First published 17 July 2015, updated again June 2021
Baby skin – it’s so soft and so smooth that you just want to take a bite out of it. Or so I say to my giggling nieces as I pretend to bite their little legs!
Sometimes, though, baby skin can get dry, red or irritated and it needs a little extra care to add some moisture back in. So you reach for a natural baby lotion.
Babies’ skin is up to 30% thinner than an adults’ and their little bodies are much more vulnerable to whatever is applied to their skin. So you need to be extra careful about what you put on to that beautiful, delicate baby skin.
Unfortunately, all baby products are not made equal, not even so called “natural” and “organic” baby products.
Which is why we do all this research. We know how hard it can be to decipher the ingredients on the pack and work out what’s truly safe and non toxic. By using our cheat sheets, you’ll know at a glance whether or not you’re buying the best baby moisturiser for your baby.
Introduction
What are all those ingredients on the back of the pack? Are they safe? How can you tell?
I know how hard it is to get to the bottom of what’s on the back of the pack, especially when brands are making lots of claims about how “natural” they are. Even though lots of the big companies have cleaned up their acts over the last few years, there are still irritating and even toxic ingredients in baby lotions in Australia.
Marketing teams greenwash consumers by designing packs with fruit and trees and the words “organic” and “natural” and “hypoallergenic” splashed about. So is it any wonder that busy parents just grab a bottle off the shelf, only to get home and find their poor baby breaks out in a rash when the product is applied?
And that’s where I come in! I take a deep dive into every single product that I’ve reviewed here, do all the research and then let you know which baby moisturisers are good, which ones are not-so-good, and which ones you should avoid.
Ingredients
What are the ingredients in baby lotion? What’s in baby moisturisers that make them, well, moisturising?
There are a whole heap of different groups of ingredients in moisturisers that help protect baby’s skin and add moisture.
- Humectants work by taking water molecules from the air and pulling them to the skin’s surface.
- Occlusives work like a physical barrier to help prevent water loss and protect skin from external irritants.
- Emollients are ingredients that help moisturise skin and make it feel less itchy.
- Emulsifiers are ingredients that help the water and the oil components to mix.
- Stabilisers help improve the shelf life and make sure that the product is not too acidic or too alkaline.
- Thickeners help to increase the volume and consistency of the moisturiser so that it’s not too thin and watery.
- Preservatives make sure that there is no harmful bacteria, which is especially important when water is the main ingredient.
- Colours and fragrances make them look and smell good.
When it comes to choosing the best natural lotion for baby, here’s a few ingredients that I avoid.
Preservatives:
- Parabens
- Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasing preservatives (FRPs) like diazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
- behentrimonium chloride (BTC)
- benzalkonium chloride
- benzethonium chloride
- butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and methylisothiazolinone (MIT)
- phenoxyethanol
Moisturising agents (humectants, occlusives and emollients)
- Dimethicone
- Petrolatum
- Mineral oil
- Tocopheryl acetate
- Ceteareth-12 and ceteareth-20
- Distearyldimonium chloride
Emulsifiers, stabilisers, adjusters, etc.
- PEGs (polyethylene glycols)
- Propylene glycol
- Polysorbate 20, 60 and 80
- Ethanolamines (DEA, TEA)
And of course, I always recommend avoiding synthetic fragrances and colours.
Green Light – the best natural baby moisturiser
The Green Light section is where I put all the best baby lotion – the ones with good ingredients and lots of organics. Anything in this list is one that I can recommend.
Baby Mama Baby Lotion
Updated June 2021
Made in Australia, with a good list of ingredients. It’s vegan and cruelty free, as well as fragrance free, but do be aware that this one contains almond oil if you’re trying to avoid tree nuts.
Ingredients: aqua (water), glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract, olea europaea (olive) leaf extract, glyceryl stearate, cetearyl olivate and sorbitan olivate.
Bondi Wash Baby Lotion
Updated June 2021
This natural lotion for baby has a long list of ingredients, but there’s nothing to be concerned about. It’s also made in Australia, with no synthetic fragrances (but there are essential oils of Blue Cypress and Petitgrain). Formulated to be safe on babies but not newborns (suggested is over 1 month). Bondi Wash is a vegan baby lotion that’s also cruelty free.
Ingredients: aqua (water), glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate citrate, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, persia gratissima (avocado) oil, isoamyl laurate, glyceryl caprylate, acacia senegal gum, xanthan gum, sodium levulinate, sodium animate, caprylic /capric triglyceride, myristyl myristate, kunzea pomifera (emu apple) seed oil, vitas vinifera (grape) seed oil, butyrospermum park (shea) butter, gluconolactone, aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, tocopherol, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, sodium phytate, essential oils. *certified organic.
Bubba Organics Baby Lotion
Updated June 2021
Made in Melbourne, it’s certified cruelty free, vegan, gluten free. Also Australian Certified Toxic-Free, Made Safe Australian Certified Non-Toxic and Australian Allergy Certified. No issues with the ingredients in either the lavender or the kakadu plum versions.
Bubba Organics Baby Lotion Lavender & Chamomile Ingredients: aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, stearic acid, glyceryl stearate, glycerin, xanthan gum, cetearyl alcohol, calendula officinalis flower oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil, anthemis noblis (chamomile) oil, origanum vulgare oil (oregano), thymus vulgaris (thyme) extract, olea europaea (olive) leaf extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower extract.
ChamonixRain Organics Coconut Baby Moisturiser
Updated June 2021
The Chamonix Rain coconut baby lotion has good ingredients, too. The “parfum” in this case is a natural preservative, which you can read more about here.
Ingredients: purified water, organic aloe vera juice, sunflower oil, cetearyl alcohol, organic coconut oil, cetearyl olivate, sorbitan olivate, parfum (natural preservative), glyceryl monostearate, coconut absolute oil, guar gum, jojoba oil, potassium sorbate, vitamin e, citric acid, rosemary extract, organic olive leaf extract, organic calendula extract, organic chamomile extract, organic lavender extract, rosehip extract.
Divine Baby Soothing Baby Moisturiser
Updated June 2021
This lovely organic baby cream from Divine has all natural ingredients, and it’s 92% organic. There are lots of so-called “organic” baby lotions that only have one or two organic ingredients at the very end of the list, so it’s nice to see one with such a high proportion of truly organic ingredients.
Ingredients: aloe barbadensis leaf juice, chamomilla recutita matricaria (chamomile) flower extract, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, cetyl alcohol, glycerine, glyceryl stearate, stearic acid, sorbitan olivate, cetearyl olivate, simmondsiachinensis (jojoba) seed oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, tocopherol, aspalathus linearis (rooibos) leaf extract, glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice) extract, lonicera japonica (honeysuckle) flower extract, chamomilla recutita matricaria (chamomile) flower oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, citrus aurantium dulcis (sweet orange) oil, lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower extract, xanthan gum, citral^, limonene^, linalool^, geraniol^ ^constituents of essential oils. 92% organic of total, 100% natural origin of total.
Four Cow Farm Baby Lotion
Updated June 2021
Another nice natural moisturiser for babies, this time from Four Cow Farm. Nothing to be concerned about in this one, either, unless you’re trying to avoid nut oils.
Ingredients: purified australian mountain rainwater, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, vegetable glycerin, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, cetearyl olivate, sorbitan olivate (olive derived emulsifying wax), cetearyl alcohol (veg. fatty alcohol), parfum (plant-derived natural preservative not to be confused with perfume), certified organic rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, potassium sorbate (natural food preservative).
Jack ‘N Jill Kids Moisturiser – Serenity
Updated June 2021
Also available in Sweetness and Simplicity (fragrance free).
The Jack and Jill moisturisers are good choices, too! There are a couple of essential oil fragranced versions, and a completely fragrance free one, too.
Ingredients: water (aqua), cetearyl alcohol, caprylic triglyceride, glyceryl stearate, glycerin, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, sodium citrate, vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, gluconolactone, glyceryl caprylate, sodium stearoyl glutamate, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, callitris glaucophylla (white cypress) oil, callitris glaucophylla (white cypress) leaf extract, anthemis nobilis flower oil*, salvia sclarea (clary) oil, panthenol, allantoin, xanthan gum, disodium edta, sodium benzoate, calcium gluconate, citric acid, linalool, limonene, geraniol. *naturally occurring in the essential oils, **certified organic ingredients.
Little Innoscents Organic Moisturising Lotion
Updated June 2021
Little Innoscents organic baby lotion is just that – it’s certifed organic by ACO. Lovely ingredients with essential oils for light fragrance. The “parfum” is an EcoCert certified preservative, which you can read more about here.
Ingredients: aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, cetearyl olivate, sorbitan olivate, glycerin, cera alba (beeswax), parfum (preservative), xanthan gum, cananga odorata (ylang ylang) flower oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, persea gratissima (avocado) oil. *certified organic ingredient
Perfect Potion Beautiful Baby Lotion
Updated June 2021
Another good baby lotion with nice ingredients and lots of organics. Again, there is nut oil in this one if that’s something you try to avoid. Made in Australia.
Ingredients: aqua, macadamia ternifolia (macadamia†) oil, prunus armeniaca (apricot†) oil, glyceryl stearate citrate (plant derived emulsifier), glycerin^ (vegetable derived), buxus chinensis (jojoba†) oil, brassica alcohol (plant derived wax), helianthus annuus (sunflower†) seed oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender†) oil, citrus sinensis (sweet orange†) oil, citrus reticulata (mandarin†) oil, anthemis nobilis (roman chamomile†) oil, santalum spicatum (australian sandalwood) oil, calendula officinalis (calendula†) extract, tocopherol (vitamin e), xanthan gum, sclerotium gum, glyceryl caprylate (and) sodium benzoate (and) potassium sorbate (preservatives), citric acid, limonene, linalool, farnesol. (natural constituents of essential oils, †from organic agriculture, ^made using organic ingredients). 99.55% natural origin of total.
Sanctum Baby Moisturiser
Updated June 2021
Sanctum’s organic baby moisturiser is another certified organic one with lots of lovely ingredients. Australian made, too.
Ingredients: aloe barbadensis leaf juice, chamomile (chamomilla recutita matricaria) flower extract, shea (butyrospermum parkii) butter, cetyl alcohol, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, stearic acid, apricot (prunus armeniaca) kernel oil, potassium cetyl phosphate, jojoba (simmondsia chinensis) seed oil, honeysuckle (lonicera caprifolium) flower extract, tocopherol, lavender (lavandula angustifolia) oil, honeysuckle (lonicera japonica) flower extract, lemon (citrus medica limonum) peel oil, sweet marjoram (origanum majorana) leaf oil, xanthan gum, rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) leaf extract, citral, linalool, limonene. *certified organic / 92% certified organic / 100% naturally derived
Vatéa Happy Baby Moisturiser
Updated June 2021
Yet another organic lotion for babies with lots of lovely ingredients and no nasties. Also Australian made.
Ingredients: aloe barbadensis leaf juice, cetearyl olivate^, sorbitan olivate^, helianthus annuus seed oil, glycerin, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, glyceryl caprate^, beeswax, aqua (purified water)^, cetearyl alcohol (and) cetearyl glucoside^, moringa oleifera seed oil, calophyllum tacamahaca (tamanu) seed oil, tocopherol^, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate^, chamomilla recutita flower extract, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, lavandula angustifolia herb (lavender) oil, citrus reticulata peel (mandarin) oil, anthemis nobilis flower (chamomile) oil^, santalum spicata (australian sandalwood) oil^, d-limonene, linalool, citral. ** certified organic 100% pure essential oils. ^ natural source * a part of certified organic 100% pure essential oils. 92.49% australian certified organic aco bud logo.
Weleda Calendula Lotion
Updated June 2021
One of my long time favourite brands with all biodynamic ingredients! The Weleda baby body lotion is no exception, with lovely ingredients and no issues. Do note that this is another one with nut oils. Like all their organic baby skin care products, this has a subtle natural fragrance from essential oils.
Ingredients: water (aqua), sesamum indicum (sesame) seed oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, glycerin, alcohol (preservative), glyceryl stearate se, cetearyl glucoside, hydrogenated coco-glycerides, calendula officinalis flower extract, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, beeswax (cera alba), theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, xanthan gum, glyceryl caprylate, fragrance (parfum), limonene, linalool, geraniol, citral* (*from natural essential oils).
Wotnot Baby Lotion
Updated June 2021
Another nice, natural lotion for babies with lots of organics and no nasties, and another one that’s a long term favourite of mine. Also Australian made.
Ingredients: Purified water, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil*, cetearyl olivate & sarbitan olivate, glycerine, butyrospermum parkii (shea nut) butter*, cetearyl alcohol, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, linum usitatissimum (linseed) seed oil*, aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice*, tocopherol (gmo-free vitamin e), simmondsia chinensis (jojoba)seed oil*, chamomilla recutita (chamomile) flower oil*, citrus aurantium dulcis (sweet orange) oil*, xanthan gum, sodium citrate, glyceryl caprylate, potassium sorbate and citric acid (food grade preservatives). *certified organic ingredients
Orange Light
Orange light products generally have one or two ingredients that you might want to avoid. There are definitely worse products out there, but I want to bring the issues to your attention so that you can make an informed decision based on what’s important to you.
Burt’s Bees Baby Nourishing Lotion – Original
Updated June 2021
The Burts Bees baby lotion is in my orange list because of the phenoxyethanol. There’s also undisclosed fragrance, but Burts Bees do say that this is “composed of proprietary blends of essential oils and natural extracts” and their website also says that they are phthalate free.
Ingredients: aqua, glycerin, decyl cocoate, helianthus annuus seed oil, cera alba, butyrospermum parkii butter, polyglyceryl-3 stearate, glyceryl stearate citrate, cetyl alcohol, cocos nucifera oil, olea europaea fruit oil, vitis vinifera seed oil, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, butyris lac powder [babeurre en poudre], chamomilla recutita flower extract, calendula officinalis flower extract, centaurea cyanus flower extract, tilia cordata flower extract, rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, anthemis nobilis flower extract, hypericum perforatum extract, parfum*, xanthan gum, glycine soja oil, canola oil [huile de colza], tocopherol, sucrose stearate, lactic acid, citric acid, glucose, sodium chloride, sodium stearoyl lactylate, sodium benzoate, magnesium aluminum silicate, potassium sorbate, potassium iodide, potassium thiocyanate, phenoxyethanol, glucose oxidase, lactoperoxidase, limonene. *natural fragrance
Ecostore Baby Moisturiser
Updated June 2021
Ecostore used to be one of my favourite baby brands, but unfortunately they’ve recently started using benzyl alcohol in some of their products. That pushes the Ecostore baby moisturiser into my orange list.
Ingredients: aqua, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl olivate, sodium stearoyl glutamate, sorbitan olivate, xanthan gum, citric acid, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, glycerin, phormium tenax (harakeke) extract, tocopherol (vitamin e), benzyl alcohol, dehydroacetic acid, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower/leaf/stem water, lavandula hybrida (lavandin) oil, eucalyptol, pinene, linalool.
Gilly Goat Soft Baby Moisturising Lotion
Updated June 2021
The Gilly Goat baby moisturiser also gets into the orange list thanks to the benzyl alcohol, and there’s also tocopheryl acetate which is an allergen. Otherwise the ingredients are fine.
Ingredients: *aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, *prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, *cetearyl alcohol, *glycerin, *glyceryl stearate, caprae lac (goat milk), *stearic acid, *sodium stearoyl glutamate, *butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), *benzyl alcohol, *xanthan gum, *lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, potassium sorbate, *tocopheryl acetate (vit e), *rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil, *chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower oil, *chamomilla recutita (matricaria) leaf extract, *rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, *olea europaea (olive) leaf extract, *lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower extract, dehydroacetic acid. *plant derived.
Itchy Baby Eczema Moisturiser
Updated June 2021
This is a natural cream for baby eczema, designed specifically to deal with this skin condition and to avoid steroids. You can use this as a baby face moisturiser or a body moisturiser, anywhere that baby has dry, itchy or irritated skin.
It does have tocopheryl acetate and benzyl alcohol, which is why it’s in my orange list. You might ask why I’d stock this at Hello Charlie if it’s not in my green list? The clue is in the AUST L number on the front of the pack. Testing is required if you’re making medical claims that this product will treat a skin condition. If you’re trying to find a natural moisturiser for eczema and avoid steroids, this is definitely a good choice.
Ingredients: active ingredients: oatmeal colloidal 100mg/g, coconut oil 150mg/g. excipient ingredients: shea butter, white beeswax, carnauba wax, d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (vitamin e), medium chain triglycerides (derived from coconut oil). (denotes natural or naturally derived ingredient.) preservatives: contains benzyl alcohol, sodium dehydroacetate (ecocert).
Jurlique Baby’s Soothing Moisturizing Cream
Updated June 2021
Jurlique Baby used to have all sorts of harsh ingredients, while still claiming they were natural. But this brand really has cleaned up over the years. It’s still in my orange list because of the phenoxyethanol, but it’s much improved!
Ingredients: aqua (water), persea gratissima (avocado) oil, glycerin, sesamum indicum (sesame) seed oil, polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, cetearyl alcohol, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, calendula officinalis flower extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, echinacea purpurea extract, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, althaea officinalis root extract, spilanthes acmella flower extract, prunella vulgaris leaf extract, anthemis nobilis flower extract, caprylic/capric triglyceride, avena sativa (oat) kernel extract, fragrance/parfum, xanthan gum, limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, sclerotium gum, ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol, geraniol, linalool, limonene. *from natural essential oil.
Lovekins Hydrating Baby Body Moisturiser
Updated June 2021
The Lovekins natural moisturiser for baby is in the orange list because of the benzyl alcohol, too. In reply to my email about the “natural perfume”, Lovekins replied that their fragrances are blended essential oils.
Ingredients: aqua (water), **aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, *cetearyl alcohol, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, *coco-caprylate, *propanediol, glyceryl oleate, vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, persea gratissima (avocado) oil, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, *tocopherol, panthenol, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, avena sativa (oat) kernel flour, terminalia ferdinandiana (kakadu plum) fruit extract, tasmannia lanceolata fruit/leaf extract, chamomila recutita (chamomile) extract, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower oil, callitris intratropica (australian blue cypress) wood oil, *betaine, *glycerin, *cetearyl glucoside, *sodium stearoyl glutamate, *glyceryl caprylate, *xanthan gum, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, dehydroacetic acid, benzyl alcohol, parfum (natural), *citric acid. *naturally derived **organic #wildcrafted.
Milk & Co Baby Moisturiser
Updated June 2021
Milk is another brand that has improved over the years and cleaned up their ingredients. This natural moisturiser for baby still has phenoxyethanol and tocopheryl acetate, though, which puts it in the orange list.
Ingredients: aqua, glycerine, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, glyceryl stearate se, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl olivate, sorbitan olivate, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, stearic acid, lactis proteinum, glyceryl caprylate, squalene, tocopheryl acetate, phenoxyethanol.
Mini Organics Infant Moisturiser
Updated June 2021
This one is in my orange list because although the ingredients look good, there’s absolutely no information about which organic certification that they hold. I’ve emailed, but so far have received no reply. I smell greenwash, but I’ll keep following it up!
Ingredients: certified organic aloe vera leaf juice, olive oil, shea butter, avocado) oil, lavender ( bulgarian) oil, chamomile (german) oil.
Moogoo Baby & Child Soothing Moisturiser Nut Oil Free
Update June 2021
The Moogoo baby moisturiser has just one ingredient of concern – polysorbate 60 can be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4 dioxane, and trace amounts may be found in the end product. Otherwise, it’s a great product.
Ingredients: aqua (h₂o’s fancy name), olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, dimethyl sulfone (msm organic sulphur), cetearyl alcohol (plant-based emulsifying wax) and polysorbate 60 (food grade emulsifier), glyceryl stearate (food grade emulsifier), aloe barbadensis leaf juice (aloe vera), oenothera biennis (evening primrose) oil, squalane (olive), piroctone olamine (olamine salt), guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride (guar gum), mel (honey), allantoin, acetum (apple cider vinegar), pyrus communis (pear) extract, tocopherol (natural vitamin e), humulus lupulus (hops) extract.
Thankyou Baby Lotion
Updated June 2021
The ThankYou baby lotion is another one with benzyl alcohol and phenoxyethanol, otherwise the ingredients are pretty good.
Ingredients: water (aqua), hydrogenated soybean oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil, glycerin (non-palm derived), potassium olivoyl hydrolysed wheat protein, cetearyl alcohol (non-palm derived), glyceryl oleate, glyceryl stearate (non-palm derived), potassium cetyl phosphate (non-palm derived), xanthan gum, aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, persea gratissima (avocado) oil, rosa canina (rosehip) seed oil, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, cucumis sativus (cucumber) extract, althaea officinalis (marshmallow) extract, avena sativa (oat) extract, matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) extract, terminalia ferdinandiana (kakadu plum) fruit extract, crambe abyssinica seed oil and phytosterols, tocopherol acetate (vitamin e) natural, lavandula hybrida (lavandin) oil, anthemis nobilis (roman chamomile) oil, ormenis multicaulis (chamomile) oil, lactic acid (non-animal derived), benzyl alcohol, dehydroacetic acid, phenoxyethanol, linalool and d-limonene (naturally occuring in essential oils).
Red Light
Aromababy Natural Baby Lotion
Updated June 2021
There are some nice ingredients, and quite a few organic ingredients. But this baby moisturiser cream from Aromababy goes straight to the red list because of the formaldehyde releaser, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate.
Ingredients: purified water, safflower oil* (carthamus tinctorius), vegetable emulsifying wax, avocado oil* (persea gratissima). jojoba oil* (simmondsia chinensis), evening primrose oil* (oenothera biennis), mango butter (mangifera indica), rosehip oil* (rosa rubiginosa), d-alpha tocopherol (natural vitamin e), sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, *organic.
Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Moisture Cream
Updated June 2021
The Aveeno baby lotion goes into my red list because there are quite a few ingredients that I try to avoid, and while one or two might be just about okay, five is definitely not okay.
Note that we got this ingredients list for this Aveeno baby moisturiser straight from their website, but it seems that there may be other versions available in stores.
Ingredients: water, glycerin, distearyldimonium chloride, petrolatum, isopropyl palmitate, cetyl alcohol, dimethicone, avena sativa (oat) kernel flour, benzyl alcohol, avena sativa (oat) kernel oil, steareth-20, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, sodium chloride, avena sativa (oat) kernel extract.
Cetaphil Baby Lotion With Shea Butter
Updated June 2021
Likewise with the Cetaphil baby moisturiser. There’s just a few too many ingredients in here that I try to avoid, plus this one includes synthetic perfume.
Ingredients: aqua, helianthus annuus seed oil, sorbitol, isopropyl palmitate, octyldodecanol, polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate, glycerin, panthenol, butyrospermum parkii butter (shea butter), hexyldecanol, hexyldecyl laurate, caprylyl glycol, carbomer, perfume, dimethicone, disodium cocoyl glutamate, dipropylene glycol, glyceryl caprylate, heliotropine, sodium hydroxide, propylene glycol, tocopherol, citric acid, glycine soja oil.
Childs Farm Baby Moisturiser
Updated June 2021
The Childs Farm moisturiser has benzyl alcohol again, but it also has synthetic fragrance, which sends it straight to the red list.
Ingredients: aqua (water), caprylic/capric triglyceride, isopropyl myristate, glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, polyglyceryl-3 dicitrate/stearate, stearic acid, glyceryl stearate se, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, benzyl alcohol, parfum (fragrance), helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, dehydroacetic acid, linalool, hexyl cinnamal, citric acid, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, limonene, alpha-isomethyl ionone.
DermaVeen Extra Gentle Baby Moisturising Cream
Updated June 2021
The Dermaveen baby lotion is a therapeutic product, meaning that it’s been tested to do what it says that it does, which is to help with eczema and dry skin. That means that the manufacturer doesn’t have to disclose ingredients. They do say that the cream doesn’t contain “lanolin, parabens, artificial dyes & fragrances”. However, it does contain diazolidinyl urea. And as that’s a formaldehyde releaser, this one goes straight to my red list.
NO full list of ingredients: only discloses “contains diazolidinyl urea, benzyl alcohol”
Ego QV Baby Moisturiser Cream
Updated June 2021
The QV baby lotion has too many not-so-great ingredients, including parabens. Not one I’d recommend, even if it is fragrance free. Straight to the red list.
Ingredients: aqua (water), paraffinum liquidum, glycerin, petrolatum, cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, squalane, ceteareth-20, glyceryl stearate se, niacinamide, stearic acid, laureth-3, glyceryl stearate, methylparaben, dichlorobenzyl alcohol.
Gaia Baby Moisturiser
Updated June 2021
The Gaia baby lotion has two ingredients that I’m not keen on – the formaldehyde releaser, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, plus phenoxyethanol. Not one I can recommend.
Ingredients: water (aqua), cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, glycine soja (soybean) oil, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter extract, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, glycerin, rosa canina (rosehip) seed extract, triticum vulgare (wheat) germ extract, persea gratissima (avocado) oil, oenothera biennis (evening primrose) oil, vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, calendula officinalis flower extract, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) extract, tocopherol, lactic acid, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, phenoxyethanol, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, lavandula hybrida (lavandin) oil, anthemis nobilis flower (chamomile) oil , lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil d-limonene, linalool – naturally occurring components of essential oils).*= organic.
Johnson’s Baby Moisturiser
Updated June 2021
Johnsons baby lotion is another one that I wouldn’t recommend, thanks to the synthetic fragrance. There’s also a couple of other ingredients that you might want to avoid.
Ingredients: water, isopropyl palmitate, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, dimethicone, palmitic acid, stearic acid, phenoxyethanol, polysorbate 20, magnesium aluminum silicate, fragrance, carbomer, p-anisic acid, sodium hydroxide, xanthan gum, ethylhexylglycerin. *naturally derived ingredients.
Klorane Baby Moisturizing Lotion
Updated June 2021
Synthetic fragrances, PEGs, propylene glycol, plus a side dish of greenwash with the “eco designed packaging” (what does that even mean?) and “organically formed” calendula flowers. I’d be giving the Klorane baby lotion a miss!
Ingredients: water (aqua), glycerin, carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil (carthamus tinctorius seed oil), ethylhexyl palmitate, zea mays (corn) starch (zea mays starch), acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, benzoic acid, calendula officinalis flower extract, caprylyl glycol, cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl glucoside, fragrance (parfum), glyceryl stearate, isoleucine, peg-100 stearate, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, xanthan gum.
Mustela Hydra Bébé Body Lotion
Updated June 2021
The Mustela baby lotion contains synthetic fragrance, so it goes straight into the red list.
Ingredients: aqua/water/eau, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil , glycerin, polyglyceryl-6 distearate, cetyl alcohol, 1,2-hexanediol, cera alba/beeswax/cire d’abeille, hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, parfum (fragrance), jojoba esters, caprylyl glycol, sodium stearoyl glutamate, polyglyceryl-3 beeswax/polyglyceryl-3 cire d’abeille, tocopheryl acetate, polysorbate 60, sorbitan stearate, citric acid, persea gratissima (avocado) fruit extract.
Where to buy natural baby lotion?
Even after reading this big list, you might still feel confused. If there’s so much greenwashing and misinformation out there, who do you trust when it comes to buying natural skin care products for baby? And how do you really find the best baby lotions?
The answer is Hello Charlie. I do all of this research to help parents who are trying to get to the bottom of what’s really good for their babies, but I also do this because we won’t put anything on our shelves until we’ve thoroughly researched and reviewed every single product.
So if you don’t want to do all the research yourself, come and shop at Hello Charlie!
When it comes to natural and organic baby skin care, Hello Charlie is your one stop shop. We research and review every single product before we’ll put in on our shelves, so that you can shop with confidence.
You’ll find all the best baby lotions and balms for your little one right here.