Living with atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema, means finding what works best for you. But not every option is gentle on your skin. Some skin care items contain ingredients that can make your skin feel worse, not better. In fact, some people with eczema say certain products cause burning that’s hard to ignore.

“I only use Vaseline or olive oil — the creams burn like crazy,” one MyEczemaTeam member said. Another added, “Nothing seems to help — it only burns.”

Read on to learn why your eczema may burn after applying lotion, plus get some tips for managing your skin care routine to avoid burning.

Ingredients Matter

Moisturizers are necessary for controlling atopic dermatitis because they help protect a damaged skin barrier — the outermost layer of your skin — and prevent dryness. However, not all moisturizers are the same. Depending on ingredients and formulations, certain moisturizers can cause burning, especially if your skin is affected by eczema flare-ups. Lotions, for example, may have preservatives that burn and cause a stinging sensation when applied to broken, dry skin.

Because eczema weakens your skin’s natural barrier, people living with the skin condition are more sensitive to all kinds of irritants and are more likely to develop contact dermatitis (an itchy rash caused by direct contact with a substance) from exposure to these potential triggers. As a result, you’ll need to review lotion ingredients before using them.

When choosing a lotion, people with eczema should try to avoid those that contain ingredients associated with skin irritation and allergic reactions. These ingredients include:

• Fragrances
• Perfumes
• Dyes
• Essential oils
• Lanolin
• Urea (usually only with high concentrations)
• Retinoids
• Cocamidopropyl betaine (common foaming agent)
• Propylene glycol
• Ethanol

Using fragrance-free products can be an easy way to avoid irritating ingredients. “I only use unscented lotions,” one MyEczemaTeam member wrote. “Anything with a fragrance burns like crazy.”

"I only use unscented lotions. Anything with a fragrance burns like crazy."

— A MyEczemaTeam member

Ingredients generally considered safe and helpful for eczema-prone skin include:

• Niacinamide
• Vitamin E
• Petrolatum
• Hyaluronic acid
• Glycerin
• Oat butter
• Shea butter
• Aloe vera (people are rarely allergic)
• Humectants
• Colloidal oatmeal

In addition to lotions containing these ingredients, hypoallergenic lotions are usually better for eczema-prone skin because they’re free of common allergens. However, some people may still have irritation, burning, or a skin reaction after using lotions with these ingredients or those labeled as hypoallergenic.

Is Burning a Sign of an Allergic Reaction?

Experiencing a burning sensation after applying lotion to eczema may be a sign of an allergic reaction. It can be difficult to tell the difference between burning caused by an allergy and that caused by mild irritation that will improve on its own. For some people, the irritation goes away quickly.

Signs of allergic contact dermatitis include:

• Itchy rash
• Leathery, dark patches, most common on darker skin
• Dry, scaly skin with cracks, most common on lighter skin
• Blisters that ooze or look crusty
• Swelling
• Burning or painful rash

If you have any of these symptoms, stop using the moisturizer or product you applied. It can be difficult to tell exactly what’s causing your allergic reaction, so visit a healthcare professional to get an exact answer.

Also, see your doctor if you have the following symptoms:

• Itchiness that interferes with sleep
• A rash that is severe, spreading, and doesn’t improve within three weeks
• Any symptoms affecting the eyes, mouth, face, or genitals

You’ll need immediate medical attention if you develop signs of infection, such as fever, pus oozing from a blistering rash, difficulty breathing, or throat swelling. In addition, if you’re concerned that you may have ingested a substance that’s irritating your throat or stomach lining, call a doctor right away.

Moisturizer Alternatives to Lotion

If you have eczema, the type of moisturizer also affects the likelihood of irritation or burning. All moisturizers are made of oil and water. Lotions contain mostly water and a little oil. As a result, they tend not to be that long-lasting or moisturizing. This leads to dry, itchy skin that’s more likely to burn if you use moisturizer again.

Besides lotion, the three main types of moisturizers are:

• Ointments
• Creams
• Skin-barrier creams

Ointments

Ointments are usually recommended as an eczema treatment because they have the highest oil content, thereby reducing the risk of burning when applied to sensitive skin. Higher oil content also means that ointments are best at locking in moisture.

The National Eczema Association recommends products like petroleum jelly and mineral oil for their high oil content. One member of MyEczemaTeam shared how they use ointments: “I use a little petroleum jelly on eczema near my eye area.”

Ointments have the highest oil content and a lower risk of burning when applied to sensitive skin.

However, ointments can feel greasy because of their high oil content, which some people find bothersome.

Creams

Creams are a good alternative because they contain slightly less oil than ointments. This reduces greasiness, but the oil content is still high enough to keep your skin moisturized.

Importantly, creams, like lotions, can contain preservatives that irritate the skin. Finding eczema creams designed specifically for this skin condition is usually best.

Skin-Barrier Creams

Skin-barrier creams can be a helpful treatment option for eczema-prone skin because they contain lipids and ceramides — fats found naturally in healthy skin barriers. These fats form a layer over the skin to keep in moisture and keep out irritants. This function allows for better skin healing and reduces eczema symptoms.

One MyEczemaTeam member said, “If I use lotion (with ceramides) for normal to dry skin, my patches don’t seem noticeable, and they are not itchy.”

Skin barrier creams should be used with the guidance of a dermatologist and need only be applied to areas affected by eczema.

Tips for Moisturizing

The National Eczema Association has several recommendations for choosing and using moisturizers that won’t burn. Tips for choosing new moisturizers include:

• Always check a new product’s label before buying, especially to identify any ingredients you know you’re allergic to.
• Review the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance list of moisturizers to see if the moisturizer you want to use is included.
• Apply a pea-sized amount of product to the underside of your wrist or inside of your elbow when trying something new. Avoid washing the area for 24 hours to 48 hours, and check for signs of an allergic reaction.
  

  Always check a new product’s label before buying, especially to identify any ingredients you know you’re allergic to.

Good habits for using your chosen moisturizer include:

• Rubbing the moisturizer between your hands before applying it to make it softer on the skin
• Applying moisturizer in smooth strokes without rubbing it in
• Applying it in the same direction your hair grows to help prevent follicle blockage
• Moisturizing your hands after each wash and moisturizing your whole body several times a day
• Leaving excess moisturizer on your skin to give it time to fully absorb
• Moisturizing within three minutes of bathing or showering and using lukewarm instead of hot water for baths and showers
• Adding oatmeal to a bath or shower for extra relief

Use the best methods and products that work for you. Everyone’s skin is different, so pay attention to what improves your symptoms and makes you feel better.

If you notice burning after applying lotion or have signs of an allergic reaction, a dermatologist can help relieve your symptoms and recommend skin care products that are a better fit for your skin. They may recommend a skin patch test to figure out whether you’re allergic to certain ingredients.

Find Your Team

On MyEczemaTeam, the social network for people with eczema and their loved ones, more than 54,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with eczema.

Are you living with eczema? Have you experienced burning when applying lotion? Share your experiences with other MyEczemaTeam members and start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.