Finding the perfect baby lotion can be a tedious task, but it doesn’t have to be! Just like adults, babies can suffer from dry skin that needs to be treated with lotion. This is especially important during bath time, colder weather, or for babies with eczema or skin that is more prone to dryness, such as Black babies.
It’s crucial to choose a lotion made with gentle ingredients for babies since their delicate skin is particularly susceptible to irritants such as fragrances, colors, and harsh chemicals. Your baby’s skin needs to be kept moisturized and nourished since it is much more fragile and sensitive than adult skin.
With so many different baby skin care products available, it can be challenging to choose which lotion is best for your child’s specific skin type. That’s why we’ve taken the guesswork out of the equation by selecting the best baby creams, lotions, and ointments to meet your child’s unique needs.
Our Top Picks
- Best Baby Lotion For Newborns: Just Hatched Soft Baby Body Lotion
- Best Budget Baby Lotion: Johnson’s Head-to-Toe Moisturizing Baby Body Lotion
- Best Baby Lotion For Eczema: Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream
- Best Baby Lotion For Dry Skin: Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment
- Best Organic Baby Lotion: Earth Mama Calming Lavender Baby Lotion
- Best Baby Lotion For Sensitive Skin: Baby Dove Face and Body Lotion
- Best Smelling Baby Lotion: Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion
- Best Baby Lotion For Face: Weleda Baby Sensitive Care Face Cream
- Best Unscented Baby Lotion: CeraVe Baby Lotion
- Best Natural Baby Lotion: Burt’s Bees Baby Nourishing Lotion
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Baby Lotions Picks
Just Hatched Soft Baby Body Lotion – Best Baby Lotion For Newborns
- Great price for volume
- The scent is not overpowering
- Very moisturizing
- Great on sensitive skin
- It is lightweight
This formula is specifically designed for your baby’s delicate skin and contains only the essential ingredients necessary to keep it hydrated. It provides gentle moisture without any harmful sulfates, parabens, or phthalates that could be potentially harmful.
Moreover, it has a subtle aroma of coconut milk and is hypoallergenic, making it ideal for sensitive skin. This moisturizer is also quite affordable and lightweight, making it easy to apply and absorb quickly into the skin.
Johnson’s Head-to-Toe Moisturizing Baby Body Lotion – Best Budget Baby Lotion
- Super moisturizing
- Smells great
- Very affordable
- Very light for the skin but very creamy
- Not the best for a baby’s dry skin
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to moisturize your baby’s skin, Johnson & Johnson has good news for you. They have now changed their formula to a hypoallergenic and paraben-free option.
This affordable baby lotion is not only gentle on your baby’s skin, but it also has a rich and creamy texture that spreads smoothly and is quickly absorbed. One of the reasons we love this lotion is because of its long-lasting Johnson & Johnson fragrance. You might even be tempted to use it on yourself!
Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream – Best Baby Lotion For Eczema
- Formulated for eczema
- Very moisturizing
- No fragrance
- Smooth
- Takes a while to absorb
This hypoallergenic cream for infant eczema incorporates the calming benefits of natural colloidal oatmeal to aid in the establishment of the skin’s moisture barrier, providing prevention and protection against dryness.
This non-greasy lotion is formulated specifically for newborns and has been clinically proven to alleviate the discomfort of itchy, irritated skin caused by eczema.
Furthermore, the pH-balanced composition does not contain steroids, fragrances, parabens, phthalates, or phenoxyethanol, and it includes Natural Colloidal Oatmeal Skin Protectant and vitamin B5 to provide the best care for your baby’s sensitive skin.
Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment – Best Baby Lotion For Dry Skin
- Keeps the skin soft and moisturized for long
- No allergic ingredients
- Fragrance-free
- No parabens or dyes in it
- Tub-style container
Aquaphor is a remarkable moisturizer that contains a unique blend of active ingredients that helps to moisturize and lock in moisture while still allowing the skin to breathe. This creates an environment that soothes and protects irritated skin and provides optimal conditions for effective healing.
Plus, this multi-purpose ointment has been clinically proven to restore healthy skin, and it is often recommended by pediatricians. It can be used for a variety of purposes, such as moisturizing dry skin, treating small cuts and scrapes, and even as a diaper ointment.
Aquaphor is strong enough to treat uncomfortable diaper rash, while still being gentle enough to protect and aid in the healing of chapped or cracked skin caused by wind, cold, or dry air. This infant ointment is versatile and can be used year-round to provide nourishment whenever needed, but it is particularly effective in the winter months when dry skin is more common.
Earth Mama Calming Lavender Baby Lotion – Best Organic Baby Lotion
- Smells good enough to eat
- Awesome ingredients
- Nice and moisturizing
- Protective barrier
- Not great for acne
This blend of natural ingredients is specially crafted to provide a delightful aroma that is both pleasant and comforting for your baby without being overpowering. The combination of non-synthetic calming lavender and warm vanilla creates a fresh and gentle scent. Unlike chemical perfumes, the herbal and organic components offer a natural aroma that is free of potential discomfort.
The primary ingredient is aloe, which creates a natural moisture barrier to protect and hydrate your baby’s delicate skin. Furthermore, the high-quality ingredients in this baby lotion ensure that it does an excellent job of moisturizing your baby’s skin without leaving it feeling sticky or greasy.
Additionally, this baby lotion is very affordable and has a lovely scent. You can choose from two appealing fragrances: lavender and orange, or the unscented option.
Baby Dove Face and Body Lotion – Best Baby Lotion For Sensitive Skin
- Good lists of ingredients, nothing concerning, but also not superb
- It is truly unscented which is preferred for sensitive skin
- Free from phthalates and parables
- The lotion itself has a feel
- It is not as thick as others
If you’re looking for a gentle and nourishing baby lotion, this may be the perfect choice for your little one. This lotion is designed to be incredibly delicate and provides up to 24 hours of gentle moisturization, helping to keep delicate skin soft and supple all day long.
Formulated with natural ingredients, this lotion is specially designed for sensitivity, and it is free from harmful substances such as parabens, dyes, and phthalates. It has undergone extensive testing and has been approved by dermatologists and pediatricians, making it a safe and reliable choice for your baby’s delicate skin.
Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion – Best Smelling Baby Lotion
- Easy pump and a little goes a long way
- Smells great
- Leaves baby’s skin soft
- Effective for a rash
- Not the best for dry skin
Mustela offers excellent skincare solutions for babies, effectively addressing tough issues like extremely dry skin, infant eczema, and highly sensitive or allergic skin. Its delightful scent is long-lasting, sticking to the skin and hair of babies for several days.
This product works wonders on dry skin, especially when it begins to peel. It is smooth to apply and doesn’t feel too oily. Mustela’s recipe contains key plant-based ingredients like jojoba oil, sunflower oil, vitamins E and F, sweet almond oil, shea butter, avocado, and glycerin.
This cream is formulated without potential skin irritants like parabens, phthalates, or phenoxyethanol, so it shouldn’t cause skin irritation or redness. Instead, it leaves skin smooth and moisturized.
Weleda Baby Sensitive Care Face Cream – Best Baby Lotion For Face
- Formulated for face
- High moisture content
- Great for dryness
- Smells nice
- It is scented
When it comes to taking care of your baby’s delicate facial skin, it’s crucial to choose a gentle lotion that won’t exacerbate any skin issues. We recommend Weleda’s face cream, which is formulated with calendula to provide extra mildness and only uses all-natural, plant-based ingredients such as white mallow and pansy extracts.
Since this is a cream, it is thicker than a lotion and the calendula extract helps to soothe inflammation while also preventing eye irritation. This formula is free of artificial preservatives, synthetic fragrances, and petroleum-derived substances, and is composed of easily absorbable ingredients that won’t leave any residue on your baby’s skin.
CeraVe Baby Lotion – Best Unscented Baby Lotion
- Unscented
- Very light
- Does not clog pores
- Great for sensitive skin
- You’ll have to reapply as it doesn’t stay on
This infant lotion was developed by pediatricians to prevent dry skin throughout the year, with a particular emphasis on the dry winter months. The lotion contains hyaluronic acid and dimethicone, which work together to bind moisture and prevent skin from becoming chapped, cracked, or irritated.
Plus, this lotion has been awarded the Seal of Approval from the National Eczema Association due to its ceramide-enriched formula, which helps to hydrate the skin for up to 24 hours while also acting as a skin protectant.
Users have reported that this lotion is completely fragrance-free, unlike some other products that claim to be “fragrance-free” but still have a scent.
Burt’s Bees Baby Nourishing Lotion – Best Natural Baby Lotion
- Very thick
- Smells great
- Great for adults also
- Great for winter
- Takes time to absorb
For your baby’s safety, this water-based lotion has been thoroughly tested by medical professionals and is made up of 99% natural ingredients. The gentlest baby skin can benefit from its natural moisturizing ingredients such as aloe and shea butter. Additionally, its 24-hour moisturizing properties eliminate the need for frequent reapplication.
This lotion guarantees that no harmful substances come into contact with your baby’s skin as it is free of petrolatum, phthalates, and parabens. Despite having a fragrance, it is derived from natural sources to prevent any potential irritation to sensitive skin.
How To Choose The Best Baby Lotion?
- Lotion, Cream, Or Ointment: Creams and ointments are typically more moisturizing and nourishing than lotions because they contain higher levels of oils. They have a heavier consistency than lotions and take longer to absorb, but they provide deeper hydration and longer-lasting protection. If your baby has extremely dry or irritated skin, or if they suffer from conditions like eczema, using a cream or ointment may be more beneficial than a lotion. However, if you’re looking for a lightweight moisturizer that can be quickly and easily applied, a lotion might be the best option.
- Ingredients: Baby lotions should be formulated with gentle and natural ingredients that are free from harsh chemicals, dyes, and fragrances that can irritate a baby’s delicate skin. Look for lotions that contain natural ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, jojoba oil, and calendula.
- Fragrance: If you are looking to establish a bedtime routine for your baby, incorporating a lotion with a lavender scent might be a good choice as it can aid in relaxation and promote calmness. On the other hand, if you want your child to have a pleasant scent after a bath, using a lotion with a honey aroma may be a suitable option. However, it is important to note that scents should be avoided entirely if your baby has sensitive skin, as they can potentially irritate their delicate skin. In such cases, opting for fragrance-free options is recommended.
Does My Baby’s Skin Need Lotion?
A baby’s skin does not always need lotion, but it can be beneficial in certain situations (1).
- Dry skin can occur in babies due to environmental factors, sun exposure, or other causes, resulting in a flaky, ashy, or dry appearance. Any regular moisturizer can help cure dry skin, while a thicker ointment may be the best option for extremely dry skin.
- Eczema is a common condition in infants that manifests as a red, scaly rash that usually starts on the face and can spread to other parts of the body. It can be uncomfortable and even painful. To treat eczema, thick creams, ointments, or specialized eczema creams should be used as they not only prevent further damage but also moisturize the skin (2).
- Baby acne is a common condition that appears as small red pimples or pustules, resembling adult acne, but smaller in size. While its exact cause is unknown, it usually goes away on its own after a few months and is neither itchy nor painful. Most medical professionals recommend washing and drying the baby’s affected skin without using lotions or moisturizers (3). However, if your baby’s skin is also dry, you may choose to use an oil-free product to moisturize the skin.
Is Baby Lotion Good For Newborns?
Newborns have delicate and sensitive skin that requires moisturizing and nourishing. Baby lotions are specially formulated with gentle and mild ingredients to provide hydration to the skin without causing irritation or allergic reactions. They can help prevent dryness and maintain the natural barrier of the skin.
When To Use A Baby Lotion?
Baby lotion can be used for various reasons and at different times throughout the day. Here are some instances when it may be beneficial to use a baby lotion:
- After Bathing: Applying baby lotion after bathing can help lock in moisture and keep your baby’s skin hydrated.
- Diaper Changes: Applying a thin layer of baby lotion during diaper changes can help prevent diaper rash and soothe any existing irritation.
- Dry Or Irritated Skin: If your baby has dry or irritated skin, using a baby lotion can help alleviate discomfort and provide relief (4).
- Weather Changes: During harsh weather conditions, such as cold and dry winter months, using baby lotion can help prevent and treat dry skin.
Can I Use Lotion On My Baby’s Face?
Yes, you can use lotion on your baby’s face, but it’s essential to choose a gentle, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic lotion specifically formulated for babies. Baby skin is more delicate and sensitive than adult skin, so it’s important to avoid lotions that may contain harsh chemicals or fragrances that could irritate the skin. The Weleda Baby Sensitive Care Face Cream is a great baby face-friendly option.
