The Best Soap for Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)? Try a Nonsoap Cleanser Instead

The Best Soap for Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)? Try a Nonsoap Cleanser Instead
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Updated on July 31, 2024
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If you have atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema, chances are you’re looking for a way to clean your skin that won’t aggravate your symptoms.

“Ultimately the wrong cleanser can make eczema worse, contributing to dryness, irritation, and inflammation,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology and an associate professor at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

While the wrong cleanser can do more harm than good, “the right cleanser can actually leave the skin hydrated,” he adds.

Read on to find out the best cleansing method for atopic dermatitis so you can feel your best even if you’re experiencing a flare-up.

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Why You Should Skip the Soap

If you love a classic soap, here’s the bad news: Traditional soaps can be too harsh for people with atopic dermatitis, stripping the skin of natural oils that help retain water.

“When you wash away these oils, the skin dries out, which can make you prone to eczema flares,” says Benjamin Ungar, MD, the director of the rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis clinic and an assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

On top of that, the average pH level of soap ranges from 9 to 10, which is considered alkaline, while the skin’s normal pH hovers at about 5, which is closer to neutral, according to research. “True soaps have an alkaline pH and can further disrupt the outer skin layer,” Dr. Zeichner says.
One additional concern is that soaps may contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which creates lather, and is a compound that can irritate eczema-prone skin.

Seek Out Fragrance-Free Cleansers Formulated for Sensitive Skin

If you have eczema, grabbing any old nonsoap cleanser at the drugstore won’t do. “Because people with atopic dermatitis have sensitive skin that can be dried out and irritated easily, it’s important that the cleansing products used are directed toward sensitive skin,” says Dr. Ungar.

You’ll want to steer clear of scented cleansers, too. “People with eczema are often sensitive to fragrances, so it’s generally advisable to select products that are fragrance-free when possible,” Ungar notes.

Bottom line: Look for a fragrance-free cleanser designed for sensitive skin. “This doesn’t guarantee that it will be the right product, as everyone is different and should see how their skin responds, but it’s a very good starting point,” says Ungar.

Watch Out for Ingredients That Can Trigger Allergies or That Are Drying

In addition to red flags like fragrance, people should be mindful that a cleanser may contain an ingredient that triggers a skin allergy. “If someone notices that a product worsens the eczema, then it may be worthwhile to see a dermatologist to assess whether further testing for allergies to certain ingredients might make sense,” Ungar says.

The following ingredients may be irritating to people with eczema:
  • Tea tree oil
  • Urea
  • Retinoids
  • Lanolin
  • Cocamidopropyl betaine
  • Propylene glycol
  • Ethanol

Also beware of super-sudsy cleansers. “Lathering or foaming cleansers generally are more drying than hydrating,” Zeichner notes.

6 Nonsoap Cleansers for Atopic Dermatitis

Shopping for personal care products is often daunting even without the extra challenge of eczema. Here are some fragrance-free nonsoap cleansers to look for at the drugstore:

Cetaphil Restoraderm Soothing Wash

The goal of this body wash is to cleanse the skin and provide soothing relief without drying. Patented “Filaggrin” technology allegedly helps the skin hold onto its natural moisture. This cleanser received the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

Restoraderm Soothing Wash, Cetaphil.com

CeraVe Soothing Body Wash for Very Dry Skin

Approved by the National Eczema Association, this body cleanser contains omega-3 fatty acids to help fight skin inflammation.

Soothing Body Wash for Very Dry Skin, CeraVe.com

Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash

This cleanser features oatmeal, a well-known home remedy for eczema. (The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that people with atopic dermatitis take a “colloidal” bath with finely ground oatmeal for symptom relief.)

Skin Relief Body Wash, Aveeno.com

Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream & Body Wash

This nonfoaming cleanser boasts that it’s nondrying and is especially gentle on eczema. It’s formulated with colloidal oatmeal and ceramides (fatty acids found in skin) to help lock in moisture.

Eczema Relief Cream & Body Wash, Eucerin.com

Vanicream Gentle Body Wash

Another National Eczema Association–approved body wash, this cleanser is free of all the potential ingredients that people with eczema should run from (dye, fragrance, lanolin, parabens, sulfates, formaldehyde releasers).

Gentle Body Wash, Vanicream.com

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser

Some facial cleansers are too aggressive for people with atopic dermatitis, but this one won’t aggravate skin while it washes away grime and bacteria.

Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser, Neutrogena.com

The Takeaway

  • A nonsoap cleanser can reduce the risk of dryness and irritation for people with atopic dermatitis, as soaps can wash away moisturizing skin oils and disturb the outer skin layer with an alkaline pH.
  • Choose fragrance-free, nonfoamy cleansers that manufacturers have specifically formulated for sensitive skin to avoid worsening your eczema.
  • Always try new products carefully and consult a dermatologist if you have eczema that is responding particularly poorly to certain products.

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Mohiba Tareen, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Mohiba Tareen, MD, is a nationally acclaimed board-certified dermatologist. She practices medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology at her Minnesota medical practice, Tareen Dermatology. Dr. Tareen takes joy in providing comprehensive dermatologic care to the entire family — from acne, to skin cancer, hair loss, and anti-aging, she provides her expertise to patients at all stages of their lives. Cosmetically, Tareen believes in subtle and natural aesthetic enhancements.

Personally, she is proud of her husband, a fellow caring physician, and her active brood of five children.

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Leslie Barrie

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Leslie Barrie is a health and nutrition writer and editor who loves running marathons and attempting to cook healthy meals for her family (even if they don’t always turn out as planned). She received her bachelor of science degree at UCLA and her master of science degree at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She has written and edited for publications like Health magazine, Seventeen, and Woman’s Day. Leslie won a Hearst Spotlight Award for her work in 2018 at Woman’s Day, and helped plan the Woman’s Day Red Dress Awards, an event honoring changemakers fighting to end heart disease in women.

When she isn’t writing, Leslie loves chasing her daughter and son around outside, going on family hikes, and starting her day with a big bowl of muesli.
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