QICAOGANGMU vs Hydrocortisone, Eucerin Eczema Relief and Aquaphor: Which Cream Is Right for You?
Cream comparison
Part of our Eczema guide · Itchy skin guide
These four creams do different jobs. Hydrocortisone 1% is a mild steroid for calming a flare for up to 7 days. Eucerin Eczema Relief is a daily moisturiser with 1% colloidal oatmeal and ceramide. Aquaphor is a 41% petrolatum ointment that seals and protects dry, cracked skin. QICAOGANGMU is a steroid-free herbal cream with menthol for fast cooling itch relief and herbal actives for irritated patches. Many people get the best results by combining a daily moisturiser with one targeted cream.
- Hydrocortisone 1%: fastest for an inflamed flare, but limited to 7 days without a doctor's advice.
- Eucerin Eczema Relief: 1% colloidal oatmeal moisturiser for daily eczema care, from 3 months of age.
- Aquaphor: 41% petrolatum ointment that seals cracked, raw or very dry skin.
- QICAOGANGMU: steroid-free herbal cream with 0.5% menthol and 2% borneol for cooling itch relief; tested steroid-free.
- They can be layered: moisturiser first, then a targeted cream, then an ointment seal at night.
The four creams side by side
These creams are often compared, but they do different jobs. The table uses each product's own label.
| Hydrocortisone 1% (e.g. Cortizone-10) | Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Cream | Aquaphor Healing Ointment | QICAOGANGMU | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Mild steroid anti-itch cream | Moisturiser with a skin protectant | Occlusive ointment (skin protectant) | Steroid-free herbal cream |
| Active ingredient(s) | Hydrocortisone 1% | Colloidal oatmeal 1%, plus ceramide-3 and licorice root extract | Petrolatum 41%, plus panthenol, glycerin and bisabolol | She Chuang Zi 3%, Bing Pian (borneol) 2%, Ku Shen 1.5%, Bai Bu 0.5%, menthol 0.5% |
| Main job | Calms inflammation and itch in a flare | Daily moisture and barrier support | Seals and protects dry, cracked skin | Cools itch and soothes irritated patches |
| How fast it relieves itch | Hours to a day | Gradual, with daily use | Gradual, comfort right away | Cooling within minutes |
| Daily long-term use | No: the label says up to 7 days unless a doctor advises | Yes | Yes | Yes, on intact skin |
| Face | Avoid unless a doctor advises | Body cream (Eucerin makes a separate face version) | Yes, including lips | Thin layer only; avoid eyes and lips |
| Age on the label | 2 years and over | 3 months and over | Used for babies and adults | 2 years and over |
| Steroid-free | No | Yes | Yes | Yes, tested (TÜV SÜD PSB) |
| Watch out for | Not for fungal rashes or diaper rash; thinning with long use | Rare oat allergy | Greasy; contains lanolin alcohol, a known allergen for some | Menthol can sting broken skin; strong herbal scent |
Hydrocortisone 1%: the short-term flare cream
Hydrocortisone is the mildest topical steroid. It reduces the inflammation behind red, itchy rashes such as eczema flares, insect bites and allergic reactions, and works well for a few days. The over-the-counter label limits it to 3 to 4 applications a day for no more than 7 days without a doctor's advice, and warns against using it for diaper rash (natural alternatives to hydrocortisone).
Choose it if you have a sudden, inflamed, very itchy rash on the body and need it calmed quickly. Skip it if the rash may be fungal (ring-shaped, in the groin or between the toes), is on the face, or you need something every day. Short steroid courses are recommended in eczema guidelines and are safe when used as directed (Chu et al., 2024).
Eucerin Eczema Relief: the daily moisturiser
Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Cream contains colloidal oatmeal 1% as its skin protectant, plus ceramide-3 and licorice root extract. It is steroid-free, fragrance-free and accepted by the National Eczema Association, and the label allows use from 3 months of age (Eucerin). Colloidal oatmeal creams improve itch, dryness and eczema severity (Fowler, 2012), and regular moisturising lowers flare rates and the amount of steroid people need (van Zuuren et al., 2017).
Choose it if you want a daily body moisturiser for eczema-prone skin. Skip it if you need fast relief from an active, itchy patch: a moisturiser prevents flares better than it stops them.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment: the protective seal
Aquaphor is 41% petrolatum with mineral oil, ceresin, lanolin alcohol, panthenol, glycerin and bisabolol. It forms a seal that stops water escaping, which is why it helps cracked hands, chapped lips and very dry patches. Petrolatum is not only inert: in a study of eczema skin it switched on barrier and antimicrobial genes (Czarnowicki et al., 2016).
Choose it if skin is cracked, raw or flaking, or you want to seal in moisture overnight. Skip it if you dislike greasy textures, have a lanolin allergy, or the area is hot and sweaty, where heavy ointments can trap heat.
QICAOGANGMU: the steroid-free herbal option
QICAOGANGMU is a cream with five declared actives: She Chuang Zi (Cnidium fruit) 3%, Bing Pian (borneol) 2%, Ku Shen (Sophora root) 1.5%, Bai Bu (Stemona root) 0.5% and menthol 0.5%, in a glycerin and petrolatum base. Menthol and borneol give a cooling feel that eases itch within minutes; cooling agents reduced itch in eczema in a controlled study (Misery et al., 2019). Ku Shen and She Chuang Zi are core herbs in studied topical eczema formulas in Chinese medicine (Wang et al., 2023). An independent TÜV SÜD PSB test of batch QCGM-202605 found none of 8 corticosteroids.
Choose it if you want a steroid-free cream for recurring itchy, irritated patches that you can use daily. Skip it if the skin is broken or weeping, for children under 2, or if you dislike menthol or herbal scents. Read what 300 Amazon reviewers say, including the negatives.
Which one should you choose?
| Your situation | Best first choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sudden red, inflamed, itchy rash on the body | Hydrocortisone 1% for a few days | Fastest to calm inflammation; then move to daily steroid-free care |
| Everyday dry, eczema-prone skin | Eucerin Eczema Relief (or another oatmeal or ceramide cream) | Daily moisturising prevents flares |
| Cracked hands, heels or very dry patches | Aquaphor | Seals the skin so it can repair |
| Recurring itchy patches you want to treat without steroids | QICAOGANGMU | Cooling itch relief plus herbal actives, suitable for daily use |
| Itch on the face or around the mouth | Gentle moisturiser; QICAOGANGMU in a thin layer after a patch test | Steroids on the face can trigger perioral dermatitis |
| Ring-shaped rash, groin or between toes | An antifungal cream | Likely fungal; steroids alone can make it worse (ringworm guide) |
Can you use them together?
Yes, and many people do. They work at different levels, so a simple layered routine often works better than any single product:
- After bathing: pat the skin dry and apply a moisturiser such as Eucerin Eczema Relief all over within 3 minutes.
- On itchy patches: once the moisturiser has sunk in (about 10 minutes), apply a thin layer of QICAOGANGMU, or hydrocortisone during a short flare if your doctor recommends it. Do not apply two medicated creams on top of each other at the same time.
- At night on cracked areas: seal with a thin layer of Aquaphor, and use cotton gloves or socks for hands and feet.
If you are stepping down from steroid creams, see how to stop using steroid cream safely.
When to see a doctor
- The rash weeps, crusts, is painful or has yellow crusts (possible infection).
- It covers a large area, spreads quickly or keeps you awake most nights.
- You have needed hydrocortisone for more than 7 days in a row.
- Nothing has helped after 2 to 3 weeks of good skin care.
Where QICAOGANGMU fits
QICAOGANGMU Steroid-Free Herbal Cream
4.7/5 (243 ratings) and 4.5/5 (685 ratings) on Amazon. Read reviews
QICAOGANGMU is the steroid-free option for itchy patches you want to treat every day. Use it on top of your moisturiser, on intact skin, 2 to 3 times a day.
- Steroid-free: TÜV SÜD PSB found none of 8 corticosteroids (lab reports)
- Fully declared formula: every active ingredient and its percentage on the label
- 100-day money-back guarantee
- US shipping in 2 to 6 business days, free over US$15
Just trying it? Buy 1 tube for US$9.50. Free US shipping over US$15.
Patch test first and apply to intact skin only; avoid the eyes, lips and broken skin. Not for children under 2. QICAOGANGMU at a glance · Product details
Frequently asked questions
Is QICAOGANGMU stronger than hydrocortisone?
They work differently. Hydrocortisone is a steroid that suppresses inflammation; QICAOGANGMU is steroid-free and relies on cooling agents and herbal actives. For a severe flare, hydrocortisone or a doctor's treatment is usually faster; for daily care, a steroid-free cream is easier to use long term.
Can I use QICAOGANGMU instead of hydrocortisone?
For mild, recurring itchy patches, many people do. For a sudden, very inflamed rash, a short course of hydrocortisone may settle it faster. Ask a doctor if you are unsure.
Is Eucerin Eczema Relief a steroid?
No. Its active ingredient is 1% colloidal oatmeal, and the label describes it as steroid-free.
Is Aquaphor good for eczema?
It is useful for sealing very dry or cracked eczema skin, especially overnight. It does not calm itch or inflammation on its own.
Can I use Aquaphor and QICAOGANGMU together?
Yes. Apply QICAOGANGMU first and let it absorb, then seal with a thin layer of Aquaphor on dry or cracked areas.
Which is best for itchy skin at night?
A moisturiser after an evening bath, a cooling cream on itchy patches and an ointment seal on cracked areas. See why skin itches at night.
Related articles
References
- Chu DK, Schneider L, Asiniwasis RN, et al. Atopic dermatitis (eczema) guidelines: 2023 AAAAI/ACAAI Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters GRADE- and Institute of Medicine-based recommendations. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2024;132(3):274-312. PMID 38108679
- van Zuuren EJ, Fedorowicz Z, Christensen R, Lavrijsen A, Arents BWM. Emollients and moisturisers for eczema. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2(2):CD012119. PMID 28166390
- Fowler JF, Nebus J, Wallo W, Eichenfield LF. Colloidal oatmeal formulations as adjunct treatments in atopic dermatitis. J Drugs Dermatol. 2012;11(7):804-807. PMID 22777219
- Czarnowicki T, Malajian D, Khattri S, et al. Petrolatum: barrier repair and antimicrobial responses underlying this "inert" moisturizer. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016;137(4):1091-1102. PMID 26431582
- Misery L, Santerre A, Batardière A, et al. Real-life study of anti-itching effects of a cream containing menthoxypropanediol, a TRPM8 agonist, in atopic dermatitis patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33(2):e67-e69. PMID 30067875
- Wang MC, Chou YT, Kao MC, et al. Topical Chinese herbal medicine in treating atopic dermatitis (eczema): a systematic review and meta-analysis with core herbs exploration. J Ethnopharmacol. 2023;317:116790. PMID 37328084
- Product labels: Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Cream (eucerinus.com); Aquaphor Healing Ointment ingredient listing (Derm Foundation); Cortizone-10 Maximum Strength drug facts, accessed October 2026.
Educational information only. This comparison is based on product labels and published research, and does not replace medical advice. Product names are trademarks of their owners. QICAOGANGMU is our own product.
