A new baby’s skin is quite delicate and so it is important to handle them gently. In fact, it only slowly and gradually adjusts to the new environment during the first weeks and months. That is why we must take proper care of the baby’s skin during this time by choosing the best baby wash for sensitive skin.
As a new parent, you will no doubt enjoy spending hours caressing your baby’s silky smooth skin. But equally, it is advisable to prevent it from becoming dry, cracked or damaged; as a baby's developing immature skin loses moisture quickly. It is also prone to dryness.
Therefore, taking care of the baby’s skin in the right way with the right baby wash will help keep it healthy and smooth. To help you be more informed about your little tot's delicate skin, we've made a comprehensive guide on how to choose the best baby wash.
Why a baby’s skin is way more sensitive than the adult skin
A baby’s skin is different from an adult’s skin in terms of structure, composition, as well as functionality. Structurally, a baby’s skin cells are much smaller and the collagen fibre in the skin is thinner than that of an adult.
The epidermis is 20-30 per cent thinner, therefore less resilient than adult skins1.
- Infant skin absorbs and loses more moisture than adult skin2.
- External irritants may penetrate infant skin more easily as the barrier is not yet fully developed1.
In terms of composition, a baby's skin contains less natural moisturising factors (NMFs), less melanin, and fewer lipids. The lower amounts of NMFs contribute to a faster rate of water desorption. A baby's skin also has a higher pH level than an adult's skin. This also indicates that the baby's skin is less mature.
What you need to know about washing and caring for a baby with sensitive skin
Though it is not necessary to bathe a baby every day, a mild wash to clean their hands, neck and bottom gently using a light washcloth is advisable. Here are some things you need to remember:
- Avoid frequent and/or long hot baths. Ideally, you can give your baby a lukewarm bath three times a week at most. This will help retain your baby's natural skin moisture.
- You can gently scrub the baby, cleaning the body's creases with a washcloth on days you don’t give baby a bath. Use only delicate washcloths and avoid excessive and rigorous scrubbing of the baby’s skin.
- Always dress your baby in soft cotton and comfortable clothing.
- Keep your baby’s fingernails trimmed short to prevent scratching.
- Avoid using or keeping irritants and known allergens in the household.
- Maintain a cool and comfortable temperature in the house to avoid excessive sweating.
- Use non-soap wash and cream that are free from colour, fragrance and other irritants.
- Avoid using scented products.
- Moisturise your baby’s skin frequently with fragrance-free and dye-free ointments, creams, and lotions, especially right after a bath.
How to choose the right product to wash your baby with sensitive skin
Unlike before when mums used a cake of soap to bathe their babies, smart mums today have more skin-friendly options to choose from.
Here's what you need to look for when choosing the best baby wash for your little one.
- Soap vs soap-free wash. Parents need to remember that soap-free body washes are best for your baby's skin as it does not strip away natural oils and help maintains the skin's natural protective properties. Soap-free washes are also pH balanced and use low-irritant formulation.
- Moisturising and hydrating. It is essential to keep your baby's skin moisturised and hydrated to help keep it smooth and healthy.
- Dermatologist-tested and approved/Recommended by Paediatricians. Getting a seal of approval from medical professionals ensures that you use the best product for your baby with sensitive skin.
- No colour and fragrance. Since we are dealing with a baby's sensitive skin, you should always look for safe ingredients that will not aggravate any skin conditions in your little one. Read the label carefully and avoid body washes that contain synthetic fragrances, parabens, sulphates, mineral oils or artificial colours.
The Best Baby Wash for Sensitive Skin
With the variety of products available in the marketplace, it may be daunting for you to find the most suitable one. In this article, we share with you tips, product information, ingredients, facts, prices and even parent reviews that will help you make the right choice for your baby.
[product-comparison-table title="Best Baby Wash for Sensitive Skin"]
Best Baby Wash for Dry, Sensitive or Eczema-Prone Skin
Why QV Baby Gentle Wash is our top choice
The amazing QV Baby gentle wash tops our list for many reasons. First, QV Baby is Australia's No. 1 selling baby skincare brand in pharmacy* and is trusted by generations and recommended by paediatricians and dermatologists for cleansing and moisturising dry, eczema-prone and sensitive skin.
Also, QV Baby skincare is especially suited for babies with sensitive skin because it tops the list of having the most gentle ingredients. QV Baby is fragrance-free, pH balanced, and free from colour, and other irritants. Regular soap strips away our skin’s natural, so it is important to choose a non-soap base wash like QV Baby.
This is because their products are free from colour, fragrance, and common irritants. They are designed to soothe and help support the way your skin naturally repairs itself.
It is also soap-free, so it does not strip away natural oils and helps to maintain the skin's natural protective properties. This is why QV Baby Gentle Wash is suitable for daily use, especially for sensitive skin, flaky skin, or itching skin due to dry skin conditions.
Plus, the QV Baby Gentle Wash is also non-comedogenic, so it won't block pores leaving the baby's skin feeling soft and clean.
It is also enriched with Vitamin E to help support the skin barrier, making it a must-have for babies with sensitive and flaking skin conditions.
The product is not only dermatologists recommended, 9 out of 10 local mums recommend QV Baby Moisturising Cream^ for their babies. That is why QV Baby cream is voted by parents as the best skincare for baby's sensitive skin by theAsianparents#. Furthermore, QV adult range is also #1 brand in Singapore hospitals**.
*IQVIA, National Pharmacy Sell-out Sales, Baby Needs MAT July 2020
^Based on Try & Review Dec 2018, sample size of 83 moms issued on 14th Feb 2019
#Based on voting conducted by theAsianparent Awards 2021
**IQVIA NSA for D02 Emollients & Protective Market, Hospital channel, MAT Mar 2020 - Sales Values
Features we love
- Ingredients best for sensitive skin: QV Baby Gentle Wash is a soap-free moisturising wash and does not strip away natural oils like regular soap. The product is pH balanced with a low-irritant formulation. It is free from colour, fragrance, propylene glycol, and lanolin.
- Skin-protecting formula: This product is formulated with Vitamin B3 which supports a healthy skin barrier and provides natural protective properties.
- Paediatrician recommended: Paediatricians consider this product to be suitable for sensitive skin, dry scalp, and cradle cap. The product is suitable for use every day and helps ease skin conditions such as baby eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis.
User reviews
Here are a few reviews from parents who used the product:
“Amazing product and worked wonders for my twins, one of which had eczema. Was safe to use for both of them. Very gentle on the skin whilst giving adequate moisturisation. Highly recommended." - Marisa
“Great product for my daughter only body wash that works for her! She has eczema, and dermatitis I can’t really give her a lot of lotions or body washes but QV works on her perfectly best body wash and products I have seen!" - Elieshah
Best Relaxing Baby Body Wash
Why Mama’s Choice Baby Hair and Body Wash is our choice
Ever since Mama’s Choice arrived in Singapore, the brand has been one of the favourites when it comes to safe, halal, and natural products for both mums and babies.
Not only are their products designed and lab-tested in Singapore, but they also involve real mums in creating their products through polls, surveys, and focus group discussions. That’s why Mama’s Choice Baby Hair and Body Wash is a shoo-in on this list!
Tapping the best of nature, they used chamomile, lavender, and sugar maple extract to create this tear-free and paraben-free hair and body wash for babies. What do these ingredients do exactly? Chamomile nourishes and protects your baby’s skin from irritation while sugar maple extract moisturizes the skin.
What makes this hair and body wash special is that has a relaxing sensation when used because it’s enriched with lavender. Not only is lavender helps with relaxation but it also promotes healthy hair growth.
With this combination of natural ingredients that are specially formulated for babies’ sensitive skin, you can be sure that it’s absolutely safe. Even better, this baby wash is pH balanced, sulfate-free, hypoallergenic, and paediatrician-approved!
Indeed, Mama's Choice Baby Hair and Body Wash is the perfect head-to-toe wash at only $11.90 for a 200ml bottle.
Features we love
- Natural and safe ingredients: This product is enriched with chamomile, lavender, and sugar maple extract that nourish and protect the skin, and provide a relaxing sensation after bathtime. It is free from sulfate, paraben, and other harmful chemicals.
- Tear-free formula: Mama’s Choice Baby Hair and Body Wash doesn’t sting the eyes and is easy to rinse.
- Lab-tested in Singapore: This baby hair and body wash is hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested.
Best Value-for-Money Baby Wash
Why BzuBzu Happy Kids Body Wash is our choice
BzuBzu is a brand that takes pride in making products that are safe and nourishing for newborns, babies, and children. To achieve this, they don't use artificial skin irritants in their products, including their baby wash. Their products are also free from sulfate, formaldehyde, asbestos, and paraben.
BzuBzu uses all-natural essentials including plant and fruit extracts to clean the skin, and help lock in moisture and key nutrients to keep the skin healthy. Their products are also hypoallergenic and pH-balanced.
They have two product ranges, the Baby Range for babies and infants 0-3-years-old, and the Kids Range for 3-12-years-old.
BzuBzu products are formulated in Japan and made in a GMP/ISO-certified facility in Malaysia.
The BzuBzu Head-to-Toe Baby Wash is specifically designed for newborns and babies with sensitive skin. This sulfate-free product is a gentle and mild wash that does not strip the baby's natural skin moisture.
All these benefits come at an affordable price too. At only S$11.20 for a 600ml bottle, you truly get your money's worth.
Features we love
- Natural and safe ingredients: This product contains plant extracts from artichoke leaf, peach leaf, and oubaku, which help calm and soothe irritated skin. It is free from sulfate, paraben, alcohol, DEA, MEA, TEA, and formaldehyde. It also has Vitamin E and Inositol that help prevent dryness and moisturise the skin.
- Tear-free formula: BzuBzu Head-to-Toe Baby Wash has a mild, tear-free formula safe for your baby's eyes.
- Dermatologist tested: This body wash kills 99.99% of germs and bacteria. It is hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested.
Best Moisturizing Baby Wash
Why Cetaphil Baby Wash and Shampoo with Organic Calendula is our choice
Started back in 1947, Cetaphil is a brand trusted by many across the world and its products are widely used.
Cetaphil is a skincare brand recommended by dermatologists and used by millions with sensitive skin from all over the world. It offers a range of skincare products that includes body moisturisers, cleansers, sun care products, baby care products, and products for common skin issues.
Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo with Organic Calendula is a gentle and tear-free wash. Singapore's hot and humid weather makes bath time a favourite time for your baby, and it only gets better with Cetaphil baby wash & shampoo.
This product blends well into a rich lather that rinses clean. It also leaves the baby’s skin and hair with a soft, fresh fragrance. It is clinically proven to provide long-lasting moisturisation for up to eight hours.
However, some customer reviews found the product’s squeeze bottle design to be slightly inconvenient as there seems to be some wastage when pressing. You can squeeze out the wash liquid with caution.
Features we love
- Safe ingredients: Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo is formulated with glycerin and aloe vera that nourishes the baby’s soft and delicate skin.
- Tear-free formula: This product has a tear-free formula safe for your baby's eyes. It is also soap-free and pH balanced.
- Dermatologist tested: Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo cleanses away dirt and bacteria. It is hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested.
Best Baby Wash with Plant-Based Ingredients
Why California Baby Therapeutic Relief Eczema Shampoo and Body Wash is our choice
California Baby was founded in 1995. They produce steroid-free, gluten-free shampoo and body wash that customers rave about for providing relief to eczema sufferers who’ve tried everything.
The California Baby Therapeutic Relief Eczema Shampoo and Body Wash contains organic certified calendula extract and aloe vera for extra soothing and moisturising of the skin.
California Baby strives to make their products better, more pure and sustainable. Because of this, their 100 Acre certified organic farm in Santa Barbara grows their favourite flower, the calendula, which they use in their products.
While many parents commended how great the product felt on their baby’s skin and hair, some said that the price was on the high-end.
Features we love
- Natural ingredients: This unscented moisturising wash has plant-based cleansing ingredients that gently clean without drying or irritating the skin. Organic colloidal oatmeal, calendula, and aloe vera soothes irritated skin.
- Moisturizing and hydrating: California Baby Therapeutic Relief Eczema Shampoo and Body Wash is a gentle hydrating cleanser. It also helps clean and moisturise your child’s hair and skin.
Best Gentle Cleansing Baby Wash
Why Mustela 2 in 1 Cleansing Gel with Avocado is our choice
The Mustela brand started its journey when its Founder Paul Berthomé decided to partner with a pharmacist Claude Guillon, to create the very first cleansing milk specially designed for babies’ skin in 1950.
Mustela vouches to source from responsible plant sectors. Their goal is to better control the traceability of their plant-based active ingredients: from farming or picking to processing and integration into their products.
Features we love
- Natural ingredients: As the name suggests, the cleansing gel contains Avocado extract, combined with vegetable glycerin, which hydrates and prevents water evaporation.
- Mild surfactants for gentle cleansing in order to prevent baby's skin and scalp from drying out.
- Circular economy: Mustela uses responsibly farmed avocados, sourced from a circular economy (eliminating waste), from which they extract their active ingredient: Avocado Perseose®. This key ingredient strengthens the skin barrier and protects the skin's cellular capital.
Parents' Choice Baby Body Wash
Why Johnson's Top To Toe Bath Cottontouch is our choice
Your kid needs extremely careful and delicate care. Johnson's Top to Toe Bath Cottontouch is a baby bath product made by Johnson & Johnson. It is formulated to be gentle on the skin and is suitable for use on the entire body.
It is designed to help clean and moisturize the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth. Some people may choose to use this product because it is made by a trusted brand and has a reputation for being gentle and effective.
However, it is important to note that every person's skin is different and what works for some may not work for others. It is always a good idea to test a small amount of any new product on a small patch of skin before using it on a larger area to make sure it is suitable for your skin.
Johnson's has always been at the top of the list for baby supplies. After all, they have been working in this field for a long time!
Features we love
- Blended with natural cotton
- Leaves skin soft & clean
- Rinses easily with no residue
Price comparison
* Prices are from Shopee Official Store and is accurate as of June 2022.
What you can do to ensure your baby’s overall skin health
As much as it is important to use the right product that suits your baby, it is also important that you take extra care when washing and handling your baby. After all, their skin is sensitive and delicate and could be prone to rashes and dry skin.
Baby’s diet
The skin is the largest organ in the human body. As your baby goes through a significant growth spurt during the first months of his or her life, the right nutrition and diet heavily contribute to healthy skin as much as it does to the baby’s growth. It is, therefore, important that your baby is on a timely, balanced and nutritious meal plan at all times.
Diaper change
Changing your baby's diaper every 2 to 4 hours is appropriate or should be done right after the baby poops. Gently clean the baby’s bottom using cotton balls and tap water. It is advisable to give some time to let the baby’s bottom air dry every now and then.
Direct Sunlight
As the baby’s skin is soft and delicate, keep them in shade and do not expose them to direct sunlight, especially towards noon.
Keep an eye on skin conditions
Keep an eye on the baby’s skin for any changes because it is common for babies to develop skin conditions such as rashes, dry skin, scaling and eczema.
When To See A Paediatrician
Choosing an appropriate baby wash for your baby and following the tips discussed above would help maintain smooth and healthy skin.
However, should you notice an oddity in the baby’s skin such as rough or dry patches, flakes, cracks or rashes please consult with your baby’s paediatrician immediately.
Source:
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Stamatas G, Nikolovski J, Mack M, Kollias N. Infant skin physiology and development during the first years of life: a review of recent findings based on in vivo studies. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2011;33(1):17–24.
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Telofski LS, Morello P, Mack Correa CM, Stamatas GN. The infant skin barrier: Can we preserve, protect, and enhance the barrier? Dermatol Res Pract. 2012;2012:198789.pidermis is more fragile compared to adult skin:
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