Sensitive Baby Skin: Choosing Gentle Products for Newborns

I'll start with a confession: when my first daughter arrived in the summer of 2019, I had a bathroom cabinet bursting with baby products. Lotions, potions, bubble baths with cartoon characters on the bottles, and at least three different brands of nappy cream. I was convinced that good parenting meant having the right product for every conceivable skin situation.

Then my health visitor took one look at my newborn's blotchy, irritated cheeks and said something that changed everything: "Have you tried using nothing at all?"

It felt counterintuitive. Surely all these products designed specifically for babies must be better than plain water? But here's what I've learned over the past seven years and two children later: when it comes to newborn skin, less truly is more. And when you do need products, choosing the right gentle, natural options makes all the difference.

Understanding Your Newborn's Skin: Why It's Different

Your baby's skin isn't just smaller than yours—it's fundamentally different in ways that matter enormously for how you care for it.

When babies are born, the top layer of their skin is remarkably thin and delicate. According to NHS guidance, it takes at least four weeks for a newborn's skin to mature and develop its own natural protective barrier. For premature babies, this process takes even longer—six to eight weeks or more.

This isn't a design flaw; it's actually quite clever. That thin skin allows babies to absorb beneficial substances more easily, including the vernix caseosa—that white, waxy coating many babies are born with. The NHS recommends leaving vernix on the skin rather than washing it off, as it acts as a natural moisturiser and provides protection against infection in those crucial first days.

But there's a flip side to this permeability. Newborn skin also absorbs potentially harmful substances more readily than adult skin. What goes onto your baby's skin can make its way into their system far more easily than it would for you. This is why the ingredients list on baby products matters so much more than marketing claims on the front of the bottle.

The First Month: Water and Nothing Else

The NHS is refreshingly clear on this point: for at least the first month of life, plain water is all your baby needs for bathing. No cleansers, no bath additives, no lotions. Just warm water and gentle handling.

This advice surprises many new parents. We're so conditioned to think that cleaning means using products that it can feel almost negligent to bathe a baby with just water. But your newborn isn't getting dirty in the way you might imagine. They're not crawling through mud or eating with their hands yet. The main things you need to clean are milk residue and nappy-area messes, both of which plain water handles perfectly well.

If your baby's skin looks dry or cracked during these early weeks, resist the urge to reach for a cream. The NHS advises that this peeling is completely normal—it's simply the top layer of skin coming away to reveal the perfect skin underneath. Adding products at this stage can actually cause more harm than good.

When You Do Need Products: What to Look For

After that first month, or when specific skin issues arise, you may want to introduce some products. Here's where things get interesting—and where choosing wisely really matters.

The Ingredient Red Flags

Before we talk about what to use, let's discuss what to avoid. The baby product market is enormous, and not everything labelled "gentle" or "for babies" actually lives up to that promise.

Fragrances are perhaps the biggest culprit. Even products marketed as having a "mild" or "baby-fresh" scent contain fragrance compounds that can irritate sensitive skin. The trouble is that "fragrance" or "parfum" on an ingredient list can represent dozens of different chemicals, and manufacturers aren't required to list them individually. For truly sensitive baby skin, fragrance-free is the only safe choice.

Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and its cousin sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) are foaming agents found in many baby washes and shampoos. They're what makes products lather up nicely, but they can strip natural oils from already-delicate skin. Some babies tolerate them fine; others react badly. If your baby has sensitive or eczema-prone skin, these are worth avoiding.

Parabens have received a lot of bad press, and while the evidence of harm isn't definitive, many parents prefer to err on the side of caution. The same goes for phthalates, synthetic colours, and mineral oil (also listed as paraffinum liquidum or petrolatum).

The Ingredients That Actually Help

On the positive side, certain ingredients have genuine benefits for baby skin:

Olive oil has been used for centuries to soothe and protect skin, and modern research supports its effectiveness. It's rich in vitamins and fatty acids that help maintain the skin barrier. Brands like Oh Lief have built their entire range around olive oil as a base ingredient, and there's good reason for this traditional approach.

Calendula (from marigold flowers) has well-documented anti-inflammatory properties. You'll find it in many natural nappy creams, including Weleda's popular Calendula Nappy Change Cream. It's particularly good for soothing redness and irritation.

Chamomile is another plant extract with genuine soothing properties. It's been used in traditional skincare for generations, and contemporary research confirms its anti-inflammatory effects.

Zinc oxide is the active ingredient in many barrier creams. It creates a protective layer between your baby's skin and moisture, making it excellent for preventing and treating nappy rash. Look for it in natural nappy creams where it's combined with soothing botanical ingredients.

Colloidal oatmeal has impressive evidence behind it. One study found it reduced eczema severity scores by 51% in just 14 days. It's particularly good for itchy, irritated skin.

Oh Lief: A Closer Look at Olive-Based Baby Care

I first discovered Oh Lief at a baby fair in Manchester back in 2022. Honestly, I was sceptical—the products seemed simple compared to the complicated formulations I was used to, and the prices were higher than supermarket brands. But after trying their Natural Olive Baby Balm on my toddler's persistent dry patches, I was converted.

Oh Lief was founded in 2010 by South African sisters Christine Kuhn and Louiza Rademan. It's a family-run company built on a straightforward philosophy: use natural ingredients that won't harm skin or the environment. They've since expanded to the UK, where their products have gained a loyal following among parents looking for genuinely gentle alternatives.

What Makes Oh Lief Different

The Oh Lief range is based primarily on olive oil, which forms the backbone of most of their formulations. Their Natural Olive Baby Balm, for instance, combines olive oil with certified organic lavender oil—a combination that's both nourishing and naturally calming. The lavender isn't just there for scent; it has genuine soothing properties that make it particularly good for massage before bedtime.

What I appreciate about Oh Lief is their transparency. They're certified Natural and Organic by the Soil Association UK, COSMOS Natural certified, and verified by Beauty Without Cruelty. These aren't just marketing terms—they're independent certifications that require genuine standards.

Their products are also versatile. The Natural Olive Baby Balm can be used as a massage balm, a treatment for dry patches, or even applied to minor scrapes and scratches. This appeals to my dislike of single-use products cluttering up the bathroom cabinet.

The Oh Lief Range for Babies

The full baby range from Oh Lief includes:

• Natural Olive Baby Shampoo & Wash (available in 100ml and 200ml) - a gentle cleanser suitable for hair and body
• Natural Olive Baby Balm (10ml mini or 100ml full size) - for massage and treating dry skin
• Natural Olive Bum Balm (100ml) - their nappy cream alternative
• Natural Aqueous Cream (250ml) - a light moisturiser
• Biodegradable Bamboo Baby Wipes - made from unbleached bamboo fibres

One honest criticism: Oh Lief products aren't the cheapest option. The Natural Olive Baby Balm at £13.95 for 100ml is more expensive than many mainstream alternatives. However, a little goes a long way, and I've found that one pot lasts considerably longer than you'd expect. When you factor in the quality of ingredients and the certifications, the value proposition makes more sense.

Dealing with Common Baby Skin Issues

Even with the gentlest products and best intentions, most babies will experience some skin issues. Here's how to handle the most common ones.

Nappy Rash

Nearly every baby gets nappy rash at some point. The warm, moist environment inside a nappy is essentially a breeding ground for irritation. Prevention is always better than cure: change nappies frequently, allow some nappy-free time when practical (I know, I know—this requires strategic towel placement and a willingness to do extra laundry), and use a good barrier cream.

For treatment, zinc oxide-based creams are the gold standard. Metanium is highly effective for stubborn cases, though it's quite thick and can be tricky to remove. For everyday protection and mild irritation, a natural nappy cream with zinc oxide plus soothing botanicals often works beautifully.

Childs Farm makes a nappy cream that's specifically designed for sensitive skin and is Vegan Society approved. It contains aloe vera, cocoa butter, and shea butter—a nice combination of barrier protection and moisturisation.

Baby Eczema

Eczema affects around one in five children in the UK, often appearing in the first year of life. It presents as dry, itchy, red patches that can appear anywhere but commonly show up on cheeks, behind the ears, and in the creases of elbows and knees.

If you suspect eczema, see your GP. They can confirm the diagnosis and advise on treatment, which typically involves regular use of emollients (medical moisturisers) and sometimes steroid creams for flare-ups.

Many parents are understandably nervous about steroid creams. Research shows that about two-thirds of parents with eczema-affected children have significant concerns about topical corticosteroids. However, used appropriately and as prescribed, they're safe and effective. The key is to use emollients regularly to prevent flare-ups, reserving steroid creams for when they're genuinely needed.

For emollients, products containing colloidal oatmeal can be particularly helpful. Aveeno makes an eczema therapy range that's widely recommended by dermatologists. Childs Farm's OatDerma range is another option—it won Gold for Best Product for Newborns at the Mother & Baby Awards.

Natural remedies can complement (not replace) medical treatment. Coconut oil has some evidence behind it—one study showed virgin coconut oil outperformed mineral oil for improving skin hydration. However, be cautious: coconut oil can actually worsen eczema in some children, so patch test first.

Cradle Cap

Cradle cap (seborrhoeic dermatitis) appears as yellowish, scaly patches on the scalp. It looks alarming but is completely harmless and usually clears up on its own within a few months—sometimes up to nine months.

You don't need to treat cradle cap, but if you want to, gently massage a small amount of natural oil (olive oil works well) into the scalp, leave it for a few hours or overnight, then use a soft brush or comb to gently loosen the scales before washing. Don't pick at the scales, as this can cause soreness.

Dry Skin

Some babies simply have drier skin than others. After the first month, if your baby's skin seems consistently dry, a gentle emollient can help. Apply after baths while the skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture.

Look for fragrance-free options. Cetraben, Doublebase, and E45 all make baby-appropriate emollients available on prescription or over the counter.

Building a Minimalist Baby Skincare Routine

After all my early mistakes with overcrowded bathroom cabinets, I've come to believe strongly in a minimalist approach. Here's what you actually need:

For the first month:

• Plain warm water for baths (every 2-3 days is plenty)
• Cotton wool and water for cleaning the nappy area
• That's it. Really.

After the first month:

• A gentle, fragrance-free wash for baths (used sparingly)
• A barrier cream for the nappy area
• An emollient if your baby has dry skin
• Possibly a treatment product if specific issues arise

Everything else is optional. Your baby doesn't need separate products for hair and body at this age. They don't need baby cologne (please, no). They don't need a different cream for every body part.

The Environmental Angle

Since we're talking about natural products, it's worth mentioning the environmental considerations. Babies go through a lot of products—nappies, wipes, creams—and the cumulative impact adds up.

Oh Lief takes this seriously. Every purchase contributes to Greenpop, an organisation that plants indigenous trees and runs environmental awareness projects. Their bamboo wipes are biodegradable, made from 100% unbleached bamboo fibres. The products themselves are formulated to be gentle not just on skin but on the planet.

Other brands making eco-conscious choices include Kit & Kin (founded by Spice Girl Emma Bunton, since we're being thoroughly British about this), which offers certified natural skincare and eco nappies.

I'll admit I'm not perfect here. We still use disposable nappies most of the time because the reusable route felt like a step too far with our lifestyle. But choosing products with better ingredients and more sustainable packaging is a compromise that works for our family.

A Note on "Natural" Marketing

One thing that frustrates me about the baby product market is the loose use of terms like "natural," "gentle," and "pure." These words aren't regulated in the way that "organic" is, which means companies can slap them on pretty much anything.

A product can be labelled "natural" while still containing synthetic preservatives, artificial fragrances, and other less-than-ideal ingredients. The word itself doesn't guarantee anything.

This is why certifications matter. Look for:

• COSMOS Natural or COSMOS Organic - international standards for natural and organic cosmetics
• Soil Association - the UK's leading organic certification body
• Ecocert - a French certification body with rigorous standards
• The Vegan Society - confirms no animal-derived ingredients
• Cruelty Free International (Leaping Bunny logo) - confirms no animal testing

A product with these certifications has been independently verified to meet specific standards. That's worth more than any marketing claim.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Most baby skin issues are minor and resolve on their own or with simple home care. However, certain signs warrant a trip to the GP:

• A rash that doesn't fade when you press a glass against it (this can indicate meningitis—seek emergency care)
• Signs of infection: increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pus
• Eczema that's not improving with regular emollient use
• Any rash accompanied by fever or seeming unwell
• Persistent nappy rash that doesn't respond to treatment after a week

Trust your instincts as a parent. If something doesn't feel right, it's always worth getting checked.

The Bottom Line

Caring for your newborn's sensitive skin doesn't require a bathroom full of products or a degree in chemistry. The basics are straightforward: start simple, introduce products gradually if needed, choose genuine quality over marketing hype, and pay attention to how your individual baby responds.

Natural brands like Oh Lief offer genuine alternatives for parents who want to avoid synthetic ingredients without sacrificing effectiveness. Their olive-based approach has solid traditional backing and modern certification to match.

But remember what my health visitor told me all those years ago: sometimes the best thing you can use is nothing at all. Your baby arrived into the world with remarkably sophisticated skin that knows how to look after itself, given half a chance.

Trust the process, trust your baby, and don't let the baby product aisle overwhelm you. You've got this.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best natural cream for baby eczema?

For baby eczema, look for creams containing colloidal oatmeal, which has strong evidence for reducing eczema severity. Childs Farm OatDerma range and Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy are both popular choices. However, always consult your GP first, as eczema often requires prescription emollients and occasional steroid cream for proper management.

How do you treat eczema on a newborn naturally?

Natural approaches to newborn eczema include regular application of fragrance-free emollients, lukewarm (not hot) baths, and avoiding known irritants. Colloidal oatmeal baths can help soothe itching. However, "natural" treatments should complement rather than replace medical advice—see your GP for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

What lotion is best for infant eczema?

Medical emollients like Cetraben, Doublebase, or Epaderm are commonly recommended by NHS dermatologists for infant eczema. For natural alternatives, look for products with colloidal oatmeal or those certified by organisations like the Soil Association. Always introduce new products gradually and watch for reactions.

What moisturiser is best for a newborn baby?

The NHS advises against using any moisturiser on newborns during their first month unless specifically recommended by a healthcare professional. After this, if needed, choose a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic emollient. Apply sparingly after baths while skin is slightly damp to lock in moisture.

What skincare products do newborns actually need?

For the first month, newborns need only plain water for bathing and cotton wool with water for nappy changes. After this initial period, you may want a gentle fragrance-free wash and a barrier cream for the nappy area. Everything else is optional and should be introduced only if specific skin issues arise.

What is the best natural nappy cream for sensitive skin?

Natural nappy creams containing zinc oxide combined with soothing botanicals like calendula or chamomile work well for sensitive skin. Weleda Calendula Nappy Change Cream and Childs Farm Baby Nappy Cream are both popular choices. Oh Lief Natural Olive Bum Balm offers an olive oil-based alternative.

What should I use on my newborn's dry skin?

For the first month, the NHS advises leaving dry or peeling skin alone—it's normal and will resolve naturally. If dry skin persists after this period, a small amount of fragrance-free emollient applied after baths can help. Avoid products with fragrances or harsh ingredients.

Is Oh Lief bum balm good for newborns?

Oh Lief Natural Olive Bum Balm is certified COSMOS Natural and suitable for newborns after the first month of life. It uses olive oil as its base with no artificial fragrances or harsh chemicals. Like any new product, introduce it gradually and watch for any reactions on your baby's individual skin.

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Last updated: January 2026

Sophie Green is Grocefully's Sustainability Editor, covering eco-friendly products and ethical shopping choices. When not researching natural baby products, she can be found attempting to grow vegetables on her Manchester balcony with varying degrees of success.