Skincare November 2025

Baby Skincare 101: What to Skip, What to Use

Baby skin is thinner and more permeable than adult skin, which means it absorbs topical ingredients more readily. Here's a plain-language guide to the ingredients worth avoiding, and what safer alternatives look like.

Reading a baby product ingredient list can feel like a chemistry exam. Most parents don't have time to cross-reference every ingredient against a safety database. This post tries to condense the most important things to know, what the red flags are, why they matter, and what to look for instead.

The starting point is understanding why this matters more for babies than for adults. Infant skin, especially in the first six months, is significantly more permeable than adult skin. The diaper area in particular, warm, slightly compromised skin, absorbs topical products more readily.[1] Add to that the fact that infants have a lower capacity to metabolize chemicals than adults, and even "safe" concentrations of certain preservatives can lead to higher-than-expected systemic levels.

Ingredients Worth Avoiding

The Environmental Working Group maintains a list of high-risk chemicals frequently found in conventional personal care products.[2] Here are the ones that come up most often in baby products, and why they're flagged:

Formaldehyde Releasers

Ingredients like DMDM hydantoin, Quaternium-15, and imidazolidinyl urea are preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen, over the life of the product.[3] They appear in shampoos, wipes, and lotions. Check the ingredient list rather than the marketing claims.

Phthalates (DBP, DEHP)

Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, meaning they interfere with the hormone system. They're often used as solvents in synthetic fragrances, which is why "fragrance" or "parfum" on an ingredient list is worth being cautious about. Phthalates are linked to early puberty and male reproductive issues.

Parabens (Isobutyl, Isopropyl)

Parabens are preservatives that mimic estrogen in the body. They've been found in breast cancer tissue and are considered particularly risky during the early postnatal development of the reproductive system.[3] They appear commonly in lotions, shampoos, and wipes.

Phenoxyethanol

This one is worth specific attention for babies under six months. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative generally considered safe for adults at 1% concentration. But for infants, oral exposure (via nipple creams, for example) has been shown to cause central nervous system effects, vomiting, and diarrhea.[4] Many pediatric experts now recommend avoiding it entirely in products for newborns and young infants.

Oxybenzone

A chemical UV filter found in many sunscreens, oxybenzone is highly absorbed through the skin and has been linked to reproductive harms. For baby sunscreen specifically, mineral-only options (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) are the standard recommendation from pediatric dermatologists.[5]

Triclosan and Triclocarban

These are antibacterial agents used in soaps and some wipes. They've been linked to thyroid function disruption and contribute to antibiotic resistance. The FDA banned them from most consumer soaps in 2016, but they still appear in some products.

A simple filter: "Fragrance" and "parfum" on a baby product ingredient list is a flag. It's a catch-all term that can legally conceal hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, including phthalates. Look for products that are specifically fragrance-free (not just unscented, which can mean a masking fragrance was added).

Sunscreen: Chemical vs. Mineral

Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing into the skin and converting UV rays into heat. Mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on the surface of the skin and physically reflect UV rays. For babies, mineral is preferred, they're not absorbed into the bloodstream and are less likely to cause skin reactions.[3]

Look for non-nano zinc oxide (nano-particle versions are small enough to potentially enter the body) and avoid SPF values above 50, which often contain higher concentrations of chemical filters without meaningful additional protection.

Quick Reference: Skip vs. Use

Skip Use Instead
  • Look forWater-based, organic cotton wipes, minimal ingredients list
  • Look forZinc oxide, coconut oil, shea butter, try Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm
  • Look forNon-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, SPF 15–50, Badger SPF 40 or Thinkbaby SPF 50+
  • Look forPlant-based, soap-free, tear-free formulations, Pipette Baby Wash or California Baby Wash
  • Look forShort ingredients list, plant oils, MADE SAFE certified, Pipette Baby Lotion or Earth Mama Calendula Lotion

How to Check a Product

The EWG's Skin Deep database lets you search any product or ingredient and see a hazard rating based on the research. It's the most practical tool available for quickly checking a specific product before buying. It's free to use and covers tens of thousands of baby and personal care products.

This post contains affiliate links. See our affiliate disclosure. We are not medical professionals, if you have questions about a specific ingredient and your baby, consult a pediatrician or pediatric dermatologist.