The Best Supplements for Eczema: What the Science Says

Can supplements really help eczema?

It's one of the questions I hear most often in clinic. While no supplement can cure eczema, growing research suggests that some can support the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and complement a good eczema routine and prescribed treatments.

The key word is support. Supplements work best alongside moisturisers, trigger avoidance, and medical treatment - not instead of them.

Here are the supplements with the strongest evidence and what you should know before trying them.

1. Vitamin D: The Most Well-Researched Supplement for Eczema

Vitamin D is produced by your skin when exposed to sunlight and plays an important role in regulating the immune system. Unfortunately, vitamin D deficiency is extremely common, particularly in countries like the UK where sunlight is limited during the winter months.

Several studies have found that people with eczema are more likely to have low vitamin D levels, and recent clinical trials suggest that correcting a deficiency can help improve eczema severity.

Why vitamin D may help

• Supports normal immune function
• Helps regulate inflammation
• Low levels are associated with more severe eczema
• Adequate vitamin D during pregnancy may reduce a child's risk of developing eczema

Should you take a supplement?

The UK Government recommends that everyone should take 400 IU (10 micrograms) of vitamin D daily during autumn and winter (September to March).

If you have eczema, it's worth having a vitamin D blood test, which you can get through your GP or an online private provider. At home kits now exist that make the test really easy. If you're deficient, higher prescription doses may be recommended before returning to the lower maintenance dose.

Remember that vitamin D should be used alongside your moisturisers and prescribed eczema treatments - not as a replacement.

2. Probiotics: Looking After Your Gut May Benefit Your Skin

Your gut and skin are closely connected through what's known as the gut–skin axis.

Trillions of bacteria, fungi and viruses live naturally in your digestive system and on your skin. Together they form your microbiome, an ecosystem of all these organisms, that interact with each other any your body. This ecosystem plays an important role in regulating the immune system.

Researchers believe that improving the balance of these bacteria may help reduce inflammation associated with eczema.

What does the research show?

Current evidence suggests probiotics can produce a modest improvement in eczema symptoms, particularly in children older than 12 months and adults.

Although no single probiotic strain has consistently outperformed others, the strongest evidence is for products containing combinations of:

• Lactobacillus
• Bifidobacterium

Interestingly, probiotics may also help prevent eczema. The World Allergy Organization recommends considering probiotics during pregnancy, breastfeeding and early infancy in babies at high risk of developing eczema. However, the recommendation is based on low-certainty evidence, and there is currently no agreement on the best probiotic strains or doses to use.

Choosing a probiotic

If you decide to try one:

• Choose a multi-strain supplement.
• Look for products containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
• Take it consistently for 8–12 weeks before deciding whether it's helping.

For babies over six months, probiotic powders can be mixed into milk or food.

Don't forget prebiotics

Prebiotics are foods that feed your beneficial gut bacteria. Excellent sources include:

• Oats
• Onions
• Garlic
• Leeks
• Bananas
• Berries
• Beans and lentils

Fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut and kefir also provide natural probiotic bacteria. However, they are often high in histamine, which can trigger symptoms in some people with eczema or chronic hives. Prebiotic supplements can also be purchased. 

3. Omega-3: Supporting the Skin Barrier from Within

Omega-3 fatty acids are found naturally in oily fish and form an important part of healthy skin.

In fact, a significant proportion of the omega-3 fats you eat eventually become incorporated into your skin, where they help maintain the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.

Potential benefits

• Supports the skin barrier
• Helps reduce inflammation
• May improve skin hydration

Which Omega-3 Supplement Should You Choose?

Not all omega-3 supplements are the same. The two omega-3 fats that have been studied most in eczema are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These are the forms your body can use most efficiently and are found naturally in oily fish.

EPA is thought to have the strongest anti-inflammatory effects. DHA also contributes to healthy skin by supporting the oils in the cells, which helps to maintain the skin barrier.

When buying a supplement, don't just look at the total amount of fish oil on the front of the bottle. Many products advertise "1,000 mg fish oil", but only around 300 mg of that may actually be EPA and DHA combined.

Instead, check the nutrition label and look for the amounts of EPA and DHA separately.

Food Sources of EPA and DHA

The richest dietary sources include:

• Salmon

• Mackerel

• Sardines

• Herring

• Trout

• Anchovies

How much do you need?

If you regularly eat oily fish (around one 140 g portion per week), additional supplementation is usually unnecessary.

If you don't eat fish, a supplement providing around 500-1000 mg of combined EPA and DHA daily is a reasonable option.

Many experts recommend choosing a product that contains more EPA than DHA, as EPA appears to have the greater anti-inflammatory effect.

Vegetarians and vegans can choose algae-derived omega-3 supplements instead. These naturally contain DHA and, in some products, EPA as well. Algal omega-3 supplements provide the same biologically active forms of omega-3 found in fish, making them an excellent plant-based alternative.

4. Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3): An Emerging Option for Skin Barrier Repair

Nicotinamide, also known as niacinamide, is a form of vitamin B3 that's becoming increasingly recommended in dermatology.

While most people recognise niacinamide as an ingredient in skincare products, oral nicotinamide has also been studied for its effects on skin health.

What are the potential benefits?

Research suggests nicotinamide may:

• Improve skin hydration
• Support the skin barrier
• Reduce inflammation
• Lower the risk of certain skin cancers

One large study in adults over 50 found improvements in skin hydration after long-term supplementation, although the benefits developed gradually over many months.

Small studies have also shown that nicotinamide creams may reduce itching and eczema severity.

Typical doses used in studies are 500 mg twice daily.

Other Supplements Worth Knowing About

While evidence is currently limited, several other supplements are being actively researched.

L-Histidine

L-histidine is an essential amino acid used to produce Filaggrin, one of the key proteins responsible for maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Inherited defects in the gene coding for Filaggin is one of the commonest underlying causes for eczema.   

Small clinical studies suggest that 4 g daily may improve eczema severity by 'feeding Filaggrin' over several weeks, but much larger studies are still needed before it can be routinely recommended.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant found naturally in nuts, seeds and vegetable oils.

Although it has anti-inflammatory properties and is commonly added to moisturisers, oral supplementation has not consistently shown significant benefits for eczema.

Resveratrol

Found naturally in grapes, berries and Japanese knotweed, resveratrol has promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in laboratory studies.

However, human evidence in eczema remains very limited.

Evening Primrose Oil and Borage Oil

These oils contain gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid involved in inflammatory pathways.

Despite being popular for many years, research has produced mixed results. Overall, most modern reviews conclude that they are unlikely to benefit most people with eczema, although there may be certain genetic or ethnic groups who respond better.

Should You Take Supplements for Eczema?

The evidence is strongest for:

• Vitamin D (particularly if you're deficient)
• Probiotics
• Omega-3 fatty acids

Emerging research also suggests potential roles for nicotinamide and L-histidine, but more studies are needed before they can be routinely recommended.

It's important to remember that supplements are not a replacement for good eczema care. You'll get the greatest benefit by combining them with:

• Daily moisturising
• Trigger avoidance
• Appropriate medical treatment
• A healthy, balanced diet

If you're considering taking high-dose supplements or have other medical conditions, speak to your GP or healthcare professional first.

The Bottom Line

Supplements won't cure eczema, but they an additional layer of eczema care, which contributes to holistic skin health.  

Current research suggests that correcting vitamin D deficiency, supporting your gut microbiome with probiotics, and ensuring adequate omega-3 intake can all contribute to healthier skin and better eczema control for some people.

As always, consistency is key. Most supplements take 8–12 weeks, and sometimes longer, before any meaningful improvements become noticeable.