Can I put lotion on my baby's face?

Lotion can be used anywhere on your baby's body that appears dry, including their face. However, use caution to keep the lotion from going into their eyes and mouth. Note that the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using fragrance-free moisturizers.

How do I protect my baby's skin?

Babies have delicate skin. Only bathe your baby three times per week for the first year. Babies don't tend to get very dirty, except for the diaper area. Daily bathing can do more harm than good by overdrying the skin. The AAD recommends using soap sparingly, drying skin promptly after a bath, and bathing your child less often if their skin is dry.

Why is baby skin care important?

Baby skin care is important to keep their fragile skin clean and moisturized. Typically, the less you do the better, but it is key to provide regular baths and apply moisturizers to prevent dryness. Mild soaps, used sparingly, also help to keep your baby's skin clean and fresh.

Should babies have a skincare routine?

The only skincare routine a baby needs is prompt diaper care, bathing a few times a week, and lotion to prevent and treat dryness. If your child has eczema, cradle cap, diaper rash, or other skin conditions, contact their pediatrician to determine the best products and treatments to care for their skin.

The 12 Best Baby Skin Care Products of 2023

The 12 Best Baby Skin Care Products of 2022 — Verywell / Chloe Jeong

There are a ton of skin care products out there for your baby, from baby oils and baby lotions to spritzes and bubble baths. Using the right products for your little one's bath and other skin care needs is essential in order to avoid dryness and irritation.

When selecting products you'll want to consider the intended purpose of the item and your baby's skin type and skin sensitivity. We carefully considered ingredients, skin types, purpose, sensitivity, and value when reviewing products.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Body Lotion at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Spray:

California Baby Calming Diaper Area Wash at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Moisturizing:

Noodle & Boo Super Soft Lotion at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Body Oil:

California Baby Overtired and Cranky Massage Oil at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Organic:

Earth Mama Baby Lotion at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Body Lotion:

Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Cream:

Mustela Stelatopia at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Soap:

Burt's Bees Baby Bee Buttermilk Soap at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Universal Balm:

Tubby Todd All Over Ointment at Tubbytodd.com

Jump to Review

Best Baby Powder:

Pipette Baby Cream to Powder at Amazon

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Family

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Hypoallergenic
Fragrance-free
Recommended by US Pediatricians & Dermotologists

Cons

Doesn't absorb into skin fast or well

The Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Body Lotion earned our top spot because it's safe for any skin type and can be used daily. The deeply moisturizing natural colloidal oatmeal keeps your sweetie's skin supple and soft all day long. You can use it daily without your baby's skin feeling greasy.

Price at time of publication: $11

^{Key Specs:
Product Size: 18 fluid ounces | Item Form: Liquid | Ingredients: Active ingredient - dimethicone 1.2% purpose skin protectant; Inactive ingredients - water, glycerin, distearyldimonium chloride, petrolatum, isopropyl palmitate, cetyl alcohol, avena sativa (oat) kernel flour, benzyl alcohol, sodium chloride, allantoin, citric acid}

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Plant based ingredients
Alcohol-free
Women owned business

Cons

Strong fragrance/smell

This spray-like spritz is a great option for diaper changes. It helps cleanse a sensitive area in a non-burning fashion and has a delightful scent. It can be used with cloth baby wipes or to remoisten traditional wipes as well.

Price at time of publication: $19

^{Key Specs:
Product Size: 6.5 fluid ounces | Item Form: Spray | Ingredients: Aqua (purified water), *organic aqua hamamelis (witch hazel), *organic calendula officinalis (calendula), *organic aloe barbadensis (aloe vera), *melaleuca alternifolia oil (tea tree), *pure essential oils of lavendula angustifolia (French lavender) and salvia sclarea (clary sage), polyaminopropyl biguanide (extremely mild non-invasive preservative) *certified organic, sustainable or renewable}

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Sulfate-free
Dermotologist tested
Donates monthly to children's charities

Cons

Not fragrance-free

The Noodle & Boo Baby Skin Care line is a great set of products that are specially formulated for a baby's skin. The scents are gentle and the packaging is parent-friendly. Packed with vitamin C and vitamin E, your baby's skin will be moisturized and nourished.

Price at time of publication: $15

^{Key Specs:
Product Size: 2, 8, 16, 25 fluid ounces | Item Form: Lotion | Ingredients: Water (aqua/eau), isopropyl palmitate, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, tocopherol (vitamin E), prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, hydrolyzed casein (milk protein), phenoxyethanol, sodium cocoyl isethionate, disodium edta, ethylhexylglycerin, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), ascorbyl palmitate, sodium dehydroacetate, citric acid, peg-8, fragrance (parfum)}

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Nut- and dairy- free
Vegan
Preservative-free

Cons

Unpleasant scent

This handy massage oil comes in a pump form with just a touch of aromatherapy for a calming effect. While California Baby has many fragrances, this one is our favorite. It's a great idea for a baby shower gift and helps make baby massage quick and easy to ensure it gets incorporated into diaper changes or bath time.

Price at time of publication: $21

^{Key Specs:
Product Size: 4.5 fluid ounces | Item Form: Oil | Ingredients: Food-grade quality and cold-pressed high-oleic safflower oil, high oleic canola oil, evening primrose, vitamin E, our proprietary essential oil blend}

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

No artificial fragrance
No petroleum or mineral oil
NSF/ANSI 305 Standard Certified

Cons

Greasy

This delightfully scented baby lotion goes on without being greasy. It also is chemical-free, making it safe for your baby's skin and system. The lovely orange and vanilla combination is just enough fragrance to make you smile every time you smell your baby.

Price at time of publication: $18

^{Key Specs:
Product Size: 8 fluid ounces | Item Form: Lotion, butter | Ingredients: Organic aloe (aloe barbadensis) leaf juice, organic olive (olea europaea) fruit oil, organic rooibos (aspalathus linearis) extract, organic calendula (calendula officinalis) flower extract, kosher vegetable glycerin, organic shea (butyrospermum parkii) butter, olivoyl hydrolyzed oat protein, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl oleate, glyceryl stearate, organic vanilla (vanilla planifolia) fruit extract, organic sweet orange (citrus sinensis) oil, xanthan gum}

Amazon

Pros

97% natural ingredients
Paraben-free
Great for dry skin

Cons

Perfumey smell

Mustela is famous for its baby products. This lotion is very popular and for good reason. While the scent can be too much for those sensitive to smells, the plant-based formula provides instant relief if your little one has dry skin. Lightweight and intensely moisturizing, reviewers rave about how soft it makes their baby's skin feel.

Price at time of publication: $26

^{Key Specs:
Product Size: 10, 25 fluid ounces | Item Form: Lotion | Ingredients: Aqua/water/eau, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, glycerin, polyglyceryl 6 distearate, cetyl alcohol, 1,2 hexanediol, cera alba/beeswax/cire d’abeille, hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, parfum (fragrance), jojoba esters, caprylyl glycol, sodium stearoyl glutamate, polyglyceryl3 beeswax/ polyglyceryl 3 cire d’abeille, tocopheryl acetate, polysorbate 60, sorbitan isostearate, citric acid, persea gratissima (avocado) fruit extract}

What Our Editors Say

"We are a Mustela family! I will always associate the newborn phase with the lovely scent of Mustela products. One of my favorites is the micellar water, which makes their bums smell nice and soothes the skin after a blowout diaper. We also used it in the bath water when we gave our baby sponge baths in those first two weeks. The shampoo/body wash hybrid and body lotion are staples in her French bebe-inspired bath routine." —Lauren Levinson, Editorial Director, Verywell Family

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Great for baby eczema
Biodegradable
National Eczema Association (NEA) certified

Cons

Expensive

Stelatopia Moisturizing Cream from Mustela is not overly fragrant and the application is smooth. It's also gentle enough that my child with eczema can use it without having their skin irritated. While expensive, it does the trick when so many others of equal expense do not. It is also great for the mother-to-be who has sensitive skin.

Price at time of publication: $28

^{Key Specs:
Product Size: 6.8 fluid ounces | Item Form: Cream | Ingredients: Aqua/water/eau, glycerin, petrolatum, caprylic/capric triglyceride, hydrogenated vegetable oil, sucrose distearate, dextrin, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil unsaponifiables, prunus domestica seed extract, 1,2-hexanediol, candelilla cera/euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax/cire de candelilla, squalane, sucrose stearate, glyceryl caprylate, xanthan gum, glucose, sorbitol, persea gratissima (avocado) fruit extract, ceramide np, phytosphingosine}

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Great for sensitive skin
Contains soothing buttermilk
Lasts a long time

Cons

Pricey

This is a great product, particularly for washing slippery babies. It gives you control so you don't have liquids running in the baby's eyes. It does a great job of getting your baby clean. While you're washing your little one, you'll likely fall in love with the lovely scent.

^{Key Specs:
Product Size: 3.5 ounces | Item Form: Bar | Ingredients: Sodium palmate, sodium cocoate, parfum (natural fragrance), butyric lac (buttermilk powder, babeurre en poudre), avena sativa (oat) kernel flour, CI 77891 (titanium dioxide), limonene}

Courtesy of Tubby Todd

Pros

Great for baby acne
Certified animal-cruelty free
100% satifaction, worry-free guarantee

Cons

Not all organic ingredients

This balm can be used for everything and is safe for little ones with sensitive or eczema-prone skin. The creamy ointment is made with plant-based ingredients to help moisturize the skin but doesn't leave behind a greasy feeling. It's safe for newborns and doesn't contain a fragrance.

Price at time of publication: $20

^{Key Specs:
Product Size: 3.5, 8 ounces | Item Form: Ointment | Ingredients: Active ingredient - 1% colloidal oatmeal; Inactive ingredients - water, glycerin, stearic acid, propanediol, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetyl alcohol, saccharomyces ferment filtrate, jojoba esters, stearyl alcohol, beeswax, lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower extract, lonicera japonica (honeysuckle) flower extract, camellia sinensis leaf extract*, cucumis sativus (cucumber) fruit extract*, mangifera indica (mango) fruit extract*, persea gratissima (avocado) fruit extract* (*organic ingredient)}

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Talc-free
Free of synthetic fragrances
EWG Verified

Cons

Doesn't turn to powder

Say goodbye to traditional baby powder (which is not safe for babies) and hello to modern baby powder. This talc-free cream is a great mess-free alternative to traditional baby powder that leaves behind a white residue. Instead, you simply squeeze out the cream and rub it into your baby's skin for any irritation or chaffing problems. There's no residue left behind thanks to the product's velvety finish and plant-derived ingredients.

Price at time of publication: $9

^{Key Specs:
Product Size: 3 fluid ounces | Item Form: Cream | Ingredients: Water, glycerin, tapioca starch, 100% sugarcane-derived squalane, maranta arundinacea (arrowroot) root powder, cetearyl alcohol, mangifera indica (mango) seed butter, cetearyl olivate, sorbitan olivate, sodium benzoate, citric acid, sodium dehydroacetate}

Pros

Alternative to petroleum jelly
USDA certified organic
Cloth diaper safe

Cons

Strong herbal smell

Soothe baby's face with this ultra-rich organic calendula coconut balm from Earth Mama. This cheek balm is an alternative to the traditional petroleum jelly product and helps moisturize your baby's skin, whether it's a dry chin or a drippy nose. You'll find no petroleum, parabens, GMOs, fragrance, or artificial preservatives in the balm.

Price at time of publication: $10

^{Key Specs:
Product Size: 2 fluid ounces | Item Form: Balm | Ingredients: Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil*, beeswax*, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil*, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter*, calendula officinalis (calendula) flower extract* (*organic ingredient)}

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Sweat and water-resistant
Tear-free formula
Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation

Cons

Needs to be reapplied every 2 hours

Protect baby's skin while out and about with a sunscreen that has SPF 50 and resembles lotion. It's great for little ones with sensitive skin, and is water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes. The sunscreen is designed with a tear-free formula that's hypoallergenic and paraben-free, phthalate-free, fragrance-free, and non-greasy.

Price at time of publication: $23

^{Key Specs:
Product Size: 7 ounces | Item Form: Lotion | Ingredients: Active ingredient - zinc oxide 21. 6% purpose sunscreen; Inactive ingredients - water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, styrene/acrylates copolymer, octyldodecyl citrate crosspolymer, phenyl trimethicone, cetyl peg/Ppg-10/1 dimethicone, dimethicone, polyhydroxystearic acid, glycerin, ethyl methicone, cetyl dimethicone, silica, phenethyl alcohol, colloidal oatmeal, chrysanthemum parthenium flower/leaf/stem juice, caprylyl glycol, glyceryl behenate, sodium chloride, acrylates/dimethicone copolymer, cetyl dimethicone/bis-vinyldimethicone crosspolymer, chlorphenesin, phenoxyethanol}

What to Look for When Buying Baby Skin Care Products

Skin Type

Caring for a baby’s skin can seem a bit scary because you don’t want to put anything on your little one that will cause an adverse reaction. Knowing your child’s skin type and the ingredients in products will help you avoid any reactions. It will also ensure your baby’s skin is in the best condition possible.

There are many different skin issues babies can have, like dry skin, eczema, baby acne, and more. You’ll find dozens of different products on the market for these skin types, but picking one out can be tricky. However, if your baby has sensitive skin, go for products that are fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. These will be less likely to cause a reaction on your little one’s skin.

Purpose

While you want to take care of your baby’s skin, you’ll want to consider the purpose of the product, too. Buying the right products for your baby’s specific needs will help your little one’s skin in the long run, especially if they have skin issues.

To clean up your baby’s diaper area during changes, look specifically for diaper area wash. But if your baby is suffering from dry skin or eczema, you’ll want to purchase products that address those problems, like creams or lotions. These will moisturize your baby’s skin with ingredients specifically included for those purposes and leave the skin feeling soft and gentle.

Sensitivity

It’s no surprise many babies are born with sensitive skin, making the hunt for skin care products just a bit more difficult. Lotions, creams, and other products with strong fragrances should be avoided and you’ll want to check out products that are hypoallergenic.

Part of sensitive skin for babies includes eczema, which should be treated with care. While it’s very common in children, it can leave behind red, dry patches on the skin that may feel itchy. Products like the Mustela Stelatopia Emollient Baby Cream (view at Amazon) are aimed at nourishing eczema-prone skin. But if you struggle with your baby’s eczema even after using an over-the-counter product, talk to your child’s pediatrician to see if a dermatologist needs to step in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put lotion on my baby's face?

Lotion can be used anywhere on your baby's body that appears dry, including their face. However, use caution to keep the lotion from going into their eyes and mouth. Note that the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using fragrance-free moisturizers.
How do I protect my baby's skin?

Babies have delicate skin. Only bathe your baby three times per week for the first year. Babies don't tend to get very dirty, except for the diaper area. Daily bathing can do more harm than good by overdrying the skin. The AAD recommends using soap sparingly, drying skin promptly after a bath, and bathing your child less often if their skin is dry.
Why is baby skin care important?

Baby skin care is important to keep their fragile skin clean and moisturized. Typically, the less you do the better, but it is key to provide regular baths and apply moisturizers to prevent dryness. Mild soaps, used sparingly, also help to keep your baby's skin clean and fresh.
Should babies have a skincare routine?

The only skincare routine a baby needs is prompt diaper care, bathing a few times a week, and lotion to prevent and treat dryness. If your child has eczema, cradle cap, diaper rash, or other skin conditions, contact their pediatrician to determine the best products and treatments to care for their skin.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Katrina Cossey has been a digital content producer and news and feature writer for more than six years. She has covered local and national news as well as writing and researching parenting topics. Katrina is a parent herself and uses the Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Body Lotion for Delicate Skin for her little one. She loves how it moisturizes the skin and leaves it feeling soft.

Best Overall

Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Body Lotion

Best Spray

California Baby Calming Diaper Area Wash

Best Moisturizing

Noodle & Boo Super Soft Moisturizing Lotion

Best Body Oil

California Baby Overtired and Cranky Massage Oil

Best Organic

Earth Mama Sweet Orange Baby Lotion

Best Body Lotion

Mustela Hydra Bebe Body Lotion

What Our Editors Say

Best Cream

Mustela Stelatopia Emollient Baby Cream

Best Soap

Burt's Bees Baby Bee Buttermilk Soap

Best Universal Balm

Tubby Todd All Over Ointment

Best Baby Powder

Pipette Baby Cream to Powder

Best Cheek Balm

Earth Mama Organic Baby Cheek Balm

Best Sunscreen

Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen