what about shea butter and natural oils?

I use a wide variety of natural and pharmaceutical products depending on need. I can add shea butter, or Argan oil if requested.

Usually with eczema I only need one antibiotic, bactroban (mupirocin), and one steroid, in small amounts compared to the moisturiser CeraVe. Some people prefer a little shea butter or Argan oil than a teaspoonful of vaseline, to help heal the skin barrier.

Some people have developed a dependence on steroid cream and are looking for a steroid free alternative, so I will use Elidel cream instead of the steroid.

Sometimes people have skin infected with other bacteria, especially around the mouth or on the face, and I may add in metronidazole, another antibiotic.

In some cases there is evidence of scabies mite or demodex mite, which requires anti-parasitic treatment.

There can be many reasons, as you can see, why your GP favoured eczema treatment has failed. I am used to this, and often use different products because of the individual situation