Is your baby plagued by dry or itchy skin? The right lotion can be the solution. Singapore's top baby balms reviewed by our mum testing panel.
Meet the testers
Cynthia Lim, 35, finance manager and mum to Jacob Koh, 9 months.
Geline Poh, 35, stay-at home mum to Darilyn Ho, 17 months.
Lin Jun Yin, 37, technical marketing manager and mum to Abbie Tan, 23 months.
Theresa Ho, 36, teacher and mum to Tynez Teo, 5 months.
Mum’s Fave
NUK Care Nutri-Protecting Cream FROM Robinsons and Isetan. Theresa says “Great size for bringing around in my diaper bag. It works wonders too — my baby’s eczema and milk rash cleared up after two applications!”
WHAT Enriched with sea minerals and seaweed extracts, this non-greasy cream forms a protective film and works effectively against dry skin.
PROS Can be used on both the face and body.
CONS None.
Jun Yin says “Love the shape — it’s easy to dispense the product and since it hardly has any scent, it’s great for those with sensitive noses.”
SP says Natural ingredients in this handy get pack a powerful punch.
From Robinsons and Isetan.
What Enriched with sea minerals and seaweed extracts, this non-greasy cream forms a protective film and works effectively against dry skin.
Pros Can be used on both the face and body.
Cons None.
Theresa says “Great size for bringing around in my diaper bag. It works wonders too — my baby’s eczema and milk rash cleared up after two applications!”
Jun Yin says “Love the shape — it’s easy to dispense the product and since it hardly has any scent, it’s great for those with sensitive noses.”
M&B says Natural ingredients in this handy get pack a powerful punch.
FROM www.pupsikstudio.com Cynthia says “Chock-full of natural ingredients, though I don’t really like the smell.”
Weleda Calendula Body Cream
WHAT This nourishing formula soothes inflammation, thanks to pure organic and natural plant extracts like calendula.
PROS All-natural ingredients and very moisturising.
CONS Pricey and has a strong oil/wax smell.
Theresa says “Rather tricky to apply but tackles rashes rather effectively.”
SP says Since it’s rather thick and sticky, it’s suitable if your baby has certain skin conditions.
From www.pupsikstudio.com
What This nourishing formula soothes inflammation, thanks to pure organic and natural plant extracts like calendula.
Pros All-natural ingredients and very moisturising.
Cons Pricey and has a strong oil/wax smell.
Cynthia says “Chock-full of natural ingredients, though I don’t really like the smell.”
Theresa says “Rather tricky to apply but tackles rashes rather effectively.”
M&B says Since it’s rather thick and sticky, it’s suitable if your baby has certain skin conditions.
Best Value
Tollyjoy Baby Lotion FROM Major department stores, hypermarts, supermarkets and baby speciality stores. Jun Yin says “Very affordably priced and smells wonderful, though the scent does not linger.”
WHAT A mildly scented emollient that prevents dryness.
PROS Great value for money.
CONS Bulky size and shape.
Geline says “Easy to apply and a little goes a long way.”
SP says A fuss-free lotion that does its job.
From Major department stores, hypermarts, supermarkets and baby speciality stores.
What A mildly scented emollient that prevents dryness.
Pros Great value for money.
Cons Bulky size and shape.
Jun Yin says “Very affordably priced and smells wonderful, though the scent does not linger.”
Geline says “Easy to apply and a little goes a long way.”
M&B says A fuss-free lotion that does its job.
FROM www.pupsikstudio.com Jun Yin says “The relaxing scent calms both my baby and me! Not a fan of the tub design though.”
California Baby Calming Cream
WHAT Rich and creamy non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) moisturiser with organic ingredients that’s scented with California Baby’s special calming French lavender fragrance.
PROS Easy-to-apply balm with natural ingredients.
CONS Tub design makes it difficult to dispense with one hand.
Geline says “Skin feels soft, though a tad sticky after application.”
SP says An aromatic emollient that works wonders on dry skin.
From www.pupsikstudio.com
What Rich and creamy non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) moisturiser with organic ingredients that’s scented with California Baby’s special calming French lavender fragrance.
Pros Easy-to-apply balm with natural ingredients.
Cons Tub design makes it difficult to dispense with one hand.
Jun Yin says “The relaxing scent calms both my baby and me! Not a fan of the tub design though.”
Geline says “Skin feels soft, though a tad sticky after application.”
M&B says An aromatic emollient that works wonders on dry skin.
FROM www.sunkissbabies.com Geline says “So thick it requires some effort to scoop out. I need to melt it on my palm first before applying, but once I do, the moisturising effect is superb!”
Babybearshop Cheeky Baby Butter
WHAT This thick, natural baby balm features certified organic ingredients like lavender and camomile. Free from artificial preservatives, fragrances and parabens.
PROS Moisturises very well.
CONS Waxy feel and the jar may leave it vulnerable to contamination.
Cynthia says “I’m a big fan of the heavenly, soothing scent, but not of the jar, nor the oily feeling it leaves on my hands.”
SP says Gentle, calming and hydrating. Though it’s pricey, it offers a lot of mileage.
From www.sunkissbabies.com
What This thick, natural baby balm features certified organic ingredients like lavender and camomile. Free from artificial preservatives, fragrances and parabens.
Pros Moisturises very well.
Cons Waxy feel and the jar may leave it vulnerable to contamination.
Geline says “So thick it requires some effort to scoop out. I need to melt it on my palm first before applying, but once I do, the moisturising effect is superb!”
Cynthia says “I’m a big fan of the heavenly, soothing scent, but not of the jar, nor the oily feeling it leaves on my hands.”
M&B says Gentle, calming and hydrating. Though it’s pricey, it offers a lot of mileage.
Best for Sensitive Skin
MooGoo Skincare MSM Soothing Cream FROM www.poshbaby.sg, Niche Babies, Isetan, Kiddy Palace and Spring Maternity. Jun Yin says “My baby’s heat rash and itchy skin took a backseat after just two days! Amazing and remarkably efficient — I highly recommend it!
WHAT This paraben-free, made-in-Australia treatment is full of natural skin-healing ingredients like allantoin (comfrey root active), vitamin E, aloe vera and honey.
PROS In a handy size and fitted with a pump, it’s easy to dispense and contains all-natural ingredients.
CONS Pricey.
Geline says “Creamy, moisturising and easy to apply, although it has a slight petroleum smell.”
SP says Rashes, be gone — this creamy lotion soothes dry, irritated skin like a dream.
From www.poshbaby.sg, Niche Babies, Isetan, Kiddy Palace and Spring Maternity.
What This paraben-free, made-in-Australia treatment is full of natural skin-healing ingredients like allantoin (comfrey root active), vitamin E, aloe vera and honey.
Pros In a handy size and fitted with a pump, it’s easy to dispense and contains all-natural ingredients.
Cons Pricey.
Jun Yin says “My baby’s heat rash and itchy skin took a backseat after just two days! Amazing and remarkably efficient — I highly recommend it!
Geline says “Creamy, moisturising and easy to apply, although it has a slight petroleum smell.”
M&B says Rashes, be gone — this creamy lotion soothes dry, irritated skin like a dream.
FROM Himalaya Herbals, Watsons, Giant and John Little. Geline says “Easy to smooth on and great to use during baby massage time.”
Himalaya Herbals
WHAT Herbal active hypoallergenic formula boasts vitamin E-enriched olive and almond oils to soothe and fight infections, plus liquorice to relieve itching, swelling and redness.
PROS Offers value for money as a little goes a long way.
CONS None.
Cynthia says “It’s reasonably priced. Though a tad watery, it’s easily absorbed into the skin.”
SP says A simple and effective salve.
From Himalaya Herbals, Watsons, Giant and John Little.
What Herbal active hypoallergenic formula boasts vitamin E-enriched olive and almond oils to soothe and fight infections, plus liquorice to relieve itching, swelling and redness.
Pros Offers value for money as a little goes a long way.
Cons None.
Geline says “Easy to smooth on and great to use during baby massage time.”
Cynthia says “It’s reasonably priced. Though a tad watery, it’s easily absorbed into the skin.”
M&B says A simple and effective salve.