2025 Non-Toxic Baby Lotion Guide

Maia James
2025 Non-Toxic Baby Lotion Guide
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Non-Toxic Baby Lotion

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1. Attitude Baby Lotions /

2. Babo Botanicals Fragrance-Free /

3. California Baby Calendula Lotion /

4. Earth Mama Baby Lotion /

5. EllaOla /

6. EverEden Baby Lotion /

7. Healthybaby Moisturizing Cream /

8. Pipette Baby Lotion /

9. Poofy Organics Baby Lotion /

10. Roe Wellness Baby Lotion /

11. Thinkbaby Baby Lotion /

12. Weleda Baby Body Lotion

I don't think you need to slather your baby in lotion after every bath, and the same goes for older kids. If your child’s skin isn’t dry, you may not need lotion at all. But if you do, this guide will go through the best non-toxic baby lotion brands, all of which can also be used on kids. There’s nothing in a good lotion that makes it “baby-only,” and I would (and do!) use many of these brands myself.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a huge fan of coconut oil, and we often put a little blob of the organic, unrefined good stuff in the bath with the boys.

DIY Skincare for Babies

Many readers have written in with their own strategies for keeping dry skin at bay, often without buying store-bought lotion at all. I'm always going to be the type to buy a non-toxic baby lotion rather than lube up my kids with pure olive oil, but these strategies are still helpful:

  • Humidify, humidify, humidify. Lots of you suggested this. I bought an ionic humidifier to help clear Felix’s sinuses, and as an added bonus, I no longer wake up feeling like my skin is a size too small for my body.
  • Hydrate inside out. While at other times of the year I think the whole “drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day” wisdom lacks sufficient research to back it up, in the winter I do feel it helps to up the fluid intake. In any event, I tend to feel thirstier when I’m stuck inside a heated apartment all day.
  • Bathe less. One reader said her daughter only gets one bath a week and has no dry skin issues. I know that my own skin feels better when I take fewer showers, but I'm too grossed out by their germy classrooms to let me kids skip week-night bathing.
  • Get a chlorine filter. If you have a water baby like I did, the chlorine exposure might aggravate dry skin. You can put a this filter in the bath and this on your showerhead to mitigate the damage. 
  • Apply organic shea butter. It’ll spread more easily when mixed with an oil (one reader suggests jojoba; another loves avocado). If you put the mixture near the stove while cooking dinner, it’ll melt and be perfect after a bath.
  • Lube your baby up with olive oil before her bath to ensure silky skin afterwards (but be careful, as she will be VERY slippery while in the bath).
  • Soap them at the end. Let your little one play in the bath first, and then after his skin becomes wrinkly, quickly use the soap to wash him. Less time in the drying soap prevents dry skin.

In addition to some of the above measures, I used a non-toxic baby lotion on Felix and Wolf after baths (which is the best time to moisturize because skin is already full of water).

Related: If your child suffers from eczema, this post covers causes and treatments that our readers swear by.

What Might Be Wrong with the Baby Lotion You Have Now

Since pretty much everyone now knows that phthalates are bad, more and more cosmetics lines—especially those marketed for babies—are free of synthetic fragrance (although lots still do contain them).

Other common ingredients in baby lotion include:

  • Parabens (well-known endocrine disruptors)
  • Ethanol (a penetration-enhancing alcohol)
  • Phenoxyethanol (a preservative that's not a deal-breaker, but not our favorite)

Even lotions sold in health food stores and marketed as natural will contain some of these chemicals. Phenoxyethanol in particular is ubiquitous in "natural" baby lotion.

The following brands make truly non-toxic baby lotion.

Baby/Kid Lotion

Good Stuff

Attitude Baby Lotion

  • Longer list of ingredients.
  • EWG-verified.

Cost per ounce: $1.06

Ingredients: Aqua / Water / Eau, Glycerin, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tapioca Starch, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Honokiol, Magnolol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Blueberry) Leaf Extract, 2-T-Butylcyclohexyl Acetate*, Gamma-Undecalactone*, Hexahydro-Methanoindenyl Propionate*, Triethyl Citrate*, *fragrance (Parfum).

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Attitude Baby Lotion

Babo Botanicals Fragrance-Free

Some Babo products have undisclosed fragrance, but their unscented line is Good Stuff.

Cost per ounce: $2.06

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Polysorbate 60, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Calendula Officinalis
Flower Extract*, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria)
Extract*, Nasturtium Officinale (Watercress)
Flower/Leaf Extract*, Spiraea Ulmaria (Meadowsweet)
Flower Extract*
*, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Glyceryl Caprylate, Cetyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum,
Caprylhydroxamic Acid.
*CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENTS

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Babo Botanicals Fragrance-Free

California Baby Calendula Lotion

Most ingredients are organic.

Cost per ounce: $2.59

Ingredients: Water,Calendula,Glyceryl Stearate,Cetearyl Alcohol,Glyceryl Caprylate,Capric Triglyceride,Cetyl Alcohol,Canola Oil,Levulinic Acid,Basil & Anise Isolates,Safflower,Primrose Oil,Lavender & Sage Essential Oils,Rosemary,Phytic Acid,Xanthan Gum,Aloe,Yucca 

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California Baby Calendula Lotion

Earth Mama Baby Lotion

  • All ingredients are organic.
  • This is the lotion I used on my own babies. 
  • Choose from unscented, orange, or lavender.

Cost per ounce: $1.94

Ingredients: ORGANIC ALOE (ALOE BARBADENSIS) LEAF JUICE; ORGANIC OLIVE (OLEA EUROPAEA) FRUIT OIL; ORGANIC ROOIBOS (ASPALATHUS LINEARIS) EXTRACT; ORGANIC CALENDULA (CALENDULA OFFICINALIS) FLOWER EXTRACT; ORGANIC SHEA (BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII) BUTTER; OLIVOYL HYDROLYZED OAT PROTEIN; CETEARYL ALCOHOL; GLYCERYL OLEATE; GLYCERYL STEARATE; KOSHER VEGETABLE GLYCERIN; XANTHAN GUM

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Earth Mama Baby Lotion

EllaOla

EWG-Verified.

Cost per ounce: $4.23

Ingredients: Water (Aqua) - Water Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil - Coconut Glycerin - Plant-Based Cetyl Palmitate - Palm Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil - Sunflower Squalane - Plant-Based Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter - Cocoa Dimethicone - Synthetic Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate - Olive Glyceryl Stearate - Vegetable Oil Cetearyl Olivate - Plant-Based Glyceryl Caprylate - Coconut/Palm Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract - Algae Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract - Algae Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water - Coconut Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil - Jojoba Inulin - Sugarcane Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride - Coconut Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables - Olive Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate - Coconut Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate - Coconut Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate - Coconut Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate - Coconut Sorbitan Olivate - Olive Cellulose - Plant-Derived Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract - Tree Fruit Trehalose - Sugar Derived from Plants Maltodextrin - Corn Xanthan Gum - Corn Sodium Phytate - Corn-Derived Potassium Cetyl Phosphate - Synthetic Caprylhydroxamic Acid - Coconut Citric Acid - Citrus Fruit

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EllaOla

EverEden Baby Lotion

  • 15% off with this link.
  • EWG ratings listed on every product.

Cost per ounce: $3.99

Ingredients: Water (Aqua),Glycerin,Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter,Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil,Dimethicone,Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil,Cetearyl Alcohol,Propanediol,Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil,Cetearyl Olivate,1,2-Hexanediol,Sorbitan Olivate,Squalane,Hydroxyacetophenone,Dioctyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate,Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer,Panthenol,Palmitic Acid,Stearic Acid,Carbomer,Arginine,Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil,Allantoin,Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate,Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil,Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil,Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract,Glutamine,Tocopherol,Ceramide NP,Sodium Phytate,Sorbitan Isostearate,Phytosphingosine,Citric Acid

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EverEden Baby Lotion

Healthybaby Moisturizing Cream

  • EWG-verified.
  • Thicker, richer formulation.

Cost per ounce: $8.57

Ingredients: Water/Aqua, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Glycerin*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Lactobacillus, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes, Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Anthemis Nobilis (Roman Chamomile) Oil*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Gluconolactone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Maltodextrin

*Certified Organic Ingredient

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Healthybaby Moisturizing Cream

Pipette Baby Lotion

  • EWG-verified.
  • Use THEGOODSTUFF for 15% off.

Cost per ounce: $2.86

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Squalane, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Tiglycerides, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Punica Granatum Sterols, Ceramide Np, Sodium Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetopherone, Phytic Acid, Propanediol.

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Pipette Baby Lotion

Poofy Organics Baby Lotion

  • Fragrance-free.
  • Has some cool ingredients, including kimchi seaweed and apricot kernel oil.
  • Use code: MAIAJAMES for 10% off.

Cost per ounce: $2.75

Ingredients: Distilled Water, Organic Apricot Kernel Oil, Organic Unrefined Shea Butter, Organic Vegetable Glycerin, Emulsifying Wax (Cetostearyl Alcohol & Sorbitan Ester), Organic Rosemary Extract, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate (Kimchi Seaweed).

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Poofy Organics Baby Lotion

Roe Wellness Baby Lotion

If you want a completely unscented lotion that's great for babies and beyond, this is your brand.

Cost per ounce: $2.50

Ingredients: Water C13-15 Alkane Glycerin Cetearyl Alcohol Glyceryl Stearate Pentylene Glycol Behenyl Alcohol Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate Hydroxyacetophenone 1,2-Hexanediol Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Carbomer Xanthan Gum Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract Sodium Phytate Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Carthamus Tictorius (Safflower) Seed Oil Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil Lactococcus Ferment Lysate Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Seed Oil Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Extract Hedychium Spicatum Extract Hibiscus Abelmoschus Seed Extract Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower/Leaf Extract Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Fruit Extract Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract

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Roe Wellness Baby Lotion

Thinkbaby Baby Lotion

Even though the ingredients aren’t organic, they are all low hazard.

Cost per ounce: $2.50

Ingredients: Purified Water, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower), Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, 1.2-Hexanediol (and) Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearyl Citrate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Algin (Sodium Alginate), Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Linum Usitatissimum (Flaxseed) Seed Oil, Chamomile Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract.

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Thinkbaby Baby Lotion

Weleda Baby Body Lotion

  • A classic for a reason.
  • Scented only with essential oils.

Cost per ounce: $2.20

Ingredients: Water, Sesame Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Glycerin, Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Calendula Flower Extract, Chamomile Flower Extract, Beeswax, Cocoa Seed Butter, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Fragrance from Natural Essential Oils, Limonene from Natural Essential Oils, Linalool from Natural Essential Oils, Geraniol from Natural Essential Oils, Citral from Natural Essential Oils.

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Weleda Baby Body Lotion

Bad Stuff

Bad Stuff Baby Lotion

Aveeno (also produced by Johnson & Johnson) makes a Calming Comfort Moisturizing Lotion, which, while free of phthalates and parabens, contains synthetic fragrance, dimethicone, and petrolatum.

CeraVe Baby is almost what I would call Okay Stuff, because it’s free of fragrance and parabens. Still, it’s all synthetics, nothing is organic, and it contains dimethicone, phenoxyethanol, and sodium hydroxide.

Eucerin Baby Body Lotion seems to have an identical ingredients list to Cerave Baby, so it’s basically the best of the Bad Stuff, too.

When I wrote this guide in 2010, Johnson’s Lotions contained fragrance, three different kinds of parabens, benzyl alcohol, BHT, propylene glycol, and artificial colors. Things are much improved now! Johnson’s has responded to consumer demand (that’s you guys!), and cut the number of ingredients in their baby line by 50 percent. I also like that they disclose all of their fragrances now, rather than hiding behind the word “fragrance” on the label. Best of all, they’ve ditched the parabens and phthalates! Unfortunately, a bottle of Johnson’s lotion is still going to contain phenoxyethanol and dimethicone, both of which are considered moderately hazardous by EWG. Moreover, a few ingredients in their fragrance blend have no safety data available. Because lotion is something you slather on your baby’s entire body every day and don’t wash off, even the new version of Johnson’s lotions aren’t good enough.

To give credit where credit is due, however, Johnson’s Naturals lotion is actually pretty safe. The only thing I don’t love is the hydrogenated cottonseed oil it contains. Johnson’s has discontinued its Naturals line–too bad!

Sneaky Stuff

Sneaky Stuff Baby Lotion

BabyGanics Smooth Move Daily Lotion isn’t totally terrible–but it does contain phenoxyethanol (a possible carcinogen), as well as several other ingredients that Skin Deep rates at least a 3.

Burt’s Bees Baby Lotion is doing some things right. They don’t use synthetic fragrance or parabens. Unfortunately, it also contains sodium benzoate, lactic acid, phenoxyethanol, and limonene.

Cetaphil Baby Lotion advertises organic calendula on the front of the bottle. Unfortunately, it’s full of chemical ingredients, including synthetic fragrance.

A lot of you have asked about Live Clean baby lotion. I can’t recommend it because of several gross ingredients, including “fragrance.”

Mrs. Meyers Baby Blossom Lotion contains fragrance, phenoxyethanol, and ceteareth-20, which is often contaminated with carcinogenic 1,4-dioxane. Despite bragging about aromatherapy all over the label, I knew all of the Mrs. Meyers stuff smelled too good to be true (take a whiff of anything with the geranium scent—it’s heavenly), and so I asked for more details. I was told:

“To answer your question regarding our fragrances – our aromatherapeutic fragrances are a proprietary combination of natural essential oils and synthetic fragrance ingredients formulated in compliance with IFRA / RIFM’s (International Fragrance Association and Research Institute for Fragrance Materials) guidelines for safety. Please note…none of our fragrances contain phthalates.”

Perhaps Skin Deep would lower the score on this product if they knew that it was phthalate-free (they currently give it a 4), but I still don’t feel comfortable using it.

Mustela is fancy and France and calls itself “eco-friendly,” but it also contains “perfum” (AKA fragrance). Mustela did recently remove the parabens from their products.

Puracy makes a baby lotion that many of you have asked us about. Unfortunately, it contains benzisothiazolinone and phenoxyethanol.

You guys ask me all the time about Tubby Todd. With phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate, Tubby Todd not quite Good Stuff.

Yes to Naturals Baby Body Lotion says it’s 100% natural, but this is flat-out untrue because it has synthetic fragrance and sodium benzoate in it.

WHAT ABOUT BABY OIL?

Baby oil is generally a combination of mineral oil (a petroleum byproduct) and synthetic fragrance. According to some sources, it seals up the pores in a way that doesn’t allow skin to breathe effectively. Baby massage oils are now readily available due to the popularity of baby massage (which, along with baby sign language, I never got around to trying). This one from Badger is my favorite.
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Maia, Founder & CEO

Tags:Baby, Pregnancy & Parenting

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