Best Drugstore Baby Skin Care Products
FROM SOAP TO SHAMPOO, THE GENTLEST PRODUCTS FOR YOUR LITTLE ONE
There are a great range of skin care products you can buy at your local drugstore or pharmacy without spending a ton of money. There isn’t a major difference between buying brands that cost more money. Most of my patients do well with the less expensive brands.
Here are some of my top picks:
Best Soap for Babies
When it comes to soap, it’s important to remember to use as little as possible. For bar soaps, I recommend Dove sensitive skin unscented beauty bar, Cetaphil gentle cleansing bar, Aveeno moisturizing bar for dry skin, or Basis sensitive skin bar.
Best Shampoo/Body Wash for Babies
For liquid soap substitutes/ body wash & shampoo, I recommend Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser/ Cetaphil RESTORADERM cleanser, Dove sensitive skin body wash, Aveeno eczema care body wash or baby soothing relief creamy wash/ Aveeno baby wash hair and body (light blue top), or Aquaphor gentle wash. Each of these products gently cleanses the body or hair without irritation.
Best Ointments for Babies
The most effective emollients are ointments and they are my number one pick for this cold wintertime. They can help with eczema and diaper rash and should be applied at least twice daily. Examples are Aquaphor healing ointment, plain petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline or ‘store brand’ petroleum jelly), or plain solid vegetable shortening (such as Crisco). If a rash becomes severe, try a 1% over the counter hydrocortisone ointment for 2-3 days, twice daily, but if it’s not improving, contact your pediatrician or dermatologist.
Best Creams for Babies
Creams are a great alternative to the above, especially in the summertime. I like Cetaphil moisturizing CREAM (contains almond oil)/ Cetaphil RESTORADERM (does not contain almond oil), Eucerin original moisturizing CREME, and Neutrogena Norwegian formula moisturizing CREAM. Each of these products can be applied to the entire body, including the face.
Best Sunscreen for Babies
I recommend the mineral based sunscreens, which are broad-spectrum blockers (block both UVA and UVB). They will have either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as a main ingredient. Many of the formulations are now micronized so they blend in better on the skin surface and are not chalky white. A few examples are Blue Lizard(sensitive skin or Baby), Aveeno baby Mineral sunscreen, and Neutrogena pure and free baby.