We’ve done the work for you, so you can spend your time focusing on your newborn instead of checking out reviews. Our best baby lotion guide can help you find the right one for your sweet new baby, without wasting any of your precious time.
How to Choose a Baby Lotion
Here are a few important things to consider when trying out any new product on your newborn:
Skin Conditions
- There are special lotions designed for babies with eczema, so be on the lookout for those options if necessary.
- If in doubt, always contact your pediatrician for advice.
Sensitivity
- Babies have very sensitive skin, and it’s important to note that you can not use products that are intended for older children or adults on babies. Many products for adults and older children contain ingredients that their delicate skin cannot handle.
- Rashes, such as diaper rashes and heat rashes, are common with babies, and if your baby has sensitive skin, that may be a consideration when choosing a lotion.
- Babies require special products that provide moisture to their sensitive skin with gentle ingredients.
Ingredients
- Not all baby lotions are built the same—if your family is focused on choosing natural ingredients in baby products, you’ll want to be sure to check all the ingredients before buying
The Best Baby Lotions to Try
Best Overall Baby Lotion: Baby Dove Sensitive Moisture Fragrance-Free Lotion
Baby Dove Sensitive Moisture Fragrance-Free Lotion is formulated with skin-natural ingredients to provide long-lasting moisture for babies’ delicate skin. When used after bath time, this lotion helps to replenish the moisture barrier in the skin for up to 24 hours.
We chose this as our best overall baby lotion for newborn skin because of the gentle formula, and we love that it is fragrance-free and provides great moisture without feeling greasy. It can also provide relief for baby eczema, making it the winner.
Baby Dove Sensitive Moisture Fragrance-Free Lotion features:
- Hypoallergenic and pH neutral formula
- Fragrance and dye-free
- Dermatologist-tested and suitable for eczema-prone skin
- Provides non-greasy moisture for babies with dry skin
- Absorbs into the skin quickly
What we didn’t love:
- The consistency of the lotion is rather thin, so if you want a rich, thick lotion this may not be the right option.
Who is this the best baby lotion for?
This fragrance-free provides great moisture without being greasy, making it the best lotion for newborn baby and the best baby lotion for dry skin.
Best Calming Baby Lotion: Johnson’s Bedtime Moisturizing Lotion
Johnson’s Bedtime Moisturizing Lotion is a calming lotion designed for use during your baby’s bedtime routine. It features Johnson’s NaturalCalm aromas, and is a part of their clinically-proven 3-step routine to get older babies to sleep better.
Johnson’s Bedtime Moisturizing Lotion features:
- Specifically designed for older babies in the 7-36 month range
- Calming fragrance is great when giving a baby massage to a tired little one
- Provides long-lasting moisture to baby’s skin
- Part of Johnson’s proven 3-step bedtime routine to help babies fall asleep faster, and stay asleep longer
- Adheres to Johnson’s “Best for Baby” standards
A few cons:
- Tends to be a little greasy
- Doesn’t come with a pump
Who is this the best baby lotion for?
This is the best baby lotion for older babies, specifically from 7 months onward.
Best All-Natural Baby Lotion: Baby Mantra Calming Lotion – EWG Verified Baby Moisturizing Cream with Shea Butter and Lavender Oil
This reasonably-priced lotion is #1 on the Environmental Working Group’s list of natural baby lotions and for good reason—it has only natural and organic ingredients and is safe for all skin types. Plus, it has a gentle scent that will make your baby’s daily lotion a memorable part of your routine.
Full of the good stuff:
- Contains no harmful sulfates, parabens, phthalates, dyes, or synthetic fragrances or chemicals
- Plant-based ingredients include coconut, sunflower, and lavender oils
- Comes with a pump for easy application
- Natural Products Association Certified, PETA certified, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and vegan
One thing to note:
- The overall consistency of this lotion is not as thick as some of the other lotions we love.
Who is this the best baby lotion for?
Any mama looking for an all-natural baby lotion for their little one’s precious skin.
Best Baby Lotion for a Budget: The Honest Company Purely Sensitive Face + Body Lotion
The Honest Company’s Purely Sensitive Face + Body Lotion is created with natural ingredients at the forefront. This lotion provides nourishment to the skin, and is available in four options: fragrance-free and three distinct scents created with essential oils and botanicals.
The Honest Company’s Purely Sensitive Face + Body Lotion stats:
- Available in four fragrances: Lavender, Sweet Almond, Sweet Orange Vanilla, and Fragrance-Free
- Provides moisture with natural ingredients, including jojoba, shea, and safflower oils
- Non-greasy formula
- A great option for not only babies, but the entire family with pleasing scents
What could be improved:
- Moisture isn’t as long-lasting as some of the alternatives
- Some reviews mentioned that the ingredients may irritate very sensitive skin
Who is this the best baby lotion for?
This is the best baby lotion for naturally-minded mamas who want a budget-friendly option.
Best for Babies with Eczema: Cetaphil Baby Body Eczema Soothing Lotion
Cetaphil Baby Body Eczema Soothing Lotion is designed specifically for baby eczema. Their proven technology provides lasting moisture by supporting the skin’s moisture barrier for relief of symptoms associated with baby eczema.
Reasons to choose Cetaphil Baby Body Eczema Soothing Lotion:
- Clinically-proven to provide lasting hydration
- Contains Filaggrin technology and Ceramide complex to help eczema-prone skin retain moisture
- Provides soothing relief for dry, irritated skin
- Safe for babies under 3 months of age
- Unscented
- Non-greasy once absorbed into the skin
But be aware:
- The lotion is on the expensive side when compared to the alternatives
- Formula takes a while to absorb into the skin
Who is this the best baby lotion for?
This is the best lotion for baby eczema, as it is designed specifically to soothe irritation and itchiness from flare-ups.
Best-Smelling Lotion: EarthMama Sweet Orange Baby Lotion
EarthMama Sweet Orange Baby Lotion is a high-quality baby lotion that is suitable from the newborn days into childhood. With its delicious scent and naturally-derived ingredients, this lotion provides lasting moisture to baby’s delicate skin, and smells so good, you’ll probably want to steal it for yourself.
Smells sooo good:
- Gentle ingredients that are suitable for delicate newborn skin
- Refreshing vanilla-orange scent smells fantastic
- Contains no artificial fragrances or unnecessary chemicals
- Non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly into the skin
- Certified Organic
- Also available in lavender and unscented options
What it’s not good for:
- Not effective for baby eczema
Who is this the best baby lotion for?
This is the best baby lotion for crunchy mamas who want all-natural ingredients for their little one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I put lotion on my baby?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends applying a small amount of hypoallergenic, fragrance-free lotion to their skin immediately after every bath. Adding baby lotion to your bath time routine will support the moisture barrier of your baby’s skin, which also helps to prevent dry skin and to manage eczema as well. If you are only bathing your baby every few days, you can apply lotion between baths as well if you live in a dry climate or your baby has very dry skin.
Will my baby grow out of eczema?
Some children will outgrow eczema by around age 4, according to the American Association of Pediatrics. However, this is not the case for all children. Some babies who experience eczema will continue to have this condition into adulthood. There is no way to predict which babies will outgrow this condition, and which ones will continue to experience dry, sensitive skin throughout their lives.
