It’s a common phrase, “soft as a baby’s skin.” Babies do indeed have lovely, soft skin, but like any of us that skin can get rough and dry without proper moisturizing. Winter especially can be tough on baby’s skin, so you want to make sure you’re using the best baby lotions to keep your little one’s skin looking its best.
How to Choose the Best Baby Lotions
Using lotion has so many benefits for anyone’s skin. It helps maintain the skin’s barrier, minimizes dryness and itching, and can help with conditions like eczema. You don’t want to just pick up any old bottle of lotion, though, when you are searching for the best baby lotions.
Many lotions contain ingredients that can be harmful to a baby’s skin. These ingredients include parabens, phthalates, sodium laureth sulfate, and triclosan. Look out for those ingredients when you’re choosing a lotion for your baby.
Fragrances can also be harmful to your baby. Even natural ones such as essential oils are not great for delicate skin. The best baby lotions are unscented.
Types of Moisturizers
There are several different kinds of moisturizers, and they have different uses. They include lotions, creams, and ointments.
Lotions are the most lightweight out of the three, and is not very greasy. Lotion is made of a blend of water and drops of oil. Because of its high water content it’s best for skin that doesn’t need deep moisturizing.
Creams are blended out of oil and water like lotion, but the oil concentration is higher. They’re thicker and provide a barrier on the skin to keep it hydrated. It’s usually in jars or tubs because it’s thicker.
Ointments are even more hydrating, since they are made up of 80% oil. They’re used mostly for medicinal purposes for things like rashes and eczema.
Your baby’s skin determines which of the three you should use. Most normal baby’s skin is fine with lotion, but if your baby has a skin condition like eczema, a cream is best, and an ointment for more severe cases.
Applying Baby Lotion
The best time to apply lotion is after bathtime. After your baby is out of the bath, pat her dry and then apply the lotion right away. Damp skin helps the lotion absorb into the skin and locks in the moisture.
Of course you can apply lotion anytime it is needed during the day. Giving your baby a little bit of a massage with that lotion can help promote bonding between the two of you, and doctors say that it can even help decrease symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
Our Top Best Baby Lotions
- Best Sensitive Skin Lotion: Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion
- Best Multi-Purpose Lotion: Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment
- Best Organic Cream: The Honest Company Organic All-Purpose Balm
- Best Organic Lotion: Earth Mama Baby Lotion
- Best Daily Lotion: Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion
- Best Eczema Relief Cream: Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Body Cream
- Best Lotion Alternative: Spectrum Coconut Oil
*All product links in this article will take you to the latest prices on Amazon.com. Scroll down for our in-depth reviews.
Best Sensitive Skin Lotion: Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion
If your baby has sensitive skin, this is a good lotion. It provides long-lasting moisture and hydration without any harsh chemicals or scents.
Hydra Bebe contains 97% plant-based ingredients, including jojoba oil, sunflower oil, Vitamins E and F, sweet almond oil, and shea butter.
The lotion does not contain any parabens or phthalates and is hypoallergenic so it’s safe for babies with sensitive skin.
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic
- Plant-based ingredients
- Eco-friendly
Cons:
- Higher price range
- Slight scent
- Not suitable for children with avocado allergies
Best Multi-Purpose Lotion: Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment
Aquaphor’s baby ointment is a great multipurpose choice. You can use it for irritated or dry skin, minor cuts, chapped lips, diaper rashes, and more!
It’s gentle on your baby’s skin, and it’s preservative and fragrance free. It’s great for eczema as well.
You may find that different tubs of the ointment have a slightly different color, but that is normal due to the nature of the ingredients and is perfectly safe. It can range from translucent white to light yellow.
Pros:
- Multipurpose
- Unscented
- Gentle on the skin
Cons:
- Medium price range
- Contains petrolatum (petrolium)
Best Organic Cream: The Honest Company Organic All-Purpose Balm
The Honest Company’s all-purpose balm has many uses and is gentle on the skin due to its organic-certified and plant-based ingredients. Those ingredients include sunflower oil, coconut oil, and olive oil.
There are no parabens, mineral oil, petroleum jelly, or synthetic fragrances in this product. It can be used anywhere on the body.
Pros:
- Multipurpose
- Hypoallergenic
- Gentle on the skin
- Free of parabens, petrolatum, mineral oil, lanolin, phthalates, dyes or synthetic fragrances
Cons:
- Thick consistency
- Slightly gritty texture
Best Organic Lotion:
Earth Mama’s lotions are good for sensitive skin as well as eczema, and are safe for all skin types. The organic ingredients are gentle, and there are not harsh chemicals.
This lotion uses ingredients such as calendula flower extracts, rooibos extract, and aloe leaf juice. It’s been certified to the standard for organic personal care products.
Pros:
- Certified organic
- Gentle on the skin
- Free of harsh chemicals
- Gentle, pleasant scent
Cons:
- Higher price range
- Only available in 8 oz bottles
Best Daily Lotion: Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion
Cetaphil is a well-known brand, and its baby line is dedicated to creating the best natural skincare. It’s one of the few baby lotions that contains no alcohol, and it is free of parabens, mineral oil, and colorants.
The Cetaphil lotion contains a soothing blend of calendula and marigold flower extracts, combined with vitamin E, sweet almond and sunflower seed oils. It’s suitable for body and face.
Pros:
- No alcohol, parabens, or mineral oil
- Hypoallergenic
- Can be used on body and face
- Lower price range
Cons:
- Has a strong scent
- Some parents report skin issues due to the scent
Best Eczema Relief Cream: Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Body Cream
Babie with eczema can benefit from Eucerin’s baby cream. Eucerin is well-known for its eczema relief products.
The product is free from dyes, fragrance, and steroids. It helps to relieve dry, red, and itchy skin by protecting the skin’s moisture barrier. It contains Vitamin B5 and shea butter to help nourish and hydrate the skin and oatmeal to relieve itchiness.
Pros:
- Fragrance and steroid free
- Hypoallergenic
- Gentle on the skin
- Ultra-moisturizing
Cons:
- Sticky
Best Lotion Alternative: Spectrum Coconut Oil
If you want a lotion alternative that is completely natural, coconut oil is a great choice. Not only does it have a pleasant coconut scent, but it’s full of healing omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidants. It helps hydrate and protect the skin, and absorbs easily.
Allergies to coconut oil are rare, so this is a great hypoallergenic option and can be used on sensitive skin. Always be sure to buy an organic, unrefined coconut oil for the best benefits. Coconut oil can be used for more things than skin: you can use it in your hair, eat it, or even take off makeup with it!
Pros:
- Multipurpose
- Hypoallergenic
- Gentle on the skin
- One ingredient
- Pleasant scent
Cons:
- Oily
- Liquifies quickly in hot temperatures.
