If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. Learn more about our policies and reviews.
Dry skin isn’t always a problem for babies, but every now and then, whether it be due to circumstances, the weather, or other factors, your baby’s skin can end up being a little dry. While this may not be a huge issue immediately, dry skin can lead to some larger problems, and it’s something that you generally don’t want to occur.
But how do you moisturize skin that’s still developing? You can easily do so with the help of baby lotions. Baby dove lotions and lotions from other brands will only require a minimal application to result in a nice, smooth skin finish that your baby will feel comfortable in. These are some great baby dove lotions in 2024 that are worth taking a look at so you can give your baby the smooth skin they deserve.
Detailing Our Favorite Baby Dove Lotion of 2024
Dove Baby Lotion — Best Overall
Dove has become a household name when it comes to hair and skin care products, and they’ve got an entire line of products made just for babies and toddlers, too. This face and body lotion formula by Baby Dove is what you want if you need to keep your baby’s skin moisturized at all times. It’s a formula that’s fragrance-free, so your baby won’t be overwhelmed by any strong odors when it’s put on them.
Made with what they refer to as “skin-natural ingredients”, the lotion is completely safe to use on the baby, and the ingredients last on your baby’s skin all day long. This makes it especially useful to apply during the day, as you’ll be able to make full use of its properties even till the evening. Dove’s also a very trustworthy brand, and honestly, you really can’t go wrong with their products.
Pros
- Safe on baby’s skin
- Lasts all-day
- Made by Dove
Cons
- Can be out of stock at times
My Little North Star Baby Lotion — Most Natural
The concern that you’re applying chemicals onto your baby via cheap lotions is a very understandable one, and it’s reasonable to assume that many parents feel this way. After all, with so many products these days made out of artificial components, it can be very difficult to trust the long-term effects of products on your child of all things. So if you’d rather not leave it up to the chemicals, then this lotion by My Little North Star provides a more natural alternative.
Made with ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, aloe vera leaf juice, and so on, it makes the most out of the properties found in Mother Nature’s bounty. The formula also contains no parabens, formaldehyde, silicones, or sulfates. It also isn’t animal-tested, so if you have a mind for supporting businesses that engage in more ethical practices, give this lotion a shot.
Pros
- Made with all-natural ingredients
- Paraben and formaldehyde-free
- Was not tested on animals
Cons
- Very pricey and only comes in 8 oz. bottles
CeraVe Baby Lotion — Most Lightweight
Have you ever tried putting on just a little too much lotion for your liking? Your skin can feel weird, and no matter how many times you try to spread it across your skin, that lingering feeling can still stay there. While babies may not feel this level of discomfort (or at least make us aware of it), it’s still not a good idea to put a lot of lotion on their skin regardless, and this lightweight lotion from CeraVe gives you a milder formula to work with.
In general, it’s much better to apply lighter amounts of moisturizer to babies. Babies have sensitive skin, so it’s important to use moisturizer sparingly. This lotion is perfect for babies thanks to its lighter formula compared to competitor products, and you can more safely apply it to their skin in regular and controlled amounts.
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Great for regular application
- Works all-day
Cons
- The bottle design makes it fall over pretty easily
Aveeno Baby Lotion — Longest-Lasting
Since you’re recommended to use moisturizing lotion on babies sparingly, you may as well get a formula that lasts really long, right? This baby lotion formula by Aveeno lasts a whopping 24 hours in total, making it the go-to product for babies with regularly dry skin. Of course, if your baby has dry skin for much longer than what is considered to be normal, then it may be a good idea to see a doctor, but if it’s natural dryness due to weather, you’ll love this product.
The formula is fast-absorbing and contains no grease and parabens. It’s also an oatmeal-based formula, which isn’t unheard of, but not as common as you’d think. The bottle comes in one size, and you can also buy similar products alongside the lotion, including wipes and bath soap if you want to use those in tandem with the lotion.
Pros
- Lasts up to 24 hours
- Fast-absorbing formula
- Can be bought alongside similar products
Cons
- Only available in one size
Johnson's Baby Lotion — Best Bedtime Lotion
No matter how often you want to be by your baby’s side to protect them, you still need to get some shuteye on a daily basis. So, to ensure that their skin stays in good condition throughout the night, this moisturizing lotion by Johnson’s Baby will leave your baby’s skin soft till the morrow. It’s made out of a blend of aromas that are easy on the nose for both you and your baby.
The recommended use for this lotion involves giving your baby a bath and massaging them before bed. By doing these steps and adding lotion right before you and your child hit the hay, they’ll be able to sleep more soundly. Formulated for babies and tested by dermatologists and pediatricians alike, it’s safe to say that this lotion is safe on your child’s skin.
Pros
- Great for use before bed
- Provides calming and gentle aromas
- It may help facilitate better sleep for your baby
Cons
- Only really recommended for use during nighttime as prescribed
Buyer’s Guide: Finding Your Top Baby Dove Lotion
To give your baby smooth and soft skin, there’s no better way to do it than with baby moisturizing lotion. This is all you need to know about this useful skincare product.
What Is Baby Moisturizing Lotion?
Baby moisturizing lotion is a type of lotion that’s designed and formulated for babies and toddlers. Due to the developing nature of baby and toddler skin, it’s not ideal to use the same type of moisturizing lotion that you’d use on yourself. Other than its special formulation for babies and toddlers, however, baby moisturizing lotion is more or less the same as a regular moisturizing lotion.
Why Is Baby Moisturizing Lotion Important?
It keeps the baby’s skin moisturized
Though babies do have self-moisturizing skin as adults do, they don’t always stay that way. In particular, when circumstance removes the moisture from their skin (such as due to weather or after having a bath), this can leave their skin a little dry. With baby moisturizing lotion, you can keep that skin nice and moisturized without the need to wait for your baby’s natural bodily functions to kick in.
It is worth noting that there are other ways to moisturize your baby’s skin, such as with baby oil. There is no “best” product for moisturizing your baby’s skin, though your doctor may recommend a certain oil over lotions or vice versa.
It makes your baby’s skin nice and soft
Who doesn’t love soft skin? Unlike rough and dry skin, which feels like touching sandpaper, soft and smooth skin is just a treat to hold. It’s also comfortable for the person who has moisturized skin, which is why it’s basically a win-win for both you and your baby. Keeping your baby’s skin soft will also help keep their skin less irritated.
When Should I Start Using Baby Moisturizing Lotion on My Baby?
Baby moisturizing lotion is a very useful product when applied properly and in the right contexts. However, it is not supposed to be applied as liberally as you’d apply lotion on yourself. Even if the formula is designed specifically for baby skin, it’s still not ideal to use the lotion so haphazardly. But why?
The answer has to do with the fact that even after weeks of aging, your baby will still have developing skin that needs time to mature. During this phase, it’s vital that you let nature take its course and let your baby’s body keep itself moisturized. As long as they’re well-fed and given proper care, you should have no problem with keeping their skin nice and moisturized for the most part.
You should really only consider applying moisturizing lotion around 1-2 months after birth. The first few weeks are when skin rapidly develops, and it’s during this time you do not want to disturb or disrupt the process whatsoever. At around six weeks, you can begin to introduce a little bit of lotion, and you can add a little more at a time as the weeks go by.
At the end of the day, however, try to be as conservative with your applications as possible. In this situation, the saying “less is more” applies, and you want to make sure you don’t put too much lotion on their skin. If you have trouble doing this, consider getting a lightweight formula to offset this.
When Should I Use Baby Moisturizing Lotion?
In terms of what specific situations are best suited for applying lotion to your baby, you generally want to only use it after your baby’s had a bath. Right after your baby gets wiped off, their skin will be a little dry, and this is the perfect time to apply some lotion. Many lotions last for hours and even an entire day, so you don’t need to worry about re-applying them later on.
Another good time to use baby moisturizing lotion is during dry weather or weather conditions. If you live in an area with barely any humidity, it’s unusually dry in your area for the day and so on, you can use lotion to help offset this. Baby skin can and will be affected by weather conditions, especially if your house’s temperature and humidity are easily affected by the outside.
Other than these two situations, however, try not to use moisturizing lotion whenever possible. If you think that your baby’s skin is getting dry too often and it’s not due to baths or the weather, then it may be a good time to see a doctor.
When Should I Go See a Doctor or Pediatrician?
At some point, getting dry skin a little too often can be a cause for concern, even as an adult. And it’s an especially concerning matter if the subject in question is a baby. When you notice that your baby’s skin is uncharacteristically dry, and it isn’t due to the reasons mentioned above, be sure to contact your pediatrician for a consultation or diagnosis.
There are a few skin conditions that can affect your baby, and while we won’t cover them in this buying guide, it was worth mentioning as it drives home the point that your baby is quite vulnerable during this phase. It is never a bad thing to be a little more careful than usual when it comes to your baby.
