How to choose baby skincare products, a guide for parents

Baby skin is extraordinary. Soft, new to the world, and still developing many of the protective mechanisms adult skin takes for granted. For new parents, navigating the sheer number of baby skincare products on the shelves can feel overwhelming, especially when every label seems to promise something different.

This guide cuts through the noise. We'll walk you through the different product types, what ingredients actually matter, what to look for in a formulation and how to think about your baby's skin microbiome, the invisible but vital community of microorganisms that plays a key role in skin health from birth.

• Baby skin is thinner and more permeable than adult skin, so what you put on it matters.

• The skin microbiome is still developing in infants, using microbiome-friendly products helps protect this delicate balance.

• Look for fragrance-free formulations, and dermatologically tested products.

• Ointments provide the most intensive barrier support for dry or sensitive areas.

• Probiotic skincare is an emerging category that supports the skin's natural flora rather than disrupting it.

Why baby skin needs its own products

It's not marketing, baby skin genuinely is different. Newborn and infant skin is around 20–30% thinner than adult skin, has a higher surface-area-to-body-weight ratio and is more delicate and permeable than adult skin . The skin barrier, which controls moisture loss and keeps irritants out, is still maturing in the first year of life.

At the same time, your baby's skin microbiome, the community of bacteria and other microorganisms that live on and protect the skin is brand new. At birth, a baby picks up its first microbes from its mother and environment. This microbial community is less diverse and more fragile than an adult's, which is why products that disrupt it can cause more harm than good.

The goal of baby skincare is not just to clean and moisturise, it's to support the skin's natural systems while doing as little harm as possible to its developing microbiome.

What does each product actually do?

The baby skincare aisle includes several distinct product formats. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right one for the situation.

Cleansers and wash products

Baby wash and shampoo are designed to gently cleanse without stripping the skin's natural oils. Look for pH-balanced formulas (baby skin has a slightly acidic pH of around 5.5) and avoid products with strong surfactants, fragrances, or preservatives. For newborns, plain warm water is often sufficient.

Lotions and creams

Moisturising lotions and creams are water-based, making them lighter and easier to spread. They're good for everyday hydration on normal baby skin. Creams have a slightly higher oil content than lotions and offer a little more barrier protection. Both are appropriate for general use after bathing.

Ointments

Ointments are oil-based rather than water-based, which makes them significantly more occlusive which means they create a seal on the skin that locks in moisture and protects against external irritants. This makes them particularly effective for dry patches, chafing, and sensitive or atopic-prone areas. Their denser texture means a little goes a long way.

Ointments are generally the most appropriate format for targeted application of problem areas rather than head-to-toe application.

Nappy rash creams

Nappy rash creams are formulated specifically for the nappy area, typically with zinc oxide as an active ingredient to create a protective barrier against moisture and irritants. They tend to be thicker than general ointments. It's worth noting that a targeted ointment for dry or sensitive skin and a nappy rash cream serve different purposes.

What ingredients should parents look for and what to avoid

Ingredients to look for

• Shea butter: A rich emollient derived from the shea tree. It's naturally high in fatty acids and helps soften and nourish delicate skin without irritation.

• Natural plant oils (e.g. rapeseed/canola oil): Provide moisture and support the skin barrier. Plant-based oils are generally well-tolerated on baby skin.

• Ceramides: Lipids naturally found in the skin that help maintain the barrier. Useful in creams designed for atopic or eczema-prone skin.

• Probiotics: Help support the skin's natural microbial balance. Particularly relevant for babies whose skin microbiome is still developing.

Ingredients to avoid

• Fragrances and parfum: Even 'natural' fragrances are among the most common causes of contact sensitisation in babies. Fragrance-free is always safer.

• Harsh surfactants (e.g. sodium lauryl sulphate): Can strip natural oils and disrupt the skin's pH and microbial balance.

• Harsh preservatives: While generally regarded as safe in low concentrations, many parents and dermatologists prefer to err on the side of caution with infant products.

• Essential oils: Despite their natural origin, many essential oils (lavender, tea tree, citrus) can be irritating or sensitising on baby skin.

Why the skin microbiome matters for baby skincare choices

The skin microbiome is the ecosystem of microorganisms that live on the surface of skin and play a critical role in immune defence, barrier function, and skin health. When this ecosystem is balanced, skin is resilient, calm and hydrated.When it becomes unbalanced, skin may feel dry, sensitive or uncomfortable.

For babies, this matters especially. Their skin microbiome is still being established in the first months and years of life, shaped by birth method, environment, breastfeeding, and crucially the products applied to their skin. Overuse of antibacterial products, harsh cleansers, or even harsh preservatives can interfere with this early colonisation.

This is why microbiome-friendly formulations are becoming increasingly important in baby skincare. Rather than simply cleaning or moisturising the skin, they're designed to work with the skin's natural ecosystem not against it.

Probiotic ointments for baby and children’s skin

One of the most exciting developments in baby skincare is the introduction of topical probiotic products Unlike traditional moisturisers that primarily focus on hydration., probiotic formulations introduce live beneficial bacteria that can actively support the skin's microbial environment.

The BioGaia® Skincare Probiotic Ointment is the UK's first probiotic ointment for babies and children. It combines an ointment base of shea butter and plant oils with BioGaia's clinically tested, patented strain of Lactobacillus reuteri, one of the world's most scientifically studied probiotics, with over 220 clinical studies completed. The ointment is designed as a targeted spot treatment for dry, sensitive, and atopic-prone skin, applied twice daily to problem areas.

Because live probiotics are inherently fragile, BioGaia uses its patented LongevityGuard® technology to keep the bacteria viable at room temperature for up to 24 months. A small desiccant strip inside the tube absorbs excess moisture, protecting the live cultures without the need for refrigeration.

The formulation is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and dermatologically tested, with just four ingredients: Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Canola Oil, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, and Lactobacillus. It's gentle enough for daily use and suitable for use across the whole body.

When to use which product

• After every bath: A gentle, fragrance-free lotion or cream to restore moisture after cleansing.

• Dry or flaky patches: A targeted ointment applied twice daily to problem areas. Use a small amount, as ointments are concentrated.

• Nappy area redness: A dedicated nappy rash cream containing zinc oxide at each nappy change.

• Sensitive or atopic-prone skin: A microbiome-friendly probiotic ointment as part of a consistent daily skincare routine, alongside a gentle non-foaming cleanser.

• Chafing from clothing or movement: A thin layer of ointment to reduce friction and protect the skin barrier.

Quick checklist when choosing a baby skincare product

When assessing any baby skincare product, ask:

• Is it fragrance-free and free from essential oils?

• Has it been dermatologically tested and hypoallergenic-rated?

• Is the formulation pH-appropriate for baby skin?

• Does it actively support, rather than disrupt, the skin microbiome?

• Is it backed by clinical research or independent testing?

Choosing baby skincare products doesn't have to be complicated – but it does require knowing what to look for. Microbiome-friendly means formulations that work with your baby's natural skin flora rather than against it, and the right product format (lotion, cream, or ointment) makes a real difference depending on your baby's skin needs.

The science of infant skincare is evolving. Products like BioGaia® Skincare Probiotic Ointment represent a new generation of formulations designed to support the skin microbiome and skin barrier.

Discover BioGaia Aldermis BABY Ointment – the UK's first probiotic baby ointment, combining patented L. reuteri with nourishing shea butter and plant oils. Fragrance-free, dermatologically tested, and designed for sensitive baby skin from birth.