Homemade Baby Balm Skin Cream Recipe

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

1. Heat all ingredients (except essential oils) in a double boiler or in a glass jar or bowl over a small pan of boiling water.
2. Stir carefully until melted.
3. Remove from heat and add essential oils if using.
4. Pour in to a glass jar for storage.
5. 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!