emollient for babies

Baby emollients are used to treat diaper rash, dry or chapped skin, eczema, and other itchy or irritated areas such as drool rash and minor rashes.

Labeling varies by product. Common age ranges include newborn and up, 0–6 months, 3 months and up, 1 year and up, and some products state “All Ages.”

Colloidal oatmeal is listed as an active skin protectant used to soothe and relieve dry, itchy, or irritated skin. It appears in bath treatments as well as topical creams and balms.

Typical directions include applying ointment during diaper changes to help prevent rash, using lotions after baths, and gently applying balms at night or to itchy areas. Some products recommend massaging into the skin and daily or nightly use depending on the formulation.

Common forms include ointments, balms, lotions, creams, oils, and liquid bath treatments.

Common active ingredients include petrolatum, colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, shea butter, argan oil, vitamin E, aloe, and licorice root extract.

Some products are scented (for example chamomile), while others are unscented or labeled “no fragrance added.” Many also carry hypoallergenic or “free-from” claims such as paraben-free, phthalate-free, and dye-free; some formulations specifically state they exclude steroids or phenoxyethanol.