With so many products on the market targeted to infants and children, it can be overwhelming to navigate what works best for little ones. And when it comes to your child’s skin, many new and experienced parents alike don’t want to take a chance when trying to figure out the best skin care products for their babies and kids.
Dr. Kristen Cook, a board-certified pediatrician, knows this feeling all too well. “I distinctly remember being a new mom walking down the baby aisles at my favorite store and feeling a sense of panic that, somehow, I would choose the wrong products and wreak havoc on my baby’s skin,” she says. But instead of stressing and overthinking when it comes to skin care for your little one, she says to stick to this rule: It’s best to keep it simple. “Look for products that are thick, creamy and fragrance-free,” she says. But remember, “fragrance-free means that the product doesn’t contain any substance specifically added to make the product smell good; fragrance-free is not synonymous with unscented.”
For kids of all ages, she notes that it’s also important to avoid products that contain dyes as well as chemicals called parabens or phthalates, “as they have been associated with numerous health problems.” But for babies specifically, she adds that infant skin is very sensitive and gets irritated easily, which is why using high-quality skin products is so important.
However, that doesn’t mean you need to break your budget on products, explains Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist. “Skin care doesn’t need to be expensive to be effective, and there are many great options available at the drugstore that can be used [on] kids and babies,” she says, adding that “less is more” when it comes to different options and their ingredients.
It’s also helpful to keep in mind that what works well for one kiddo may not work well for another. So, your best bet is sticking to dermatologist-approved, hypoallergenic products that are free from heavy fragrances, especially if your little one has sensitive skin. “It can also help to look for products that help to support the skin barrier and protect the skin from daily wear and tear,” Garshick says. “It’s especially important to be gentle on the skin barrier and avoid products or ingredients that may be irritating or harsh on the skin, such as harsh soaps, abrasive scrubs or active ingredients like retinoids or exfoliating acids, unless otherwise directed.”
For female babies, Dr. Jodi LoGerfo, a doctor of nursing practice and a family nurse practitioner certified in family medicine and dermatology, adds that one of the biggest issues with bath products to keep in mind is that they can alter the skin as well as the pH, which can cause itching, tenderness, irritation and infection in private areas. “Ingredients that you should potentially avoid include sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), artificial dyes or colorings like red dye #4 and yellow #5, which are known allergens,” she says. That’s because they can cause inflammation, itching, skin redness or rashes just as certain essential oils can also cause sensitivity and allergies, she explains. “Fragrance is another biggie,” she adds. “They are extremely appealing but can be very risky and cause sensitivity.”
You should always speak to your doctor with any questions or concerns, but we consulted experts to see what go-to products they recommend to patients. Find their answers for the best dermatologist-approved skin care products for babies and kids ahead.
Best skin care products for babies
Diaper creams
Dr. Stefan Bradu, a board-certified dermatologist and director of dermatology at Staten Island University Hospital, recommends this fragrance- and paraben-free diaper rash cream to his patients. He appreciates that it’s made with zinc oxide 9.9% as a skin protectant, avocado and sunflower oils, and most importantly, is hypoallergenic.?
Bradu also suggests Triple Paste to help prevent diaper rash because it uses zinc oxide (non-nanomaterial) and highly refined petrolatum as protectants, which he says are commonly used with diapers and chafing. But for more severe, active diaper rashes, he notes that dermatologists might recommend Triple Paste AF since it has miconazole with anti-yeast (Candida) and antifungal properties.?
Lotions and ointments
For daily use, Cook loves Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream. “It’s made with colloidal oatmeal, which the FDA considers to be a skin protectant,” she says. “It’s thick and creamy and does an amazing job of helping the skin retain moisture. It’s marketed specifically for babies with eczema, but I find that most children benefit from using this product.”
Cook says you’ll get “the most bang for your buck” with Aquaphor Healing Ointment because it’s one of the most versatile skin care products on the market. “It can be used as a moisturizer for infants with severely dry skin, and it can potentially treat diaper rashes, eczema, chapped lips and rashes from drool,” she says. “Used on nonirritated skin, it may even help prevent the development of certain rashes and skin conditions. The only downside is that, because it is an ointment, it is greasy.”?
With natural colloidal oatmeal, this baby lotion is ideal for sensitive skin, explains Dr. Hamdan Abdullah Hamed, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Power Your Curls. “Aveeno's range of oatmeal-based lotions has been a godsend to many people with eczema and similar skin conditions,” he says. “This is great as a daily-use moisturizer for little ones.”?
“Excellent for babies with eczema-prone skin, Mustela Stelatopia Emollient [Balm] is enriched with natural ingredients,” Hamed says. “It’s also hypoallergenic, but this moisturizer contains ceramides, which help the skin lock in moisture by strengthening the skin barrier.”???
Hair care and bath products
“Great for sensitive skin, this hypoallergenic formula nourishes the scalp and hair while delivering prebiotic moisturizer to help the scalp retain natural moisture,” Garshick says. “It is free from dyes, parabens, phthalates and sulfates, so it won’t leave the scalp irritated or dry.”
Hamed suggests this gentle, tear-free formula and says it’s suitable for daily use. “This is hypoallergenic and is a combination product, so parents won't have to buy multiple products for skin and hair care,” he adds.
“This plant-based, foaming body wash is made with natural and gentle ingredients such as chamomile and calendula extracts,” says Chelsey Borson, a certified baby sleep coach and sleep expert. “It is tear-free, non-allergenic and free from artificial fragrances and dyes … As a mother and sleep coach, I understand the importance of using products that are gentle on a child’s delicate skin while still providing the necessary care and nourishment.”
Sunscreen
Garshick is a fan of this sunscreen for babies because it’s fragrance- and paraben-free, making it safe on their delicate skin. “It also offers broad-spectrum SPF 50+ coverage using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to block UV damage,” she says. “The bottle or cap changes color when exposed to UV using the Smart Bottle Technology, making it not only fun to watch but also helpful to know when sunscreen is needed.”?
Bradu’s first pick for sunscreen is this SPF 50+ lotion for babies. He likes that it is not only hypoallergenic and water-resistant but also that it’s reef-friendly and Environmental Working Group (EWG) rated.?
Best skin care products for kids
Lotions and ointments
This fragrance-free lotion is rich in moisturizing ingredients including glycerin, a known humectant, Garshick explains, to draw moisture in, as well as shea butter and niacinamide. “It also contains the La Roche-Posay Prebiotic thermal spring water, which offers soothing antioxidant benefits,” she says. “It’s safe for use on the face and body as it is noncomedogenic, and it rubs in easily without leaving the skin feeling greasy.”
Garshick says this multipurpose ointment has become a household staple because it’s a great option to care for dry, cracked skin or lips and can also be used on any cuts, scrapes or scabs. “It not only helps to trap moisture in but also provides a protective barrier to keep external irritants out,” she adds.
According to Garshick, this lightweight moisturizer helps to nourish the skin without feeling greasy. “More specifically, it helps to target dryness, roughness, irritation and a weakened skin barrier,” she says. “Since it is good for combination and sensitive skin, it is especially good for kids who are starting to notice their skin may be changing.”?
Hair care and bath products
LoGerfo likes this Suave body wash, shampoo and conditioner combo because it’s mild, gentle and tear-free. “It doesn’t contain any parabens or dyes,” she says, and “it’s hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested.”
Garshick recommends this moisturizing, non-foaming face wash to clean little faces, for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin, because it’s fragrance-free. “This cleanser effectively gets rid of dirt and buildup without leaving the skin feeling dry,” she says. “It contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin as well as ceramides to support and strengthen the skin barrier.”?
LoGerfo sums up this tear-free face and body wash with one word: gentle. “It cleanses without drying even the most sensitive skin, and it’s enriched with oat extract. It doesn’t leave skin feeling stripped and is also fragrance-free and hypoallergenic,” she says. “It’s also tear-free — always a plus! And it contains no phthalates, sulfates, dyes or phenoxyethanol.”
Bradu says this shampoo and body wash combo can safely be considered gentle based on the lack of strong irritants and artificial fragrances. Instead, the tear-free and hypoallergenic formula is made with natural ingredients, including aloe and calendula.
Sunscreen
“Gentle and effective, this mineral sunscreen works great,” Cook says. “In addition, because it is a mineral (aka physical) sunscreen, it doesn’t absorb into a child’s skin. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, work by penetrating below the surface of the skin in order to convert the sun’s UV rays to heat.”
With extensive reef safety testing and a formula made without parabens, sulfates, gluten, oxybenzone or octinoxate, this dermatologist-recommended daily sunscreen is made to be kind on the skin and planet. It’s also a great option for beach days, as it is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
