The 10 Best Baby Oils
This wiki has been updated 22 times since it was first published in February of 2018. Even if you don't have any kids, baby oil is a useful beauty product to keep around. In addition to nourishing dry and itchy skin, it also works great as a makeup remover, post-shaving treatment, and cuticle moisturizer. Whether you like the tried and true classic brands or prefer an all-natural alternative with organic ingredients, there's something on our list for everyone. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Cetaphil Moisturizing
2. Burt's Bees Nourishing
3. Shea Moisture Raw
Editor's Notes
November 23, 2020:
In our most recent update, we removed Elizabeth Parker Naturals due to availability concerns and replaced it with Evereden Soothing, a gentle, all-natural oil that only has five ingredients. Despite it being composed only of oils, it is surprisingly non-greasy and lightweight. We also swapped Weleda Tummy for Pipette Squalane because of availability issues. Pipette Squalane also has a short and simple list of gentle ingredients. It uses a combination of fatty acids, plant-derived squalane, and ceramides that hydrate and protect fragile baby skin.
September 30, 2019:
We made a handful of changes with our most recent update, including removing Weleda Calendula due to availability issues, as well as swapping Johnson's Gel for Johnson's Creamy, another thicker solution that does double duty as a bug repellent. You'll also find we let go of Nature's Baby Organics Mandarin Coconut to make way for our number one choice, Cetaphil Moisturizing.
Every baby is different, so we selected a diverse array of formulas to cater to that. And while every choice on this list is formulated especially for infants, you should still always do a small patch test on your little one before administering it to their entire body, just to ensure they have no intolerance for any ingredient.
After ensuring the safety and diversity of the products listed here, we prioritized subtle scents, non-greasy formulas, quick absorption, and easy dispensing bottles and caps.
Many of these work best once your tot has come straight out of the bathtub, as skin drinks in moisturizer much better when it's slightly wet. And remember, even when oils are made with natural ingredients, they should never, ever be left where your youngster can reach them. Always close and store baby oil safely out of reach of children and pets.
Special Honors
Kiehl's Mom & Baby Nurturing This offering from Kiehl's is infused with olive fruit oil and apricot kernel oil, which contain vitamin E and fatty acids that help gently nourish and soften skin. It's pediatrician and dermatologist-tested to help minimize allergy risk and is sensitivity-tested for daily use. kiehls.com
Sophie La Girafe Safe for little ones zero months and up, this baby oil from Sophie La Girafe is a viscous selection that runs off the palms, so only a small amount is needed. It can be used in the bath to help reduce the water's drying effect, and as a mild cleanser and moisturizer. It uses white tea to fortify skin and provide antioxidant protection, and has soothing lavender and nourishing olive oil. It's also certified organic. sophielagirafecosmetics.com
4. Pipette Squalane
5. Evereden Soothing
6. Johnson's Creamy
7. Badger Calming
8. Earth Mama Infant
9. Johnson's Original
10. Coconut Baby Organic
Born in Arizona, Gia is a writer and autodidact who fled the heat of the desert for California, where she enjoys drinking beer, overanalyzing the minutiae of life, and channeling Rick Steves. After arriving in Los Angeles a decade ago, she quickly nabbed a copywriting job at a major clothing company and derived years of editing and proofreading experience from her tenure there, all while sharpening her skills further with myriad freelance projects. In her spare time, she teaches herself French and Italian, has earned an ESL teaching certificate, traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and unashamedly devours television shows and books. The result of these pursuits is expertise in fashion, travel, beauty, literature, textbooks, and pop culture, in addition to whatever obsession consumes her next.