How Often Should You Moisturise Eczema-Prone Skin?
Tim Clayton
It's a simple-sounding question with an answer many parents and patients find surprising: more often than you probably think, and more than standard skincare advice for non-eczema-prone skin would suggest. Here's what I recommend in clinic, and why frequency matters as much as which product you use.
The Baseline: At Least Twice a Day
For eczema-prone skin — whether it's a baby, child or adult — twice daily is the minimum, even when the skin looks completely clear. This isn't about treating visible dryness; it's about maintaining a skin barrier that's structurally weaker than average skin, all the time, not just when it's visibly reacting.
When to Moisturise More Often
Twice a day is a baseline, not a ceiling. Increase frequency when:
Skin feels tight or dry at any point during the day — reapply immediately rather than waiting for the next scheduled application
During a flare-up — the barrier needs more support while it's compromised, alongside any prescribed treatment
After washing hands — a particularly common trigger point for adults, since frequent handwashing strips the skin repeatedly through the day
In winter or dry climates — lower humidity increases how quickly moisture is lost from the skin
After swimming — chlorine and salt water are both drying, and skin should be moisturised soon after
How Much to Use
Frequency matters, but so does quantity. A common mistake is applying moisturiser too thinly. As a guide, a child with eczema affecting a moderate area of the body may need around 250g of moisturiser per week to keep the skin adequately covered — considerably more than most people expect. Apply generously enough that the skin looks visibly moisturised, not just lightly touched.
Timing Matters as Much as Frequency
The most effective single moment to moisturise is within a few minutes of bathing or showering, while the skin is still slightly damp. This "locks in" the water already on the skin's surface rather than moisturising dry skin from scratch. Beyond that, little and often throughout the day is more effective than one heavy application.
Can You Moisturise Too Much?
For eczema-prone skin, over-moisturising is rarely the concern — under-moisturising is the far more common issue. The exception is applying moisturiser over already-inflamed, weeping skin without also addressing the underlying flare-up with appropriate treatment; in that case, see your GP or dermatologist rather than relying on moisturiser alone.
Building a Routine That Actually Sticks
The best moisturising schedule is the one you'll actually keep to. For most families, that means:
Morning, after getting dressed
Evening, straight after bath or shower
Anytime in between the skin feels dry or tight
About Ovée
Both the Ovée Baby & Child Moisturising Cream and Dermatologist Lipid Cream are formulated for frequent, everyday use — fragrance-free and gentle enough to apply as often as the skin needs, without the irritation risk that comes with heavier or more fragranced alternatives.
Dr. Tim Clayton is a Consultant Paediatric Dermatologist, President of the British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology, and Co-Founder of Ovée Skin Health.
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Dr Tim Clayton
Consultant Paediatric Dermatologist · Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
3 min read·
Developed by Dr Tim Clayton
Moisturising two to three times a day means getting through a lot of cream. The 150ml and the bundle are sized for that.
