When I was expecting my first child, I received 11 bottles of baby lotion from friends and family. The scent brought back memories of my own childhood, and I appreciated that the lotion was designed specifically for babies. I assumed all its ingredients were natural and safe because it was intended for babies, but then I took a closer look at the ingredients list.
I was surprised to see things like propylene glycol, parabens, artificial fragrances, synthetic waxes, and petroleum-based oils and wondered why these were deemed safe for kids. Turns out, they’re not safe, as the products I had been gifted had a hazard rating of 5-6 on the EWG website, indicating a moderate risk of allergies, immunotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxins.
I decided there was no way I’d use that for my baby, so I started searching for natural alternatives. While I found some good options, I also realized they were quite pricey.
That’s when I decided to make my own baby lotion using all-natural, food-safe ingredients. It turned out to be cheaper for me because I already had many of these ingredients from making my own lotion bars and other homemade beauty products.
I wanted to replace propylene glycol, parabens, and synthetic substances with all-natural ingredients that would be safe enough for my baby’s skin—even safe to eat!
I was thrilled with this recipe because it was entirely oil-based with stable ingredients. Since there’s no liquid added, it has a long shelf life and can last for months or even years. It takes a few minutes to soak into the skin, and you only need a tiny amount. Friends even told me it worked wonders for eczema and other skin issues.
What have you used on your little ones? Have you ever tried making your own? Feel free to share below!
