Is your baby's bath product secretly causing dry skin?

Most parents assume all baby products are gentle. But a few common ingredients can quietly strip moisture from delicate skin and most labels won't flag them. Here's what to look for, and what we use instead

✦  The short answer (for those in a hurry)

Yes, many mainstream baby washes contain sulphates (like SLS and SLES) that strip the skin's natural oils, leaving babies' skin dry, tight, or irritated. Choosing a mild, sulphate-free formula, like the Good Bubble range, makes a real difference, especially for sensitive or eczema-prone skin.

Why baby skin is different and why it matters

Something that struck me when we were formulating our range, was a baby's skin is up to 30% thinner than adult skin. It absorbs things more quickly. It loses moisture more easily. And its natural barrier - the microbiome that keeps skin balanced and protected - is still developing for the first few years of life.

This means what goes into a baby's bath isn't a small thing. It's directly affecting skin that can't yet protect itself the way ours can.

But the upside? Get it right, and bath time becomes one of those gorgeous, giggly, sensory experiences that both of you look forward to. With no fears of stinging eyes or sore skin. A little one who splashes out more water than stays in the bath. And the magic of post-bath time snuggles in the towel whilst you sniff their freshly washed hair. That's what we're here for.

The 5 ingredients to look for on the label

Most parents read food labels obsessively but the label on a baby shampoo can leave even the most well-intentioned of us scratching our heads, feeling like we're in a chemistry exam. So we've pulled together a cheat sheet with a few of the red flags to look out for if you want to avoid dry skin:

1. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES)

These are the ingredients that make products foam dramatically and they're in a surprising number of "gentle" baby washes. The problem is that sulphates are surfactants designed to strip oils, which is great in washing up liquid when you're cleaning a greasy baking tray, but too harsh for the thin, oil-dependent skin of a baby.

All Good Bubble products are 100% sulphate-free. 

2. Phthalates

Phthalates are a family of chemical compounds often used in fragrance formulations to make scent last longer on skin. The issue is that phthalates are endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with hormone development, and research has raised particular concerns about exposure in infants and young children. You won't always see "phthalates" listed directly on a label; they can hide under the catch-all term "fragrance."

All Good Bubble fragrances are 100% phthalate-free. We think that should be the minimum standard for any product going near a baby but unfortunately it still isn't the norm across the industry.

3. Parabens

Parabens are preservatives that extend shelf life. They're not dramatically dangerous in small amounts, but as a precautionary principle, particularly for newborn skin, many parents and dermatologists prefer to avoid them. You'll find them listed as methylparaben, propylparaben, or butylparaben.

We don't include parabens in any Good Bubble products.

4. Mineral oils

Mineral oils (also listed as paraffinum liquidum) create a film on the skin that can temporarily feel moisturising but actually sits on top rather than nourishing skin from within. For dry or eczema-prone babies, this can trap irritants and make things worse.

We use skin-loving, naturally-derived alternatives: avocado oil, shea butter, coconut oil and prebiotic extracts that work with the skin's natural balance.

5. Alcohol (ethanol, SD alcohol)

Found in some sprays and leave-on products, alcohol is deeply drying. It's less common in rinse-off baby products but worth knowing to look for, especially in any products you leave on your baby's skin.

What to use for a baby with dry or sensitive skin

If your baby already has dry, flaky, or reactive skin, try this routine to help;

•     Keep it short: Bath every 2–3 days (daily bathing, even with gentle products, can reduce natural moisture)

•     Temperature matters: Use lukewarm water. Hot water strips oils much faster

•     Wash gently: Our Baby Hair & Body Wash with Cucumber & Aloe Vera is a good starting point and gently cleanses without stripping

•     Dry carefully: Pat (don't rub) skin dry - rubbing removes the thin protective layer

•     Moisturise immediately: Apply our Prebiotic Baby Moisturiser while skin is still slightly damp to locks in hydration

•     For eczema: If your baby has diagnosed eczema, always follow your GP or dermatologist's advice alongside any new products

Ok, that's enough negativity from us

We know we've spent a lot of this post talking about ingredients to avoid. And so part of you may be wondering if it's worth even bothering with bath products. But the magic of a bubble bath shouldn't be underestimated.  

Bubbles are a hugely sensory experience and can bring so much joy to bath time that can form the foundation of core childhood memories. 

After a busy day of school runs, mealtime battles and wrestling a miniature version of you into some clothes, it may be tempting just to skip bath time and get them straight to bed. But as passionate advocates for the bath time ritual, we'd encourage you to stick with it. Bath time is one of the only moments left in family life where you can just be. No distracting devices, just the time for you to sit next to your little loved one and absorb yourself in the pouring of water, blowing of bubbles and olympic-worthy splashing. 

We just want to make sure the stuff in the bottle you use, is worthy of that bath time magic.