What Is OTC Skincare, Anyway?

What Does “OTC” Mean? How To Know If Treatment Moisturizers Are For You.

Whether you’re a skincare enthusiast or new to this world, it can feel overwhelming to sift through the endless array of cleansers, serums, and moisturizers and find what actually works for you. With so many products launching each month, how do you know which ones are truly worth adding to your cart? 

If you have sensitive, dry, or irritated skin, you may want to keep an eye out for an OTC label. It’s a helpful indicator that can make choosing something new feel a lot less stressful. Ahead, we break down what exactly OTC means and why it matters for your skincare routine, especially if you have sensitive skin.  

Over-the-Counter: What It Means for Your Skin

OTC stands for “over-the-counter,” which means it’s a product you can buy without a prescription. That doesn’t mean they’re less effective than prescription-grade products, though. These products are made with ingredients regulated and approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to make sure they’re safe and actually work. In skincare, that includes moisturizers and eczema creams with FDA-recognized skin protectants. Many trusted skincare products are OTC, like Skin Mercy Recovery Cream and EltaMD’s UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, so you can feel even more confident about adding them to your routine.

Are OTC Skincare Products More Effective?

While they may not always be more effective than prescription-grade products, over-the-counter skincare products go through rigorous, independent, and expert testing to confirm they’re effective and live up to their claims.

Take Skin Mercy as an example. It contains proven active ingredients, like colloidal oatmeal, works best with consistent use, and has been clinically tested to deliver real results. 34 panelists with self-perceived sensitive skin reported 100% improvement in hydration*, with clinical data showing a 120% increase of hydration upon application*. All of the testers also saw improved skin barrier function. 

The cream has also been clinically proven to reduce eczema-related scaliness by 62.39% after four weeks*. Basically, OTC products are clinically tested, regulated, and effective when you use them consistently. Keep it in your routine, and your skin will thank you.

OTC vs. Prescription Skincare: What’s the Difference?

While prescription treatments target specific medical skin issues, OTC skincare focuses on keeping your skin comfortable, hydrated, and protected. They help your skin stay happy and healthy, but they’re not medical interventions.

What Types of Skincare Products Are Considered OTC?

Moisturizers, recovery creams, eczema creams, barrier-support products, SPF, and acne-treatment masks: these are just a few of the skincare categories where you can find OTC products. In fact, most of us use OTC skincare every day without even realizing it. Some of our favorites—aside from Skin Mercy, of course—include Aquaphor’s Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment Skin Protectant, Sofie Pavitt Face’s Reset Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Mask, UltraViolette’s Supreme Screen SPF 50, and La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplast Baume B5+ Multi-Purpose Cream.

OTC Moisturizers and Recovery Creams

Thanks to ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, OTC moisturizers and recovery creams support the skin barrier by hydrating your skin, locking in moisture, and calming any visible irritation. That’s why people with sensitive or compromised skin rely on them: they don’t just moisturize, but they also soothe, restore, and protect your skin so it feels healthier and more comfortable every day. 

OTC Skincare for Eczema-Prone Skin

If your skin tends to be dry, itchy, or easily irritated—like with eczema—you’ve probably reached for an over-the-counter cream. What makes them so helpful is that they’re formulated with FDA-approved skin protectants proven to help seal in moisture while soothing redness and itchiness. These creams are usually fragrance-free and designed with sensitive skin in mind, so they’re great for when a flare-up strikes. 

How OTC Eczema Creams Work

When your skin barrier is compromised, it loses moisture and becomes more sensitive to irritants, leading to dryness, redness, and sensitivity. Over-the-counter eczema creams help soothe and comfort irritated skin. They’re made with ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, an FDA-approved skin protectant, that are clinically proven to calm itchiness, reduce redness, and support your skin’s outermost layer.  

What Is the Best Over-the-Counter Cream for Eczema-Prone Skin?

When you’re searching for an OTC cream for eczema-prone skin, it’s less about finding the “perfect” product and more about making sure it checks off certain boxes. Look for formulas with FDA-approved skin protectants and go fragrance-free to avoid any unnecessary irritation. Something else to consider is whether or not the product supports your skin barrier, which is key for keeping your skin healthy, comfortable, and protected. You also want to keep an eye out for creams with the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. Skin Mercy has one, which means it meets trusted standards for eczema-prone skin.

How to Choose the Right OTC Product for Your Skin

If you’re looking for an OTC product for your skin, you want a formula that meets your skin’s specific needs. If your skin tends to be dry, opt for an OTC cream with ingredients like glycerin to lock in moisture. For sensitive skin, stick to fragrance-free, gentle formulas that minimize irritation, ideally with FDA-approved skin protectants for added reassurance. If you have eczema-prone skin or skin that’s recovering from an in-office treatment, products that support the skin barrier, like colloidal oatmeal, can help reduce flare-ups. 

No matter your concern, Skin Mercy is a must-add to your routine during those moments when your skin is feeling stressed, dry, and irritated. With colloidal oatmeal, 10% glycerin, and a 3% soothing complex, Skin Mercy comforts and supports your skin, helping it feel balanced once again. 

OTC Skincare FAQs

Does OTC mean weaker than prescription skincare?

Not necessarily. Because OTC skincare products are regulated, they’re formulated to be safe and effective for daily skin support. That means you can rely on them to help manage certain skin concerns without needing a prescription from your doctor.

Can an over-the-counter eczema cream be used daily?

During flare-ups, OTC eczema creams can be used daily to soothe itchiness, calm redness, and support the skin barrier. Once the flare-up eases, they can be used as needed to maintain comfort and help prevent future irritation.

Is an OTC moisturizer enough for sensitive or eczema-prone skin?

Many people are able to manage sensitive and eczema-prone skin with OTC moisturizers and recovery creams formulated with skin protectants. Since these ingredients are regulated, they can be trusted to help calm irritation, support your skin barrier, and keep your skin feeling comfortable, no doctor’s visit necessary.

What is the best post-treatment OTC cream?

Starting a new retinoid, overdoing exfoliation, or a laser treatment are all situations that can leave your skin feeling irritated, dry, and sensitive. During these moments when your skin is compromised, it really benefits from extra barrier support. Look for post-treatment OTC creams with soothing ingredients, barrier-supporting actives, and fragrance-free formulas to soothe irritation and lock in moisture. Skin Mercy is designed with these needs in mind, helping to hydrate, calm, and support reactive, post-treatment skin.

OTC Skincare, Demystified

OTC just means over-the-counter, a.k.a products you can buy without a prescription. These skincare formulas are regulated for safety and designed to address everyday skin needs, like dryness, irritation, and barrier repair. 

That’s why OTC products, like Skin Mercy, matter so much. They’re accessible and reliable, offering support when skin is stressed or feeling sensitive. That kind of care shouldn’t require a trip to the derm. 

At Dieux, we believe in rituals over miracles. Our products are thoughtfully formulated, easy to access, and effective when used consistently. Skincare isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about listening to your skin every day and responding with care.

*Based on a 4-week independent clinical study of 34 panelists with self-perceived sensitive skin and 11 panelists with diagnosed facial eczema, measured via instrumentation and expert grading