It is only natural to want to provide the best for your baby, including baby lotions. A lot of things can be nerve-wracking, especially if you are a first-time parent. Babies have thinner and more delicate skin than most adults, making sense that they lose moisture faster. Luckily, a little dose of moisture is all you need to ensure smooth, plump, and nakakagigil soft skin.
Baby lotion doesn't stop at providing moisture. There is actually quite a variety, and it is expanded into creams and ointments to address your little one's skin concerns, from diaper rash to eczema. We will guide you on how to choose a baby lotion suited for your precious bundle of joy - with some comments ad tips from dermatologist Dr. Barbara Marcelo. Our top 10 could also provide you with a starting point on what baby lotions to buy.
Quick List - Top Baby Lotions
Aveeno
Gently Nourishes and Moisturizes Your Baby’s Skin for 24 Hours
Dr. Barbara Ellen T. Marcelo is a board-certified dermatologist who is passionate about helping parents nurture their children’s skin. Her advocacies include teaching about sun protection, treating patients with eczema, and promoting skin and body positivity. You can follow her on her Instagram page: @mybabyderm to learn more about caring for children’s skin.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
When selecting baby lotion, consider formulations and moisturizing ingredients that suit your child's skin type and needs. Avoid lotions with harsh ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, and fragrances. Explore our buying guide below for detailed information.
Baby lotion can come in different formulations from your regular lotions, thicker creams, and ointments. What suits your little one really depends on your baby’s needs. What makes them different is the ratio of water and oil.
If you are aiming for moisture, lotions and creams ought to do the trick. Don’t worry. They aren’t as heavy as the ones we use, so both are compatible with the hot weather.
Lotions can be formulated with different soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera, and avocado oil, and they can also contain hydrating and nourishing ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, milk, and many more!
Lotions are lighter, so you could use them all over your precious one, while creams are better suited for any specific body part you want to nourish with extra attention. Thicker creams can provide a protective barrier over your baby's skin.
Choosing a moisturizer for your baby may be challenging because of the different formulations. In general, moisturizers are categorized as lotions, creams, or ointments depending on the oil content, with lotions containing the least and ointments with the highest amount of oils.
The type of formulation that is best for your baby depends on your child's needs and the environment. For babies living in humid or tropical weather, creams or lotions which contain less oil can be less greasy and more comfortable on the skin.
Ointments are good for soothing any skin woes such as eczema or if your baby has really sensitive skin as the product is thick enough to form a sort of protective film over their skin. In this regard, it is also good for soothing those diaper rashes. However, ointments can tend to be quite sticky and greasy sometimes.
For very dry, cracked skin, ointment-type moisturizers which contain the most oil can help with skin healing. Ointments contain more occlusive ingredients that help seal moisture into the skin and prevent the evaporation of moisture.
Ointments with petrolatum can also protect against excessive moisture, which can lead to rashes, for example, drool around the mouth (drool rash) or watery stools on the diaper area (diaper rash).
Baby skin is more sensitive than those of us adults as it is thinner. It is also more prone to loss of moisture. When picking out a lotion, look for moisturizing ingredients such as plant-based oils such as jojoba oil, shea butter, and coconut oil - these help relieve itchy skin.
Petroleum jelly is an affordable and effective alternative if you want something multipurpose. Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E also help restore the skin’s natural barrier and prevent moisture loss.
Moisturizer ingredients fall into three categories. First, humectants pull water into the epidermis(topmost layer of the skin) from the dermis and can also absorb water from the atmosphere. Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, sorbitol, and urea are examples of humectants.
Second, emollients lubricate and keep the stratum corneum (the topmost portion of the epidermis) soft, smooth and pliable. Emollients include dimethicone, sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil, and lanolin.
Finally, occlusives seal moisture into the skin and prevent evaporation. Dimethicone, petrolatum, paraffin, and vegetable oils are occlusives. Therefore, lotions with a combination of these three types of ingredients are a good choice for moisturizing dry skin.
Generally, baby lotions are mild in their formulation. With that being said, you should avoid products that contain parabens and sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate and formaldehyde. These chemicals are often used as preservatives, which could be harmful to your baby’s sensitive skin.
You should also avoid fragrances, as they could be a potential irritant to your child. Some actually experience allergic reactions to fragrances. Remember that the younger your baby is, the more sensitive their skin is.
When in doubt, go for lotions that have a relatively short ingredients list. This is to ensure that your product uses as few preservatives as much as possible. After all, no one would want a product that sounds more like a list of chemicals.
Fragrance is a common allergen that can irritate the skin. Different babies have different skin sensitivities, so it is important to avoid common allergens in the first place. Choose fragrance-free moisturizers rather than unscented (which can contain a masking fragrance).
Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in cosmetics. While there is currently no strong link between parabens as a hormone disruptor and carcinogenic, it may be best to avoid using parabens in skin products for babies in the meantime. Sulfates are common ingredients in cleansers and some cosmetics which can be drying for patients with sensitive skin but otherwise can be tolerated in those with normal skin.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Paraben-Free | Sulfate-Free | Fragrance-Free | Net Content | |||||
1 | Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion|227g | ![]() | Gently Nourishes and Moisturizes Your Baby’s Skin for 24 Hours | Colloidal Oatmeal, Glycerin, Dimethicone | 227 g | ||||
2 | Johnson's Baby Lotion|500mL | ![]() | A Moisturizing Lotion Trusted by Mothers for Generations | Coconut Oil, Glycerin, Dimethicone | 500 mL | ||||
3 | Tiny Buds Baby Naturals Natural Rice Baby Lotion | ![]() | Hydrate Your Baby's Skin With Natural Rice Essence | Rice Essence, Vitamin E | 150 mL | ||||
4 | Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion|400mL | ![]() | Condition and Soothe Your Baby’s Skin Using Shea Butter | Shea Butter, Sunflower Seed Oil, Glycerin | 400 mL | ||||
5 | Human Nature Natural Baby Lotion|Powder Love - 190mL | ![]() | An All-Natural Lotion Enriched With Aloe Vera and Avocado Oil | Aloe Vera, Avocado Oil, Sunflower Oil, Glycerin | 190 mL | ||||
6 | Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion |100mL | ![]() | Formulated With a Gentle Touch for Newborns' Delicate Skin | Avocado Perseose, Sunflower Oil, Glycerin, Vitamin E | 100 mL | ||||
7 | Uni-Love Vegan Baby Lotion|140mL - Pack of 2 | ![]() | A Vegan Lotion That Is Specially Formulated for Baby’s Sensitive Skin | Squalene | 140 mL x 2 | ||||
8 | CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Lotion|237mL | ![]() | A Lightweight Lotion to Moisturize and Protect Your Baby’s Skin | Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, Vitamin E | 237 mL | ||||
9 | Baby Dove Rich Moisture Lotion|200mL | ![]() | Take Care of Your Newborn’s Skin With This Hypoallergenic Lotion | Glycerin, Petrolatum, Dimethicone | 200 mL | ||||
10 | Kleenfant All Natural Baby Lotion|Tiny Pack of 2 - 100mL | ![]() | A Non-sticky Baby Lotion With Aloe Vera and Vitamin E | Aloe Vera, Vitamin E | 100 mL x 2 |
Moisturizing Ingredients | Colloidal Oatmeal, Glycerin, Dimethicone |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | |
Sulfate-Free | |
Fragrance-Free | |
Net Content | 227 g |
For years, Johnson's has been the preferred choice for moms and remains a top pick. Parents choose this lotion for its clinically proven mild formula, which guarantees a safe and trusted option. It stands out as a gentle and effective skincare product, free from harmful ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
This particular variant keeps your baby's skin hydrated with coconut oil and glycerin, locking in moisture for 24 hours. Featuring hypoallergenic fragrances, it's also favored by many for its pleasant scent and excellent value. Some even use it for their entire family.
Moisturizing Ingredients | Coconut Oil, Glycerin, Dimethicone |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | |
Sulfate-Free | |
Fragrance-Free | |
Net Content | 500 mL |
Moisturizing Ingredients | Rice Essence, Vitamin E |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | |
Sulfate-Free | |
Fragrance-Free | |
Net Content | 150 mL |
For those in search of a baby lotion that's packed with moisturizing ingredients, Cetaphil has you covered! It includes shea butter, glycerin, and sunflower seed oil to moisturize, nourish, and soften your baby's skin. Additionally, it's hypoallergenic, ensuring a gentle and non-irritating experience.
Furthermore, this hypoallergenic lotion provides 24-hour hydration without compromising the skin's natural barrier. It's clinically proven to prevent dryness to protect your baby's skin, too, and it has earned high ratings from reviewers who love its powdery scent and non-greasy texture.
Moisturizing Ingredients | Shea Butter, Sunflower Seed Oil, Glycerin |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | |
Sulfate-Free | |
Fragrance-Free | |
Net Content | 400 mL |
Human Nature takes pride in crafting high-quality products from natural ingredients, and their baby lotion is no exception. Infused with a blend of aloe vera, avocado oil, and sunflower oil, it effectively nourishes the skin. Its gentle formulation is suitable even for sensitive skin!
Notably, it also contains natural glycerin that locks in the skin's moisture, keeping it soft and smooth. Free from artificial fragrance, most users appreciate the powdery scent of this product. They also love its watery texture, easily absorbed by the skin without leaving a sticky feeling.
Moisturizing Ingredients | Aloe Vera, Avocado Oil, Sunflower Oil, Glycerin |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | |
Sulfate-Free | |
Fragrance-Free | |
Net Content | 190 mL |
Mustela is a brand specializing in creating baby care products tailored for various skin types, from normal to sensitive. Their Hydra Bebe body lotion provides long-lasting protection for your little ones. It strengthens their skin barrier to prevent moisture loss.
This lotion has a gentle formula that's safe for newborns, made with 97% natural, plant-based ingredients. Enriched with avocado, it also moisturizes and protects the skin. Reviews emphasize parents' satisfaction with this product as well, especially its mild scent.
Moisturizing Ingredients | Avocado Perseose, Sunflower Oil, Glycerin, Vitamin E |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | |
Sulfate-Free | |
Fragrance-Free | |
Net Content | 100 mL |
Moisturizing Ingredients | Squalene |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | |
Sulfate-Free | |
Fragrance-Free | |
Net Content | 140 mL x 2 |
For lasting hydration, CeraVe has crafted a lotion with key ingredients to moisturize your baby's skin. It contains three essential ceramides to help restore the skin’s protective barrier. With hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, it also attracts moisture to the skin's surface, preventing dryness.
Plus, it includes niacinamide to soothe the skin and dimethicone for a silky-smooth barrier. This fragrance-free lotion is suitable even for adults with sensitive skin. Some users also apply it to their faces, thanks to its light and non-greasy formula.
Moisturizing Ingredients | Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, Vitamin E |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | |
Sulfate-Free | |
Fragrance-Free | |
Net Content | 237 mL |
Moisturizing Ingredients | Glycerin, Petrolatum, Dimethicone |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | |
Sulfate-Free | |
Fragrance-Free | |
Net Content | 200 mL |
Moisturizing Ingredients | Aloe Vera, Vitamin E |
---|---|
Paraben-Free | |
Sulfate-Free | |
Fragrance-Free | |
Net Content | 100 mL x 2 |
It's understandable to be nervous for your baby's firsts, including their first baths. Here's what you can do to avoid drying out their skin and when to apply baby lotion to lock in moisture.
When you bathe your baby, make sure to use soap-free products to avoid drying their skin. Take care not to over bathe them as well. Just like with us adults, the best time to apply lotion is after bathing. This is to help lock in the moisture. It is also helpful to moisturize their skin after changing their diaper to avoid getting a diaper rash.
Use a gentle, pH-balanced, fragrance-free cleanser to prevent drying out the skin during bathing. Limit bath time to ten to fifteen minutes to prevent chilling and further drying of the skin. Apply moisturizer within three minutes after bath while skin is still damp. This method also minimizes the greasy feeling because the skin can absorb the moisturizer better.
Dry skin in newborns is normal. It's nothing a little lotion can't help. You should apply the lotion in gentle circles and rub it all over their body, not just the dry areas. You can apply lotion as often as necessary.
For very dry skin or during very cold weather, you can opt to apply a lighter cream or lotion before sealing in water with an ointment-type moisturizer. When applying several products on the skin, remember to apply the product with the thinnest consistency first and the product with the heaviest consistency (ointments and oils) last.
Baby powder is a staple in changing their diaper. However, it has been a cause for concern due to some claims of it being harmful.
While there has not been enough evidence of this claim, baby powders should be avoided because your infant might inhale them. If you must apply baby powder, make sure to dispense away from the baby, and avoid applying on their face.
Baby powder is no longer recommended for use on baby's skin to prevent diaper rash or prickly heat. Aside from causing possible lung irritation if dispensed near the face, baby powder has been associated with talc pneumoconiosis, mesothelioma, and ovarian cancer. Talc-free powders usually made from cornstarch or rice can also increase the risk of fungal or yeast skin infections when used in the diaper area.
To make sure we give our babies the best care, here are some of Dr. Barbara Marcelo's answers to some of the most asked questions online, as well as some of her tips.
For newborns, apply lotion only on areas where the skin is dry. Choose lotions that are made for babies and are free of fragrances and dyes. If your newborn baby's skin is not dry, there's no need to apply moisturizers.
Apply as few products as possible because a baby's skin does not fully develop until after the first year of life. For babies with very sensitive skin, it may be a good option to test the lotion first on a small area of skin for twenty-four to forty-eight hours and observe for any redness or irritation before applying over a bigger area.
Baby lotion can also be used by adults. Baby lotions contain fewer ingredients and are usually fragrance-free and dye-free. This makes it a good option for adults with particularly sensitive skin who cannot tolerate other moisturizers. However, for some adults who are prone to acne or folliculitis, some baby skincare products can be too rich and can block pores.
In both babies and adults, the skin on the face is thinner and can be more sensitive compared to the skin on the body. Babies also have thinner skin compared to adults. Thinner skin means chemicals can be absorbed easier, and water can evaporate faster, leading to dryness.
For dry skin, I recommend using a cream more than lotion for the face because creams contain more oil and can hydrate better compared to lotions.
For babies with very dry, sensitive, eczema-prone skin, look for moisturizers that aim to repair the skin barrier. These moisturizers contain ceramides, filaggrin, and natural moisturizing factors, which not only replenish moisture but also strengthen the skin against allergens that can trigger irritation and rashes.
If your child has persistently dry skin despite using moisturizers, consult a dermatologist right away. Dry skin can be a sign of eczema, contact dermatitis, or inherited ichthyosis.
It is important to use the right tools to make sure it is gentle enough for your delicate bundle of joy. Cop these items in order to build your first baby kit, perfect whether you are heading out of town for an all-in-one easy access.
Author: J. Cuizon
Re-editor: M. Florendo
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Aveeno |Baby Daily Moisture Lotion|227g
No. 2: Johnson's|Baby Lotion|500mL
No. 3: Tiny Buds Baby Naturals|Natural Rice Baby Lotion
No. 4: Cetaphil|Baby Daily Lotion|400mL
No. 5: Human Nature|Natural Baby Lotion|Powder Love - 190mL
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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