The 10 Best Baby Lotions, Creams, and Ointments for Sensitive Skin

For babies who have normal skin, Dr. Benjamin recommends this lightweight (read: not greasy!) formula, as it was developed with pediatric dermatologists to help prevent dry skin.

CeraVe's baby lotion is not only free of fragrance and parabens, but it also includes ceramides (which are found naturally in the skin and make up about half of the lipids in the skin’s natural protective barrier), hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to lock in moisture and soothe dryness.

The National Eczema Association has also given CeraVe its official seal of approval, so you know it's a safe bet for babies with sensitive or eczema-prone skin — and that includes both of my daughters. I use this regularly and love how quickly it absorbs without leaving residue. During colder months, however, I switch to something richer.

This lotion from Dove (which has been safety-tested by ophthalmologists, dermatologists, and pediatricians) is a great everyday product that will keep baby's skin soft, says Dr. Benjamin. Because it’s free of parabens, phthalates, and sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), it’s gentle enough for newborn skin — plus, it’s hypoallergenic. Parents love that the rich, silky lotion glides on smoothly without being tacky.

I’ve used this product before, and I felt like a little really went a long way — the bottle seemed to last forever — making it a great value. 

Parents love Mustela lotion's plant-based formula — a blend of jojoba oil, sunflower oil, vitamins E and F, avocado oil — for its ability to naturally hydrate without the heaviness of an ointment. Dr. Benjamin is also a fan of Mustela for its gentle, water-soluble ingredients.

I used this for years on both of my girls because I loved how it immediately absorbed into their skin with a nice, lightweight feel. Parents also point out that it's hypoallergenic and ideal for babies with dry skin. While I personally enjoyed the subtle scent, which I found to smell fresh and clean, I would avoid it if your little one has ultra-sensitive skin, as a fragrance-free formula would likely be best. 

Baby's cheeks and lips are extra prone to roughness, flakiness, and ashiness. In this case, a facial lotion like Babo Botanicals is best. The EWG-verified, fragrance-free formula is made with safe, plant-based ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, calendula, and coconut oil, which hydrate and strengthen the skin’s barrier without clogging pores. That's what makes it ideal for baby's face, although it can be used all over their body, too. 

I love Babo Botanicals products for their use of organic ingredients, and this cream is no different.   

Both of my daughters have had eczema flare-ups all winter since they were born, and this Eurcerin cream is one of the only products that made a significant difference. That’s probably because it’s made with super-hydrating and gentle ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and ceramides. There are no dyes, steroids, fragrances, or parabens listed on the back label, so you don’t have to worry about it irritating the skin further. 

This is a cream rather than a lotion, so it's thick enough to soothe itchy skin and rashes. The only caveat? I wish it were sold in a larger tube! I always went through this one quickly, but repeatedly purchased it because it was so effective.  

When skin is flaky and cracked, you'll want to turn to mega moisturizers, such as an ointment like Aquaphor, says Dr. Benjamin. This formula is made with 41% petrolatum to encourage skin barrier repair, as well as glycerin to soothe rough patches.

“Apply this right out of the bath to capture the moisturizing staying power overnight,” she says. Aquaphor’s product is also a standout because it can be used as a lotion, as a diaper rash cream, and even on chapped body parts (for you or baby!). And who can complain about having to buy fewer products? No wonder the brand recently won a 2025 Mom Must-Have Award. 

When my daughter’s eczema is really bad, I’ll layer Aquaphor over an eczema cream for even better results. 

Vaseline has been around forever for a reason – it’s a tried and true option that parents and doctors alike recommend. Dr. McMahon recommends Vaseline because it ticks all the boxes: it’s plain, fragrance-free, petrolatum-based (this one is 100 percent white petrolatum) and has no preservatives. 

This is another option I always keep in my house, both for very dry skin and for diaper rashes, but I don’t love using it as body lotion unless absolutely necessary. It’s very greasy and I find that it also seems to sit on top of the skin more, so I feel like it rubs off and onto everything. Try applying it to baby’s skin before bed and let it do its softening magic while they sleep. 

And if you don’t love a petroleum-based option, I also love Tubby Todd’s All Over Ointment – it works similarly to Vaseline (and Aquaphor) and is made of more natural ingredients. 

If you love that “new baby” scent, Noodle & Boo nails it. The subtle crème douce smells cozy and nostalgic without overpowering. It’s dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and made without parabens, dyes, sulfates, or phthalates.

The hydrating blend of sweet almond oil and vitamins C and E nourishes baby’s delicate skin and absorbs quickly, leaving behind a silky finish. I also love gifting this one — the pretty packaging makes it a go-to baby shower favorite. But if you really can’t past the fact that there’s a scent, there’s a fragrance-free option as well (it’s just a little harder to find!).

When my toddler itches at her dry skin non-stop, I reach for Aveeno Baby's moisturizing cream. After just a few days of application, I notice a significant improvement. That's largely thanks to the addition of colloidal oatmeal and vitamin B5, which soothes irritation fast and locks in hydration. It's thick and creamy, but not at all greasy. 

However, while I love it, I do want to point out that there are some reviews of parents saying it made their child’s condition worse, so just keep that in mind before giving it a try. 

Tubby Todd was by far one of the most mentioned baby lotion products in the What to Expect community. Parents rave over the non-greasy feel and naturally-derived ingredients like avocado and cucumber extract that leave the skin feeling soft and hydrated. 

And after trying out the Everyday Lotion for myself, it's easy to see why the brand has amassed such a cult following. While it may not be rich enough for severe dryness, it’s an ideal everyday hydrator that layers well with thicker creams.