5 Home Remedies to Deal with Dry and Chapped Skin in Babies

Baby skin is extremely sensitive and prone to dryness; this is not surprising, because the delicate skin of infants reacts more quickly to changes in the environment and weather. In fact, the epidermis of a newborn baby is around 20% thinner than that of an adult’s! 

Thus, dry, chapped skin in babies is a common problem faced by parents and can often be a hassle to deal with. After all, everyone wants their baby to feel cozy and relaxed, and dry, itchy skin is definitely uncomfortable. 

Fortunately, there are a number of effective home remedies that can help soothe dry and irritated baby skin. So don’t worry, your baby will be fine!

With lots of love, a little bit of patience, and some simple tips, you can help soothe your baby's chapped skin almost instantly. 

How to Treat Dry Skin in Babies at Home

Around the world, certain natural ingredients have been used for centuries to treat dry and chapped skin in babies. In modern times, scientific research has proven the effectiveness of these natural ingredients, methods, and treatments.

So, let’s dive right in and explore some of the best home remedies for dry skin in babies. 

1. Moisturize Your Baby Immediately After a Bath

Your baby’s skin is sensitive and is still developing oil production glands. Therefore, dry and chapped skin is quite normal and not usually a cause for concern. However, it still needs to be dealt with!

 

Moisturize your baby — with natural oils or organic hypoallergenic baby lotions — immediately after a bath, when their skin is damp and extra receptive to moisture. This will give your baby's skin a layer of protection and prevent it from becoming dehydrated and chapped.

Additionally, you don’t need to bathe your baby very often, as it can dry out their skin quite a bit. Talk to your baby's doctor to figure out the best approach to baths!

2. Apply Coconut Oil 

Coconut oil is well-known for its medicinal and healing properties. It repairs and maintains the skin’s natural barrier, keeps germs at bay, and is great for babies!

With its antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, coconut oil will not only get rid of dryness but also make your baby’s skin healthy, soft, and smooth. 

Apply coconut oil to patches of dry skin, chapped lips, or rashes. You can also massage your baby every day with it. Coconut oil is used for treating eczema, diaper rashes, and psoriasis — its all-encompassing effectiveness is quite impressive!

Make sure to always opt for organic virgin coconut oil for your baby, especially if you are using it as a cure for your infant’s chapped lips. 

3. Use Aloe Vera Gel

Say hello to aloe vera! An antioxidant known for its moisturising properties, aloe vera will be gentle and soothing on your baby’s skin.

Apply the aloe gel to dry patches on your baby’s skin and/or incorporate it into your baby’s daily skincare routine. Just avoid the eyes, nostrils, mouth, and genitals, and your baby will be happy and free from irritating dryness. 

Well-loved around the world, aloe vera possesses antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties; this miracle succulent plant also soothes sunburns and rashes. It is effective, easily accessible, and immediately gets absorbed into your baby’s skin.

Make sure to use organic aloe vera gel that is devoid of additives, preservatives, and fragrances. 

4. Choose Shea Butter 

Shea butter is lightweight and non-greasy but has the ability to easily penetrate the skin to moisturize it deeply. No wonder it's such a popular ingredient in skincare routines around the world!

Packed with Vitamins A, E, and F, shea butter is a great option to combat dry and chapped skin in babies. In fact, this fat extracted from shea tree nuts is known for effectively treating acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema as well. 

Shea butter gets absorbed quickly, has anti-inflammatory properties, acts as a powerful antioxidant, and is suitable for all skin types.

Before applying pure, organic, and unprocessed shea butter to your baby’s dry skin, warm it up a little. Remember to avoid your little one’s eyes, mouth, and genitals! 

5. Give Your Baby an Oil Massage Every Day

Dryness in babies will come and go, but a good way to keep your baby’s skin healthy and moisturized at all times is through daily oil massages.

Using natural oils and butters (such as coconut oil and shea butter), you can give your young one a loving massage that will not only moisturize, strengthen, and protect their skin’s barrier but also contribute positively to their muscle development. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy some lovely parent-baby bonding time!

If your baby does not have any skin conditions, a daily oil massage will certainly be enough to avoid dry, itchy, and chapped skin. However, always do a patch test to rule out allergies before trying out or deciding to regularly use an oil, butter, or product on your baby’s skin.

Additionally, if you are concerned about using home remedies on your baby's delicate skin, you can always consult with a paediatrician or dermatologist to find the best treatment option. Moreover, a doctor will also help you figure out if the dryness experienced by your baby is normal or a sign of a skin condition like eczema. 

Protect Your Baby’s Skin Naturally with Nature’s Baby Organics

Whether you use coconut oil, aloe vera, shea butter, or any other natural remedy, your baby's skin will thank you for it! So don't hesitate to give these home remedies a try and help keep your baby's skin soft and supple. 

Meanwhile, it is important to find and use baby products — soaps, shampoos, powders, and lotions — that are organic and devoid of unnecessary and harsh chemicals, because that’s what’s best for a baby’s fragile skin. Well, you don’t have to look too far! 

Nature’s Baby Organics has a range of fantastic plant-derived baby care products that are USDA Certified Organic, cruelty-free, and minimally processed. Hypoallergenic, dermatologist-approved, and certified toxin-free, our baby skin and hair products contain the very ingredients listed in the home remedies above.

That’s right, with Nature’s Baby Organics, you get the benefit of coconut oil, aloe vera, shea butter, chamomile oil, jojoba oil, and lavender oil along with many other nutrient-rich natural ingredients. 

So, if your baby has dry and chapped skin, consider giving our Organic Massage & Baby Oil (Mandarin Coconut) a try. Paraben-free, sulfate-free, and biodegradable, this massage oil will effectively moisturize your baby’s skin and protect it from outside elements.

You can also check out our Face & Body Lotion and Moisturizer (Fragrance Free), which contains organic aloe, chamomile, and calendula and can combat a wide range of baby skin issues. Don’t forget, a moisturized baby is a healthy baby!