What Are the Safest Wipes for Newborns?
A baby’s skin is thinner, more absorbent, and still building its natural barrier - so what’s in a wipe matters. Here’s a simple way to choose safer wipes by checking three things: material, fragrance, and composition (the lotion/base on the wipe).
1) Material: What the Wipe is made of
Safest choices to go for:
- Plant-based, biodegradable fibres (viscose/lyocell): Soft on delicate skin, strong when wet, smoother than many synthetic blends.
- Untextured or lightly embossed sheets: Gentle enough for frequent use without micro-abrasion.
- Thicker, well-saturated wipes: Fewer swipes = less friction.
Think twice about:
- Polyester/polypropylene blends: Durable, but not biodegradable and can feel rougher.
Overly rough textures: May irritate skin that’s already red or damp.
2) Fragrance: What they shouldn’t smell like
Safer approach to go for:
- Artificial Fragrance-Free: “Fragrance,” “parfum,” or synthetic masking scents can hide many undisclosed chemicals and potential allergens.
- Skip added aromas: Even natural essential oils (lavender, citrus, mint) can be sensitising for some babies.
Label tip: If you like a “clean” smell, look for artificial fragrance–free (not “unscented,” which can still include masking agents).
3) Composition: What’s in it?
Aim for a short, gentle ingredient list that supports the skin barrier.
Good signs:
- High water content (≈98-99%) for simple, rinsable clean-ups.
- pH-balanced (close to skin’s natural acidity) to help protect the barrier.
- Skin-comforting humectants (e.g., glycerin) to help prevent dryness.
- Minimal, very mild cleansing agents (or none), since wipes aren’t a soap replacement.
Best to avoid:
- Drying alcohols (e.g., denatured alcohol/SD alcohol) in the base.
- Harsh surfactants that can strip natural oils.
- Vague catch-alls like “parfum” or long lists of strong actives that don’t belong in a wipe.
Practical tips:
- Warm water works wonders at home: A soft cloth often handles everyday freshening; keep wipes for diaper changes and on-the-go.
- Pat, don’t scrub: Especially in folds and the diaper area.
- One wipe per pass: Reduces re-transfer of mess.
- Let skin air-dry for a few seconds before re-diapering.
Patch-test if you’re unsure: Try on a small area first for very sensitive skin.
Our wipes are artificial fragrance-free, water-based, and made with soft, biodegradable viscose in a pH-balanced, skin-kind composition - no drying alcohols, no harsh cleansers, and no vague scent catch-alls. Practical for real life and gentle for delicate skin.
Because what touches your baby’s skin should be as gentle as your touch!
