Eczema Skin Care for Beginners: What to Use (and What to Skip)

When eczema becomes part of your or your child's daily routine, the hardest part isn't finding products. It's knowing what you actually need. 

Eczema-prone skin needs a gentle approach, because the wrong products can add to dryness and irritation. 

Lotions, creams, balms, washes, oils and ointments all claim to help. Some products focus on hydration, while others talk about soothing itchy skin or supporting the skin barrier. But for someone who is just starting, it can be hard to know what actually matters. 

The good news is that eczema care doesn't need to be complicated. 

For most people, a simple routine built around cleansing gently, moisturising consistently and supporting dry areas is the best place to start. Think less about finding the “perfect” product and more about building a simple routine you can actually follow. This guide explains what to use, what to skip and why each step matters.

The Short Answer: A Three-Step Starter Routine

If you're looking for the simplest possible starting point, focus on these three steps, which include cleansing, moisturising, and protecting the dry areas. Together, they help skin hold on to moisture and reduce exposure to common irritants. 

1. Wash with a gentle, soap-free cleanser and lukewarm water. 
2. Moisturise generously after bathing and at least once more during the day. 
3. Add a richer product to particularly dry, tight or itchy areas. 

These three steps are the foundation of eczema-prone skin care. Everything else can come later. Start with the essentials, give your skin time to respond and build consistency before adding more products. 

What Is Happening in Eczema-Prone Skin?

Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) is closely linked to the skin barrier, the outer layer of skin that keeps moisture in and irritants out. In eczema-prone skin, this barrier finds it harder to do its job. 

Think of your skin barrier as a brick wall: skin cells are the bricks, and lipids such as ceramides are the mortar holding everything together. When there are gaps in the mortar, water escapes more easily (this is called transepidermal water loss, or TEWL), and irritants and allergens can get in more easily. 

That can leave skin feeling dry, itchy and uncomfortable. So a good eczema-care routine aims to help the skin hold onto moisture while reducing exposure to common irritants.

What to Use, Step by Step

Step 1: A Gentle, Soap-Free Wash

Traditional soaps and highly foaming cleansers can strip away the natural oils your skin needs to hold on to moisture. A soap-free, fragrance-free wash cleans gently without adding to dryness. 

A few bath-time habits also help: 

• Use lukewarm rather than hot water. 
• Keep showers and baths relatively short (around 5–10 minutes). 
• Pat skin dry with a towel instead of rubbing. 
• Moisturise soon afterwards. 

These habits help your skin hold on to moisture after washing. For more on bath-time technique, read our guide on Understanding Bathing with Eczema.

Step 2: A Moisturiser You'll Actually Use Every Day

Moisturising is the cornerstone of eczema care. A moisturiser (also called an emollient) adds a protective layer that slows moisture loss and supports the skin barrier. The best moisturiser is usually the one you'll use consistently, rather than the one that simply sounds the most advanced. 

Many people find it helpful to use: 

• A lighter lotion during the day. 
• A richer cream, balm or ointment at night. 

One of the most useful habits is the "soak and seal" approach, in which you apply a moisturiser within a few minutes of bathing while the skin is still slightly damp. This helps lock in water before it evaporates. 

At Curezma, we designed our range as a routine because eczema-prone skin needs different levels of care. The wash cleanses gently, the lotion supports daily hydration, and the Anti Flare Oil provides extra support when skin needs it most. If starting with two products, Curezma's Lotion can support everyday hydration, while the Anti Flare Oil is designed to provide targeted care where skin needs additional support. 

Step 3: A Richer Layer for Dry, Tight or Itchy Patches

Eczema rarely affects the whole body equally. Common trouble spots include: 

1. Hands 
2. Elbows 
3. Knees 
4. Neck 
5. Face 
6. Ankles 

These areas often benefit from a richer balm, ointment or oil-based product applied on top of your everyday moisturiser. The goal isn't to make your whole body feel greasy, just to give the driest patches extra support.

Lotion, Cream or Ointment? How to Choose

Moisturisers come in different textures, and the right one depends on how dry your skin is, where you're applying it and the climate you live in. As a rule, the drier the skin, the richer the texture it tends to need.

Australian conditions make a difference too. 

A lightweight lotion that feels comfortable during a humid Queensland summer may not provide enough support during a dry Canberra winter or in heavily air-conditioned environments. Many people switch textures with the seasons. 

For a deeper comparison of balms and ointments, read our guide on Eczema Balm vs Ointment: Which Is Better for Your Skin?

Ingredients Worth Looking For (and What They Do)

You don't need a degree in cosmetic chemistry to choose skincare. Knowing what a few common ingredients do makes shopping much easier.

1. Ceramides

Ceramides are naturally found in healthy skin and form part of the skin barrier.

They help reduce moisture loss and support barrier function. Curezma's formulation philosophy includes barrier-supporting lipids such as ceramides because they play an important role in helping skin retain moisture.

2. Colloidal Oatmeal

Finely milled oatmeal is commonly used in eczema-care products because it helps soothe dry, uncomfortable skin.

3. Glycerin

Glycerin is a humectant, which means it attracts water into the outer layers of the skin.

4. Shea Butter

Shea butter helps soften the skin and supports moisture retention by forming a protective layer on the surface.

5. Plant Oils

Thoughtfully selected plant oils can help support the skin barrier and improve skin comfort by reducing moisture loss.

These ingredients are commonly used in eczema-care products. To see exactly what's in each Curezma product and why, explore the Curezma Ingredient Glossary.

The goal isn't to collect products containing every ingredient. It's to understand what role each ingredient can play in a simple routine.

What to Skip When You're Just Starting Out

When you've just been diagnosed, it's tempting to try everything at once. In practice, simple usually works better, especially at the start. Here's what to leave on the shelf for now:

1. Fragrance and Essential Oils: Even naturally derived fragrances can irritate sensitive skin.
2. Harsh Exfoliants: Scrubs, peeling acids and strong active ingredients can increase irritation in already-sensitive skin.
3. Very Hot Showers: Although they may feel soothing temporarily, hot showers can leave skin feeling drier afterwards.

Too Many New Products at Once

If you start several new products at once and your skin reacts, you won't know which one caused it. Instead:

• Introduce one product at a time.
• Give it at least one to two weeks.
• Patch test new products on a small area first.

One of the most common beginner mistakes is focusing on finding the "perfect" product while neglecting consistency. In practice, many people see greater benefit from using a simple routine regularly than from actively switching products every few days.

Putting It Together: A Simple Daily Routine

Here's how those three steps fit into an ordinary day. 

Morning

• Rinse or wash gently if needed.
• Apply moisturiser to all affected areas.
• Wear soft, breathable fabrics such as cotton.

Evening

• Take a short, lukewarm bath or shower.
• Cleanse with a soap-free wash.
• Pat dry gently.
• Apply moisturiser within a few minutes.
• Add a richer layer to dry or itchy areas.

During the Day

• Reapply moisturiser to hands after washing.
• Moisturise any areas that begin feeling tight or dry.

For product order, timing and tips on making it stick, see our guide to building a simple eczema care routine.

How Much Should You Use?

Most people use less moisturiser than their skin needs. Apply enough to leave the skin lightly coated, then smooth it in gently in the direction of hair growth rather than rubbing hard, especially where skin is irritated. 

Consistency matters more than perfection: a simple routine you follow every day will usually do more than a complicated one you keep skipping.

How Long Before You Notice a Difference?

The answer depends on factors such as skin condition, routine consistency and environmental triggers. While some people notice improvements in skin comfort relatively quickly, meaningful changes in hydration and barrier support often take time.

Curezma's clinical trial, run by researchers at Princeton (PCR-UK), involved more than 370 participants using the products as a routine. Researchers reported improvements across several measures, including skin barrier function, skin elasticity and visible dryness.

Reported outcomes included improvement in skin barrier function among participants, improvement in skin elasticity for 82% of participants, and reduced dry or flaky skin in the study population. These results are based on using the Curezma products together as a regimen. 

The takeaway for beginners: give a new routine time to work and focus on consistency before deciding whether it is right for you.

Starting a Routine for Your Baby or Child

When it's your child's skin, eczema can feel especially overwhelming. For parents, the hardest part is often making the routine simple enough to repeat every day.

• Keep baths short and lukewarm.
• Use gentle products designed for sensitive skin.*
• Moisturise after bathing.
• Keep fingernails short.
• Choose soft cotton clothing where possible.
• Share the routine with carers, daycare staff and family members.

*Check with your GP or maternal and child health nurse before using anything new on a young baby.

Many parents discover that attaching moisturising to existing routines, after bath time, before bedtime or during nappy changes, makes consistency much easier.

Curezma began when Aditi, a parent and formulation scientist, set out to create a more considered eczema-care routine—combining personal experience with science-led thinking to support eczema-prone skin.

For more guidance, explore the Child Care Eczema Cheat Sheet for more practical tips.

Common Triggers to Watch For

Common triggers for eczema-prone skin include: 

• Heat and sweating
• Dry air
• Air-conditioning
• Australian winter conditions
• Wool and scratchy fabrics
• Harsh detergents
• Fragrances

However, these triggers may vary between individuals, so keeping a simple diary can help identify patterns.

It’s also worth understanding the itch-scratch cycle because scratching can further disrupt the skin barrier, which may increase irritation and encourage more scratching. Moisturising consistently and keeping nails short can help break that cycle.

When to See Your GP, Pharmacist or Dermatologist

A skincare routine is an important part of eczema care, but it isn't a substitute for professional medical advice. Speak to your GP, pharmacist or dermatologist if:

• Skin is weeping, crusting or appears infected.

• Itch is affecting sleep.

• Symptoms are spreading.

• You are unsure whether it is eczema.

• A consistent routine is not helping.

Depending on your situation, a health professional may recommend topical corticosteroids, wet-wrap therapy, prescription medicines or referral to a dermatologist.

Maternal and child health nurses can also be valuable sources of support for families managing childhood eczema.

Eczema Support Australia is also a helpful source of information and community.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I shower every day if I have eczema?

Yes. Keep showers short, use lukewarm water and moisturise afterwards.

2. Is petroleum jelly enough?

Petroleum jelly can help seal moisture into the skin, but many people prefer combining it with moisturising products that support hydration and barrier care.

3. Do I need different products in winter and summer?

Often, yes. Many people use richer textures during colder, drier months and lighter options during warmer weather.

4. What does "TGA listed" mean?

In Australia, our products are listed under the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods because they meet specific requirements for permitted ingredients and evidence supporting their listed indications; hence, they are called TGA-listed products.

5. Should I patch test new products?

Yes. Applying a new product to a small area first can help identify potential irritation before wider use.

6. Can I use more than one eczema product?

Yes, different products can serve different purposes in a routine. For example, a gentle cleanser can be followed by a moisturiser, with a richer product used on particularly dry areas. Introduce new products gradually and follow the product directions.

Build Your Routine with Confidence

Starting an eczema-care routine doesn't have to be overwhelming.

Focus on the fundamentals: cleanse gently, moisturise consistently and support dry areas with richer care where needed. Over time, these simple habits can help you build a routine that feels manageable and sustainable.

Curezma's range is science-led, clinically tested and formulated without corticosteroids, designed to work together as one simple routine for adults and kids with eczema-prone skin.