Many of us think about that lovely "new baby smell" when we picture infants - this is often due to a dusting of baby powder on their delicate skin. A key tool for some parents when changing the nappies of newborns, baby powder can also be used on older children and even adults to keep skin smooth, armpits dry, or to refresh greasy hair.
In this article, we'll help you to find the best product for your needs, with recommendations from top brands including Johnson's and Neal's Yard Remedies. Whether you're after a talc-based formula or an unscented alternative made from natural, organic ingredients like cornstarch, our top 10 features plenty of great products to choose from. Let's get started!
Quick List - Top Baby Powders
Dr Jonathan Henderson is a consultant paediatrician who practices for the NHS and his award-winning private practice. His medical qualifications (MB, BAO and BCh) were all completed at Queen's University Belfast in 2007. He then obtained his membership with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2012 and later became a college fellow in 2019. In addtion to his clinical work, he contributes to e-learning programmes and teaches paediatrics internationally to other healthcare professionals. Dr Henderson, who is on the speciality register of the General Medical Council, has a keen interest in promoting quality improvement in paediatrics and has presented work both regionally and nationally.
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Dr Jonathan Henderson is a consultant paediatrician practising for the NHS, as well as privately. His medical qualifications (MB, BAO and BCh) were all completed at Queen's University Belfast in 2007. He then obtained his membership with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2012. In addition to his clinical work, he contributes to e-learning programmes and teaches paediatrics internationally to other healthcare professionals. Check out more about him on his website.
"Dermatologically tested" means that the finished product has been tested on human skin, so it's generally considered safe to be applied to the face or body and won't cause an allergic reaction. However, as with the "hypoallergenic" label, this claim is rarely regulated and there aren't uniform standards across the skincare industry to substantiate it.
We'll still mention whether a product is labelled as "hypoallergenic" or "dermatologically tested" in our reviews, but if you suffer from allergies or sensitive skin then you may want to consider other factors too, such as the ingredients used.
These terms are seen frequently with skin products. Dermatologists are medically trained professionals who are consulted on skin products or can be involved directly with the assessment and research of any skin reactions of varying degrees on human skin.
The important part of these is to consider what impact any product will have on your skin type. Therefore it is essential to discuss any concerns you have with your family doctor before trying new products if you have (or are at risk of having) a skin condition.
Talc is a mineral that's mainly made up of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. Why is it such a controversial topic in the world of health and beauty then? Well, in its natural form, some talc contains asbestos - a substance known to potentially cause cancer when inhaled.
Although the use of talc in products is not as common as it used to be, due to guidelines from health authorities in both the UK and the US in recent years, many brands like Johnson's still use it. However, they use a grade of talc with high purity that they state is free from asbestiform fibres.
While products available to buy online shouldn't contain detectable amounts of asbestos, it's totally up to you whether you'd prefer to avoid talc altogether.
Talcum powder has been reported in medical research linked to cancers, but the available research is minimal. This is related to talc that contains asbestos as a result of particles getting into the lungs. It has also been reported in ovarian cancer for particles travelling to the ovaries from the genital area.
Studies of personal use of talcum powder have demonstrated mixed results and, therefore, not clear if products containing talcum powder increase the risk of cancer. If concerned, advice is to simply avoid it due to limited research available.
Cornstarch is the most widely used alternative to talc in baby powder. It's a natural, moisture-wicking ingredient that will leave skin smooth and prevent chafing. Tapioca starch, which is usually associated with pudding, is also used as a base for some baby powders - it's able to absorb moisture and oil quickly.
Starch-based baby powders can be problematic too though, as they can make candida-related nappy rash worse. If you notice that your little one has nappy rash then stop using the product until it clears up. You also need to make sure that a powder made from starch isn't inhaled by your child, as this could cause airway inflammation.
Where talc is a natural element made from hydrogen, oxygen, magnesium and silicon, these are alternative options given concerns raised over the use of talc. Natural alternatives are talc-free, however, they can still cause lung irritation if inhaled. Advice would include avoiding the use of these products on the face to prevent this from happening.
There are some truly gorgeous options out there when it comes to choosing a natural baby powder and we'd like to mention a few magical extra ingredients that can really benefit your little one's skin!
Bentonite or kaolin clay is often added to the base ingredient; both of these ingredients are highly absorbent so they can help to reduce chafing and rashes. They create a fine, soft powder that's gentle enough for even the most delicate skin.
Another great addition to many baby powders is tocopherol, which is a form of vitamin E that's typically derived from vegetable oils. It provides antioxidant benefits to the skin, such as reducing inflammation and limiting UV damage.
Tocopherols are fat-soluble antioxidants with vitamin E properties helping to reduce inflammation. Clay can be incorporated into baby powders as an additional natural absorbent for sensitive skin.
If you can't get enough of that fresh baby smell though, naturally scented powders are a safe and pleasant option! These are made using essential oils and flower extracts, so you don't need to worry about your chosen product containing a mystery cocktail of chemicals.
When it comes to natural scents, the most popular ingredients are chamomile extract and lavender oil. These have soothing, calming qualities which makes them perfect for use before a nap or at bedtime!
This is one for the nostalgic comfort feeling. Some prefer that natural newborn baby smell, others that classic talcum powder fragrance - this is a case of personal choice. Checking on chemicals used in scented baby powder is sensible. It can cause irritation to the skin - so again, if in doubt, better to avoid and explore those more natural unscented powders.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Burt's Bees Baby Dusting Powder | ![]() | Our Favourite Silky Smooth, Talc-Free Powder | |
2 | Neal's Yard Remedies Organic Baby Powder | ![]() | A High-End Baby Powder With Calming Chamomile | |
3 | Corinne Taylor Talc Free Body Powder | ![]() | Entirely Natural, Vegan, and Cruelty-Free | |
4 | Babylabs Organic Unscented Talc-Free Baby Powder | ![]() | Made With the Highest Quality Organic Ingredients | |
5 | Johnson's Baby Bedtime Powder | ![]() | Perfect for Baby's Bedtime Routine | |
6 | Nature's Child Organic Baby Powder | ![]() | A Great Choice for Eco-Conscious Parents | |
7 | Johnson's Baby Powder | ![]() | One of the Best-Selling Baby Powders of All Time | |
8 | Cotton Tree Baby Powder | ![]() | Soft, Gentle, and Totally Talc-Free | |
9 | ASDA Little Angels Baby Powder | ![]() | Dermatologically Accredited by the Skin Health Alliance | |
10 | Fred & Flo Baby Soft Powder | ![]() | Hypoallergenic and Suitable for Delicate Skin |
With thousands of top ratings on Amazon, this dusting powder by Burt's Bees Baby just had to take our top spot! Made with ingredients such as cornstarch and bentonite clay, it works just as well as classic talc while being 100% natural.
Clinically proven to be non-irritating, this absorbent powder will keep your baby feeling comfortable and happy all day. With a subtle sweet scent and silky feel, it's a superb choice for adults too. Once you use this fancy dusting powder, you'll never go back to the regular stuff!
Free from both talc and fragrance, this delightful offering from Neal's Yard Remedies is a brilliant choice if you're looking for a natural baby powder. Made from organic cornstarch and calming chamomile extract, it's ideal for babies, adults, and anyone in-between!
As with all NYR products, there are no parabens or synthetic colours to be found here. We love the gorgeous sustainable packaging too - the brand's signature logo will look fab in any bathroom or nursery!
This talc-free body powder by Corinne Taylor is not advertised as a baby product - instead, it's aimed at adults. 100% natural, vegan, cruelty-free, and organic, it's a great option for keeping cool in the summer or minimising moisture after a shower.
Made with lavender essential oil, chamomile extract, and silky bentonite clay, this powder is the most luxurious (and ethically made) one on our list. The fact that it's handmade in a rural East Sussex workshop makes it significantly pricier than many of our other picks, but we'd say it's worth paying more for!
Since most baby powders are scented (sometimes rather heavily), it can be tricky to find one for very sensitive skin. If this is the case for you, look no further than this unscented, talc-free product by Babylabs!
This brand's products are formulated to the highest standards with the finest organic ingredients, making them safe for even the most delicate skin. The combination of cornstarch, arrowroot powder, and tocopherols will keep your baby lovely and dry while protecting their health too.
With hundreds of 5-star reviews across the web, this is a fantastic improved version of Johnson's classic baby powder. The formula includes a blend of their soothing NaturalCalm™ essences, which is bound to help your little one doze off at bedtime.
Dermatologically tested, this powder gently absorbs moisture to keep your baby's skin soft and dry during the night. With a slightly more luxurious feeling than the original, we say this product is well worth checking out!
Made in Australia, this powder from Nature's Child is preservative-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and doesn't contain any talc. It has just three ingredients: tapioca starch, kaolin clay, and lavender oil - all of which are organic.
Created with eco-conscious parents in mind, everything about the design of this product makes it a fantastic option for use on little ones. Although it's not as widely known as other brands on our list, it's still a decidedly trustworthy option.
If there's one brand that's synonymous with baby skincare, it's Johnson's! This bestselling product is a classic that has been used by parents for decades and is very highly rated across most online stores.
Designed for delicate skin, this product is free from dyes, parabens, phthalates, and alcohol. While the formula is clinically-proven to be suitable for newborns, it's still made from talc so we advise keeping it away from your child's nose and mouth to prevent inhalation.
It can be tricky to find an affordable baby powder that isn't made from talc - thankfully, Cotton Tree's product contains a blend of corn starch, tricalcium phosphate, and tocopherol instead.
We love that this powder keeps your baby's skin soft and dry just as well as other powders do, but with greater transparency in regards to ingredients. However, it's fragranced rather heavily with parfum, so it's not entirely natural.
One of the cheapest options on the list, Little Angels baby powder has good reviews that describe it as silky with a pleasant scent. As well as being cruelty-free and suitable for vegans, it's paediatrician approved and dermatologically accredited by the Skin Health Alliance.
However, this information can feel a little conflicting when this product contains only talc and parfum, with the latter being a known irritant for those with sensitive skin. We hence recommend it as a cheap and cheerful option for adults rather than little ones.
Tesco brand Fred & Flo's powder is a decent budget buy for babies, kids, and adults alike. As you might expect from the low price, it's a no-frills option that simply does the job - which may be sufficient for some shoppers.
Hypoallergenic, paediatrician approved, and dermatologically tested, this baby powder is suitable for newborns and shouldn't irritate delicate skin. However, the only ingredients are talc and parfum, which many parents may prefer to avoid.
Baby powder has a variety of uses - it can help to avoid chafing during a nappy changing routine as well as preventing stickiness if applied in the summer months. Basically, it keeps your baby comfy and dry by reducing moisture on their skin.
Baby powder isn't just for infants though - it can be used on older kids when they're fresh out of the bath or even on yourself. Adults have used baby powder for decades to help them feel clean and dry all year round. It can be applied to your armpits after deodorant to minimise sweat or can be used as a dry shampoo substitute for your hair.
Sports enthusiasts also use baby powder to get rid of excess moisture on their hands while rock climbing, boxing, or training at the gym. It's therefore a handy product to have around at home, regardless of whether you're a parent!
No. 1: Burt's Bees Baby|Dusting Powder
No. 2: Neal's Yard Remedies|Organic Baby Powder
No. 3: Corinne Taylor |Talc Free Body Powder
No. 4: Babylabs|Organic Unscented Talc-Free Baby Powder
No. 5: Johnson's|Baby Bedtime Powder
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