As a parent, it's only natural that you want to pick the best products for your newborn, but shopping for a baby's skin requires a little more research and careful label reading than you might think. After all, baby skin is extremely delicate and can be prone to irritation, dry skin and eczema. Adult skincare can aggravate those conditions, and in fact, cause damage which is why you should only choose products specifically formulated for babies.
With so many great lotions for babies available, the choice can at first seem overwhelming - luckily we're here to help! We've picked the best of the best baby lotions and creams available at Amazon, Boots, Argos and Tesco from brands such as Johnsons, Cetaphil and Dove. This article will also guide you through what to look for when choosing a moisturiser for your baby's skin.
Quick List - Top Baby Lotions
Aquaphor
Paediatrician Approved Life-Saver for Dry Skin
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Table of Contents
A pH level is a scientific way of determining how acidic or alkaline something is and runs on a scale of 1-14, 7 being neutral. The pH of a baby's skin is around 5.5, which is slightly on the acidic side, so you'll want to look for a product that matches. Skin pH disbalances are usually the main cause of rashes and skin problems in babies.
Often, baby creams don't state the exact pH level on the package and instead claim a "neutral" pH. A neutral pH should be fine as long as your baby's skin is healthy, not dry or flaky. Other labels to note are "ultra-mild" or "pH balanced", which generally means that the product is closer to the baby's natural pH levels, i.e. slightly acidic.
If your baby suffers from nappy rashes or flaky skin, you could try using one of the "pH balanced" creams. These creams aim to simulate the most naturally favourable conditions on the baby's skin, helping to restore the skin's natural environment. However, if the symptoms continue to worsen, it is best to consult a paediatrician.
Many baby creams are lightly fragranced, which shouldn't be a problem if your baby's skin is healthy. Dermatologically tested, and pH neutral products are also unlikely to cause a reaction if your baby has no underlying issues.
However, if your baby suffers from eczema or dry skin, it's best to avoid all scented products as fragrances can cause irritation. This also includes fragrances labelled as "natural", such as essential oils.
It's also best to avoid any lotions that use colourants, as these can also cause irritation and disrupt the natural chemistry on the surface of the baby's skin. That said, most baby creams in the UK don't contain dyes, but it's worth double-checking if your baby has extra sensitivities.
Many baby lotions contain additional beneficial ingredients in their formulas, such as extracts of calendula or chamomile - both of which have been used for hundreds of years to soothe skin rashes. Aloe Vera is another popular ingredient known for healing skin. Its high water content means that it's not only hydrating but also provides powerful anti-inflammatory action against conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
Some creams also contain butters and oils derived from cocoa, shea, coconut or avocado. The fat in the ingredients provides extra nourishments and creates a protective barrier on the skin to lock in moisture.
If your baby has sensitivities towards these natural ingredients, consider looking for synthetic replacements such as petrolatum and lanolin. Petrolatum (also known as petroleum jelly) is a popular ingredient for providing relief to dry skin, treating diaper rash and preventing chaffing.
Lanolin is another ingredient that is a fantastic emollient, meaning it's designed for soothing and delivering hydration directly to the skin cells. Once applied, it penetrates the skin, creating a fantastic moisture reservoir - it can hold up to 400 times its weight in water! Both lanolin and petrolatum are designed to be safe and hypoallergenic.
Although many brands create wonderful "natural" skincare products for babies, it does well to bear in mind that there are no clear regulatory guidelines on what makes a cream "natural", so this term remains a little ambiguous. Instead, it might be better to acquaint yourself with the term "paraben-free" but think about this carefully, because parabens aren't necessarily a bad thing.
Parabens are preservatives that extend the shelf-life of cosmetic products and prevent them from being contaminated by harmful bacteria and fungi. There are also other preservatives that are not classified as parabens but still stop the growth of harmful bacteria. This is particularly important for baby skincare, as a newborn's skin is not yet adapted to dealing with pathogens.
Luckily, the UK cosmetic's safety regulations are among the tightest in the world, and the parabens in products have been extensively tested for safety. However, if you're concerned about your baby's skin and prefer to avoid parabens, make sure that the product has at least been "dermatologically tested". This ensures it's been tested on human skin and found not to cause any adverse reactions (in most cases).
Baby lotions can be categorised by consistency into ointments, creams and lotions. The general rule is that ointments tend to be the most hydrating due to their thicker consistency, which is perfect for dry or flaky skin prone to eczema.
Ointments are often labelled as "emollients", meaning they are very soothing and great to use during winter as they form a thick protective barrier preventing the skin from chapping or cracking. Then, you have creams that generally provide moderate hydration, and finally, lotions tend to be the lightest.
Both lotions and creams work excellently for normal skin that doesn't have any major issues. These are also perfect for providing hydration for your baby's skin during hot weather as they won't clog the pores, allowing the skin to breathe.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment for Dry or Cracked Skin | ![]() | Paediatrician Approved Life-Saver for Dry Skin | |
2 | Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Emollient Cream | ![]() | Eczema Miracle Cream for Sensitive Skin | |
3 | Childs Farm Baby Moisturising Lotion | ![]() | Cocoa Butter Formula for Silky Smooth Skin | |
4 | Burt's Bees Baby Nourishing Lotion with Sunflower Seed Oil | ![]() | Made With 99% Natural Ingredients | |
5 | Fysio Everyday Care Beeswax Cream | ![]() | A Natural Cream for Nappy Rash | |
6 | Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion for Normal Skin | ![]() | An Avocado-Inspired Miracle for Normal Skin | |
7 | Weleda Baby & Child Calendula Body Lotion | ![]() | A Calming Lotion for Delicate Skin | |
8 | Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion with Organic Calendula | ![]() | A Non-Sticky Lightweight Formula | |
9 | Johnson's Baby Lotion | ![]() | Time-Tested and Trusted by Generations | |
10 | Dove Baby Lotion | ![]() | A Bathroom Staple at a Reasonable Price |
Easy to apply, this glide-on ointment is considered a must-have by many paediatricians. It's a no-frills cream with a fairly simple formula, but it works miracles on dry, itchy skin that is especially prone to eczema.
Soothing and deeply hydrating without leaving the skin feeling sticky or greasy, this cream has no scent and is guaranteed to last a long time. Being perfect for everyday use, we've made it our top recommendation!
This fast-absorbing baby lotion by Aveeno will leave your child's skin feeling smooth and nourished in seconds! Specifically formulated with oat extract, the lotion creates a protective barrier while calming any rashes. The product also includes vitamin E, which helps to promote the healing of any skin damage.
The cream comes in a handy, compact squeeze tube which is perfect for using on the go, and as it doesn't contain any fragrances, it is ideal for sensitive skin. It's also been dermatologically tested.
If you're after a product on a budget, look no further than this Child's Farm moisturising cream for sensitive skin. Suitable for newborns and for use all over the body, this creamy lotion will leave your baby's skin feeling hydrated and soothed.
Shea and cocoa butter are fantastic at healing eczema, and whilst it heals, the formula doesn't leave a greasy sheen on the skin. Although this cream is lightly fragranced, it is hypoallergenic, pH balanced and has been dermatologically tested.
If you are looking for a tried and tested 'natural' product, this gentle Burt's Bees cream is formulated with 99% natural ingredients. Created with raw beeswax, which locks in moisture and a blend of nourishing oils that smooth and heal the skin, this moisturiser is ideal for all skin types.
Although this product is labelled as all-natural, it does contain preservatives that protect the product from spoiling or developing harmful bacteria once opened. The scent is gentle and all-natural, however, due to containing beeswax and buttermilk, it should be noted that this product is not vegan.
This 100% natural healing moisturising cream is a great addition to your nappy changing routine. Dermatologically tested, with organic ingredients such as Beeswax the cream not only hydrates and nourishes the skin it also protects, promotes healing and help ease inflammation; ideal for nappy rash.
Although the volume of the product is rather small, its' rich and easy-to-apply formula means a little can go a long way.
Formulated with a patented ingredient derived from avocados, this fluid glide on lotion will absorb quickly into your baby's skin, leaving no skin cell unmoisturised. The avocado extract comes from responsible supply chains and works to protect your baby's skin barrier.
The bottle comes equipped with a handy child-lock pump making the product easy to dispense. It may seem a little small and fairly pricey, but just a couple of pumps should be enough to moisturise the entire body of a newborn, making it a fairly long-lasting and worthwhile investment.
The Swiss company Weleda has a long tradition of creating nature-inspired high-quality products to delight the whole family, and their baby lotion is no exception. Formulated with special lipids which are perfectly compatible with the skin of a newborn and enriched with soothing calendula extract, this liquid lotion will leave the skin feeling nothing but velvet-smooth!
The product has been dermatologically tested, and the formula is suitable for sensitive skin. However, for a well-used, daily product, it is fairly pricey, and because it's extremely light and fluid, the bottle doesn't seem to last very long.
This lightweight lotion was developed specifically to soothe, nourish and protect your baby's skin. It's formulated with calendula extract, known to calm the skin and sweet almond and sunflower oils known for their moisturising properties. The cream is also free from parabens.
However, it has been dermatologically tested, so you can rest assured that it shouldn't harm a healthy baby's delicate skin. However, it's good to bear in mind that this cream does have a light, fresh fragrance, and although it has been safety tested, it may not be suitable for babies who suffer from extreme skin sensitivity.
Johnson's baby lotion is the no-frills approach that has become a staple in many households over the past few decades. Reasonably priced and packed in a handy ergonomic bottle with a pump, this mild lotion enriched with coconut oil is ideal for gentle daily care.
Although the lotion is free from dyes and parabens, it does have a light, fresh fragrance that might not be ideal for babies with ultra-sensitive skin. The formula, however, has been approved by paediatricians and dermatologists, making it hypoallergenic.
Dove has a great reputation for creating highly moisturising products, and this baby lotion is no exception. Unscented and created with nutrients that are close to the baby's pH levels, this hypoallergenic lotion is gentle and non-irritating, even for a newborn.
Although the formula doesn't contain any additional ingredients such as plant butters or extracts, it still feels very pleasant on the skin and perfect for hot weather due to its light consistency. However, if your baby suffers from eczema or rashes, perhaps it would be best to look into a thicker consistency cream.
The best way to do a patch test is to apply some of the product to a small area of the baby's arm or leg. You need to wait for at least 24 hours to see if there is a reaction, but in some cases, skin reactions can be delayed, so keep an eye on that patch for the next 3-4 days.
Some of the most common reactions include redness, scaling, bumps, blotches, difficulty breathing, or vomiting. However, given that most baby lotions on the UK markets are extensively tested by dermatologists, the last two types of reactions on that list are rare.
However, if you do encounter a severe reaction, make sure to call a doctor immediately. Reactions such as redness and scaling, although are unpleasant, are generally not life-threatening and will fade in time on their own.
Written and researched by Maria C
No. 1: Aquaphor|Baby Healing Ointment for Dry or Cracked Skin
No. 2: Aveeno|Baby Soothing Relief Emollient Cream
No. 3: Childs Farm|Baby Moisturising Lotion
No. 4: Burt's Bees|Baby Nourishing Lotion with Sunflower Seed Oil
No. 5: Fysio|Everyday Care Beeswax Cream
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