Clean + Non-Toxic Lotion For Kids
Nourish your child’s skin with a non-toxic lotion or cream formulated especially for babies and kids. I’ve found the best non-toxic lotion for kids that doesn’t contain harmful chemicals and is perfect for banishing dry skin.
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Nourish your child’s dry, itchy skin with a safe and non-toxic lotion or cream formulated for babies and kids. Conventional lotions may contain concerning chemicals like endocrine disruptors, and there’s no reason to slather these formulas on your little one’s skin when there are safe lotion options out there.
The EWG surveyed more than 3,300 parents and found that children are exposed to 27 different unsafe and harmful chemicals in body care products on a daily basis. Some of these chemicals are associated with health risks like nervous system damage, cancer and endocrine disruption.
In a study of 100 adolescent girls, researchers measured levels of phthalates, parabens, triclosan and BP-3 in urine samples. After the study subjects used personal care and cosmetic products free of these chemicals, urine samples were taken again. The concentrations of these chemicals were reduced by up to 45% after just 3 days using products free from phthalates, parabens, triclosan and BP-3.
Skin is the body’s largest organ, and, depending on the size of the molecule, ingredients in lotion are absorbed from the skin into the bloodstream. Babies and kids are especially vulnerable to any harmful chemicals in lotion since a child’s skin is 30 percent thinner and can absorb more than the skin of an adult.
Beyond avoiding certain ingredients in lotion for kids, it’s also important to bathe and shower your kids with non-toxic bath products and provide natural deodorant for your teens.
I always recommend checking the ingredients on a tube or bottle of lotion before tossing it in your cart. At the end of this post you’ll find a list of ingredients to avoid in the lotions and creams you use on your kids. I personally recommend using fragrance-free lotion on your babies, toddlers and kids. I do have some product options below that are scented with pure essential oils, and one brand, Attitude, that offers a lotion scented with EWG Verified safer synthetics (I’m okay with Attitude safer synthetics), because I know some kids prefer a scent.
If you’re unsure about which ingredients to avoid or simply want trusted recommendations, I’ve done the research for you. Below you’ll find my favorite gentle, hydrating lotions and creams made with clean, non-toxic ingredients. Whether your child is a baby, toddler, or teen, these picks will keep their skin soft, nourished, and healthy.
Pipette Baby Lotion
Cost | $11.99 for 5.7 oz ($2.10 per ounce)
Scents | Fragrance-Free, Vanilla & Ylang Ylang
From the Pipette website | This lotion gives instant, long-lasting hydration from head to toe and replenishes the natural moisture of baby’s delicate skin.
Shop | Pipette Baby Lotion
Honest Face + Body Lotion
Cost | $11.99 for 8.5 oz ($1.41 per ounce)
Scents | Fragrance-Free, Lavender, Sweet Almond, Citrus Vanilla
From the Honest website | Made with naturally derived botanicals, this Face + Body Lotion moisturizes and nourishes thirsty skin, leaving it soft + smooth. Made with Safflower Oil, Jojoba Esters, Shea Butter and Vitamin E. Designed for all skin types, and gentle enough for baby.
Shop | Honest Face + Body Lotion
California Baby Everyday Lotion
Cost | $21.99 for 8.5 oz ($2.59 per ounce)
Scents | Lavender
From the California Baby website | Our super-soothing, luxurious lotion features a beautiful, light scent from French lavender and clary sage essential oils. We supercharged this moisturizer with extra calendula extract, bringing more soothing relief to dry, sensitive, eczema-prone skin.
Shop | California Baby Everyday Lotion, California Baby Lotions & Creams
Well Kids Body Lotion
Cost | $15 for 5.8 oz ($2.59 per ounce)
Scent| Fragrance-Free
From the Well Kids website | Formulated with nourishing aloe and a short list of purposeful ingredients, this body lotion is designed to hydrate without heaviness. It has a silky, weightless finish that’s perfect for daily use on even the most delicate skin. Use code SUSIE for discount!
Shop | Well Kids Body Lotion
Attitude
Attitude Baby Leaves Body Lotion
Cost | $16.99 for 16 oz ($1.06 per ounce)
Scents | Fragrance-Free, Good Night, Pear Nectar
From the Attitude website | This fragrance-free body lotion has a lightweight and non-greasy formula and provides the perfect daily hydration for your baby or child.
Shop | Attitude Baby Leaves Body Lotion
Attitude Sensitive Natural Body Cream
Cost | $15.99 for 8 oz ($2 per ounce)
Scents | Fragrance-Free, Chamomile, Vanilla Cream, Fresh Apple
From the Attitude website | Formulated with 98.9% naturally sourced ingredients* including oat extract, to improve the appearance of dry and damaged skin while soothing discomfort related to dryness. Dermatologically tested and EWG Verified™, its rich formula with no added fragrance applies easily and comfortably without feeling greasy.
Shop | Attitude Sensitive Natural Body Cream
Attitude Ultra Nourishing Sensitive Natural Cream
Cost | $16.95 for 2.5 oz ($6.78 per ounce)
Scents | Fragrance-Free
From the Attitude website | Made with ingredients derived from plants and minerals, such as shea butter, our dermatologist-tested baby deep moisturizing cream creates a film that soothes dry, damaged or irritated skin. It soothes, moisturizes, protects and strengthens the skin’s natural barrier.
Shop | Attitude Ultra Nourishing Sensitive Natural Cream
Attitude Kids Super Leaves Body Lotion
Cost | $17.99 for 16 oz ($ per ounce)
Scents | Mango, Watermelon & Coco, Vanilla & Pear
From the Attitude website | This lightweight and non-greasy lotion nourishes kids’ delicate skin. Made with EWG Verified safer synthetics.
Shop | Attitude Kids Super Leaves Body Lotion
Evereden Nourishing Baby Face Cream
Cost | $29 for 1.7 oz ($17.06 per ounce)
Scents | Fragrance-Free
From the Evereden website | Inspired by the nature of babies’ delicate skin; babies’ faces are often drier than the rest of their bodies and are in need of intensive moisture and soothing care. The protecting baby face cream & gel is inspired by your newborn’s clean protective barrier at birth: the vernix.
Shop | Evereden Nourishing Baby Face Cream
Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Miracle Face Cream
Cost | $15.50 for 2 oz ($7.75 per ounce)
Scents | Fragrance-Free
From the Babo Botanicals website | Created to comfort and soothe dry, sensitive skin, this gentle fragrance-free baby face cream is made with plant-based ingredients including nourishing shea butter and argan oil. Suitable for daily use on even the most delicate skin, this baby face moisturizer is EWG Verified® to ensure the highest level of safety and quality.
Shop | Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Miracle Face Cream
Weleda Baby Sensitive Care Face Cream
Cost | $12.59 for 1.7 oz ($1.41 per ounce)
Scents | Fragrance-Free
From the Weleda website | Gentle face cream with no added fragrance. Formulated with white Mallow, pansy, sweet almond, beeswax and coconut.
Shop | Weleda Baby Sensitive Care Face Cream
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
Cost | $13.97 for 3 oz ($4.56 per ounce)
Scents | Fragrance-Free
From the Vanicream website | This daily face moisturizer is perfect for older kids and teens since it has no pore-clogging ingredients. It’s lightweight, gluten-free and formulated for sensitive skin.
Shop | Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
California Baby Therapeutic Relief Eczema Cream
Cost | $22.99 for 2 oz ($11.50 per ounce)
Scents | Fragrance-Free
From the California Baby website | This powerful moisturizer relieves eczema flare ups with the help of organic, gluten-free colloidal oatmeal. Enriched with organic calendula extract and aloe vera to further soothe irritated skin.
Shop | California Baby Therapeutic Relief Eczema Cream
Evereden Healing Eczema Treatment
Cost | $26 for 1.7 oz ($15.29 per ounce)
Scents | Fragrance-Free
From the Evereden website | A moisturizing and steroid-free eczema cream that reduces redness and dryness by 98%*, quickly relieves itchy skin, and is suitable for newborns and sensitive skin.
Shop | Evereden Healing Eczema Treatment
California Baby Super Sensitive Calendula Cream
Cost | $20.99 for 1.8 oz ($11.66 per ounce)
Scents | Fragrance-Free
From the California Baby website | This nourishing cream is supercharged with extra calendula extract, bringing more soothing relief to dry, sensitive skin. With no added fragrance, this cream is formulated for sensitive skin.
Shop | California Baby Super Sensitive Calendula Cream
Honest Eczema Relief Cream
Cost | $16.93 for 7 oz ($2.42 per ounce)
Scents | Fragrance-Free
From the Honest website | This cream provides long-lasting moisturization to itchy, irritated eczema prone skin. Made with the gentle power of prebiotics and soothing colloidal oatmeal to help repair the skin barrier. We use this cream as an everyday cream and love it! It’s easy to rub in and has a non-greasy after-feel.
Shop | Honest Eczema Relief Cream
Hyland’s Baby Eczema Lotion
Cost | $7.70 for 5 oz ($1.54 per ounce)
Scents | Fragrance-Free
From the Hylands website | This lightweight lotion, made with Colloidal Oatmeal and other skin comforting organic ingredients, delivers moisture to soothe the dryness and flakiness eczema can bring.
Shop | Hyland’s Baby Eczema Lotion
Hyland’s Baby Eczema Cream
Cost | $11.99 for 5 oz ($2.40 per ounce)
Scents | Fragrance-Free
From the Hylands website | This rich cream, made with Colloidal Oatmeal and other skin comforting organic ingredients, delivers intensive moisture to soothe the dryness and flakiness eczema can bring.
Shop | Hyland’s Baby Eczema Cream
Avoid These Ingredients
- BHA and BHT- Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHA) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHT) are preservatives derived from petroleum and found in some lotion formulations. BHA is an endocrine disruptor and a possible carcinogen. BHT is a respiratory irritant and is considered toxic or harmful to human organ systems.
- Formaldehyde- Diazolidinyl urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea, DMDM hydantoin, methenamine and quarternium-15 are formaldehyde-releasing preservatives found in skin care products and cosmetics. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen as well as a skin irritant.
- Mineral Oil– You might find this listed as petrolatum, mineral oil, liquid paraffin, or paraffin oil on the ingredient list. Petrolatum is a byproduct of oil refining, and was originally discovered in the 1800’s building up in the machinery of an oil rig. Petroleum jelly is highly susceptible to contamination of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Once PAHs enter the body, they are stored in the kidneys, liver, and fat cells. There are more than 100 types of PAHs, and about 15 are thought to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Petroleum jelly also contains xenoestrogens, which interact with hormone receptors and may increase estrogen-related health issues in the body.
- Parabens- Parabens are a type of preservative used to prevent the growth of bacteria and prolong the shelf life of lip balm, deodorant, lotion, and other beauty products. The most commonly used are methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben and butylparaben. Based on a study conducted at the University of California Berkeley, researchers found that parabens were able to stimulate breast cancer cell growth, even at concentrations 100 times lower than the natural growth factor heregulin. These findings suggest that paraben exposure doesn’t have to be high to lead to cancer growth. The European Union banned the use parabens in cosmetics in 2012.
- Phenoxyethanol, Steareth, & Other Ethoxylated Ingredients- The “-eth” is a good indication that ethoxylation has been used. Ethoxylated ingredients can contain the impurities ethylene oxide and/or 1,4-dioxane, which are associated with reproductive, developmental and endocrine effects, as well as cancer.
- Phthalates- Phthalates are used to increase the flexibility and transparency in plastics. They’re also found in beauty products, and they enhance product absorption, help products stick to your skin and keep fragrance smelling fresh. Phthalates mimic hormones, interrupting hormone production. A 2018 review found that current human exposure to phthalates may have effects on the male reproductive system.
- Polyethylene glycol– Polyethylene glycol is used to make lotion thicker and better able to transport moisture to the skin. The manufacturing process and introduce impurities and by-products, such as ethylene oxides and 1,4-dioxane, which are known carcinogenic materials.
- Synthetic fragrance- Beauty products can list fragrance as one ingredient and don’t have to disclose the fact that these formulations may contain hundreds of ingredients. Synthetic Fragrance may contain carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, allergens, respiratory irritants and neurotoxic chemicals. Synthetic musks like galaxolide and tonalide, are linked to hormone disruption. Fragrance formulations also contain phthalates, which are hormone disruptors.
More Kids Natural Living Inspiration
References
- Butylated hydroxyanisole. Toxicology Data Network. Environmental Health and Toxicology. 2017 Feb. 28.
https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+3913 - Jayalakshmi, C.P. and Sharma, J.D. Effect of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on rat erythrocytes. Environ Res. 1986 Oct;41(1):235-8.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3757972 - Congleton, J. Exposing The Cosmetics Cover-up: Is Cancer-Causing Formaldehyde In Your Cosmetics? Environmental Working Group (EWG).
https://www.ewg.org/research/exposing-cosmetics-cover/formaldehyde-releasers - Vrabie, C.M. Specific in vitro toxicity of crude and refined petroleum products: II. Estrogen (alpha and beta) and androgen receptor-mediated responses in yeast assays. Environ Toxicol Chem. 2010 Jul;29(7):1529-36.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20821602 - adke, E.G. et al. Phthalate exposure and male reproductive outcomes: A systematic review of the human epidemiological evidence. Environ Int. 2018 Dec;121(Pt 1):764-793.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30336412 - Patisaul, H.B. and Adawele, H.B. Long-Term Effects of Environmental Endocrine Disruptors on Reproductive Physiology and Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci. 2009; 3: 10.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2706654/ - Radke, E.G. et al. Phthalate exposure and male reproductive outcomes: A systematic review of the human epidemiological evidence. Environ Int. 2018 Dec;121(Pt 1):764-793.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30336412 - Jang, H.J. et al. Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use. Toxicol Res. 2015 Jun; 31(2): 105–136.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4505343/ - Nudelman, J. and Engel, C. Right To Know. Exposing toxic fragrance chemicals in beauty, personal care and cleaning products. Breast Cancer Prevention Partners and Campaign For Safe Cosmetics. Sept. 2018.
https://d124kohvtzl951.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/26092837/BCPP_Right-To-Know-Report_Secret-Toxic-Fragrance-Ingredients_9_26_2018.pdf - Synthetic Musks. Campaign For Safe Cosmetics. A Project of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners.
http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/synthetic-musks/