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There seems to be an unwritten rule that the moment you bring a tiny, innocent human into the world, you start scrutinizing everything in your surrounding environments. Items that once passed muster for you without a second thought are suddenly the worst possible idea for your baby. One of the first areas to go under the microscope is usually personal care products — after all, they go directly on our skin. And while we’ll always have a soft spot for drugstore beauty, there’s something a bit more reassuring about shopping small in this department.
Best Baby Skincare Brands at a Glance
Best Overall: Nemah
Best Splurge Baby Skincare: Dr. Barbara Sturm
Best Baby Skincare Brand at Target: Pipette
Best for Eczema-Prone Skin: Dabble Ducky
Best Baby Face Cream: Ever Eden
Most Fun Baby Skincare: Bubbsi
Most Popular Baby Skincare Brand: Tubby Todd
Best for Hair: Fairy Tales
Best Parent-Trusted: Paloroma
Best Dermatologist-Tested: Mini Bloom
Best for Baby Massages: EllaOla
For one, independently owned brands have a greater tendency to err on the side of natural and organic, and there’s a whole lot of thought and care behind what’s put into their products. Plus, there’s the sense of discovery and support for the underdogs that can’t be beat. And, if you also love finding new “cool” baby brands on the internet, you’ll also love the look of how great the products look in your baby stash or diaper caddy — they make a great shelfie.
We dug deep to find 12 indie baby beauty brands that every mom should have on their radar; click through to see them all.
This story was originally published in May 2018.
Nemah
Founded by influencer Mary Lawless Lee, Nemah is a newer luxury skincare brand to have on your radar for your babies. Its products focus on clean, effective, and dermatologist-approved formulas that soothe babies’ skin. We recommend adding the Bath-Time Duo to your cart. The set cleanses away traces of playtime, leaving hair and skin feeling squeaky clean!
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Image Credit: Dr. Barbara Sturm Dr. Barbara Sturm focuses on crafting its products for sensitive young skin. Stock up on bathtime essentials with skincare items made from non-irritating ingredients — this set comes in an essential bundle, perfect for gift-giving too!
Dr. Barbara Sturm Baby & Kids Body Set$130
Pipette
Image Credit: Image: Pipette Pipette is known for gentle and nontoxic formulas suitable for both moms and babies. Some of their bestsellers include a tear-free Baby Shampoo + Wash, which includes plant-derived ingredients that are never harmful to baby’s skin.
Dabble Ducky
Image Credit: Image: Dabble Ducky This cute (and new) baby skincare brand is making quite the splash. The products are made in the US and include ingredients that are safe for “infant, eczema-prone and sensitive/dry skin,” a rep for the brand shared with us. You can shop Dabble Ducky’s Fragrance-Free Infant Lotion, which protects your infant’s skin barrier and boosts hydration.
Dabble Ducky Fragrance-Free Infant Lotion$20
Ever Eden
Image Credit: Image: Ever Eden Ever Eden is another great skincare brand for your little one. Each product is crafted to exceed the highest safety standards. The brand makes it its mission to back every ingredient by strict standards guided by an advisory board with over 55 years of combined experience.
Ultra Light Baby Face Cream$25 (originally $33)
Bubbsi
Image Credit: Bubbsi Make bathtime power struggles a thing of the past with Bubbsi, whose toy-like animal-shaped bottles are so cute, your kids will actually look forward to splashing around in the tub with them. Beauty industry vet and mom of two Sweta Doshi developed the coconut oil–based line after her daughter developed eczema and found the natural ingredient to be the only thing that worked but wanted a more enjoyable, mess-free way to apply it. The resulting Whipped Coconut Oil Body Cream, Creamy Coconut Oil Shampoo + Wash and Coconut Oil Balm — which can be used as a diaper cream, cradle cap treatment or even an oil cleanser — live up to that promise and then some. The silicone bottles are not only fun for children to squeeze (promoting fine-motor development and independence all in one fell swoop!), they’re also environmentally friendly. Once you’re out, simply buy the brand’s 32-ounce refills ($50–$55) for years of more squishy fun.
Creamy Coconut Oil Shampoo + Wash$20
Tubby Todd
Image Credit: Tubby Todd If you follow any lifestyle mom bloggers, chances are you’ve seen this impeccably designed — and highly Instagrammable — bath care brand in your feed before. The plant-based products are sold both individually and in customizable, cost-saving bundles (the “Basics” gets you a Hair & Body Wash, Everyday Lotion, All Over Ointment and Bubble Bath plus your choice of three extras for $80). Notable picks include the rightfully named Dream Cream ($16), which soothes myriad skin irritations with shea butter and almond oil and the quince-and-honeysuckle-scented Baby Fresh Spray ($15) for freshening up linens and bodies in between washes.
The Baby Bundle$63, originally $73
Fairy Tales
Image Credit: Fairy Tales This children’s natural hair care brand launched in 1999 with its Rosemary Repel range, which prevents lice with its namesake herb as well as tea tree and geranium oils. While lice-fighting products are still at the company’s core, Fairy Tales has since expanded its scope to tackle more mundane mane problems. To wit, the Sun & Swim collection combats summer’s harshest elements, while the Tangle Tamer line makes brushing battles more bearable.
Static-Free Detangling Spray$9.99
Paloroma
Image Credit: Image: Paloroma Founded by Jane Keltner de Valle and Giancarlo Valle, Paloroma was birthed from the need to find products that the pair trusted for their own children, for whom the brand is named for Roman and Paloma.
Smooth Sailing Gentle Cleansing Bar$12
Mini Bloom
Mini Bloom’s mission is “rooted in nature, formulated to nurture,” and that’s what each product does for your little one. Each product is dermatologist-tested and approved to ensure that they are safe for little skin to use. One product we love? The Silk Milk which replenishes moisture to soothe and soften your little one’s skin.
EllaOla
Image Credit: Image: EllaOla Your baby will love bonding with you through a massage. And thanks to this massage oil from EllaOla, you can use the time to spend enjoying your baby and nourishing their skin with gentle ingredients that provide 72 hours of hydration.
100% Organic Baby Massage Oil$26
Wash With Water
Every mom needs a bath bundle on their registry. And you’re in luck. Wash With Water has excellent gift-giving products that you’ll want to keep for your own little ones.
Sensitive Baby Bathtime Essentials Gift Set$46
