10 Best Baby Lotions Reviewed & Rated in 2024
Lianna Tedesco
It should be no surprise to you that babies have far more sensitive skin than adults. We also are willing to bet that you know how cluttered the market is with lotions that claim to be safe for babies. After diligent research, we created a list of the ten best baby lotions to help you be confident in the product you are applying to your child’s skin. Our list is composed of variety brands and sizes of bottles, but all have been specifically formulated for your child’s delicate skin. It’s time to say goodbye to your child’s dry itchy skin!
This is the best product on our list that is currently in stock:
Designed with a pump top
Fragrance free
Hydrates, softens, and protects sensitive skin
Will not leave a greasy residue
10 Best Baby Lotions Reviewed
1. Puracy Organic Lavender
Lavender and grapefruit essential oils aid in hydration
Gentle enough for any age
Developed by doctors
Lightweight
Plant-based formula
The scent is somewhat medicinal and slightly citrusy
One thing about babies that everyone loves is their super soft skin. Their skin is soft and to maintain that softness a gentle and lightweight moisturizer needs to be applied during their routine. This is a lotion that has been developed by doctors for babies. It is a clinical grade lotion that works great for all aged children, but is gentle enough to be used on a newborn. A group of pediatricians and dermatologists have teamed together to create the gentle formula.
Read moreSafety
Developed by doctors, this lotion has been formulated to safely treat your child's dry skin. The all natural plant based ingredients will not irritate your child's skin. Furthermore, the formula is non-toxic hypoallergenic and cruetly-free. Its biodegradeable bottle, makes it safe for the environment as well.
Protection
Once the lotion is applied it provides deep hydration for up to 24 hours, thus leaving your child's skin protected all day.
Comfort
The lotion goes on smoothly and is gentle, thus leaving your little one feeling comfortable once it is applied. It is lightweight and will not leave a greasy residue.
Effectiveness
The blend of lavender and grapefruit essential oils will combat dry skin by nourishing and hydrating your child's skin. You will immediately feel that your child's skin is softer and smoother.
2. Eucerin Hypoallergenic
Designed with a pump top
Fragrance free
Hydrates, softens, and protects sensitive skin
Will not leave a greasy residue
Some reviewers would like the bottle to come in multiple sizes
This is a gentle formula that is created for everyday use on your baby’s sensitive skin. It contains a blend of ingredients that come together to create a moisturizing cream that enriches their soft skin plus hydrates to keep it smooth. It is free of all parabens and dyes plus does not contain any fragrances. The formula is great for all day long protection and hydration.
Read moreSafety
Tested and recommended by both dermatologists and pediatricians, you can be confident that this lotion is safe for your baby.
Protection
With natural shea butter in the formula, your child's skin will be protected from the elements.
Comfort
It is gentle enough for you to apply to your baby daily and will not leave a greasy residue on their skin. It is fragrance-free, thus you don’t have to worry about any overpowering perfume smells.
Effectiveness
Along with the shea butter, the pro-vitamin B5 will nourish and hydrate your child's skin. The ingredients will work together to soften and smooth any dry skin your little one is experiencing.
3. Cetaphil Organic Calendula
Organic calendula for soothing
Contains essential oils for hydration
Extremely gentle formula
Hypoallergenic
Contains no additives
The scent can be a bit overwhelming
Daily lotions are an important part of the personal hygiene routine for a baby. Using a lotion that is gentle and soothing is very important. This is a lotion that contains a special formula of soothing organic calendula extract. This extract is from the marigold flower and is a century old ingredient that is used to smooth skin that is dry and it is also great on sensitive skin. Together this extracts plus sunflower oil and almond oil come together to create a gentle lotion that is created just for baby’s sensitive skin.
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It does pack a punch when it comes to natural helpful ingredients so if your baby is sensitive, that's something to be aware of. However, the use of organic calendula, almond and sunflower oils help to soothe and hydrate, working in tandem to do so.
Protection
The trio of hydrating ingredients in this formula adds a variation in traditional baby lotion ingredients. Each one serves a purpose but together they're nearly unbeatable when it comes to protecting to your child from a flare up of dry skin.
Comfort
Cetaphil is known for creating facial cleansers that are gentle enough for use on kids so it came as no surprise to us that their baby products are top-notch. This lotion is gentle and can be used throughout the day or at night, causing no breakouts or irritation.
Effectiveness
It's hypoallergenic and claims to make skin appear firmer, brighter, and more healthy overall.
4. Noodle & Boo
A small amount goes a long way
Moisturizes, hydrates, and protects skin
Free of Toxins
Dermatologist tested
Some reviewers wish the pump was more durable
Applying lotion on a baby is often a challenge, but this lotion is a silky lotion that is easy to apply. The formula is lotion that easily rubs in to the skin leaving them feeling soft and hydrated to the touch. It contains vitamin E and C, plus almond oil. This is a luxurious baby lotion that you will love using on your little one night after night.
Read moreSafety
Made in the USA, this lotion is hypoallergenic and has been tested by dermatologists. The formula is free of toxins and designed specifically for your child’s sensitive skin.
Protection
Loaded with vitamins E and C, it will not only moisturize but also protect your child’s delicate skin. The lotion will arm your child’s skin with antioxidants and shield them from harsh environmental elements.
Comfort
This lotion is light and goes on smoothly, thus a small amount will go a long way. Furthermore, it will absorb into your child’s skin quickly and will not leave a greasy feeling. The fresh baby scent is subtle and will not irritate you or your baby.
Effectiveness
While the vitamins moisturize and protect your child's skin, the almond oil will be hydrating it. The combination of ingredients will leave your child feeling soft. Designed with a pump top, you can easily grab a dab of lotion if you only have one hand free.
5. Earth Mama Calming Lavender
Contains lavender which is a soothing aromatic scent
Calendula helps to calm irritation
Organic ingredients
Dermatologist-tested
Great for common skin ailments
The scent can be strong
Babies can be fussy and irritable when it comes to bedtime. So adding an element that presents a calming feeling is always nice for both baby and caretakers. This is a calming lavender lotion that has been created from a blend of lavender and vanilla. These two oils come together to create a gentle and naturally calming feeling when applied. Not only is it calming, but it moisturizes the whole body leaving baby feeling calm and soft.
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Earth Mama is a brand that many haven't heard of but if you haven't tried it yet, you should. This lotion has two secret ingredients that we absolutely love to see in products for babies: Lavender and calendula. This lotion has been tested and certified which is why we feel great about recommending it to parents. It's not likely to cause irritation and will help calm angry skin. All-natural lotions are great but organic ingredients are even better.
Protection
Lavender is naturally soothing and provides aromatic benefits that relax and calm the mind. Calendula is a derivative of marigold and helps to soothe the skin and reduce irritation with its calming properties. When brought together, these two sing a chorus of naturally-calming benefits that are just perfect for babies of any age.
Comfort
Earth Mama is all-natural and contains organic herbs in order to provide the most gentle formula possible.
Effectiveness
Essential oils are the key to what makes this lotion so effective. It's great for us in babies who have sensitive skin or common skin irritations because it will calm and soothe them at bedtime and throughout the day.
6. Aquaphor Ointment Advanced
Promotes healing
Can be used for diaper and drool rash
A little goes a long way
Forms a protective barrier
Hydrating
It can feel heavy and is easily overused
Babies have such delicate skin and it is important to care for that skin especially when it is special care. This is a specially formulated ointment that has been created specifically for helping to heal a baby’s sensitive skin. It is great for treating anything from their head to their toes, chapped cheeks to diaper rash this ointment is ready to help return their skin to be healthy.
Read moreSafety
Aquaphor has an entire line of baby-safe products, all just as reputable as this healing ointment. It's similar to Neosporin in texture but is much more gentle for use with newborns.
Protection
The ointment formula serves as a protective, yet hydrating, layer in order to lock in moisture and promote healing to the skin underneath.
Comfort
This healing ointment has been created especially for babies suffering from diaper or drool rash since it helps to keep irritation from bothering them while their skin heals. Rashes can cause rough patches, itches, and often a burning feeling until it heals and Aquaphor helps to combat all three. It's gentle enough for babies and is very effective when applied in a light layer.
Effectiveness
The petroleum in this ointment is what helps to protect raw skin and provide a serious hit of hydration through the addition of glycerin. Additionally, Panthenol is a vitamin B derivative that helps to encourage healing while conditioning the skin underneath.
7. Burt's Bees Nourishing
Moisturizing baby lotion for delicate skin
Locks in moisture for smooth and soft skin each time applied
Contains 98.9 % natural ingredients
Safe and effective formula
Hypo-allergenic and safe for all skin types
Scent can be strong to some
Pump can be hard to use and provides a small amount with each pump
Protecting baby’s gentle skin is important to keep them content and happy during all hours. This is a lotion that has been created to moisture their gentle skin, plus also protects their skin from drying out. The lotion contains ingredients that lock in the moisture keeping the skin smooth and soft.
Read moreSafety
When it comes to safety, what can be safer than ingredients that are natural? The lotion has been created with natural ingredients that make up 98.9 % of the formula for the lotion. It is hypoallergenic blend that is safe to use on the whole body, head to toe. It is also a very effective natural lotion.
Protection
Baby skincare is one that you never want to leave out of your routine. Using a lotion like this naturally infused lotion with shea butter and sunflower seed is great for protecting your little one's skin. The blend is able to gently soothe the skin and be naturally moisturized from the ingredients within. It is safe on even those with the most sensitive skins.
Comfort
After a baby applying lotion to a baby’s skin is a wonderful way to bond with your little one and also lock in all that moisture from the bath. Locking in that moisture with a lotion that leaves baby’s skin feeling silky smooth and soft to the touch is important. This lotion does that and more. It even has a fresh scent that leaves them smelling lovely.
Effectiveness
Clinically tested and approved by pediatricians to nourish their skin, while also proven to be safe and effective from top to bottom. The lotion is also proven to be non-irritating and while providing moisture to their delicate and soft skin. Plus it will never contain any petrolatum, phthalates, or parabens.
8. Aveeno Daily Moisture
Contains no harsh chemicals or artificial ingredients
Oatmeal helps to moisturize and heal
Forms a protective barrier
Lasts a full 24-hours
Absorbed into the skin quickly
There are some faulty problems with the lotion bottle and dispenser
Putting on lotion that lasts a complete 24 hours with a baby is a nice feature. Aveeno Baby Daily is able to provide moisturize for their skill for the full 24 hours because of the natural oatmeal and enriched emollients that it contains. It is a natural blend that wonderful for newborns to infants.
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This lotion is paraben-free, hypoallergenic, free of phthalates, dyes, fragrances, and alcohol. This leaves nothing but the essential ingredients that provide the moisture your baby seeks.
Protection
Dimethicone helps to combat dryness and encourages a protective barrier on your baby's skin to prevent further redness and irritation. It has long-lasting power and will help your baby feel hydrated for a full 24-hours.
Comfort
When it comes to lotions that are extremely gentle on the skin, Aveeno is unparalleled in quality. They were one of the first and are now proud to represent a line of products for babies as well. Many adult Aveeno products are even gentle enough to use on kids which is why they're a brand that we turn to many times.
Effectiveness
This formula is designed for babies and contains oatmeal for extra hydration benefits, but it also provides a soothing effect when applied. Similar to an oatmeal bath, this lotion helps to calm skin and reduce irritation.
9. Aveeno Therapy Nighttime
Contains Dimethicone and oatmeal for protection and healing
Designed specifically for night time
Helps soothe babies to sleep
Heavy enough to form a protective barrier
Encourages healing while your baby sleeps
Is a bit heavy for daytime use
When night time rolls around and your baby has eczema it can be a rough time for the little one. Applying a protectant balm cream that is able to soothe and calm the skin without leaving them feeling greasy is wonderful. It is one of the only night time balms that has been formulated with natural oatmeal on the market. It is specially formulated just for babies with eczema.
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You might be thinking that you're seeing double but we actually do have two Aveeno products on this list. This balm is used at night to alleviate irritation that comes from eczema, something that many babies suffer from. This can worsen depending on the weather and if untreated can often be uncomfortable and itchy. Aveeno incorporates the use of oatmeal and Dimethicone just like their baby lotion in order to relieve minor irritation and help soothe your baby so that they can fall asleep. Formulated specifically for babies it will not irritate their sensitive skin.
Protection
The balm texture acts as a protective barrier in order to relieve that burning sensation and allow the skin underneath to heal.
Comfort
While other lotions are intended for all-day use, this balm is formulated for use at night for a very specific reason. Babies are already fussy when it comes time to be put down but with a little help from this night time balm, they might just be soothed enough to sleep.
Effectiveness
The colloidal oatmeal will prevent dry skin and treat eczema by locking in moisture.
10. CeraVe Essential Ceramides
Promotes healing
Provides a necessary protective barrier
Certified by the National Eczema Association
Created by Dermatologists
Contains ceramides and necessary vitamins
It is a very light formula and might need reapplying
CeraVe is great for being able to restore the protective layer that your little one's skin may be dry. The formula is created for 24 hour protection for when they need it most. It contains no parabens or phthalates along with being completely fragrance free. Protects their skin and maintains the moisture that they need while still being gentle.
Read moreSafety
You know CeraVe for being a leader in skincare, but did you know that they have a line for baby care as well? This baby lotion contains everything your baby needs in order to have smooth, healthy-looking skin. It has been approved by the National Eczema Association as an appropriate at-home form of relief from the dry skin condition, making it stand out quite a bit. Not to mention, dermatologists helped develop this lotion in order to have a solid option for the at-home treatment of dry skin in babies.
Protection
CeraVe's formula contains ceramides and vitamins that not only hydrate but form that protective barrier that we look for in order to maintain moisture and prevent further irritation.
Comfort
The use of ceramides provides the protection that skin needs in order to heal. As your child's skin begins to heal they will feel relief and a higher level of comfort.
Effectiveness
Once you learn about the process of skin healing and how skin cells work, it becomes easy to understand why a protective barrier is necessary. It's imperative for the skin to maintain a constant level of hydration but it's equally important for it to be protected while it regenerates as well.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Safety
you always want to ensure that you’re using a product that’s recommended safe and doesn’t contain anything that could be harmful to them. Since babies are still apt to absorb whatever is put on their skin, it becomes that much more imperative that everything you use is natural. We’ve provided products for a variety of baby stages, from newborn all the way up to toddlerhood.
Protection
When researching for this guide, we wanted to include lotions that not only hydrate and moisturize your child's skin but also protect it. Especially when you're taking your baby on a day of running errands. Your child's skin will react to environmental elements more quickly than yours will. Purchasing a lotion that will also provide protection will reduce the chance of your child developing dry skin or a rash.
Comfort
You might notice that your baby has some dry skin issues and you also might think it’s unusual since they just came into this world. On the contrary, it’s quite normal for your baby to be experiencing dry skin! It’s a condition that often clears up on its own and doesn’t necessarily require and additional treatment, but that doesn’t mean your newborn can’t use lotion. If you notice dry spots on their ankles or arms, a bit of lotion or ointment can be lightly applied in order to help their skin heal and to reduce irritation. Keep in mind that it is normal and doesn’t need heavy treatment as eczema would. At this age, their skin is still adjusting to the outside world and needs a little bit of time, but lotion can help to ease the process a bit. It’s best to avoid lotions and creams that have heavy scents in this case, and we’ve cleared all of that up in the summaries of each product.
Effectiveness
We sought out only products that would address the issue of that dry newborn skin that we briefly mentioned. Sometimes, this can turn into a form of eczema which is why all of our products here are safe for use on irritated skin. You should always talk to your doctor before considering an at-home treatment, but all of these products have been certified efficient for the temporary relief of dry skin. They do vary, with some containing things such as calendula, aloe vera, lavender, etc. Each one of these essential oils and essences helps to provide a benefit, whether it’s through soothing the skin or maintaining a natural balance of hydration within the skin. Alternately, some of these essential oils function as aromatics in order to soothe babies via their sense of smell as well. While they’re taking in the delightfully calming scent of lavender, the lotion you’ve just applied is doing its job in protecting, hydrating, and renewing the skin underneath.
Safety Comfort Protection Effectiveness 
It is not necessary to give your newborn a bath every single day. Instead, start by bathing them three times a week as bathing them too much can dry out their skin.
Keeping your baby hydrated will also help keep their skin nourished.
Other Factors to Consider
Ease of Use
As far as how often to provide them with extra moisturization, experts recommend that you apply lotion at least once a day for babies with normal skin. It’s best to choose all-natural lotions with no added scents; many of these options are what our list is comprised of. With these, you can be a little more liberally and apply them several times throughout the day, all over. You can even use them to aid in diaper rash relief and irritation that can come from babies who are just learning to crawl — Floors are tough on yourtiny baby's arms and elbows!
Approved by Pediatricians
We also had to find products that were highly approved and recommended by parents and/or doctors, which is what really helped us to narrow down our list. It was through this that we found a solid ten products that were mostly all-natural, and if they weren’t, came highly recommended by those who created or used them. Taking chances isn’t something that we like to do here at Borncute which is why we don’t take stock in any products that haven’t been baby, parent, and professionally approved. Additionally, we’ve included several products that have a long-standing reputation as well because there is a reason for that. We have no problem supporting those brands as long as they continue to create products that we can take pride in as well and feel comfortable recommending to parents.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: How old does my newborn need to be before I use lotion on them?
This will vary based on who you talk to. As always, it’s best to speak with your pediatrician in order to figure out what’s best for your baby. After a few months, you might notice some dry skin, and if you decide lotion is necessary, it’s best to use as natural a product as possible with no fragrance. Once a couple months go by, you should be able to continue using lotion without worrying too much about your baby absorbing its ingredients, especially if you continue with an all-natural product.
q: Will any of these further irritate eczema?
They shouldn’t, no. All of these products have been tested and actually include ingredients that are known to lessen the irritation of common skin conditions and promote healing.
q: What happens if I notice irritation on my baby’s skin?
You should stop using the product immediately and allow your baby’s skin to clear up. In the meantime, you should consult with your pediatrician on what could have irritated your baby’s skin, because it could mean an allergy or sensitivity. They also might be able to recommend a product to use in the meantime that’s gentler.
q: How long can I use lotion on my baby?
Once they’re a few months old, you can use lotions daily. Just be sure not to overdo it, because excess oil can build up and lead to breakouts or even further irritation. Always use a light layer and ensure that the lotion is absorbed into the skin properly — Less is more.
q: Will these become greasy if used underneath my baby’s clothing?
If you apply a light layer, you shouldn’t notice any significantly greasy or oily feeling. Ensure that all the lotion has been absorbed first before dressing your baby, otherwise, it could become somewhat uncomfortable for them. The only exception is Aquaphor which is an ointment and will remain as a thin layer on top of the skin.
q: Can all of these be used on the face?
We wouldn’t recommend using any lotions, ointments, or creams on your baby’s face before first speaking to your pediatrician. The Burt’s Bees Baby lotion can be applied to the face, but we’d avoid doing this on a newborn. Each product has their own purpose and it’s best to check with a professional before involving anything on the face.
Sources
- , 7 Tips For Baby Skin Care, informative article
- , When can you put lotion on a baby, Blog
- , Choosing a safe baby moisturizer , blog
- , Taking care of your baby after the first few weeks , informative article
