Essentials & Equipment

10 Best: Baby Skincare
Choosing appropriate skincare for your little one can be a bit of a minefield, but fear not – my beauty junkie origins have filtered down to my life as a parent, so I’ve tried pretty much every (organic) brand out there, the majority of which are also paraben and SLS-free as well. Here are my favourites. Neal’s Yard Remedies is my go-to destination for many things and the Baby Barrier, £14.50, with its sunflower oil, chamomile and zinc oxide combo, is amazing (A has never had nappy rash). But then again, so is the deliciously scented coconut oil, olive oil and shea nut butter Baby Balm, £10.50 - I use it for everything. Not cheap, but a little definitely goes a long way. And, let’s face it, those blue glass bottles do look good on the bathroom shelf…
On the subject of balms, I’m also a fan of Balm Balm’s fragrance-free Baby Balm, £6.99, which has the same sunflower and shea butter base, but with beeswax, calendula and jojoba oils. Great for cradle cap and apparently even good for ecezma.
The addition of lavender to Organic Monkey’s Bumfluff Nappy Balm, £10.50, means that, theoretically, your baby should drift off into a contented sleep shortly after it’s applied. Surely worth a go and, if not, at least their bottom will smell lovely.
Mango butter is the secret ingredient in Australian brand Pitta Patta’s Cheeky Baby Barrier Cream, £9.50. Not just for bums, it’s a great remedy for ‘itchy pregnant tum’ (medical terminology).
Not much point protecting and moisturising skin if it’s grubby. I’m personally an advocate of Earth Friendly Baby biodegradeable wipes for just about everything, but if you prefer the cotton wool method on teenies, then Trevarno Baby Cleanser is the one for you (£22 for 250ml, £5 for 50ml). A blend of lavender flower water, rosehip oil, grapefruit seed extract and vitamin E it’s also an ace facial cleanser for grown-ups.
For bathtime, there’s Maison Boo’s Baby Boo Chamomile and Geranium Foaming Cleanser, a bargain £3.99 and currently with a 3 for 2 offer. Stock up now.
Little Me Organics is another reasonably priced range available from Boots. The Shhh Sleepy Head dill and lavender range smells divine – my favourite is the silky textured Body Cream, £5.20.
South African skincare brand Pure Beginnings has the cutest owl on a branch on its packaging, so gets automatic inclusion! Luckily the contents are just as good. Try the Baby Body Lotion, £10.15 - you won’t find many baby products that contain baobab extract!
Oil is certainly an essential in any new parent’s kit. Organic baby mattress and bedding experts Little Green Sheep have launched a lovely collection of toiletries including a fab Baby Oil, £5.95. Made in the UK and, you’ll be pleased to hear, not tested on any of our fleecy friends.
A little more expensive but utterly fabulous is Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Nourishing Baby Oil at £9.99, a delicious blend of apricot kernel, wheat germ and sunflower seed oils. Perfect for massage or a luxe bath treat with divine packaging too. Obviously there are loads of brands I haven’t included – Organic Babies, Bamford Baby, L’Occitane, Green People, Lavera… to name but a few. What are your favourite products?
Tagged baby balm, Baby Boo, baby oil, Baby Skincare, Balm Balm, Bamford Organic, barrier cream, bathing, body wash, boots, Little Green Sheep, Little Me Organics, Maison Boo, nappy balm, nappy cream, Neal's Yard, organic monkey, Pitta Patta, Pure Beginnings, skincare, Trevarno
































SusannahMarch 23, 2012 at 7:43 pm
I love Waitrose bottom butter – as good for mums as it is for little ones and no nasties…
LuMarch 26, 2012 at 10:48 am
Ooh yes – had forgotten about that. Probably because I used it all myself and there was none left for the baby!
NatalieMarch 24, 2012 at 3:23 pm
hello
I really like the products made by nothingnasty.com their products are the purest (and most honest – meaning, the ingredients are few and easy to understand – not full of things you’ve never heard of before, just oils mainly), I have come across so far. Stuff for mummies, dadddies and babies too. Bit pricey but they do last a lot longer than most.
LuMarch 26, 2012 at 10:48 am
Great tip off – will check it out. Thanks Natalie.
NatalieMarch 26, 2012 at 9:40 am
I’m also a fan of Waitrose bum butter… which I also use on my legs…
Debbie MansonMarch 30, 2012 at 3:21 pm
We love Little Sprouts shampoo and body wash no nasties at all and smells fab!