8 of the Best Baby Oils
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- Best baby oil overall: Burt’s Bees Baby Nourishing Baby Oil
- Best baby oil for newborns: Motherlove Birth & Baby Oil
- Best baby oil for massage: Weleda Baby Tummy Oil
- Best baby oil for eczema: Pipette Baby Oil
- Best baby oil for hair: Earth Mama Calendula Baby Oil
- Best baby oil for dry skin: SheaMoisture Baby Oil Rub
- Best budget-friendly baby oil: Johnson’s Baby Creamy Oil
- Best organic baby oil: Badger Calming Baby Oil
One of the best things about cuddling a baby is the feel of baby’s smooth skin — there’s just nothing like that newborn softness!
Newborn skin doesn’t necessarily need much help to stay soft. In fact, you’ll likely not need to use any lotions and oils on your baby for the first month or so while their skin matures and develops outside the watery environment of the womb. Even if your newborn experiences flaking, peeling skin, it will likely go away on its own.
Baby oil can be useful in a lot of different situations after that time. We are here to help you narrow down the field with some suggestions of the best baby oils.
Baby oil is a popular product used by adults. Baby oil is a semi-breathable barrier. It is usually made of mineral oil.
Though it’s a synthetic substance, mineral baby oil is gentle and rarely causes allergic reactions. Plant-based baby oil could be more likely to cause allergic reactions or contact sensitivities in some babies.
You can use baby oil to treat a variety of conditions, from diaper rash to eczema.
There are a variety of styles for baby oils.
- Scented vs. unscented. Many baby oils have a fragrance, but some are fragrance-free.
- Organic vs. non-organic. Organic baby oils avoid synthetic substances.
- Multi-use. Some baby oils advertise themselves as being particularly great for massage, treatment of eczema and diaper rash, etc.
Baby oil is most commonly used to moisturize baby’s skin, help treat diaper rash and eczema, and as a part of regular baby massages.
There are a million uses for baby oil, no matter what your age is. Some of our favorites for adults are listed.
- Makeup removal.
- The shaving lubricant is used.
- The cuticle is a part of the body.
It is important that you feel comfortable with the baby oils you use, so make sure to check the ingredient list.
You will want to consider things like that.
- Whether the oil is pumped or squeezed out.
- Whether it is thicker gel or more liquid.
- If there is a strong scent.
- If it has something else.
Safety notes
If your child has an ongoing skin condition, you should always check with your doctor.
Spot testing any oil on a small patch of their skin is a good way to make sure a new product is safe.
“You will want to make sure that your older children don’t try to drink baby oil, and that you keep the bottle out of your baby’s hands.”
Rub your hands together to warm up baby oil.
When choosing our favorite baby oils, we took into account the ingredients, price, texture, absorbency, and of course, reviews from parents like you. Read more about our product selection process and content integrity guidelines.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $5
- $$ = $5–$10
- $$$ = $10–$15
- $$$$ = over $15
Best baby oil overall
Burt’s Bees Nourishing Baby Oil
- Price: $$
- Pros: no synthetic fragrance, no animal testing is done, 100% of the ingredients are of natural origin
- Cons: heavy apricot scent, not the most budget-friendly
One of the many things we love about this oil from Burt’s Bees Baby is the ingredient list. It’s a 100 percent natural oil that includes grapeseed and apricot oil to heal skin while also ensuring it stays moisturized.
This oil is nongreasy and has a subtle honey scent, but it is not a synthetic scent. One bottle can last you a long time, since a little goes a long way, and you can apply it directly to your baby after they bath.
Best baby oil for newborns
Motherlove Birth & Baby Oil
- Price: $$$
- Pros: made with only USDA certified organic herbs, certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny, can be used for perineal massage
- Cons: not the most budget-friendly; some users complain that with only two ingredients, they could make it themselves
When thinking about newborn safety, we’ve already mentioned that it’s not advised to use products on newborn skin in the first month. However, if you’re eager to introduce some added moisture to baby after that point, this oil is a great starter as it includes only two ingredients — apricot seed oil and lavender flower.
In addition to using on baby’s skin, many moms say this oil is great for perineal massage to prepare for birth. Reviewers also say a little of this oil goes a long way.
Best baby oil for massage
Weleda Baby Tummy Oil
- Price: $$$$
- Pros: 100% natural, many users enjoy the scent, specifically designed as a massage tool and not just a moisturizer
- Cons: not budget-friendly, some babies may have cardamom allergy
Specifically designed by midwives and pharmacists to use as an abdominal massage tool to encourage the gas out of baby’s stomach, this product includes ingredients like sweet almond oil and essential oils of cardamom and marjoram. It’s also deemed 100 percent natural by the International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association.
It is a downside to this product that it is more expensive for the amount you get. If you have a gassy baby on your hands, it might be worth every cent.
Best baby oil for eczema
Pipette Baby Oil
- Price: $$
- Pros: fast-absorbing, scentless, cheaper than many other oils on our list, sustainably packaged
- Cons: some users felt this oil was too thin and wished it had a better scent
Parents rave about this fast-absorbing, scentless oil for treating eczema and cradle cap. But beyond being an effective moisturizer, Pipette Baby Oil (and all their products for that matter) truly goes the extra mile in terms of eco-consciousness.
It’s EWG certified, sustainably packaged, and the formula features sugarcane-derived squalane as a moisturizer. One mom even uses it on her own face as an overnight oil!
Best baby oil for hair
Earth Mama Infant Calendula Baby Oil
- Price: $$$
- Pros: comes with an easy pump bottle, no nut extracts are used, cruelty-free formula
- Cons: not everyone loved the smell and there are more budget-friendly options
“The pump bottle of Earth Mama’s oil makes it easy to spray on hair or brush it without having to clean up. The formula includes a substance known for its anti-Inflammatory properties, and parents say it works well on cradle cap and dry skin.”
This formula is safe enough that NICUs have been known to use it, and it does not include nut extracts. Some users have said that it smells like cooking oil.
Best baby oil for dry skin
SheaMoisture Baby Oil Rub
- Price: $$$$
- Pros: not tested on animals, no mineral oil, made from certified organic ingredients
- Cons: has a stronger scent (though people like it!), more expensive option
This formula includes raw shea butter (long revered for its moisturizing power), soothing chamomile, and healing argan oil. In addition to moisturizing skin, parents say they use this oil to treat hair and help with rashes or inflammation.
“This product gets rave reviews for its scent, but if you don’t like smells this might not be the right choice for you.”
Best budget-friendly baby oil
Johnson’s Creamy Baby Oil
- Price: $
- Pros: very affordable, hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested
- Cons: not organic, too thick for those who prefer thinner oils
This oil has a lot of attributes that make it stand out.
The thicker texture makes it easy to apply. The scent includes vitamins and the skin is soft and supple.
Some reviewers mention that baby oil seems to repel mosquitoes. How convenient! If you are going camping with your baby, you will want to bring this product.
Best organic baby oil
Badger Calming Baby Oil
- Price: $$$$
- Pros: USDA certified organic, cruelty-free, can be used for diaper rash
- Cons: one of the more expensive options on our list, has a slight scent
This oil from Badger is USDA certified organic, non-GMO, and cruelty-free. It gets good reviews for soaking in quickly and not leaving a mess. It has a slight scent, but not one that most people find annoying.
Parents say that the baby oil is ideal for soothing and hydrating, and can be used to treat diaper rash. The only real downside? It is one of the priciest oils.
| Name | Price | Callouts |
|---|---|---|
| Burt’s Bees Baby Nourishing Baby Oil | $$ | no synthetic fragrance; 100% of ingredients are natural |
| Motherlove Birth & Baby Oil | $$$ | made with USDA-certified organic herbs |
| Weleda Baby Tummy Oil | $$$$ | 100% natural; good scent |
| Pipette Baby Oil | $$ | fast-absorbing; scentless |
| Earth Mama Calendula Baby Oil | $$$ | no nut extracts used |
| SheaMoisture Baby Oil Rub | $$$$ | mineral-free oil; certified organic ingredients |
| Johnson’s Baby Creamy Oil | $ | affordable; hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested |
| Badger Calming Baby Oil | $$$$ | USDA-certified organic ingredients |
Is baby oil safe for babies?
“Baby oil is designed for babies. Mineral-based baby oils are gentle and don’t usually cause allergic reactions.”
You may want to choose one without a scent to reduce the chance of skin irritation.
Plant-based oils, in this case, can irritate babies’ skin a bit more.
It is a good idea to discuss the benefits of oil with your doctor before applying it to your baby. If a negative reaction is noted, the use of baby oil should be stopped.
What is the best way to warm up baby oil?
“Rub your hands together with baby oil and it is the safest way to warm it up. This makes sure the oil doesn’t get too hot or have hot spots in it. You can place your hands on your baby’s skin after rubbing them together.”
When can you start using baby oil on a newborn?
The National Health Service (NHS) advises against applying oils and lotions until a child is at least 1 month old. This is because the top layer of a baby’s skin is very thin and easily damaged at birth. (As the baby matures, the skin develops and forms a protective barrier.)
Can I use adult oil on a baby?
“Babies are not always appropriate for adult health and beauty products. These products may cause irritation to a baby’s sensitive skin.”
The FDA does not regulate the term ” baby” when it is used for products like creams and oils.
Before using an adult oil on a baby, talk to your doctor.
Is baby oil good for babies with eczema?
Baby oil is used to treat skin conditions. If your child has an allergy, you should have a care plan with your doctor. They can give you advice on whether baby oil is recommended, how often it should be applied, and any concerns to watch out for.
What’s the best way to store baby oil?
It is best to store baby oil in a dark place since it can be affected by heat and light. This can be done as easily as a drawer.
The oil can change consistency or evaporate if air and water get in.
Is scented oil OK to use on babies?
At least
Not all essential oils are safe for young children.
It can increase the likelihood of skin irritation, rashes, and allergic reactions. Before using a scented oil, you should talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks.
