When I was pregnant with my first child, I was given literally 11 bottles of baby lotion by friends and relatives. The smell reminded me of my own childhood and I loved that it was a lotion specially formulated for baby. I figured all of the ingredients must be natural and safe since it was for babies after all… and then I actually read the ingredients.
What’s in Baby Lotion?
I wondered why things like Propylene glycol, parabens, artificial fragrances, synthetic waxes and petroleum based oils were considered safe for children. Turns out, they aren’t considered safe for children and the products I’d been given had a hazard rating of 5-6 on the EWG website and had “moderate risk of allergies and immunotoxicity as well as reproductive and developmental toxins.
I definitely wasn’t going to put that on my baby, so I started looking for natural options. I found some great ones, but also found out that most of them were pretty expensive.
Baby Balm Skin Cream Recipe
I decided to try to make my own from all natural, food safe ingredients and this ended up being less expensive for me anyway since I had many of these ingredients on hand for my homemade lotion bars and other homemade beauty products.
Choosing Natural Ingredients
Instead of propylene glycol, parabens and synthetic ingredients, I wanted to find all-natural ingredients to put on my baby’s skin and I wanted them to even be safe enough to eat!
I decided to use:
- Cocoa Butter because it is naturally high in antioxidants and fatty acids that are moisturizing to the skin. (I ordered it here)
- Shea Butter – Natural source of Vitamin A and other nutrients, shea butter is highly nourishing to the skin. (I used this raw, unrefined one)
- Olive Oil– Moisturizing and skin protecting.
- Castor Oil– Optional but high in ricinoleic acid and skin protective. (this is the one I use)
- Essential Oils: I used Frankincense, Myrhh, Chamomile and Rose and the scent was incredible. The Chamomile I used was blue chamomile, thus the blue/green tint in the picture above.
I loved that this recipe is completely oil-based with shelf stable ingredients. Since no liquid is added, it has an indefinite shelf life and will last for months or years. It takes a few minutes to absorb in to skin and only a tiny bit is needed. I’ve had friends say that this was incredibly helpful for eczema and skin problems as well.
Baby Balm Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cocoa butter (or 32 cocoa butter wafers)
- 1/4 cup shea butter
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon castor oil
- Essential oils of choice. I used 15 drops each of Frankincense, Myrrh, Chamomile and Rose.
Baby Balm Instructions
- Heat all ingredients (except essential oils) in a double boiler or in a glass jar or bowl over a small pan of boiling water.
- Stir carefully until melted.
- Remove from heat and add essential oils if using.
- Pour in to a glass jar for storage.
- Use a small amount as needed for baby’s skin (or adult skin)
What did you use on your little ones? Ever made your own? Share below!
Is Protein Powder Healthy?
Hi, there! I just tried this today. After 2 hours, it’s still liquid. The only change I made was a few drops of vitamin E oil instead of castor oil. What did I do wrong? Can it be fixed?
Hey Katie
I tried making the balm for my 1 month old niece – but it just goes totally solid, and needs a spoon to be removed from the jar, I have more ingredients to make another batch, have you any tips on how to keep it semi soft (not rock hard)?
Thanks
Rebecca
You can actually re-melt if you want. I like that it is thicker like that since it makes it easier not to apply too much but adding more of any liquid oil (olive, almond, jajoba, etc) will help make it thinner…
I make pretty much the same kind of butter, but I whip it. After all the oils melt together i bring them to room temperature and whip them with the hand mixer, you might want to put some ice under the pot to speed up the whipping. Whip it to the consistency of whipped cream. Then it’s much easier to use. It’s like velvety smooth body butter. Hope it helps.
Where did you find that great glass jar with the write-on lid?
This looks wonderful! Can’t wait to try. Thanks again, for sharing such awesome recipes with us! 🙂
Can’t wait to make and try this on my older son. He has chafing problems, (special needs child) and I hate to use nasty commercial creams on him. I’m thinking this will work well because it is all natural oils.
This is so perfect!!! I have been looking for a recipe to use instead of store bought baby lotion, I’ve been using Coconut oil for my sons sore little butt, but it’s so thin! This looks nice and thick and creamy. Thanks for posting!
She has a great nappy rash cream recipe with beeswax. In 1 and a half year there was never a rash that that it couldn’t heal in a day!
Was your choice of essential oils based solely on scent preference, or skin benefits they provide?
Frankincense and Myrrh are nourishing and naturally soothing, chamomile is great for skin and rose just smells great.
So what’s the big difference between this and your baby rash cream? I’ve been making your other one, with the infused flowers, for years, and I’m absolutely in love with it. Just curious if I need to switch to this one? Thanks!
This one would be for use on the entire body and not just the diaper area. So glad you are enjoying it!
What if you are allergic to Shea butter? Any alternatives?
Mango butter, grass fed tallow or even just more cocoa butter will work
You might double the cocoa butter.
My son has a nut allergy and has to avoid shea butter. Do you have a recommendation for a sub that is but allergy friendly? He can’t do coconut oil either due to his allergy. Thanks so much!
Cocoa butter, mango butter or grass fed tallow (most hypoallergenic option)