Baby Powder
Best Baby Powder, A good baby powder will protect your little one’s skin and help with chafing and excess moisture. It will also provide a subtle scent that’s soothing to the baby’s senses.[1]
While most traditional baby powders are talc-based, there are many talc-free alternatives available to choose from. Some are fragrance-free and others have a natural scent to them that’s pleasant to the baby’s skin.
Best sustainable
You probably don’t think about it much, but baby powder is a very important product that can help keep your little one’s bottom and other areas protected. Whether you’re using it in cloth diapers, on your baby’s face or even as dry shampoo, a good quality baby powder can make all the difference to keeping your little one happy and healthy![2]
But did you know that there are actually some eco-friendly baby powders out there? And they’re all natural, too!
The best sustainable baby powder is the kind that doesn’t use talcum powder, and instead opts for cornstarch or arrowroot. This is a safe alternative to talcum powder and does not pose the same carcinogenic risks as talc. It is also a better option for the environment because it does not contribute to the mining of talc and encourages the planting of corn, which benefits the surrounding community.
Another way to make a green choice when buying baby powder is to choose an organic baby powder that has no fragrances or other chemicals.[3] Many non-natural baby powders contain a lot of synthetic fragrances and additives that can be harmful for your child.
A great example of a natural organic baby powder is this Era Organics baby powder that is certified by the USDA, vegan, cruelty-free and has no added fragrances. It features a formula made of organic arrowroot powder, organic cornstarch, kaolin clay minerals, and soothing calendula and rosemary extracts to help keep your little one’s skin soft and moisturized.
While you’re shopping for an organic and talc-free baby powder, look out for the following other important factors: price, size, packaging and labeling. The most effective and environmentally-friendly options are the ones that have the most transparency about their ingredients.
The best organic baby powder for the environment should have a clear label with easy-to-read information. This includes the name of the ingredient, its percentage, and where it is sourced from.[4] It should also be a green-friendly packaging option with a bottle that’s recyclable or compostable, and a lid that can be easily replaced.
Best fragrance-free
If you’re a parent who doesn’t want to use the conventional baby powder that includes talc, there are plenty of options available. They range in price and fragrances, and some have EWG Verified status, meaning they are safe for infants.[5]
Era Organics’ talc-free baby powder is one of the most popular on Amazon, with more than 1,100 positive reviews from parents who say it “does the job.” The USDA-certified organic formula features arrowroot powder and cornstarch, as well as kaolin clay minerals, which all work together to help absorb moisture and prevent chafing. It also contains soothing calendula and rosemary extract, which can be helpful for calming irritated skin.
Another popular option is Hello Bello’s Organic Sprinkle Baby Powder, which is designed to prevent and soothe diaper rashes. It’s made from a combination of natural powdered herbs, including lavender, chamomile, and calendula.
Its calming effect means it can be applied to the bottom or all over baby’s skin to absorb moisture, preventing diaper rash and keeping skin dry. The formula is certified organic and vegan, so it’s safe for everyone.[6]
This powder is also free of phthalates, parabens, and sulfates, making it a safer choice for you and your family. It comes in a variety of fragrances, including almond milk, pear nectar, and lavender essential oils, so you can choose the one that best fits your family’s needs.
Walmart’s Equate brand is another popular talc-free option that is available in various sizes and scents. It’s also certified organic and free of phthalates, parabens, sulfates, and dyes, so it’s a safer alternative to the big-name brands.
For those with a more sensitive skin, MADE OF’s Calming Baby Powder is another good option that uses non-GMO cornstarch and arrowroot powder to absorb moisture. [7]It also contains baking soda, aloe vera, and argan oil, which are known to be beneficial for nourishing your baby’s skin.
This talc-free powder is also great for absorbing sweat and odors. It has a mild and pleasant scent that will not leave a residue behind. It also doesn’t contain abrasive particles, which are usually found in other talc-based powders.
Best hypoallergenic
Baby powder is an essential part of diapering.[8] It helps keep your baby’s skin dry and rash-free after a bath or each diaper change. However, if you’re looking for a powder that won’t irritate your baby’s delicate skin, you’ll want to look for one that is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.
The best baby powder is made from natural ingredients and derived from sustainable resources. The product should also be free of parabens, phthalates, gmo cornstarch and other harsh chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin.
Nature’s Baby Organic Silky Dusting Powder is a truly fragrance-free baby powder that is formulated to help prevent diaper rashes and keep your child’s skin moisturized and soothed. It is made from a combination of tapioca starch, aloe vera and chamomile, which have soothing properties that can calm redness and irritation.[9]
This hypoallergenic baby powder is dermatologist-tested and clinically proven to be mild and gentle for your child’s sensitive skin. It is gluten-free and a great choice for parents who are worried about the environment or are trying to avoid using chemical cleaners.
Hello Bello’s Organic Baby Powder is a great alternative to traditional talc-based powders. It uses organic ingredients such as arrowroot powder and betonite clay, and has no talc or fragrances. It is affordable and has a natural, non-toxic scent that will not overwhelm your newborn’s delicate nose.
Another good talc-free option is this Johnson and Johnson Medicated Baby Powder that uses zinc oxide to soothe rashes. It is a good choice for babies with eczema, diaper rash and other inflammatory skin conditions.[10]
A calming baby powder that is vegan and Leaping Bunny certified, this product will help prevent chafing from your baby’s delicate skin. It is a mess-free alternative to traditional powder that leaves a white residue on your baby’s skin. Its velvety finish also protects your baby’s skin from rubbing, stinging, and itching.
This hypoallergenic baby powder has a pleasant, light lemon-y scent and will leave your infant’s skin feeling soft and smooth. It is a great choice for moms who are concerned about the environment and their baby’s delicate skin. It is talc-free, and it has undergone microbiologic testing to ensure it is safe for infants.[11]
Best for sensitive skin
Baby powder can help protect your child’s delicate skin from rashes, irritation, and chafing. This is especially true when the powder is free of talc or other irritants.
The best baby powder for sensitive skin is one that is fragrance-free and talc-free. These types of products are often made with natural ingredients like cornstarch, kaolin clay, and arrowroot powder.[12]
When it comes to finding the best talc-free baby powder for your little one, look for one that has been rated EWG Verified 1 or 2. This means the product has no harmful or irritating ingredients and does not cause a toxic reaction in a person who uses it.
In addition, it should be able to be used on children of all ages. This is important, as many talc-based baby powders are not recommended for use on infants or toddlers because they can aggravate a child’s dermatitis, which can lead to serious health conditions.
Some talc-based products contain asbestos, which can be hazardous to the health of babies or toddlers who inhale it. Fortunately, there are plenty of other talc alternatives that are safe for sensitive skin.
This talc-free and fragrance-free dusting powder by Nature’s Baby Organics is an excellent choice for anyone with sensitive skin. It has a blend of tapioca starch and skin-loving aloe vera as well as two ingredients you might not have tried before: echinacea and Chamomile extract (Matricaria).
You’ll also love that this is a truly fragrance-free baby powder, making it the perfect option for those who can’t stand to smell anything else. It’s available in a convenient, price-per-ounce container, which makes it an affordable option for those who want to keep extras on hand or are expecting multiples.[13]
It’s also an environmentally friendly powder that’s a great alternative to petroleum-based baby powders. It’s made with earth-derived glycerin and other plant-based surfactants that attract dirt and remove it, so you don’t have to worry about using a toxic detergent on your little one.
This talc-free and fragrance-free powder by The Mothers’ Co is another good pick for those with sensitive skin. It contains jojoba, calendula, and chamomile oils that are all known to have healing properties and can help moisturize dry skin. The oil-based formula is also hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, so it will help soothe a child’s sensitive skin. [14]
Baby powder is a great way to keep your infant’s skin dry and avoid rashes. However, you need to make sure you’re using the best one.
Talc-based powders are dangerous because they can cause serious lung damage. The good news is that many baby powders now use cornstarch or tapioca starch instead of talc.
How we chose
There are millions of products on the market, but making a smart choice can be difficult. The internet is awash with reviews and recommendations, and it can be daunting to decide what’s best for your family.[15]
Luckily, we were armed with the right tools to make a smart choice. We did our research, consulted with parents in our circle of influence and used our own experience as a guiding light to narrow down the list to five contenders. We then compared each of these finalists against each other to find the best baby powder for our needs and budget.
The best baby powder for our needs was the Johnson & Johnson Silk Starlight Baby Powder. This powder is made from cornstarch, which is a natural ingredient that’s also safe for your little one. It’s not too sticky or goopy, and it can be applied to your baby’s diaper to help reduce friction and keep rashes at bay.
While this product does not quite live up to its billing as the best baby powder, it’s still a worthy winner. It’s not only a great value, but it also comes in the best packaging. The most impressive aspect of this product is that it’s free of artificial fragrance, which is a must have for some babies.[16]
Top baby powders
The best baby powder helps to protect the delicate skin of your child. It’s a great way to keep the bum dry, prevent sweaty diaper rashes and relieve itchy irritation after nappy changes.[17]
Most baby powders contain talc, but some are talc-free. They may also contain cornstarch, arrowroot powder or kaolin clay to absorb moisture and soothe your child’s skin.
Talc is a soft mineral made from finely ground magnesium sulfate. Its tiny particles are easily inhaled, which can cause breathing problems for your baby.
Many parents are now avoiding talc-based baby powders due to health concerns. Since the 1980s, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that babies and adults not breathe in talc because of the fine particulate matter it contains.
Thankfully, many companies have stopped using talcum in their powders and have added ingredients to make it safer. For example, the Honest Company Organic Baby Dusting Powder is talc-free.
Another great option is Sebamed Natural Baby Powder. This formula uses kaolin clay and organic arrowroot powder to absorb moisture, leaving your baby’s bum feeling clean and comfortable without stinging or irritating.[18]
This talc-free baby powder has been specially designed to prevent chafing and irritation by relaxing the layers of skin that are prone to friction. It has a gentle, classic fragrance and is clinically proven mild for your baby’s sensitive skin.
The women-owned and operated company makes its all-natural products right here in the US. This means that you’re supporting a family business and your baby isn’t being exposed to harsh chemicals. It’s an affordable way to avoid toxins and harmful ingredients that can damage your baby’s skin and immune system.
Best budget
If you’re looking for a budget baby powder, there are several good options out there. Many of them are talc-free, so you can use them without worrying about yeast infections or worsened rashes. One we like is Bee All Natural Organics Newborn Powder & Baby Salves, which contains only Kaolin Clay, Organic Plantain Leaf and Pure Arrowroot to absorb moisture, prevent rashes and reduce chafing. It also contains a tiny pinch of baking soda to help prevent irritation. You can find it on the brand’s website or on Amazon. The price starts around $0.32 per ounce.[19]
Keep in mind that baby powder can blow around if it’s applied near an air vent or fan, so be sure your changing station is far enough away from these appliances when you’re applying the product.
Best for irritated skin
If you have the most sensitive of babies with a lot of rashes and irritation, you need a safe baby powder that’s non-allergenic and gentle enough to help soothe and keep itchy skin at bay. Chicco’s baby powder is a natural and effective alternative to talc that contains rice starch which cools the skin and safeguards it against harmful substances such as allergens, parabens and mineral oil. It’s also fragrance and phthalate free so it won’t irritate your baby’s sensitive skin. Parents have ranked this natural baby powder as one of their best options for keeping rashes at bay. It’s available on Nordstrom and Amazon.[20]
Best organic
Baby powders are used for many purposes, from keeping your baby’s bottom dry after a diaper change to absorbing excess moisture. But it’s important to choose an organic baby powder that is kind to your baby’s skin.
Our top pick is this talc-free, fragrance and phthalate-free baby powder from HelloBello. Made from cornstarch, Bentonite Clay, Bamboo Powder, Arrowroot Powder, Aloe Vera Leaf Extract and Calendula Flower Extract, it’s safe for sensitive baby skin and keeps rashes at bay.
It also helps prevent chafing, which can be especially annoying for babies in cloth diapers or with chubby cheeks. It’s a gentle dusting powder that absorbs moisture and doesn’t cake, which makes it perfect for the delicate folds on your baby’s body.
Another great option is California Baby’s calming, talc-free baby powder that soothes your baby’s bottom and rolls with natural ingredients such as kaolin clay and tapioca starch. It’s vegan and certified organic, so you can feel good about using it.
This nutrient-rich, unscented baby powder is a favorite among parents who love it because it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals or harmful ingredients. It is a light dusting that keeps your baby’s skin smooth and comfortable in the diaper area, between chubby folds, feet, and more.
The calming blend of lavender, chamomile, and calendula soothes baby’s skin and prevents chafing and irritation. The nourishing, non-greasy formula is great for daily use and works well as a dry shampoo too.
This talc-free, fragrance and talc-free powder is made from organic arrowroot powder, cornstarch, kaolin clay, and organic extracts of calendula and rosemary. It also contains natural essential oils, so it smells like a relaxing bath, which is ideal for your little one.
