The best baby massage oils for sensitive skin


by Lily Anderson |
Updated on

There are so many benefits to giving your baby a massage. Not only will a massage help to calm, soothe and relax your baby, but they're also great for helping you bond with your baby. Although you don't need oil to give your baby a massage, the best baby massage oils can help keep your baby's skin soft and moisturised while helping you both relax.

It's just important to make sure you choose the right oil - just because an oil uses natural ingredients doesn't always mean it's suitable for sensitive baby skin.

Best at a glance:

When it comes to using the best products to use, be sure to warm it up between your palms before gently starting to massage your baby to help make them feel as happy and comfortable as you can.

Things to consider before buying massage oil

When choosing a massage oil for your baby, consider how kind it'll be on your tot's sensitive skin. All babies are different, and their skin can react differently to oils.

While there are many brilliant and safe baby massage oils on the market, you might want to try a more natural approach. You'll probably find lots of options in your kitchen or around the house, including coconut oil, petroleum jelly, shea butter and almond oil, to name a few.

That said, some oils should not be used on your baby's skin for a massage, including:

  • Olive oil

  • Tea tree oil

  • Mustard oil

  • Peanut oil

  • Avocado oil

  • Essential oils - many of these are highly concentrated, so aren't suitable for baby skin

Best baby massage oils 2024

If you'd prefer to buy the best massage oils specifically made for baby skin, we've rounded up some of the best for you to shop.

Editor's choice for best baby oil
 Childs Farm Baby Oil Organic Coconut, 75mlAmazon
Price: £10.56
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=eb32892e8a408657289072c26bd927b5&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=DRZHQksDHUpPFkMeT1dZWlNKTR5UXQ4dXxJLWl1bDRcERl4VfUUESgcZckpZVlxXTBQBAgdOQl4NClwfVAMWBx5%2FV01dF1cNVR11WUFYH38UY0NLD0dFT1B%2BHwVSV1AeZVdUVwsVLFFeFXFcUUZLFGNYVBcfRQsIUFFYDABPYEZBVVdIawlbU1NGR1hdXhRzVkEGHQNSUQ8GB1dWUA%3D%3D&x=v1&prdId=10496438042&barcode=VVIFCw4PAlAAWAADCgY%3D

The Childs Farm Baby Oil with Organic Coconut is here to bring a touch of the tropics to your baby’s skincare routine! Perfect for soothing and hydrating even the most delicate skin, this little 75ml bottle is packed with gentle, natural ingredients and the calming scent of coconut. Whether it’s after bath time or a quick massage before bed, this baby oil is a dream come true for keeping your little one’s skin smooth, happy, and nourished. Because who says babies can’t have a mini spa day? One reviewer who used this for their little ones cradle cap said: 'After having tried every product under the sun to shift my baby's cradle cap without success, I tried putting some of this oil on overnight and a bit during the day and his very stubborn cradle cap cleared up within days! So impressed, plus it’s very light, non-greasy and smells gorgeous.'

Pros

  • Rich blend of grape seed
  • Light absorbent formula to leave skin feeling nourished

Cons

  • One reviewer said the moisture does not last

Best organic coconut oil
Kokoso Baby Organic Coconut Oil, 70gAmazon
Price: £24.50

This coconut oil smells delicious. It's suitable for daily use on all skin types, including sensitive skin. Using premium quality, raw virgin organic coconut oil specially selected for baby skincare, it keeps delicate skin soft and happy. One reviewer who purchased this for their newborn baby said: 'This is brilliant! I got this for my newborn baby’s acne, and it has been fantastic. I wasn’t sure at first, but thought I’d give it a go as I was willing to try anything to clear his skin up. It doesn’t ‘cure’ the acne but certainly magically clears it up for the day- I needed to put it on twice a day to begin with, and his skin was clear and soft. Now he’s a bit older I use it for any little skin ailment (where he’s dribbled and it’s cold and made his skin a bit red) and it clears it up almost instantly. If you’re not sure, just give it a try!! I’m so pleased I found it.'

Pros

  • Chemical-free and heat-free
  • BPA-free
  • Dermatologically approved for newborn, sensitive and eczema-prone skin

Cons

  • One reviewer said the tub is tiny for the price

Writer's Choice
Weleda Calendula Baby Oil 200mlBoots

This baby oil contains light organic sesame oil and an extract of organic calendula perfect for soothing sensitive skin. Mother&Baby writer, Hannah James said: " I think this product is wonderful, I recently incorporated this baby oil into our bedtime. I love that it is vegan and made from the best quality products as well as having eco-friendly packaging."

Pros

  • Cares, protects and cleanses
  • Completely fragrance-free
  • Keeps skin free of dry or sore patches

Cons

  • One review said it does not smell nice

Best massage oil for newborns
 Neal's Yard Remedies Baby Massage Oil Amazon

This baby massage oil uses a blend of chamomile, rose and lavender essential oils. Made with 100 per cent organic ingredients, the formula is vegan and made for sensitive skin and is hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested. One reviewer who purchased this as a gift said: 'This smells beautiful. I was given it for my baby and have now also bought this oil to give as a gift too. It's really relaxing for baby bedtime.'

Pros

  • 100% organic oil
  • Softens the skin for a soothing, bonding massage

Cons

  • One review said the smell is lively and not too overpowering, but they could still smell it a few hours later

Best fragrance free massage oil
JOHNSONu0026#039;S Johnson u0026amp; Johnson Oil, 500 ml Amazon

Rrp: £6.79

Price: £6.42
Alternative retailers
Walmart$10.99View offer

You can't go wrong with a classic bottle of Johnson's baby oil and it's no surprise it's been trusted by mums for over 100 years. It's great for using if your baby's skin is on the dryer side as it's specially formulated to lock in 10 times more moisture and protect your baby’s delicate skin from dryness. One buyer who bought this for their little said: 'When my daughter was born, her skin was very dry and was peeling as well. I bought this product and applied it prior to and after bathing her. It was simply amazing. I saw results from the first use and by the end of her first week, her skin was wonderful, soft and not more peeling.'

Pros

  • Formulated to soften, moisturise and cleanse baby's
  • Protect's delicate skin 
  • Can be used daily

Cons

  • One customer said the oil is overall good, but the oil tends to leak out of the bottle

Best vegan-friendly massage oil
My Little Coco Sleepy Head Calming Baby Oil, 100mlBoots

Like to massage your baby at night to calm them down before bed? This baby massage oil from My Little Coco is enriched with nourishing organic coconut oil and delicately scented with soothing lavender, chamomile and vanilla to help them drift off peacefully and fall into a deep sleep.

Pros

  • For newborns, babies & children
  • Vegan friendly & cruelty-free

Cons

  • One buyer said the texture is quite thin

Recommended massage oil for babies
Blue Nectar Ayurvedic Baby Massage Oil, 100mlAmazon
Price: £19.00
Alternative retailers
Walmart$27.95View offer

Using Ayurvedic Herbs like Organic Gheen, Coconut Oil, Shankhpushpi Oil, Almond Oil that are rich in Calcium, Vitamin A, C, D and E, it contains all the important ingredients to nourish your baby's skin and calm their mind. Suitable for all skin types, it's fast absorbing and mildly scented. One reviewer, in awe with its compact size said: 'I liked the compact packaging, even if your kid manages to grab it from the shelf the oil won't spill. It just blends beautifully on baby's skin, and there is no need to apply any moisturizer if you are using this massage oil, it keeps your baby's skin well moisturized throughout the day. Also, it smells divine, so there are many good attributes in this small bottle.'

Pros

  • Travel size
  • Blended with natural aromas of lavender oil & jasmine oil
  • Nourishes & helps protect your baby's delicate skin

Cons

  • Do a patch test before applying the oil to your baby's skin for the first time

Best massage oil for mamma and babies
Burt's Bees BabyAmazon

The Burt's Bees baby oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamins and is made with apricot and grape seed oil to help relieve dry skin. You can use this as a massage oil or add a few drops to your baby's bath before massaging after you've got them out the bath. It's also paediatrician tested, safe, effective and non-irritating to nurture baby's delicate skin. One parent buyer, who bought this for their little girl with dry skin said: 'Our baby girl was overdue by 11 days so when she finally arrived, she was incredibly dry and flaky! We bathed her in week three and rubbed Burt's Bees Baby oil all over her and her dry skin started to ease. She’s seven weeks now and completely perfect but we now use this oil in our bedtime routine for a massage after her bath. It smells divine and soaks in wonderfully, not leaving her sticky or greasy. We swaddle her and come morning, she’s just as soft and sweet smelling as when we put her to bed.'

Pros

  • Hydrates baby's delicate skin and protects it from dryness
  • Enriched with antioxidants and Vitamins, including Apricot and Grape Seed Oils to moisturise and comfort skin

Cons

  • Only 5 left in stock

Recommended best baby massage oil
 Palmers Cocoa Butter Baby Massage Oil BottleEbay

 
With Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Baby Massage Oil, bath time just got a whole lot cozier! This 150ml bottle is packed with ultra-nourishing cocoa butter and vitamin E, perfect for keeping baby’s skin super soft and snuggle-ready. Plus, the gentle cocoa scent makes every massage feel like a warm hug! Whether it’s after a bath or part of the bedtime routine, this oil is here to help soothe, hydrate, and add a little extra magic to those precious bonding moments. One reviewer in love with the smell, said: 'Smells amazing! I use for myself as well as my baby because it just smells so good. Have to really rub and work it into the skin - if not it will just sit on your skin but that’s the same with most oils, highly recommend and will be buying again as it's so good and not that expensive.'

Pros

  • Can be uséd daily or as often as needed
  • Suitable for vegans

Cons

  • No onsite reviews

And there you have it, the secret to baby-soft skin and blissful bonding time. Choosing the right oil can make all the difference for your little one’s delicate skin, adding a soothing touch to bath time, bonding moments, or just an excuse for extra snuggles.

With gentle, nourishing ingredients, these oils keep skin soft, calm, and happy, perfect for sensitive skin that deserves extra TLC. With the best baby massage oils for sensitive skin, you’re all set to turn everyday routines into soothing rituals. These gentle oils nourish, protect, and pamper delicate skin, giving your little one all the comfort they deserve

Now you’re all set to make massage time even more magical (and maybe sneak in a few extra cuddles along the way!)

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Mother & Baby is dedicated to ensuring our information is always valuable and trustworthy, which is why we only use reputable resources such as the NHS, reviewed medical papers, or the advice of a credible doctor, GP, midwife, psychotherapist, gynaecologist or other medical professionals. Where possible, our articles are medically reviewed or contain expert advice. Our writers are all kept up to date on the latest safety advice for all the products we recommend and follow strict reporting guidelines to ensure our content comes from credible sources. Remember to always consult a medical professional if you have any worries. Our articles are not intended to replace professional advice from your GP or midwife.