopic Skin? Children, 2023. PMC9954916