12 of the best baby skincare products

Baby skincare products at a glance:

• Best multi-purpose balm: Weleda Calendula All Purpose Balm, £6.40
• Best for no-mess application: Kokoso Baby Baby-Soft Balm Stick, £9.99
• Best luxury: Original Sprout Scrumptious Baby Cream, £15.38
• Best for daily use: Aveeno Baby Daily Care Baby Moisturising Lotion, £6.50
• Best for bedtime: Bloom and Blossom the Very Hungry Caterpillar Moisturiser, £5
• Best for dry skin: Child's Farm Baby Moisturiser, £8.55
• Best for fragrance: My Little Coco Moisturising Body Cream, £6.25
• Best for faces: Mustela Hydra Bebe Facial Cream, £9.99
• Best for soothing: Weleda Baby Derma White Mallow Body Lotion, £13.50
• Best for Gruffalo fans: Good Bubble Little Softy Moisturiser, £4
• Best for easy application: Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Baby Butter, £9.95
• Best for outdoors: Mum and Baby Explorer Face the Day Stick, £10.99

What to look for in a baby skincare product?

You'll see all kinds of labels and claims on skincare and body products, and many of them don't mean very much ("natural" for example, is a completely unregulated term). Really, your choice should be based on your personal preference and the type of skin your child has. Here are a few other things to consider:

Fragrance – Many parents opt for fragrance-free formulas for young babies, believing it's the fragrance in a product that can cause allergic reactions. This is sometimes the case, but many gentle baby products have lovely fragrances which can add to the experience of using them. This decision depends on the sensitivity of your child's skin. If in doubt, test on a small area.

Application – Some baby moisturisers come in small tubes that are useful for travel, others in tubs, others with a pump-action dispenser which make application quick and easy. Think about which will work best for you.

Packaging – If you have an older baby or toddler they'll be interested in all the bottles, lotions and potions you keep by the changing table, so packaging that features familiar faces or bright colours might appeal to them and make the task a bit easier.

Is it vegan? – Products that are suitable for vegans will carry a "certified vegan" logo on the packaging. They won't contain animal-derived products like honey, lanolin and beeswax.

Is it hypoallergenic? – Hypoallergenic products are usually formulated using ingredients that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. However, there is only guidance on this, not specific rules, and no brand can completely guarantee that a product won't cause a reaction.

Is it cruelty-free / not tested on animals? – Animal testing for cosmetics in the UK and EU has been banned since 2009. However this is a complex issue, as individual ingredients may still have tested on animals before this date, in other countries, or for other reasons. You can look for the leaping bunny logo to find the products that have gone the extra mile when it comes to being cruelty-free.

Is it organic? – Organic skincare contains elements that are derived from organic sources such as essential oils, plant extracts and plant oils and butters. Though regulation differs from country to country, organic produce is generally farmed without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilisers. Therefore, people are motivated to buy organic skincare because they are kinder to the earth and supposedly to the body as they avoid pesticides, antibiotics, parabens, hormones, GM ingredients, synthetic colours and fragrances. There isn't much evidence to prove that organic skincare is more effective. On the flip side, the disadvantages of buying organic products are higher cost, products not always easily accessible and lack of formal regulation in some places. They can also cause allergic reactions. The decision to purchase organic skincare is entirely down to you and your preference.

Are baby lotions and creams safe for newborns?

While using a lotion or cream is a lovely part of the bath time experience – and a necessary part of the daily routine if your child has dry skin or a condition like eczema or psoriasis – you don't need to start straight away. Newborns have very delicate skin and, according to NHS guidelines, they are best bathed in plain water with no lotions or creams for the first few weeks. You can start introducing a lotion or cream once they're a month old.

Here’s our pick of the best baby skincare products tested by parents…

1. Weleda Calendula All Purpose Balm, £6.40

– Best multi-purpose balm

Size: 25g | Award: Gold – Baby & child skincare product, MadeForMums Awards 2023

A super versatile balm that works for multiple purposes. It's gentle on baby's skin and on yours too, making it suitable for the whole family, a parent tester shared: “We used it as a lip balm, moisturiser, and around sore noses.”

Created with sunflower and avocado oils (both organic), cocoa seed butter, calendula and candelilla that protects the skin. Though the product comes in a little tin, a little goes a long way and it protects well for a long time. The size is also handy for keeping in your baby bag if you want to have it within reach when you're out and about.

“I have used multi-purpose balms before but this one stood out for me as it really did work for a variety of uses. I found the balm long-lasting when used as a lip balm, which was good as other balms seem to disappear straight away” shared parent tester Sarah, who tested this with their 6 month old and 3 year old.

Available from: Boots, Amazon and Superdrug

2. Kokoso Baby Baby-Soft Balm Stick, £9.99

– Best for no-mess application

Size: 13g | Award: Silver – Baby & child skincare product, MadeForMums Awards 2023

This Kokoso Baby Balm Stick is super practical and is packed with organic ingredients. This balm stick is your go-to for your baby who might need moisturising and skin protection on demand. It protects against the elements and works well for creating a barrier for the skin especially when your baby is teething or dribbling which can cause some babies to get rashes.

"My daughter is teething and dribbling all the time, which is leaving her with rashes on her chin and neck. Since using this balm the rashes have disappeared and her skin is feeling super smooth once again,” shared parent tester Connie, who tested this with their 6 month old.

The stick function makes it easy to apply and eliminates any risk of mess or spillage. You can purchase the fragranced (with claiming organic lavender) or unfragranced version depending on what you prefer.

Available from: Amazon and Kokoso Baby

3. Original Sprout Scrumptious Baby Cream, £15.38

– Best luxury cream

Size: 236ml | Award: Bronze – Baby & child skincare product, MadeForMums Awards 2023

The texture of the Original Sprout Scrumptious Baby Cream was a huge hit with our home testers, who praised how quickly it was absorbed into the skin, and the instant results that it provided. "I applied this cream to my son's face and body and it left his skin feeling and smelling lovely. The cream absorbs fast and leaves no sticky residue on the skin, meaning no waiting around to put clothes on once applied – a definite positive in winter!" said parent tester Caitlin, who tested this with their 10 month old.

The cream keeps skin smooth and soft throughout the day and protects the skin from the elements – the natural zinc ingredient is to thank for this. Rosemary is also added to the cream to ward off insects and give relief to sensitive skin.

Although it's a more expensive product, our testers thought this was worth the money. If you like to treat your little one to some luxury, this is definitely a great option.

Available from: Amazon and Original Sprout

4. Aveeno Baby Daily Care Baby Moisturising Lotion, £6.50

– Best for daily use

Size: 150ml

A favourite for everyday moisturising that's particularly good on dry skin, Aveeno's cream uses the natural and gentle properties of oat essence and colloidal oatmeal to keep skin soft. The compact 150ml tube is great for packing in a changing bag or overnight bag.

Our home testers were full of praise, with Zara saying, "Aveeno Baby Daily Care is the best moisturiser for my daughters. It's the only thing that helped their dry skin." Pooja was also a fan, saying, "Both my little ones had dry skin and the Aveeno products were best for them to maintain healthy skin."

Available from: Boots, Amazon and Look Fantastic

5. Bloom and Blossom the Very Hungry Caterpillar Moisturiser, £5

– Best for bedtime

Size: 200ml

The soothing and relaxing lavender and jasmine scent of this baby moisturiser makes it a great choice for a gentle massage before bedtime. Parent tester Natalie praised its light consistency, saying it is "not too runny nor too thick. This made pre-bedtime massages easy to do."

Parent tester Kayleigh was also a huge fan, and said, "This is by far my favourite moisturiser, others have been good but this is like magic in a bottle, not to even mention the smell. It smells delicious."

Our parent testers loved the packaging, which appealed particularly to toddlers and preschoolers who are familiar with the Very Hungry Caterpillar book. The pump applicator is also a great bonus and a way to get little hands involved.

Available from: Amazon and Bloom and Blossom

6. Child's Farm Baby Moisturiser, £8.55

– Best for dry skin

Size: 500ml

A perennial bestseller, Child's Farm baby moisturiser is loved by parents for its mild fragrance, easily absorbed consistency, and the way it tackles dry skin and flaky patches. Parents of children with eczema often rave about this product, and many adults with the condition also use it.

Our parent tester Rachael said, "I love the Child’s Farm range, I find it the best for my son’s skin and it helps keep his eczema at bay", while Jess agreed that it "has to be Child’s Farm all the way."

The lotion contains cocoa and shea butter for softness and is tested for sensitive skin. There's also a fragrance-free version.

Take a look at our best baby eczema creams for more options.

Available from: Boots, Holland and Barrett and Amazon

7. My Little Coco Moisturising Body Cream, £6.25

– Best for fragrance

Size: 350ml

Part of Rochelle Humes's range of hair and body product for children, this body cream is gentle enough to use on the whole family, including newborns, and can even be used on the face. It comes in a pump bottle for easy application, and is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.

The real selling point of this does-it-all moisturiser though, is the creamy coconut scent. Our parent tester Charlene said, "We’ve just started using Rochelle’s My Little Coco range and love it. It smells so good."

Available from: Boots

8. Mustela Hydra Bebe Facial Cream, £9.99

– Best for faces

Size: 40ml

If your baby suffers from dry cheeks, drool rash or teething rash, this gentle face cream can help to soothe those nasty red patches. Home tester Claire says that it's "a little pricey but totally worth it," and says she uses it on her own skin too.

It combines shea butter with sweet almond oil, jojoba seed oil and vitamins E and F for long-lasting hydration and softness. It's designed to be safe for use from birth, but as we mentioned, babies don't need any skincare products during the first month (unless prescribed by a doctor).

Available from: Feel Unique and Amazon

9. Weleda Baby Derma White Mallow Body Lotion, £13.50

– Best for soothing

Size: 200ml

Natural skincare range Weleda’s body lotion contains white mallow, which is known for its calming and nourishing properties so this is a great choice if your child has dry skin.

Our home testers found the lotion smooth and well absorbing, rather than being tacky, so it was easy to apply to little ones’ skin. Mum of 3 Stephanie said she liked the fact that it’s environmentally friendly. “It soothes my baby’s skin and has a very subtle scent. It has made her skin so soft again and she’s had zero reactions,” she said.

Overall, testers were impressed with the quality of the product as well as its attractive and sustainable packaging.

Available from: Amazon and Holland and Barrett

10. Good Bubble Little Softy Moisturiser, £4

– Best for Gruffalo fans

Size: 200ml

If your child needs a little encouragement during the bedtime routine, get a friendly face involved with this mild and gentle body lotion featuring the Gruffalo.

You may recognise natural and organic brand Good Bubble from the TV show Dragons’ Den. Known for being vegan and cruelty free at an affordable price point, this particular product has proved a best-seller.

Ideal for sensitive skin, the mild and gentle formula was popular with parents with the addition of coconut and avocado oil, making it super moisturising, and prickly pear extract for what our home tester Sammy described as "a lovely but not overpowering scent."

Parent tester Puneet even said it didn’t sting on her 2 children’s eczema and added, “The cream had a nice consistency and with a pleasant aroma. Glad to know it is cruelty-free and free from commonly-used chemicals.”

Available from: Supamart

11. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Baby Butter, £9.95

– Best for easy application

Size: 250 ml

If you have a wriggly baby or toddler who hates being on the changing table after bath time, this lotion is a great option. The pump-action bottle can be used one-handed if you're smart, and despite being called a butter it's actually quite a light texture that rubs in easily and soaks in quickly.

The chocolate-coconut scent is also irresistible to both parents and little ones, with home tester Cat saying, "Palmers is a favourite in my house... everyone smells amazing, their skin so soft and have had no issues with dry skin spots."

There's also a spray-on oil available in the range which is perfect for baby massage.

Available from: Amazon

12. Mum and Baby Explorer Face the Day Stick, £10.99

– Best for outdoors

Size: 50g

The Face the Day stick is designed to protect delicate skin from the elements, providing a barrier against wind, drizzle and even drool. Our testers found the balm was both effective and easy to use. It’s great for soothing irritated skin while the stick applicator meant it was easy to use when out and about.

Mum of 2 Anna thought it was a “great applicator for on the go and to keep everything hygienic when out and about,” while others were also particularly impressed by the hypoallergenic formula. The stick also meant there was no product wastage, and no need to use fingers unnecessarily, keeping things hygienic too.

Available from: Mum & You and Amazon

Read more:

• Best baby eczema creams, oils and lotions
• Best nappy rash creams for your baby
• Best bath towels for babies and toddlers