We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy OTC Products The 11 Best Anti-Itch Creams, Tested by Our Editors Get quick relief from eczema, psoriasis, or overall itchiness By Daley Quinn Daley Quinn Daley Quinn is a beauty and health journalist who has covered the lifestyle space for over ten years. health's editorial guidelines Updated on November 27, 2024 Medically reviewed by Farah Khan, MD Medically reviewed by Farah Khan, MD Farah Khan, MD, is an allergist/immunologist that treats pediatric and adult patients in her private practice in Northern Virginia. learn more Fact checked by Richard Scherr Fact checked by Richard Scherr Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Health.com. He is a seasoned journalist and editor with over two decades of experience, he has held several leadership roles at major publications. health's fact checking process In This Article View All In This Article Reviews Our Top Picks Ingredients to Look For What to Avoid More to Consider Our Testing Process Our Experts What to Know Your Questions, Answered Who We Are Health Is there anything more frustrating than dealing with an itch you can’t seem to get rid of? We think not. Thankfully, there are a plethora of anti-itch creams on the market that address all types of itchiness. Anti-itch creams use different ingredients, textures, and applications to help relieve itchiness and soothe irritated skin. When looking for an anti-itch cream, look for specific ingredients like hydrocortisone, antihistamines, numbing agents (think pramoxine hydrochloride and lidocaine), and colloidal oatmeal. You also want to consider different application methods (sprays are great for things like poison ivy, while ointments work well for bug bites) and the severity of your symptoms (steroid creams work well for more severe itchiness). We tested multiple anti-itch creams to evaluate which products are best for which types of itch. We considered, tested, and awarded them for their effectiveness, feel, texture, and value. Then, we had a dermatologist from our Medical Expert Board review this article for medical and scientific accuracy. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Sarna Anti-Itch Lotion Best for Eczema: Curél Hydratherapy Itch Defense Wet Skin Moisturizer Best for Poison Ivy or Rashes: Benadryl Itch Cooling Spray Best for Psoriasis: Aveeno Anti-Itch Cream Best for Body Lotion: Gold Bond Medicated Anti-Itch Lotion Best for Sensitive Skin: Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion Best Spot Treatment: Campho-Phenique Maximum Strength Antiseptic Gel Best for Eczema: Aveeno Itch Relief Balm Best Hydrocortisone: Cortizone 10 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream Best for Face: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Cream Ingredients to Look for in Anti-Itch Cream Dealing with itchy skin can be a nuisance, but thankfully, there are tons of ingredients available to treat and prevent itchiness. These include: Hydrocortisone: This is a steroid that calms your body's inflammatory response, which will help quell itching, swelling, and pain. Antihistamines: These include ingredients like diphenhydramine and cetirizine. These are usually taken orally but can sometimes be found in topicals. They work by blocking histamines, the substances released by your immune system in reaction to an allergen. Numbing agents: Pramoxine hydrochloride and lidocaine can temporarily numb the skin to which they've been applied, helping to relieve some of that prickly and irritating sensation caused by itching, according to Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology. If you've ever gotten a bad sunburn and used aloe, you might have used a formula that contained lidocaine. Colloidal Oatmeal: According to Dr. Yadav, colloidal oats are one of the best ingredients for relieving itchy skin. This natural ingredient draws and seals moisture into the skin and helps soothe discomfort, which is why you'll find it in many remedies for eczema. Ceramides: These can also help repair the skin barrier and help patients with dry and sensitive skin. Antifungals: If the source of your itch is due to a fungal infection like ringworm or athlete's foot, you'll want to use an antifungal ingredient, such as clotrimazole, to get to the root of the issue rather than temporarily treat the itch. What to Avoid Anti-itch products might contain ingredients that provide a cooling sensation to help create a sense of relief. Some, like aloe, are pretty harmless, but others, like menthol and camphor, could potentially be irritating. Alcohol and witch hazel fall into a category of ingredients that can strip the skin, and Dr. Yadav recommends avoiding fragrance whenever possible. If your skin is itchy due to eczema, fragrances and dyes are common triggers of this condition, and avoiding them can help significantly reduce your risk of a flare-up. Best Overall Sarna Anti-Itch Lotion PHOTO: Health / Phoebe Sklansky $12 $9 at Amazon $10 at Target $11 at Walmart Why We Like It This pick was our overall winner for a couple of reasons. First of all, we really like that it’s fragrance-free and steroid-free, meaning it won’t irritate your skin and it’s unlikely you’ll develop an adverse reaction to it—it’s super gentle. Another reason we really liked this pick is that it works pretty quickly. We felt instant relief as soon as we applied it to our skin, and we liked that it has a slight cooling effect, too. This fast-acting anti-itch cream isn't greasy or heavy, and absorbs into skin pretty immediately. It comes at a great price point, and includes soothing ingredients like pramoxine hydrochloride 1% and petrolatum. It’s Worth Noting We wish this formula was thicker. It’s a bit on the watery side, and might not feel as hydrating as some of the other creams on this list. Product Details: Type: Lotion Active Ingredients: Pramoxine hydrochlorideFragrance-Free: Yes PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best for Eczema Curél Hydratherapy Itch Defense Wet Skin Moisturizer PHOTO: Health / Kim Souza $16 at Amazon $21 $15 at Walmart View on Curel.com Why We Like It This pick from Curél has a really interesting application process. Rather than applying moisturizer to dry skin, you slather the lotion onto wet/damp skin, right after a shower. When testing this product, we felt itch-relief pretty immediately, and it lasted generally for a few hours until it was time to apply more lotion to the skin in the evening. Dr. Yadav greatly appreciates this formula because it’s dermatologist-tested and approved by both the National Eczema Association and the National Psoriasis Foundation. She likes that this pick uses a gentle blend of moisturizing ingredients like multiple ceramides, shea butter, and allantoin, as well as oat, to help relieve skin discomfort. Applying this moisturizer to wet skin took some getting used to, but after a few tries, we were hooked—we kept it in our shower so that we could slather up right after we turned the water off. The cream is a bit thicker and has the same texture and consistency as a standard hand lotion, but unlike your traditional body moisturizer, the hydrating ingredients in this product are activated by water (hence the wet skin application). It’s Worth Noting We weren’t in love with the scent of this product, and the application process is a bit tricky. It felt a little bit like we were walking around like a slippery dolphin the first few times we applied this to our skin, and we’d have to walk around a bit to let the product fully sink in. Product Details: Type: LotionActive Ingredients: Ceramides, oatmeal extract, vitamin EFragrance-Free: Yes PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best for Poison Ivy or Rashes Benadryl Itch Cooling Spray PHOTO: Health / Alexander Huang $9 $7 at Amazon $7 at Target $18 at Walmart Why We Like It We’re not sure how well this product stands up to bug bites, but we do think it works nicely to decrease the itch and prevent the spread of poison ivy and rashes. Featuring 2% diphenhydramine HCI topical analgesic and 0.1% zinc acetate skin protectant, this formula is sprayed onto the affected area and dries down to a protectant film (similar to calamine lotion). Something we like about this product for poison ivy and rashes is that all you have to do is spray and let it dry. You don’t need to rub it in, which might further irritate already rashy skin (and potentially even spread poison ivy elsewhere). The zinc provides a physical barrier between the skin and the outside elements, making it a good protectant product for adults and children, too. It’s Worth Noting Unfortunately, we didn’t see great success in terms of soothing bug bites when testing this product. We didn’t notice much of a cooling effect, and it didn’t stop us from itching aggressive bug bites, either. Product Details: Type: Spray Active Ingredients: Diphenhydramine HCI, 0.1% zinc acetateFragrance-Free: Yes Health Best for Psoriasis Aveeno Anti-Itch Cream PHOTO: Amazon $11 at Amazon $9 at CVS $9 at Walgreens Why We Like It This pick from Aveeno not only treats psoriasis, but it can also help relieve eczema, bug bites, poison ivy, and any irritation caused by detergents or soaps. Our tester tried this product on her bug bites, and although it didn’t offer immediate relief, she noticed that the bug bite completely went away the next day. Considering her bug bites normally last for days, she was impressed by how this pick diminished the length of itchiness from the bites. The formula feels buttery soft, and contains 1% hydrocortisone to help abate itchiness. The cream feels soothing (but not necessarily cooling), and has a very light scent. This pick is more of a spot treatment than a body lotion, and shouldn’t be applied to your whole body. It’s Worth Noting Unlike some of the other products on this list, you won’t find immediate relief with this cream. It works best if you’re willing to wait out results. Product Details: Type: CreamActive Ingredients: 1% hydrocortisone, triple oat, aloe, vitamin EFragrance-Free: Yes PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best for Body Lotion Gold Bond Medicated Anti-Itch Lotion PHOTO: Health / Hanna Watt $15 at Amazon $10 at Walmart $8 at Walgreens Why We Like It If you need full-body itch relief, look no further than the Gold Bond Anti-Itch Body Lotion. It only took five minutes for any itchiness to completely subside after applying this cooling lotion to our skin. After multiple applications, we noticed that this formula greatly reduces the time that bug bites will appear on the skin, which made the bump from a bite disappear after an hour. Thanks to a menthol 0.5% and pramoxine hydrochloride 1% formulation, this pick helps to relieve all things itch-related, whether it be from bug bites, cuts, minor skin irritations, or sunburns. The product is thick but applies very smoothly. It almost feels like it's mixed with a powder, which you would expect to be clumpy and thick, but it goes onto the skin without any residual grease. We really loved the texture and noted that it feels more elevated than a regular cream. It’s Worth Noting This formula has quite a strong menthol/mint smell since the cream is about 0.5% menthol. If you're sensitive to smell, and applying this in large areas, this may not be the right one for you. Product Details: Type: LotionActive Ingredients: Menthol 0.5% and pramoxine hydrochloride 1%Fragrance-Free: No PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best for Sensitive Skin Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion PHOTO: Health / Jessica Mahgerefteh $14 at Amazon $15 at Target $17 at Walgreens Why We Like It Not only do folks with sensitive skin deal with itchiness, but you can also add redness and irritation to the mix, too. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about any of these issues when using the Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion. We thought this formula did a great job of thoroughly hydrating our skin without adding any extra greasiness, and we also loved that it’s fragrance-free and free from ingredients that can irritate the skin for some (think lanolin, gluten, or botanical extracts). This formula is accepted by the National Eczema Association, and works well as both a body and facial moisturizer. We applied this product to an eczema patch on our body and noticed that it helped reduce the texture and scaliness right away, and continued to keep those symptoms under control as long as we continued to apply the lotion regularly. It’s Worth Noting This pick doesn’t have any ingredients that are known to actively stop itchiness in its tracks. It’s best to use this lotion as a preventative measure for itch relief, and to keep skin hydrated and soft, so that itchiness won’t occur in the first place. Product Details: Type: Lotion Active Ingredients: PetrolatumFragrance-Free: Yes PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best Spot Treatment Campho-Phenique Maximum Strength Antiseptic Gel PHOTO: Health / Abby-Moore $10 $5 at Amazon $10 at Walmart Why We Like It We were impressed by how fast this gel worked in relieving itch from bug bites. It only took about a minute for the itchiness to subside, and then we were left with completely itch-free bites for a full hour. This product is a spot treatment gel that works to soothe skin, relieve itchiness, and protect your skin from any outside factors, too. It has a calming eucalyptus smell, which contributes to the soothing qualities of the formula, too. We like that the gel is clear and you don’t really need to worry about it staining clothes, or anything like that. We also appreciate that it comes in a small tube, so you can throw it in your purse or bag and bring it on the go to treat any bites, burns, or skin irritations while out and about. It’s Worth Noting We didn’t love the texture of this formula—it’s a bit greasy and thick, and rests on top of the skin, rather than absorbing into the skin. Product Details: Type: GelActive Ingredients: Camphorated phenol, camphor 10.8 %, phenol 4.7 %Fragrance-Free: No PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health / Abby Moore PHOTO: Health Best for Eczema Aveeno Itch Relief Balm PHOTO: Health / Julia Warren $15 $14 at Amazon $26 $14 at Walmart Why We Like It Sometimes when you’re dealing with itchy skin or a specific skin condition, such as eczema or psoriasis, you want to stay away from formulations that include steroids. This is because overuse of topical steroids can eventually lead to topical steroid withdrawal, which can make your skin condition worse. This pick from Aveeno is steroid-free, as well as free from fragrance and parabens, too. Dr. Yadav is a big fan of Aveeno, and frequently recommends products from the brand at her practice. She likes that this formula is thicker than a lot of other itch-relieving treatments on the market, yet is still suited for application all over the body. It contains colloidal oat (Aveeno’s signature ingredient), panthenol, and mild anesthetic to temporarily and gently numb the treatment area to stop the itching. Our tester used this on her toddler’s eczema, and was really impressed with how well it soothes dry skin and stopped her son from scratching. The balm feels like part lotion, part petroleum jelly, and it rubs in nicely. However, it also leaves a slight film that acts as a protective barrier for your skin. This pick doesn't feel greasy once you rub it in, and it’s a great option for folks with really dry skin. It’s Worth Noting Because this product doesn’t have any steroids in it, it might not be as effective as other anti-itch creams. It’s also a very thick cream, so if you prefer thinner formulations, choose another option on this list. Product Details: Type: Cream Active Ingredients: Petrolatum, prebiotic oat, aloeFragrance-Free: Yes PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best Hydrocortisone Cortizone 10 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream PHOTO: Health / Tatiana Kennedy $10 at Target $8 at Walgreens $10 at CVS Why We Like It If you’re gonna reach for a hydrocortisone cream, you really can’t go wrong with the Cortizone 10 Intensive Healing Anti-Itch Cream. We loved that this formula soothed bug bites pretty fast, and relieved the pain and itch for hours (we had to reapply about three times per day). The cream is soothing, and made bug bites vanish pretty quickly after continued use. We also like how thick and smooth this Cortizone pick is. The thickness allowed us to get good coverage over our bug bites, and acted as a slight protective barrier, too. That being said, it rubbed into skin pretty nicely, too. This is one of those products that you can easily bring on a camping trip or throw in your bag if you suspect you might get any insect bites or poison ivy, oak, or sumac rashes. It also treats eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and any minor skin irritations caused by cosmetics, detergents, soaps, or jewelry. It’s Worth Noting This is a spot treatment cream, so you won’t be able to apply it like a body lotion if you have itchy skin throughout your body. Additionally, Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, suggests limiting your use of cortisone, as it can actually thin out your skin. She doesn’t recommend using it on large surface areas. Product Details: Type: CreamActive Ingredients: Hydrocortisone 1%Fragrance-Free: Yes PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best for Face La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Cream PHOTO: Health / Stella Yu $20 at Amazon $20 at Target $20 at Walgreens Why We Like It Well known for its products designed for sensitive skin, the La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream can work as both a body lotion and a face lotion. After testing this out, we noticed less itch on our body and face, and were really impressed with how hydrating and thick this lotion is, too. The hydration lasted throughout the day, and we didn’t feel the need to reapply later in the day for added moisture. We also noticed that, once applied to skin, this cream offers a soothing effect that decreases redness and itchiness. Loaded with ceramides, shea butter, niacinamide, and glycerin, this formula is really thick and a little goes a long way. If you tend to itch your skin due to excessive dryness, on either your face, body, or both, we couldn’t recommend this formula enough. It’s Worth Noting Because this cream is so thick, it does tend to leave a slight sticky feeling. Also, this product probably won’t soothe itchiness immediately upon application, but will help treat and prevent dryness (meaning less itchiness) each time you use it. Product Details: Type: CreamActive Ingredients: La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water, ceramide-3, shea butter, glycerin, and niacinamideFragrance-Free: Yes PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best Scented Aveeno Anti-Itch Concentrated Lotion PHOTO: Health / Mike Navarro $10 at Amazon $12 at Walmart $10 at Walgreens Why We Like It An ingredient that Aveeno is pretty famous for is its prebiotic triple oat complex. Featuring oat oil, oat extract, and oat flour, this complex works by moisturizing dry skin, boosting the skin barrier, and providing soothing effects, too. We noticed that this formula helped relieve the itch from both insect bites and irritation from dry skin in just two to five minutes. The itch-relief kicked in pretty quickly, and lasted throughout the day, too. The calming, light oatmeal scent was one of our favorite aspects of this formula. It’s Worth Noting This pick is a little bit greasy, so you might have to do some extra work to really rub it in. Product Details: Type: Lotion Active Ingredients: Calamine 3%, skin protectant pramoxine HCl 1%Fragrance-Free: Yes PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Other Anti-Itch Creams We Tested That Did Not Make Our List CeraVe Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream: We liked the way that this formula felt on the skin, and also appreciated how hydrating it is, but we didn’t feel that it did much for our psoriasis symptoms. Eucerin Itch Relief Intensive Calming Lotion: This pick provided a quick calming sensation for dry skin and also had some smoothing benefits for sunburns, but we found that it didn’t provide any itch relief for bug bites. Our Testing Process To recommend the best anti-itch creams on the market, we had 12 testers try 15 different creams at home. We tested these creams for about 5 hours each and rated them based on these attributes: Effectiveness: One of the most important attributes we looked at was how effective each cream was at relieving itchiness. We noted how quickly it relieved itchy symptoms, whether the itchiness completely disappeared or was just slightly reduced, how long the relief lasted, and whether the cream treated what it claimed that it would on the packaging. We also noted whether it reduced redness or texture on the skin and how often we needed to reapply. Feel: We also examined how these creams felt after applying them for the first time, throughout the testing period, and whether we experienced any negative sensations after application. We noted whether the creams provided soothing and cooling effects on the skin, whether they had any scent and whether that impacted the skin, too. Texture: We tested each cream to determine its texture, whether it was greasy, watery, or smooth. We also noted whether it sat on top of the skin or absorbed well. Finally, we wanted to see if it transferred or stained clothing after application. Value: Finally, we wanted to see if our testers would pay the amount for each cream and if they thought it was worth the price. We wanted to know if they would purchase it if it were on sale and if they felt the product was given a fair price for the value. We also wanted to see if they would recommend the anti-itch cream to others or not. Our Experts We referred to a few dermatologists to learn more about how anti-itch creams work, what to look for, how to use them, and which ones are the best for which type of itch and skin condition. These experts included: Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology.Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. Her New York City dermatology practice focuses on cosmetic dermatology and general dermatology. What to Know About Anti-Itch Creams Application method: If you have an all-over itch, a lotion or cream will likely be best. Sprays are good for addressing poison ivy, as touching the rash to smooth lotion over it may be incredibly uncomfortable. Ointments penetrate deeply and provide a protective barrier. While gels are very soothing, and you can put them in the refrigerator for some cooling benefits.Symptom severity: The symptom, as well as the cause, will determine the best type of anti-itch cream for you. If your itchiness is mild or you're caring for an itchy child, Dr. Yadav recommends colloidal oat products supported by ingredients like ceramides to promote deeply nourished skin, which will further soothe the irritation. Addressing the underlying cause: When dealing with itchiness, whether it’s an itchy patch or an overall itchy feeling, Dr. Yadav suggests seeing your doctor to make sure nothing else is going on with your health. While creams offer symptom relief, it's important to see a doctor to diagnose the root cause of the itch. Your Questions, Answered Is it safe to use over-the-counter anti-itch creams, or should I talk to a dermatologist? Dermatologists agree that while it’s generally safe to use over-the-counter anti-itch creams, it’s also always a good idea to speak with a board-certified dermatologist to see if any treatments are needed to help address or target the underlying issue. Can I use anti-itch cream on my face? Unless it states on the packaging that it’s okay to apply to the face, it’s probably best to avoid applying an anti-itch cream to your face. Especially if it contains steroids, as some can be too strong for your facial area. How long does it take for anti-itch cream to work? This can vary depending on the ingredients used and the delivery method. Some anti-itch creams can work in a few minutes, while others could take a few hours or even a few days. Who We Are Daley Quinn is a writer at Health, specializing in beauty and health. She used tested insight, interviewed experts, and used her own experience with anti-itch creams (thanks, eczema!) to create this list of the best anti-itch creams on the market. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit