Quick answer: Emollients are leave-on creams, balms and ointments that soften the skin and support its protective barrier. For eczema-prone skin, all major treatment guidelines recommend daily emollients, whatever the severity.¹ Apply them to the whole body, including the face, at least once a day, and twice a day or more when the skin is dry or eczema is active.² The best time is within three minutes of a bath, while the skin is still damp.³
What are emollients?
Emollients are leave-on skincare products, such as creams, balms, ointments and oils, that soften and smooth the skin by replenishing its natural lipids. They help fill the gaps between skin cells and slow the rate at which water escapes from the skin, known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In eczema, the skin doesn't hold on to moisture well, which leaves it more open to irritants and allergens.⁴ Genetics play a part: about 10% of people carry a mutation in the filaggrin gene, which makes a protein essential for a healthy skin barrier.⁵
Dermatologist Dr Diana Purvis of Starship Children's Hospital compares healthy skin to a brick wall. In active eczema, that wall becomes leaky, letting irritants and allergens in more easily. Regular, generous use of moisturiser supports the skin's natural barrier.⁶
What are the benefits of emollient care for eczema-prone skin?
1. Supports the skin barrier. By replenishing the skin's lipids, emollients help reinforce the barrier against irritants, allergens and moisture loss.
2. Keeps skin hydrated for longer. Applied straight after bathing, ideally within three minutes, emollients seal in moisture before it evaporates from the skin.
3. Soothes dryness and itch. Dry skin itches, and scratching releases chemicals that make the skin even itchier. This "itch–scratch cycle" can disrupt sleep.⁴ Moisturising regularly helps keep the skin comfortable, and an evening application can help settle children before bed.
4. Helps lengthen the time between flares. Applying more emollient is linked to less severe eczema.¹ Perth Children's Hospital recommends moisturising even when no eczema can be seen, to keep the skin well hydrated between flares.²
5. Supports the skin microbiome. Eczema-prone skin often has an imbalanced microbiome, with Staphylococcus aureus becoming more prominent over time.¹ Stelatopia+ Lipid-Replenishing Cream contains prebiotic Bioecolia®, which helps protect the skin's ecosystem.⁷
6. Can reduce the need for steroid creams. Emollients can be used on their own or alongside prescribed treatments, and regular use can reduce the amount of steroid cream needed. Moisturiser treats dry skin, while a topical corticosteroid treats inflammation, so during a flare, use both as your doctor directs.⁸
How often should you apply emollient?
At least once a day, and more often when needed. Perth Children's Hospital recommends moisturising at least once a day, and more often if the skin feels dry.² When eczema is active, aim for at least twice a day.⁶
For step-by-step technique, read our guide on how to apply emollient cream.
Emollient care for newborns and babies (0–12 months)
Eczema usually starts between 3 and 6 months of age.¹ Baby skin is thinner than adult skin and loses water more quickly, so gentle, consistent care matters from birth.
For babies, choose an emollient that is:
- fragrance-free
- suitable from birth, including on the face
- free from parabens and phenoxyethanol
- in a pump or tube rather than a tub, as dipping fingers into a tub can introduce bacteria into the cream
Stelatopia+ Lipid-Replenishing Cream is certified organic, suitable from birth (for babies outside NICU) and formulated for eczema-prone skin. It was developed with feedback from more than 200 families, and in Mustela's clinical studies it provided 24-hour hydration after a single application.⁷
Emollient care for toddlers and young children (1–6 years)
This is often the most challenging stage. Toddlers are on the move, sweat more, meet a wider range of triggers and find it hard not to scratch. Flares commonly appear in the skin folds: the inner elbows, behind the knees and behind the ears.
Key habits at this stage:
- Apply emollient at least once a day, and twice or more when the skin is dry or eczema is active, including when the skin looks clear.
- Use the "soak and seal" method: a bath followed by emollient within three minutes.
- Choose a thick cream or ointment, which is more hydrating than a lotion.
- Dress your child in soft cotton clothing, and use cotton bedding.
- Keep nails short to limit skin damage from scratching.
ASCIA notes that infantile eczema usually improves by around age five,⁴ but consistent emollient care through these years helps keep the skin comfortable. For more tips, read our guides on how to bathe a baby with eczema and what babies with eczema should wear.
Emollient care for older children and teenagers (7–17 years)
Eczema doesn't always disappear in childhood: around half of cases may persist after 10 years.¹ Older children and teenagers face new challenges, such as feeling self-conscious about visible skin, reluctance to apply cream at school, and puberty, sweat, stress and sport, which can all trigger flares.
At this stage, the focus shifts to building independent habits. Letting children apply their own cream helps them gain confidence for school.
- Apply in the morning before school and in the evening before bed.
- Carry a small emollient to reapply after sport or swimming.
- Choose fragrance-free, non-greasy textures that feel comfortable under clothing.
Emollient care for adults
Eczema affects 4–9% of adults worldwide.¹ It can continue from childhood or appear for the first time in adulthood, triggered by stress, frequent hand washing, workplace exposures, air travel, heating or air conditioning.
For adults, emollient care should:
- be applied after every hand wash, shower or bath
- include a dedicated face cream for eczema-prone facial skin, such as Stelatopia Emollient Face Cream
- use fragrance-free formulas
- be applied generously and frequently, not sparingly
Use a soap-free cleanser for bathing, and a fragrance-free laundry detergent with a thorough rinse to limit ongoing exposure to irritants.
What does a daily emollient routine look like?
Step 1: Cleanse gently. Use a soap-free, fragrance-free wash or cleansing oil, such as Stelatopia Cleansing Oil. Use lukewarm water and keep baths short, around 10–15 minutes at most.⁹
Step 2: Soak and seal. Pat the skin dry without rubbing, and apply emollient within three minutes while the skin is still slightly damp.
Step 3: Apply at least once a day. Apply more often when the skin is dry, during flares, in cold or dry weather, or after swimming and sport. Apply generously across the whole body.
Step 4: Stay consistent, even when the skin looks fine. Daily moisturising between flares keeps the barrier strong and makes the next flare less likely.
What should you look for in an emollient for eczema-prone skin?
- Fragrance-free
- Formulated specifically for eczema-prone or very dry skin
- Tested under dermatological and paediatric supervision
- Free from parabens, phenoxyethanol and phthalates
- Suitable for your child's age, ideally from birth
- Rich in skin-replenishing lipids, such as sunflower oil or shea butter
- In a pump or tube rather than a tub
- A texture your child is happy with, as texture affects how consistently an emollient gets used
Mustela's Stelatopia range: emollient care for the whole family
Mustela's Stelatopia range is formulated for eczema-prone skin from birth to adulthood. Every product is fragrance-free and tested under dermatological and paediatric supervision.
- Stelatopia+ Lipid-Replenishing Cream: a certified-organic daily body emollient that replenishes the skin's lipids and helps soothe dryness and itching. Suitable from birth for babies, children and adults.
- Stelatopia Emollient Face Cream: a lighter cream for eczema-prone facial skin, tested for use around the eyelid area.
- Stelatopia Cleansing Oil: a soap-free cleansing oil for the bath or shower that cleanses without stripping the skin's natural oils. Suitable for all ages, including newborns.
- Stelatopia Foam Shampoo: a fragrance-free shampoo for eczema-prone scalps, gentle enough for newborns and suitable for adults.
Frequently asked questions about emollient care
Can I use emollients during a flare-up?
Yes, on dry, unbroken skin. Keep applying emollient everywhere else, avoid weeping or broken areas, and use the treatment your doctor has prescribed on inflamed patches.
How quickly will emollients show results?
Many families notice softer, less irritated skin within a few days of consistent use. The benefits for flares build up over weeks to months of regular use.
Are emollients safe to use long-term?
Yes. Emollients are designed for long-term, daily use, and unlike topical corticosteroids, they don't thin the skin. They should be a permanent part of the routine for eczema-prone skin, not a short-term fix.
Can I use emollients in Australia's warm climate?
Yes, and they matter all year round. Air conditioning in summer and heaters in cooler southern states can both dry the skin, and coastal wind and salt can add to the dryness. In warmer months, a lighter cream may feel more comfortable than a heavy ointment.
Should I use a different emollient for my baby's face and body?
Ideally, yes. Facial skin is thinner and more delicate, and babies often rub their faces, so a dedicated face cream is preferable. Stelatopia Emollient Face Cream is formulated for this and is suitable from birth.
References
- Mustela Australia. Study on Atopic Dermatitis in infants, children and adults.
- Perth Children's Hospital (Child and Adolescent Health Service, WA). Caring for your child's eczema.
- Cardona ID, Stillman L, Jain N (2016). Does bathing frequency matter in pediatric atopic dermatitis? Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 117(1): 9–13.
- ASCIA. Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) – Fast Facts.
- Carson CG et al. (2012). Clinical presentation of atopic dermatitis by filaggrin gene mutation status during the first 7 years of life in a prospective cohort study. PLoS ONE.
- KidsHealth NZ (with Starship Children's Hospital). How using moisturiser helps children with eczema.
- Mustela Australia. Stelatopia+ Studies: Clinical Efficacy & Results.
- Perth Children's Hospital (Child and Adolescent Health Service, WA). Eczema – A guide for health professionals.
- Children's Health Queensland. Eczema – bathing your child.
This article provides general information and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your GP, paediatrician or dermatologist about your skin or your child's skin.
