7 Best Baby Lotions, Tested by Moms and Infants

In a nutshell
Based on hands-on product testing and expert advice, we found Earth Mama Simply Non-Scents Baby Lotion to be the overall best baby lotion, thanks to its soothing ingredients like aloe and calendula, and its luxurious, silky texture. Our tester found that it kept her baby’s skin moisturized all day long without leaving behind any greasy residue.

After nine months in the womb, it takes time for a baby to adjust to the much drier outside world. That transition can leave their thin skin extra sensitive and delicate, making it important to regularly nourish it with a high-quality baby lotion.

Fortunately, experts say that most babies don’t need anything complicated––simpler is usually better. “The best baby lotions contain a combination of gentle ingredients that help hydrate and support the skin barrier,” says Dr. Aegean H. Chan, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist in California.

Still, finding the right formula isn’t always easy. As a mom of two young kids, I have tried––and given up on––plenty of lotions. Some take so long to spread that my baby starts to cry; others leave a greasy residue that takes several minutes to absorb.

To help you find the perfect formula to soothe your little one, we spoke to experts like Chan, scrutinized ingredient lists from top-rated brands and performed hands-on product testing with real parents to see which performed the best for specific baby needs. Here are our top picks.

How We Tested and Chose the Best Baby Lotions

We analyzed the market and put leading products through rigorous testing to ensure our final picks truly stand out. Here’s how we built our list of the best baby lotions:

• We consulted four dermatologists and two pediatricians for advice on what to look for—and what to avoid—in baby lotions and reviewed evidence-backed research on common skincare ingredients.
• Three parents with children ranging from 2 months to nearly 2 years old tested the products. Each lotion was matched to a child based on specific skin needs, such as dryness or sensitivity. Testers applied each product at least once daily for a minimum of three consecutive days to thoroughly evaluate performance.
• The testers gave each lotion a score of 1 to 10 across several categories: ease of use, moisturizing qualities, effectiveness, scent, texture and absorbency, ingredients and value for the money. Using those scores, we narrowed the field to our top 7 baby lotion performers.
• We also examined common parent concerns and pain points when it comes to moisturizing their babies. Based on this research, our team selected 15 baby lotions to test.
• We looked for certifications and approvals from groups like the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the National Eczema Association (NEA) and the Leaping Bunny Program.
• To see how these products worked for a variety of families, we also conducted exhaustive market research, scouring forums, message boards and verified customer reviews to understand how these lotions performed for families nationwide.

Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read more about how The Bump develops our product reviews.

Best Baby Lotions

Why Use a Baby Lotion?

“Baby skin is so sensitive because it’s adjusting to life outside the womb,” says Dr. Alexis Phillips-Walker, DO, a pediatrician at Memorial Hermann Medical Group Pediatrics in Atascocita, Texas. During their first year of life, a baby’s skin barrier is still developing, adds Dr. Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This means the top layer of their skin is thin, which makes it more susceptible to water loss and dryness.

Regularly applying baby lotion can help restore hydration and support a developing skin barrier. Dr. Chan tells parents that they should use enough lotion to make their baby’s skin feel smooth and look well-hydrated. “Baby should be just greasy enough that they feel like they might slip out of your hands,” she says––a sign the moisturizer has formed a protective layer.

When to Use a Baby Lotion

Baby doesn’t need lotion within those first four weeks after birth, Phillips-Walker says. However, if you plan on cleansing or moisturizing your newborn’s skin during that time, choose a formula that has a pH level between 4.0 and 6.0, contains ceramides and has no soap, advises Dr. Lauren Hoffman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York.

After the 4-week mark, go ahead and find a gentle baby lotion that’s fragrance-free and free of allergens. Then, apply it immediately after baths to help lock in moisture: Pat your baby until they’re almost dry, then massage your lotion of choice into baby’s skin from head to toe, says Dr. Hoffman. “Most babies do well with moisturizer at least once a day, especially right after a bath when the skin is still slightly damp, when it absorbs hydration best,” Chan adds. If your baby’s skin tends to be dry or has rough patches, moisturizing twice daily can help.

It’s also worth noting that lotions, creams and ointments aren’t interchangeable. Lotions are lighter and higher in water content, making them ideal for everyday use and warmer months. Creams are thicker and more protective, which can be helpful in colder weather or for areas prone to irritation. Ointments are the most occlusive and greasy, making them best for cracked skin, severe dryness, or eczema.

What to Look for in a Baby Lotion

When it comes to baby lotions, simpler is often better. “Baby skin is more sensitive, so gentle, pared-down products tend to work best,” Chan says. In most cases, she adds, the best infant moisturizer is fragrance-free and formulated with a mix of humectants (hydrating ingredients) and barrier-supporting ingredients. Here are some things to look for on the label when shopping for the best baby lotion for your family:

Helpful baby lotion ingredients

• Ceramides. These are a type of lipid that help retain moisture and support the skin barrier. Formulas containing ceramides have also been proven to reduce eczema flare-ups, says Dr. Hoffman.
• Glycerin. This humectant draws moisture into the skin and helps “reinforce the skin’s natural protective layer without feeling heavy,” Dr. Chan says.
• Squalane. This lightweight ingredient is well-tolerated—even by sensitive infant skin—because it’s modeled after our skin’s natural oils, according to Dr. Chan. It softens and soothes without leaving a greasy residue.
• Hyaluronic acid. Found naturally in the skin, this ingredient helps draw in and hold onto moisture.
• Petrolatum. One of the most effective skin barrier-repair ingredients, Dr. Chan notes, “Petrolatum has been shown in studies to reduce transepidermal water loss by up to 98 percent,” she says, which can be especially helpful for babies with eczema or very dry skin.

Baby lotion ingredients to avoid

• Parabens. Avoid baby lotions that contain parabens, a chemical preservative that can irritate delicate skin.
• Fragrances and dyes. Dr. DiMaggio Walters warns that fragrances and chemicals can cause rashes. Note that “unscented” is not the same as “fragrance-free” or “no added fragrance”—unscented products are designed so you don’t smell them, but they might use fragrance components. “For infants, especially those with sensitive skin, fragrance-free or no added fragrance is the gentler and more reliable option,” Dr. Chan says.
• Essential oils. Even natural essential oils like lavender, tea tree, or citrus oils can lead to redness or dryness in sensitive baby skin, Dr. Chan says.

Baby lotion ingredients you don’t need to worry about

• Olive oil and sunflower oil. While a 2015 study suggested a link between directly massaging these oils onto babies’ skin and delayed skin development, follow-up studies haven’t shown evidence of harm. “Sunflower oil has also been more extensively studied on preterm infants and newborn skin and, overall, appears to have a beneficial impact on outcomes, including reduced infection rates when used in premature infants,” says Dr. Sheilagh Maguiness, MD, president of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology.
• Preservatives. Dr. Chan says safe, gentle preservatives are not only appropriate for baby skin, but also help prevent a product from spoiling. “Well-formulated lotions with safe, gentle preservatives are actually better for maintaining both product safety and healthy baby skin,” she says.
• Cetyl alcohol. Unlike drying alcohols, cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol that helps support the skin barrier. "This ingredient is actually widely used in pediatric and sensitive-skin products because it helps support the skin barrier,” Dr. Chan says.
• Food allergens. If your baby has a food allergy to something like oats or coconut, that doesn’t automatically mean you need to avoid them in skincare. “Food allergies are caused by the immune system reacting to proteins when they’re ingested—that pathway is different from how the skin interacts with ingredients in lotions or washes,” Dr. Chan explains. That said, topical reactions are possible, though rare. If you’re concerned, Chan advises testing a lotion on a small patch of skin first. “If the skin stays calm after 24 to 48 hours, it’s generally fine to use,” she says.

Not sure whether your little one needs a lotion, cream or ointment? The difference between the three boils down to the percentage of water and oil in the formula. Whereas lotions are often more than 70 percent water, creams contain at least 50 percent cream, making them thicker and better at protecting skin from irritation and dryness, explains Dr. Phillips-Walker. Ointments are even thicker, thanks to a higher oil percentage. During winter weather, Phillips-Walker recommends that parents apply creams to cheeks, elbows, noses, or any other area in need of added hydration. On the other hand, lotions are more readily absorbed, making them perfect for daily use and the summer months. If your baby’s skin is dry and cracked in places, an ointment will be the best treatment method, says Dr. Phillips-Walker. Baby ointments are thick and greasy, but they’re ideal for children who suffer from extremely dry skin or conditions like eczema.

About the writer:
Jennifer Heimlich is a writer who specializes in health, wellness, and parenting. Her work has appeared in TIME, SELF, GQ, and other outlets. She is a mom of two who lathers up both her infant and toddler in lots of lotion to protect them against the harsh winters where they live in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Contributing writer:
Korin Miller is a writer who’s written dozens of health features for The Bump. She specializes in commerce, wellness and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Women’s Health, Forbes, WSJ, SELF and more. Korin is a mom to four kids, ranging in age from 1 to 10 years old. She has a master’s degree from American University and lives by the beach.

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Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.