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When it comes to what we put on our baby’s skin, there are certain factors that are non-negotiable; it has to be gentle, non-irritating and as natural as possible. Thankfully, baby bath and skincare products have come a long way and now parents have an impressive choice of dedicated brands, as well as baby-friendly lines from established beauty names offering organic formulas that you can use from birth.
Knowing what exactly is in that bottle of bubble bath or baby lotion helps parents make an informed choice, which is why transparency when it comes to ingredients is really important.
“Organic” skincare products contain ingredients that are grown organically, but there isn’t a great deal of regulation to state what the minimum quantity of organic ingredients should be to be able to use this term.
For peace of mind, look for organic certification, like Cosmos (cosmetic organic standard) or the Soil Association UK symbol on products, which shows they have met strict criteria in their use of organically farmed, non-GM ingredients without any herbicides or synthetic fertilisers.
Some of the brands we’ve listed aren’t certified but use a high proportion of natural, organic ingredients wherever they can, and are transparent about what goes into their products. They all promise effective, gentle formulas, from bubble bath to massage oil, designed with babies and young children in mind.
We tested all of these products during nappy changes, in the bath, and as part of a bedtime routine with an 18-month-old and a four-year-old over a period of three weeks, paying particular attention to how they smelt, how soft they left the skin and how gentle the formulas were (especially if they got into the children’s eyes during bath time) to find our favourites.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Kokoso coconut oil baby lotion
Tropical holidays might be off the cards for a while, but the delicious coconut scent of this Kokoso baby lotion will transport you off to sunnier climes in a flash. Made with organic coconut and sweet almond oil, this lightweight moisturiser is allergen-free and suitable for babies and children with sensitive and eczema-prone skin.
Unlike heavier body lotions, this one soaks in really quickly – a big plus when you have a wriggly baby that you need to get dressed right away – and the effects are instant. It’s a great all-rounder that is just at home in your everyday skincare routine as it is in your baby’s, and has really made a difference to our little tester’s reactive skin. Extra points for the packaging, which is made from 100 per cent recycled and recyclable plastic.
Celebrating its 100th year, Weleda is a brand that was pioneering organic beauty standards long before it became mainstream. Sitting alongside its main collection is a gentle baby line, and this 100 per cent natural cream bath is a standout product. Pairing the skin-soothing powers of the calendula flower with silky almond oil and organic sesame oil, you just need a small amount to create a nourishing bath that won’t aggravate even the most sensitive skin. Suitable to use from birth, it’s extra mild and gets top marks from us for managing to capture that delicious new baby smell in cream bath form.
Much-loved British brand Neal’s Yard Remedies is a passionate advocate of organic skincare and has been certified by the Soil Association since 1991. The brand’s baby barrier cream is a multi-purpose product that can help to prevent or soothe nappy rash, calm angry skin or soften dry patches, thanks to its nourishing mix of organic beeswax and chamomile.
Gentle enough to use on newborns (as long as they are over 3kg/6lb 10oz) it has a reassuringly thick consistency that absorbs into the skin nicely, leaving it silky soft; we’ve been reaching for it ourselves on a regular basis as it works wonders on dry, neglected hands. The classic blue jar looks great on the bathroom shelf, too.
Little B, the baby range by Cotswolds beauty brand Bramley, is dedicated to using organic ingredients wherever possible and all of its products are free from parabens, SLS, silicone and petrochemicals. The bubble bath features a dreamy combination of mandarin, lavender and sweet orange essential oils – it smells so good – and produces an excellent amount of bubbles, making it ideal for some bath time silliness.
Formulated for babies aged six months and above, the natural formula leaves skin super soft, while the sweet illustration on the bottle gives off a charming English countryside vibe. A little goes a long way here, so don’t be put off by the price as the bottle really will last you a while.
Little Butterfly london fall into dreams mother & baby massage oil
Vegan, cruelty-free and Cosmos-certified, this luxurious British brand is proud of its organic status. Offering premium skincare for mums-to-be, new mums and babies, the Little Butterfly London range is exactly the kind of present you’d want to be given at your baby shower – stylish, 100 per cent organic and dermatologist-approved for your precious newborn.
The fall into dreams mother & baby massage oil may have a premium price point, but it’s well worth treating yourself. Including a gentle baby massage after bath time and before bed really helps your baby relax and prepare for sleep, as well as being a special bonding time. Fall into dreams smells divine – that’s the mandarin and orange essential oils – and seems to possess magic sleep-inducing properties that left us and our little testers ready for bed! A serious upgrade to your bedtime routine.
We’ll tell you what we want, what we really, really want – a natural, eco-friendly baby skincare range that works and doesn’t cost a fortune. Thankfully, that’s exactly what Spice Girls legend Emma Bunton and business partner Christopher Money have created with Kit & Kin. Made with 100 per cent natural ingredients, the brand’s magic salve is a real wonder product, and, coming in at under £8, it’s a great budget buy. This solid balm dissolves on your fingers to soothe sore, inflamed skin, prevent nappy rash and treat any dry spots in an instant, without leaving a greasy residue. The heady botanical smell is incredible, so much so that it’s hard to walk by a pot without having a sniff and pretending we’re relaxing in some fancy spa.
Bloom & Blossom the enormous crocodile’s pillow spray
Ahhh, sleep: the holy grail for new parents. This kid-friendly pillow spray from UK company Bloom & Blossom may not be able to guarantee that your baby will sleep all night long, but it does make a positive addition to your bedtime routine to help create the best possible environment for sleep.
We really love the Roald Dahl-inspired packaging, featuring the Enormous Crocodile (there’s also BFG and Matilda versions), which appeals to nostalgic grown-ups and little ones alike. Made from naturally derived ingredients, the spray smells of mandarin and lavender and is paediatrician- and dermatologist-approved as suitable for newborns. It might not pack the same punch as a pillow spray designed for adults, but we’ve also been spritzing it on our pillow at night and have been impressed with its calming effects.
Little Siberica baby no tears hair and body gel-shampoo 2-in-1
Cosmos-organic certified and 100 per cent vegan, this “does it all” product is a great choice if you’re travelling and short of space. A moisturising body wash and baby-friendly shampoo in one, it’s made from Siberian dwarf pine hydrolate and organic angelica and soapwort extracts, and has a subtle, almost marzipan-like fragrance. The pump bottle makes it easy to use the right amount at bath time – just one pump will do – and its no-tears formula adds an extra level of reassurance when washing a reluctant baby’s hair.
As a side note – we gave this a try ourselves when we ran out of adult shampoo, and although it didn’t create the same amount of lather as a typical shampoo, it did the job and left our hair feeling surprisingly soft.
Bamford, founded by the owner of Daylesford organic farm in Gloucestershire, is dedicated to natural, organic and holistic beauty. This super-luxe baby hair and body wash is infused with the brand’s signature blend of chamomile, lavender and tea tree, and smells exactly like a five-star spa – something we are very here for. It’s Cosmos- and Soil Association UK-certified, vegan and nut-free, so it ticks all the right boxes as far as ingredients go.
Yes, it’s not cheap at £20 for a 100ml tube, but this has by far the most luxurious scent out of all of the products we tried, and there’s no denying it left our little tester’s skin and hair perfectly soft and smelling heavenly. Hey, if we can’t get to a spa just yet, at least our babies can smell like one!
The multi-award-winning organic beauty brand B Organic holds something of a cult status among parents of babies and children with extra-sensitive skin and eczema thanks to its calming and effective formulas. Suitable for babies one-month-old and above, this soothing body & bottom balm is made from 100 per cent certified organic ingredients and gets the green light for vegans too.
French lavender essential oil gives it a high-end, instantly relaxing scent, while shea butter, chamomile, olive wax and vitamin E provide nourishing comfort to irritated skin. A great multi-use formula that deserves its spot on your changing table.
Our favourite has to be Kokoso coconut oil baby lotion, which leaves skin soft, smells heavenly and has great organic credentials, but the Kit & Kin magic salve also deserves a special mention thanks to its delicious scent, effectiveness and low price point.