Your newborn baby’s skin is delicate and sensitive, and the NHS recommend it’s best not to use any lotions or creams on your baby for the first few weeks. But once your baby is a little older, introducing a gentle baby face cream or moisturiser into your baby’s bathtime routine can not only protect and soothe their skin but can also be a relaxing part of the day for you both. You could even try to massage your baby while you’re using the lotion.
A baby’s skin is much thinner and more sensitive than adults, losing moisture more quickly, which can result in itching, rashes, cracking, and flaking. A good, sensitive moisturiser specifically designed for use on baby skin will help soothe any skin irritation. Always remember to read the label and choose products designed for your baby’s age range.
If you’re looking to use a baby face cream or moisturiser, here are some of the best on the market available to buy today.
The best baby face creams and moisturisers
nalasbaby.com
Description
The Nala's Adventure Bundle was awarded Gold for Best Baby Skincare Range/ Product at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023 and 2024.
Skincare brand Nala’s Baby features 99 per cent naturally derived ingredients such as oats, coconut, aloe, lavender and more. Nala's Baby Adventure Bundle combines the full skin and hair care range including Body Wash & Shampoo, Body Lotion and Body Butter in a 100 per cent cotton drawstring bag to keep everything together.
It's no wonder that this product was awarded Gold in the M&B Awards 2023, with parent testers raving about Nala's Adventure Bundle in their reviews. Mum testers loved the presentation aspect and believed that it would also make a beautiful gift.
Our mum tester said: "I would not change anything about these products, everything seems perfect to me and I am super pleased with them. These products are wonderful, far beyond my expectations and I think they should be known by more people so that all children can enjoy their benefits."
Description
The Childs Farm Toiletries Range for Baby and Child was awarded Silver for Best Baby Skincare Range/ Product and Gold for Best Product For A Newborn 0-4 Months at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023 and 2024.
This best-selling, mildly fragranced, moisturiser contains deeply moisturising ingredients that soothe and hydrate all skin types, even the most sensitive and eczema-prone skin from head to toe. Our real mum testers were happy to review the Childs Farm Baby Moisturiser along with the Childs Farm Toiletries Range for Baby & Child and most loved the fact that the products were safe for delicate skin and approved by paediatricians.
Our mum tester Sharon said: "Child Farm's moisturising cream is a lifesaver when your little one's got some dry skin or even eczema patches. Its gentle fragrance is soothing and reassuring, its texture is light, and fully absorbed when rubbed in, unlike some other similar products. It is widely available in supermarkets across the country, which makes life a lot easier when you've already got 101 other things to be doing! And at this price, you can't go wrong!"
Read our full Childs Farm Toiletries Range for Baby and Child review.
kokoso.co.uk
Description
The Kokoso Baby Skincare was awarded Bronze for Best Baby Skincare Range/ Product at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.
Kokoso Baby Coconut Oil is a natural and gentle skincare solution for your little one. Sourced from organic, premium-grade coconuts, this hypoallergenic and fragrance-free oil nourishes and protects delicate baby skin. Packed with moisturizing benefits, it's ideal for soothing dryness, eczema, and cradle cap. The lightweight formula absorbs easily, leaving your baby's skin soft, smooth, and beautifully nourished.
Our mum tester said: "Wow - loved this product. The smell is just gorgeous and I loved that the ingredient is purely coconut oil. A little goes a really long way which makes it good value for money. The oil didn't feel greasy or oily which I was worried about. My newborn had some dry patches of skin on her face and this cleared it up almost immediately. It makes for a really nice massage oil too which I used to try to ease my little one’s colic. This product really has so many uses. I love that this one product can be used for so many things - by the whole family!"
Read our full Kokoso Baby Skincare review.
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Easy to apply
- Lovely smell
Cons
- A scoop would be useful
Description
Suitable from: Newborn | Suitable for: Dry, combination and sensitive skin | Contents: Rosehip Oil, Chamomile, Vitamin E | Award: Silver - Best Baby Skincare Range/ Product
Colief Baby Scalp Oil is formulated with Rosehip Oil, Chamomile and Vitamin E to gently moisturise and soothe your baby’s skin and scalp to prevent it from becoming dry and flaky. Our parent testers were more than happy to review Colief Baby Scalp Oil, and found that this product was easy to use, did exactly as it said on the bottle, and softened dry skin conditions such as cradle cap.
Summary:
• Suitable from newborn
• Made with nourishing ingredients
• Doesn't make baby's hair greasy
• Pleasant smell
Our mum tester Stephanie said: "The product came in a small bottle, so great for keeping in the changing bag or our nappy caddy at home. The application was smooth and I was able to apply it straight onto my babys head and massage gently as directed. I could smell the rosehip, and it left my baby's head smooth and soft."
groceries.asda.com
Description
Suitable from: Newborn | Suitable for: Wet and dry hair | Contents: Vegan friendly, paediatrician and dermatologist tested ingredients | Award: Bronze - Best Baby Skincare Range/ Product
As much as we love their gorgeous curls, it's easy for babies' hair to get knotty, which is why the Little Angels Detangle Spray is a must for parents as shown through our real mum reviews. Paediatrician-approved and dermatologically tested, the no-tears formula is suitable from birth and gets to work instantly on wet or dry hair.
Summary:
• Suitable from newborn
• Very good price
• Easy to use
• Effective
• Large bottle
Our mum tester Annie said: "Really impressed by how the spray has kept my daughter's hair under control throughout the day, even after running around, sleeping on it and generally being played with!"
Description
The Aveeno Baby Daily Care Range was awarded Silver for Best Baby Skincare Range/Product at the 2022 Mother&Baby Awards.
Aveeno Daily Moisture Lotion applies to baby’s skin without feeling sticky and relieves any symptoms of dehydration. This lotion is also fragrance-free and has minimal ingredients, mainly containing natural colloidal oatmeal blended with rich emollients.
Review: "Very pleased with this moisturiser. Bought it for my one year old baby as his skin was a bit dry. After using this only for a few days, I saw a great difference. I have been applying this every night and once the winter started, also during the day on the face and hands before going out for a walk. Size of the bottle is ideal, not too big and heavy, but also big enough to last for a while. This lotion lasted us just little over two months, we have been using it daily for the whole body. Smells lovely and it’s very easy to apply, absorb smoothly and moisturises well. Will definitely recommend and will be buying another one!"
Description
The Weleda Baby Calendula Collection was shortlisted for Best Baby Skincare Range/Product at the 2019 Mother&Baby Awards.
The calendula extract in this baby face cream wraps its protective mantle around tender facial skin, while skin-friendly lanolin and organic almond oil moisturise. It's ideal for many baby skin issues, including spots, cradle cap, and more.
Review: "Highly recommended! 100 per cent natural. This cream made my baby’s face lovely and soft. I’ve got a nappy change cream from the same series and I’m very happy with it too, so knew this face cream would be great also."
Find out more about the Weleda Baby Calendula Facial Cream or read our review of the full Calendula Collection.
Description
The Burt's Bees Baby Bee range won Bronze for Best Baby Skincare Range/Product at the 2018 Mother&Baby Awards.
Burt's Bees Baby Bee Lotion is a natural emollient for baby's sensitive skin enriched with aloe vera, buttermilk, and vitamin E. You can also find other products in the same line, such as a baby bubble bath, and a nourishing baby oil.
Review: "I love this lotion! I use it for myself and my littles! We all have varying degrees of sensitive skin and this doesn't irritate it at all! The smell is not overly strong and is pleasant. It goes on easy and is easy to rub in."
www.escentual.com
Description
Kiehl's Baby Nurturing Cream for face and body will nurture your baby’s skin, resulting in a smooth and soft texture. It’s formulated with shea butter, apricot kernel oil, and purified honey.
Review: "This is fantastic! Tried a few things prescribed by my doctor (none of which worked). The Double Base cream made the eczema even worse and made my little one's skin look almost burnt! I refused to use a steroid cream on such young skin and having read other reviews for this on various websites thought I'd give it a go - so glad I did! Have used it ever since and the eczema hasn't returned. AN ABSOLUTE MUST!"
Description
The Weleda Baby Derma White Mallow range was shortlisted for Best Baby Skincare Range/Product at the 2015 Mother&Baby Awards.
Another popular buy from Weleda, this face cream combines calming organic mallow and gentle pansy extracts with nourishing organic oils of coconut and sweet almond. The organic golden beeswax creates a mildly resistant layer, protecting your child's skin. Itchy and dry skin is soothed and protected, naturally.
Review: "I did a bit of research online and found this stuff and it is amazing! I still have to continue to apply it but it doesnt irritate my son's skin and his skin feels lovely and soft again after just one week. I have since bought the body lotion as well and its just as great as he has also developed small patches of dry skin on his arms and legs. Love that this product is totally natural and is so gentle on his delicate skin. Would love if they done a shampoo and bath cream in the white mallow range. Hopefully it works as well for others as it has for us. I really do think it's a miracle cream!"
Best all-purpose balm moisturiser
www.waitrose.com
Description
This all-purpose balm is a great travel-friendly moisturiser for on-the-go. Crafted from organic sunflower and avocado oils, luxurious cocoa seed butter, candelilla waxes, and skin-caring calendula extract, which intensively nourishes and smooths dry or rough skin and lips, this product works beautifully on babies' delicate skin. It can be used to soothe chaffing and protects against dribble rash too.
Pros: Nourishing ingredients from bump to baby
Cons: Travel size
Review: "I love this little tin; it's such a handy size and works great on cuticles and dry patches too. Not just for babies!"
uk.iherb.com
Description
Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment works wonders as a daily moisturiser after bathing your little one. This product is hospital approved, paediatrician recommended, and fragrance/preservatives free. Its formula comes with 41 per cent petrolatum to allow oxygen to flow and help heal the skin.
Review: "I have been using the normal aquaphor on my son for several months now, and it was the best ointment I had found so far. However the price of it recently skyrocketed on Amazon and so I reverted to using Diprobase for about a month. During this time my little ones eczema which was previously well controlled, slowly got worse and worse. His hands became very dry and scaly and cracks and sores starting appearing in his creases again.
"After buying this baby version his skin has significantly improved in just a few days - his hands are almost back to normal now and all the cracks have healed up and are reverting back to normal skin. I think the baby version might be even better than the normal one. I highly reccomend you give this a try if your littles ones have eczema."
www.sephora.co.uk
Description
This much-loved baby face cream moisturises and strengthens your little one's skin and is suitable from birth. Absorbing quickly, it provides immediate and long-lasting hydration and has been praised by parents for its lovely scent.
Review: "I am honestly surprised this stuff even exists! I used it on for my 3-year-old because she loves to mock everything I do so it’s awesome that a product geared towards babies and kids is out there. I can let her moisturize her face without having to worry if it’s too much for her skin. This product is lightweight with a great smell and doesn’t have any adverse reactions!"
shop.hipp.co.uk
Description
The HiPP Kids Toiletries range was shortlisted for Best Baby Skincare Range/Product at the 2022 Mother&Baby Awards.
Free from nasties, including allergy-causing fragrances, essential oils, and mineral oils, this baby cream is kind and nourishing to your baby's skin - it's suitable for ultra-sensitive and eczema-prone skin. Plus, we love the adorable tortoise design that, once empty, your little one can play with.
redirect.viglink.com
Description
Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Instant Therapy Creme is a product that instantly calms your baby's skin. It comes with natural oatmeal, relieving dry, itchy, irritated skin. The formula also has ceramide to strengthen the skin's barrier and condition and licochalcone to soothe and improve the appearance of irritated skin.
Review: "My daughter hasn't had any instances of Eczema in years, but suddenly got patches on her limbs of very painful and 'angry' Eczema during lockdown. Within two days of receiving this cream and applying it, the patches were less angry and after four days they were definitely improving. This may be expensive for the volume, but is worth it."
www.ocado.com
Description
The Good Bubble baby range was shortlisted for Best Baby Skincare Range/Product at the 2022 Mother&Baby Awards.
Eco-friendly, vegan, and suitable for newborns onwards: this dermatologically tested, paediatrician-approved moisturiser is suitable for your baby's whole body. It contains nourishing shea butter, coconut oil, and avocado oil which can help to protect and hydrate their delicate skin.
www.johnlewis.com
Description
Original Sprout's Scrumptious Baby Cream contains organic extracts to leave your baby's face and the rest of their body feeling soft, moist and smooth. It's paediatrician tested and hypoallergenic so it's ideal for sensitive skin at any age.
Review: "My baby is mixed race and can get quite dry skin. I decided to give this a try after other moisturises were not having much effect.... This product is worth every penny..... It is so creamy and feels like silk as I apply it to my baby. It is non-greasy but gives deep moisturisation. Especially nice for baby massage after bath time. And on top of all that it smell absolutely gorgeous! Will definately be buying more."
Choosing skincare products for your baby
When it comes to our baby's skin, choosing the simplest and mildest formula in products is key, given that their precious skin is sensitive to all sorts of irritation and dryness. To make things a lot simpler, we've made a checklist of things to look for when buying skincare products for your little one.
Choose products specifically designed for babies: These tend to be milder and pH-balanced to suit your little one's skin. Baby products are also typically safety-regulated for that particular age group.
Choose paraben, phthalate, dye, and alcohol-free products: Dyes and other chemicals can irritate your baby's skin and even cause trouble breathing. Likewise, parabens are known for their harmful side effects in terms of hormone reproduction, so it's best to keep them away from your baby. Alcohol, listed as ethanol, is common in most adult skincare products but is worth avoiding when it comes to little ones due to its drying effect.
Patch test beforehand: If you're planning on using a cream all over your baby's body, we recommend doing a patch test on their arm or leg first and waiting 24 hours to monitor any reactions. If any side effect is detected, stop using the product immediately.
Use hypoallergenic products: If you have any concerns whatsoever about allergic reactions, hypoallergenic products are your best bet. These are designed for sensitive skin, are fragrance-free, and are least likely to lead to any adverse reactions.
Is it safe to use face cream on my baby?
As stated earlier, it's best to avoid using lotions during the newborn stage. When they get a little older, you can use mild creams that are baby-approved and free of any fragrances or dyes.
You can also try using olive oil or vaseline to treat super dry skin.