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Is Pipette Lotion Clean?

📅 Updated February 2026⏱️ 4 min readNEW

TL;DR

Yes, Pipette Baby Lotion is extremely clean. It is EWG Verified, free of synthetic fragrances, and avoids controversial preservatives like phenoxyethanol. Its hero ingredient, squalane, mimics the natural moisture of a baby's skin better than almost anything else on the shelf.

🔑 Key Findings

1

EWG Verified (top safety rating)

2

100% Sugarcane-derived Squalane mimics vernix

3

No Phenoxyethanol (a rare find in baby lotion)

4

Yuka Score: 100/100 (Excellent)

The Short Answer

Pipette Baby Lotion is one of the cleanest options available. It receives our highest rating for safety and efficacy.

Unlike many "natural" brands that still rely on potential irritants like Is Phenoxyethanol In Baby Wipes Safe|Phenoxyethanol or essential oils, Pipette uses biotech-derived squalane to hydrate without clogging pores. It is EWG Verified, hypoallergenic, and free from synthetic fragrance. If you are looking for a Safest Baby Lotion|Safe Baby Lotion that actually works, this is it.

Why This Matters

Baby skin is 30% thinner than adult skin and loses moisture twice as fast. Most commercial lotions try to fix this with petrolatum (crude oil derivative) or mineral oil, which sit on top of the skin rather than nourishing it. Is Mineral Oil In Baby Lotion Bad|Is Mineral Oil Bad? It's not toxic, but it's not doing your baby any favors.

Pipette takes a different approach by using squalane. This is a plant-based version of squalene, a moisturizing molecule naturally found in vernix—the waxy white substance that coats a newborn's skin at birth.

Because it mimics the skin's biology, it restores the moisture barrier without the need for heavy, occlusive silicones or toxic preservatives.

What's Actually In Pipette Lotion

Pipette’s formula is impressively short and purposeful. Here are the key players:

  • Squalane — The star ingredient. Derived from renewable sugarcane, it mimics the vernix to waterproof and hydrate delicate skin.
  • Ceramide NP — Essential lipids that act like the "mortar" holding skin cells together. Crucial for preventing eczema.
  • Pomegranate Sterols — A superfruit antioxidant that replaces petrolatum as a moisture seal.
  • Glycerin — A classic humectant that pulls moisture from the air into the skin.
  • Preservatives — Instead of parabens or phenoxyethanol, they use Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate. These are food-grade preservatives generally considered much safer for sensitive skin.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

  • EWG Verified — This is the gold standard for ingredient transparency and safety.
  • No Phenoxyethanol — Many "clean" brands (like Tubby Todd) still use this preservative, which can be an allergen. Pipette avoids it.
  • Fragrance-Free — The base version has no scent. The scented versions use clean aromatics (like Vanillin), not mystery "Fragrance" mixes. Is Fragrance In Baby Lotion Harmful|Learn Why Fragrance Is A Risk.

Red Flags:

  • None — We genuinely struggled to find a red flag. The only minor note is that Sodium Benzoate can be irritating to broken skin in extremely rare cases, but it is standard in food and organic skincare.

The Best Options

How does Pipette stack up against the other heavy hitters in the clean baby aisle?

BrandProductVerdictWhy
PipetteBaby LotionBest Overall. Cleanest preservatives + biomimetic squalane.
Tubby ToddEveryday Lotion⚠️Good, but... Contains Phenoxyethanol. Is Tubby Todd Lotion Clean
MustelaHydra Bebe⚠️Okay. Contains fragrance and PEG derivatives. Is Mustela Baby Lotion Clean
AveenoDaily Moisture⚠️Acceptable. Contains petrolatum and dimethicone. Is Aveeno Baby Lotion Safe

The Bottom Line

1. Buy it. Pipette is likely the best value-for-money clean lotion on the market.

2. Stick to Fragrance-Free. While their vanilla scent is clean, newborn skin is always happiest with zero scent.

3. Use it for Eczema. The combination of squalane and ceramides makes this an excellent maintenance lotion for eczema-prone babies, though you may need a thicker balm for active flares.

FAQ

Is Pipette safer than Tubby Todd?

Yes. While both are great brands, Pipette is stricter about preservatives. Tubby Todd uses phenoxyethanol, which is safe for most but can be an irritant. Pipette uses milder food-grade preservatives. Mustela Vs Tubby Todd|Read More On Brand Comparisons.

Does Pipette lotion contain silicones?

No. Pipette is silicone-free. Instead of dimethicone (a silicone used to make lotion feel slippery), they use squalane and plant-derived esters to achieve a silky texture without coating the skin in plastic.

Is Pipette safe for newborns?

Absolutely. The formula is designed to mimic vernix caseosa, the substance coating a baby in the womb. It is safe to use from birth, unlike lotions containing strong essential oils or synthetic fragrances. Is Daily Baby Lotion Necessary


References (13)
  1. 1. incidecoder.com
  2. 2. incidecoder.com
  3. 3. pipettebaby.com
  4. 4. pipettebaby.com
  5. 5. newmodernmom.com
  6. 6. pipettebaby.com
  7. 7. yayusa.com
  8. 8. target.com
  9. 9. incidecoder.com
  10. 10. gimmethegoodstuff.org
  11. 11. reddit.com
  12. 12. ewg.org
  13. 13. onbuy.com

🛒 Product Recommendations

Pipette Baby Lotion

Pipette

The gold standard for clean, affordable baby hydration.

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Sensitive Baby Lotion

Babo Botanicals

This formula is **EWG Verified** and centers on **2% colloidal oatmeal** and organic shea butter for barrier repair. It uses a clean preservative system (Glyceryl Caprylate) and strictly avoids phenoxyethanol and fragrance.

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Super Sensitive Everyday Lotion

California Baby

A gold standard for hypersensitive skin, this lotion is **USDA Certified Biobased** and completely fragrance-free. It uses a proprietary 100% plant-based preservative system derived from basil and anise instead of synthetics.

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Baby Leaves Body Lotion (Unscented)

Attitude

Top-rated on EWG, this lotion features **blueberry leaf extract**, which is rich in antioxidants to protect delicate skin from pollution. It relies on sodium benzoate for preservation, avoiding stronger synthetic agents.

Recommended

Baby Balm

Primally Pure

An excellent option for those who prefer animal-based fats, this waterless balm uses **grass-fed tallow** and **emu oil**. These ingredients closely mimic the fatty acid profile of human skin for deep restoration without preservatives.

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Baby Balm

Badger

This is a waterless, **USDA Organic** certified balm made with just five ingredients, including extra virgin olive oil and beeswax. Because it contains no water, it requires no preservatives at all.

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Sweet Orange Baby Lotion

Earth Mama

Certified to the **NSF/ANSI 305 Organic Standard**, this lotion uses rooibos and calendula for soothing. It is preserved with organic alcohol and radishes rather than harsh synthetics.

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Daily Soothing Moisturizer

Aleva Naturals

Specifically designed for eczema-prone skin, this formula combines **shea butter and oatmeal**. It remains free of phenoxyethanol and uses a plant-based preservative system suitable for newborns.

Recommended
Baby Moisturizing Lotion (Fragrance Free)

Evereden

Formulated by dermatologists, this lotion uses 'superfood' oils like **sunflower, grape seed, and avocado** to nourish skin. It avoids common allergens and synthetic fragrances, focusing on high-quality botanical hydration.

Recommended

Organic Baby Lotion

Made Of

This lotion is **NSF Organic Certified** and made with 84% organic ingredients, including soothing aloe vera and oats. It is fully transparent about sourcing and avoids all synthetic fragrances and phthalates.

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Baby Lotion

Thinkbaby

Backed by rigorous science, this lotion is **EWG Verified** and free of parabens and phthalates. It uses a gentle, clean formulation that avoids the 'fragrance loophole' entirely.

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Purely Sensitive Face + Body Lotion

The Honest Company

The 'Purely Sensitive' version is a reliable, widely available option that is fragrance-free and uses **safflower and jojoba oils**. It avoids the phenoxyethanol found in many competitors.

Recommended
Premium Baby Lotion (Fragrance Free)

Hello Bello

A budget-friendly choice that doesn't compromise on safety, using organic jojoba and aloe. The fragrance-free version is free of common allergens and uses soft preservatives like **caprylhydroxamic acid**.

Recommended
🚫
Baby Lotion (Pink Bottle)

Johnson's

Despite reformulations, this classic product still contains **Fragrance (Parfum)**, which can hide dozens of undisclosed chemicals. It also often contains phenoxyethanol, which Pipette specifically avoids.

Avoid
🚫

Gentle Baby Lotion

Baby Magic

Contains **Benzalkonium Chloride**, a preservative associated with skin irritation, along with synthetic fragrance and dyes in some versions. It fails the basic clean beauty standards for newborn care.

Avoid
🚫

Rich Moisture Baby Lotion

Baby Dove

Relies heavily on **Petrolatum** (petroleum jelly) as a primary moisturizer, which coats the skin rather than nourishing it. It also contains synthetic fragrance and dimethicone.

Avoid
🚫

Baby Daily Lotion

Cetaphil

Contains **Propylene Glycol** and **Fragrance**, both of which are common irritants for sensitive baby skin. It also utilizes mineral oil in some formulations, which is a petrochemical derivative.

Avoid
⚠️

Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream

Aveeno

While effective for some, this product relies on **Petrolatum** and **Distearyldimonium Chloride**. It is accepted by the National Eczema Association but does not meet the strict 'clean' definition due to petrochemicals.

Use Caution
⚠️

Baby Eczema Relief Body Cream

Eucerin

Heavily reliant on **Mineral Oil** and **Ceresin** (waxes derived from ozokerite). It also uses phenoxyethanol as a preservative, making it less clean than plant-based alternatives.

Use Caution
🚫

Baby Healing Ointment

Aquaphor

This is primarily **41% Petrolatum**, essentially glorified Vaseline. While it creates a seal, it lacks the nourishing fatty acids found in plant oils like squalane or shea butter.

Avoid
⚠️
Baby Moisturizing Lotion

CeraVe

Contains **Dimethicone** (silicone) and **Phenoxyethanol**. While it includes beneficial ceramides, the use of silicones creates an artificial barrier rather than a natural one.

Use Caution
🚫

Super Soft Lotion

Noodle & Boo

Marketed as luxury but contains significant **Fragrance (Parfum)** and **Phenoxyethanol**. The scent load is high for a baby product, increasing the risk of contact dermatitis.

Avoid
🚫

Baby Bee Original Lotion

Burt's Bees

Despite being a 'natural' brand, this lotion contains high-risk allergens like **Limonene, Linalool, and Citral** derived from fragrance, which are well-known sensitizers for delicate skin.

Avoid
⚠️

Daily Lotion

Babyganics

Uses 'plant-derived fragrance' which can still trigger allergies, and relies on **Phenoxyethanol** for preservation. The 'seed oil blend' is good, but the rest of the formula is less pristine.

Use Caution
⚠️

Calendula Body Lotion

Weleda

Contains a high amount of **Alcohol**, which can be drying to newborn skin, and heavily relies on essential oils that introduce potential allergens like Limonene.

Use Caution
🚫

100% Pure Petroleum Jelly

Vaseline

This is pure **Petrolatum**, a crude oil byproduct. It offers zero nutritional value to the skin (no vitamins or lipids), only acting as a plastic-wrap-like seal.

Avoid
🚫

Gentle Baby Lotion

Up & Up (Target)

Generic versions like this typically copy the big brands verbatim, including the **Fragrance**, **Petrolatum**, and **Phenoxyethanol** found in the mainstream equivalents.

Avoid

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