Best Baby Lotions for Your Little One: Safe and Moisturising Recommendations for Your Baby’s Skin

We know that as a mother or soon-to-be mother, the list of things to buy for your newborn seems endless. However, the list of true necessities is only a handful. One of them is having baby lotions. Despite the general notion that babies have extremely soft skin, they are actually born with naturally dry and sensitive skin that has to be adequately moisturised, to prevent drying out. 

Babies have naturally dry skin as they are covered in a substance called vernix caseosa when they are in the womb. Vernix caseosa mainly serves to protect and moisturises the baby’s skin - however, it is wiped off by nurses upon delivery.

Without this layer of natural protection, your baby’s skin will begin to dry, flake and peel, making baby lotion even more essential for the protection of the skin barrier.

Now, you may have questions as to why baby lotion and not just any normal moisturiser creams are in the market. Read on to find out more!

Baby lotions vs. normal moisturiser creams

The main difference between baby lotion and moisturising cream is the concentration of water and oil present in each product - baby lotions tend to have higher water content and contain less oil, as compared to creams.

Differences in application

Due to the higher amount of water in baby lotion, they have a much lighter application texture, hence easier to apply, drying easily and not leaving a sticky, tacky residue. This makes for an easy and quick daily moisturising routine. 

On the other hand, baby moisturising creams which are oilier and thicker in consistency, are more efficient for targeted areas on your baby’s skin which are prone to dryness or irritation, as the thicker consistency helps to create a protective barrier.

This will ensure moisture is locked in while keeping irritants out for a longer period of time. 

According to Florida dermatologist Andrea Cambio, MD, you should choose a lighter moisturiser for daytime usage, and a heavier one for nighttime usage.

Taking into consideration the hot and humid weather in Singapore, it is hence highly recommended that baby lotions are better suited for daytime, as compared to moisturising creams. 

Usage of different skin types

Of course, one of the biggest considerations when choosing between the two would be what your baby requires.

This boils down to skin type—if your baby has normal skin, and you are looking for a simple moisturiser for hydration, the baby lotion is sufficient in helping ensure that your baby’s skin remains well-hydrated throughout the day. 

However, if your baby has dry and sensitive skin, or is suffering from eczema, the thicker consistency of moisturising cream will be a better choice, providing a protective barrier for the baby’s skin.

What to look out for in suitable baby lotions

Now that you have a better idea of what baby lotion exactly does, here are some further considerations to look at, when choosing a suitable baby lotion. 

Ingredients 

As with all baby products, it is crucial to make sure the baby lotion you choose is free of allergens and safe for your baby’s skin. It is also recommended to avoid fragrances, preservatives, parabens and sulfates.

Different skin types 

As mentioned above, it is important to note which skin type your baby has, so that you can choose the best baby lotion for them. 

Normal skin refers to mildly flakey and peeled skin - this is extremely normal as newborns typically experience this due to the removal of vernix caseosa. Your baby’s skin will become stronger, and the peeling should eventually subside.

However, it is recommended to keep their skin moisturised to prevent the development of future skin problems, as your baby’s skin is much thinner compared to adult skin. 

Dry and sensitive skin, on the other hand, may appear as the development of dry patches of skin, or rashes. It may be due to your baby having sensitive skin that is reacting to allergens.

According to the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, applying a hypoallergenic moisturiser will help maintain the protective skin barrier, protecting the skin against irritants. Lastly, in some cases, patches of red itchy skin on your baby may indicate eczema.

According to Boston’s Children’s Hospital, dry skin can often trigger eczema in babies, and treatment typically constitutes of special moisturising creams or lotions prescribed by paediatricians. 

Best baby lotions in Singapore

Now that you have much more information on baby lotion and skin types, here are seven recommendations from us, catering to various skin types and moisturising needs!

Mama's Choice Baby Lotion

Mama's Choice Baby Skin Vitamin Lotion is not your regular baby lotion. This natural formula not only moisturises and nourishes the skin but also helps reduce the appearance of scars from insect bites.

This baby lotion is enriched with avocado, which protects the skin from pollution and free radicals, olive oil helps regenerate the skin, and multivitamins nourish the skin.

Best of all, it's proven effective. In a product efficacy panel test, nine out of 10 mamas agree that this lotion effectively reduces the appearance of mosquito or insect bites.

Features we like:

• Made with natural active ingredients
• No fragrance, alcohol, toxins, and alcohol
• Designed and lab-tested in Singapore
• Hypoallergenic
• Certified Halal
• Safe for newborns

Mustela Body Lotion

The Mustela baby lotion is specially formulated for use from birth on, specifically and thoughtfully designed to take care of your baby’s skin, hydrating it deeply.

It boasts of being made with organically farmed avocado, with 97% ingredients of natural origin.

Furthermore, it is delicately scented, making sure that it is gentle and suitable for babies. 

Features we like:

• Provides long-lasting moisture.
• Strengthens skin barrier.
• Paraben, phthalate, and phenoxyethanol-free.
• Environmentally friendly - the bottle is recyclable and all plant-based ingredients are responsibly sourced.
• Tested under dermatological control.

Ezerra Baby Lotion

Ezerra prides itself on its non-steroidal range of products which are formulated to effectively relieve itchiness and discomfort while providing an intense moisturising effect for the little one.

This lotion is one of the three products in the range, specially formulated for dry and sensitive skin, moisturising it back to its healthy condition. 

Features we like:

• Thorough hand intense moisturisation.
• Ideal for extremely dry skin.
• Supplies lasting hydration.
• Gentle for babies from 2 weeks up.

Gaia Cream

This award-winner baby is GAIA’s super popular soothing lotion, which is a multipurpose cream for newborns, babies, and toddlers.

It can be used on both the face and body and even for diaper rashes around the nappy area! Furthermore, being naturally derived from organic ingredients, it is gentle on irritated and sensitive baby skin. 

Features we like:

• Reduces discomfort from dry and flaky skin patches.
• Calms and soothes irritated sensitive skin.
• Great quick-drying hand cream for busy mothers as well.
• Awarded as the Best Organic Diaper Cream by Mother & Baby “Tried & Tested" in 2011.

California Baby Therapeutic Relief Eczema Cream

If your baby suffers from eczema, the California Baby eczema cream is the best lotion for them!

On top of being free of mineral and petroleum-based ingredients, synthetic fragrances and dyes, it is also gluten-free. This makes it suitable for all types of sensitive skin, as well as babies with various allergies.

It relies on its certified, gluten-free oatmeal, proven to be extremely effective in protecting and healing cracked and irritated dry skin due to eczema. 

Features we like:

• Uses colloidal oatmeal - FDA-approved plant-based ingredient.
• Botanically-based, concentrated, tear-free formula.
• Soothes distressed skin with organic calendula and aloe vera.
• Has an efficient airless pump to make sure no product is wasted.

Earth Mama Sweet Orange Baby Lotion

Earth Mama is a brand that needs no introduction! It is highly raved about for its range of baby products. And its baby lotion is no different.

Being naturally unscented makes it suitable for sensitive skin, and it is moisturising for all skin types, from babies to adults alike.

This lotion is hence perfect for all skin types to provide that extra daily hydration and moisture to not just your little one, but yourself as well! 

Features we like:

• Dermatologically tested and certified.
• At least 70% organic ingredients.
• No petroleum, mineral oil, parabens, or artificial fragrance. 

Johnson Baby Lotion

For mothers looking to purchase an equally good baby lotion at a lower price point, Johnson Baby Lotion is the one for you!

Johnson Baby Lotion is an extremely reliable household product, and its baby lotion moisturises and protects the skin for up to 24 hours.

Additionally, Johnson Baby Lotion contains natural calm essence, clinically proven to help calm and comfort a baby before sleep, making for an amazing budget lotion to add to your baby’s bedtime routine!

Features we like:

• Budget lotion without compromising quality.
• Mild and gentle formulation.
• pH balanced and hypoallergenic Johnson Baby Lotion. 
• Johnson Baby Lotion paediatrician-tested.
• Good for both babies and adults with normal skin.

When to use baby lotions

Hopefully, you now have a better idea of which baby lotion you would like to purchase! Before that, you may be wondering, when is the best time to apply baby lotion? 

We recommend you use baby lotion on your baby right after bathtime. This helps in locking moisture and supporting the skin barrier.

Doing so at the same time every day will help ensure consistency of routine! Plus, it ensures your baby’s skin is always well-hydrated before bed.

Price comparison of baby lotions

Now that you’re better equipped with information on the different types of baby lotions available! Check out our compiled table of recommended baby lotions Singapore has on the market.

Note: Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication. However, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.

Let's make bathing time with your baby fun by using products that are essentially good for their skin, check out: Best Baby Wash for Baby's Sensitive Skin