These days, there is no shortage of baby skincare products. There’s also—thankfully!— an emerging market of all-natural, organic, and non-toxic baby skincare products. From soaps to diaper creams, there is something for every baby. When it comes to nourishing your little one’s skin, simplicity is key. After all, a laundry list of chemicals and synthetic fragrances will likely cause adverse reactions. Over the last 10 months, we’ve tried a variety of non-toxic bath and skincare brands. After months of testing, below are the best baby skincare products. This list is based on a few things: the products efficacy, ingredient list, and smell (or lack thereof).
Ingredients to avoid in baby skincare products
Before diving in, let’s take a look at standard ingredients that can cause skin irritation, rashes, and—in extreme cases—respiratory issues. This is a (non-exhaustive list) of ingredients to avoid in baby skincare products.
Parabens
Most baby products (shampoos, soaps, and moisturizers) contain parabens. For that matter, a majority of adult skincare cosmetics contain parabens. Parabens are a type of preservative, but in essence, are neurotoxins. Among many things, parabens can cause skin irritation and hormone disruption.
Talc
Talc is a powdered mineral used in a wide range of consumer goods. It’s found in baby powder and can cause a variety of issues, including lung problems. As a known carcinogen, it should be avoided, entirely.
Propylene glycol
Like talc, propylene glycol is another carcinogen. It’s a chemical found in many baby products, including some baby wipes. Check for polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polypropylene glycol (PPG) on labels.
Phthalates
Often disguised as fragrances, phthalates are used in moisturizers, lotions, shampoos, and more. Not only are they linked to reproductive birth issues, but they can damage the liver, kidneys, and lungs.
Sulfates
Due to their ability to produce foam, sulfates are synthetic compounds used in products like shampoo. But, sodium lauryl sulfate can cause skin rash, lung, and eye irritation. For babies, they can be especially harmful to sensitive skin.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, and weaken the immune system. Mainly found in baby shampoos and liquid soaps, formaldehyde is another known human carcinogen.
Triclosan
Triclosan is a synthetic chemical used in skin care products to prevent the growth of bacteria. However, excessive exposure to triclosan can have an adverse effect on a child’s health (skin allergies, eczema, and allergies). Moreover, some studies raise concerns that triclosancan make bacteria antibiotic-resistant.
Top 5 natural Baby Skincare BRANDS
Thankfully, there are plenty of natural and non-toxic baby care lines available. Below are brands we love—companies that care about ingredients, quality, sustainability, and keeping your baby’s skin irritation-free.
ellaOla
*Next gen skincare has entered the chat.* EllaOla is changing the industry. Developed with Harvard dermatologists, their products don’t just meet the highest standards of safety and efficacy, they’re raising the standards. In fact, they ban over 2,500 potentially toxic ingredients in every formula. We love all their soothing and hydrating products, particularly because of Colorado’s notoriously dry climate. With Wilson’s mild eczema, their soothing face cream works wonders. The essentials bundle covers all your baby care needs. Use code Edie10 at checkout for a discount on your order!
Puracy
Another household fave: Puracy. Made with only plant-based, renewable ingredients and minerals, their products are both gentle and safe. We have a variety of their products, but for Wilson, we always keep their shampoo and stain remover on hand. Their baby surface cleaner is also the best. You won’t find any harsh chemicals, like parabens, sulfates, dyes, phosphates, chlorine, and formaldehyde.
Babo Botanicals
Made with natural and certified organic ingredients, Babo Botanicals makes skincare products for the whole family. We use their diaper cream (a little goes a long way!), which is free of top allergens and is both cruelty-free and vegan.
Earth Mama
When I was pregnant, I found Earth Mama Organics (I used their belly butter), but they support pregnancy, postpartum, and baby skincare needs. Speaking of postpartum, their nipple butter saved me—it’s so soothing and effective. I also put this on my C-section scar. For Wilson, we’ve tried their diaper balm, and after every bath, we put on their calming lavender baby lotion.
Burt’s Bees BABY
From bath care to moisturizers, Burt’s Bees, has gentle, effective, and affordable skincare products. They source responsibly, use recyclable packaging, and their formulas are made without phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, or SLS. Their baby buttermilk soap bar is a favorite, which comes without any added plastic.
Last but not least, if you’d prefer, you can always DIY your baby’s skin care. What are some of your favorite baby skincare brands? Drop them in the comments, below. A final note: this blog post does contain affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission if you choose to purchase any of the linked items. Thank you for supporting this creative passion of mine.
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