I have no idea why it works I just know it worked for me. I have dry skin particularly in winter. I get little patches of eczma on various parts of my body but my shins are the worst due to the skin being thinner in this area so what I do is put a cup of milk powder in a warm bath and it softens the skin. Then I’ll put Nivea creme on the area. Nivea creme is thick and works as a barrier cream. No medical substances in it. It just works for me. I have been using it for years and then I read something the other day and found out other people have been doing this. It doesn’t “cure” eczema it just relieves the itch.