DIY Baby Balm: A Simple Natural Recipe for Sensitive Baby Skin
Last updated: July 2026
Baby skin is thinner and more permeable than adult skin — what goes on it gets absorbed more readily. The case for simple, short ingredient lists is stronger for baby skincare than for any other category. This article gives you two anhydrous baby balm recipes — the shortest possible ingredient lists, no water, no preservatives, no fragrance, and no essential oils. Both use ingredients that have been applied to newborn and infant skin across West Africa for generations. For a complete guide to natural skincare for babies and during pregnancy, see Natural Skincare for Pregnancy and Babies, or browse the full Mother & Baby DIY Skincare Hub and The Complete Guide to Natural Baby Skincare: Safe Ingredients, DIY Recipes & Expert Tips.
For a more involved baby oil formulation, see DIY Newborn Oil & Balm (First Touch). For a broader look at why ingredient simplicity matters for baby skin, see DIY Baby Balms: Why Ingredient Simplicity Matters Most.
Always patch test before using any new product on baby skin. Apply a small amount to a small area and wait 24 hours. Consult your paediatrician before using new skincare products on babies with known skin conditions or sensitivities. This article does not constitute medical advice.
Why Anhydrous Balms for Baby Skin
An anhydrous product contains no water. No water means no need for preservatives. Commercial baby lotions and creams contain water, which requires preservatives — parabens, phenoxyethanol, and others — to prevent bacterial and mould growth. Those preservatives are some of the ingredients that parents of babies with sensitive skin prefer to minimise.
A balm of two ingredients — shea butter and cocoa butter — is exactly that: two ingredients. Nothing else. For a complete guide to using shea butter on baby skin, see Shea Butter for Babies. For what shea butter does, see Shea Butter Benefits: What It Actually Does for Skin, Hair, and DIY.
No essential oils. Essential oils are concentrated active compounds generally not recommended for use on baby or infant skin. Both recipes below are intentionally free of them. If you want a scented balm for older children, consult a qualified aromatherapist for age-appropriate guidance.
How These Ingredients Compare
Shea butter and cocoa butter are both solid African fats used in DIY skincare, but they behave differently on skin and in formulations. Shea butter is softer and melts at a lower temperature, making it easier to apply directly as a body moisturiser. Cocoa butter is harder and slower-melting, which makes it better suited for balms, solid bars, and products that need to hold their shape in warm conditions. Baraka sources both directly through women's cooperatives in Ghana's Upper West Region.
Commercial moisturisers are mostly water held together with emulsifiers and preserved with synthetic chemicals. They feel good immediately but the moisture evaporates, and the preservatives can irritate sensitive skin. Shea butter contains no water and requires no preservatives, delivering genuine occlusive moisture that does not evaporate. Its fatty acid profile closely matches human skin, which is why it absorbs genuinely rather than sitting as a surface film. Baraka's shea butter is hand-processed by women's cooperatives using traditional water-based methods — the same methods used for generations across West Africa.
The butters and oils used in these recipes have been applied to skin for generations in West Africa — including through the Harmattan season, when dry, dust-laden winds from the Sahara create exactly the kind of harsh, drying conditions that mature and sensitive skin faces year-round. Commercial skincare was not designed for this. African butters were. They contain no water, require no preservatives, and have fatty acid profiles that match human skin — which is why they absorb genuinely rather than coating the surface and evaporating.
Recipe 1: Simple Baby Balm (Shea Butter + Cocoa Butter)
Makes approximately 100g | Shelf life: 12–18 months | Equipment: double boiler or heatproof bowl over saucepan, kitchen scales, small glass jar or tin
Ingredients:
- 70g shea butter (Grade A unrefined)
- 30g cocoa butter (unrefined)
Method:
- Weigh both ingredients and set aside.
- Melt the shea butter and cocoa butter together in a double boiler over low heat. Stir gently until fully melted and combined — approximately 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool for 2 minutes.
- Pour into a clean, dry glass jar or tin. Do not seal until completely cool — approximately 45–60 minutes.
- Once set, the balm will be slightly firmer than plain shea butter. Label with the date made.
Application: Apply a very small amount to baby's skin as needed. Warm a tiny amount between clean fingertips and apply with gentle strokes. Do not apply to broken skin.
Notes:
- No fragrance, no essential oils, no preservatives — this balm is suitable for newborn and infant skin.
- Always patch test: apply a small amount to a small area of baby's skin and wait 24 hours before using more widely.
- Consult your paediatrician before using new skincare products on babies with known skin conditions or sensitivities.
- Store in a cool, dry location with the lid tightly closed. Always use clean, dry hands or a clean spatula to scoop.
Recipe 2: Baby Balm with Baobab Oil (Softer Version)
Makes approximately 100g | Shelf life: 12–18 months | Equipment: double boiler or heatproof bowl over saucepan, kitchen scales, small glass jar or tin
Ingredients:
- 80g shea butter (Grade A unrefined)
- 20g baobab oil
Method:
- Weigh both ingredients and set aside.
- Melt the shea butter in a double boiler over low heat until fully liquid — approximately 4 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool for 3 minutes.
- Add the baobab oil and stir thoroughly to combine.
- Pour into a clean, dry glass jar or tin. Do not seal until completely cool.
- This version sets softer than the cocoa butter version and absorbs slightly faster.
Application: Apply a very small amount to baby's skin as needed. Warm between clean fingertips and apply with gentle strokes.
Notes: Softer consistency than the cocoa butter version — easier to apply in cold weather. Same storage and patch test guidance as Recipe 1.
Which Recipe Should You Choose?
Choose Recipe 1 (cocoa butter version) when you want a firmer balm that holds its shape in warm weather, lasts longer on the skin, and provides a slightly more occlusive layer. Better for dry winter conditions or for areas that need more protection.
Choose Recipe 2 (baobab oil version) when you want a softer balm that is easier to apply, absorbs more readily, and has a lighter texture on the skin. Better for summer use or when you want something lighter for daily all-over application.
Both are equally suitable for newborn and infant skin. Both contain only traditional, anhydrous African ingredients with no synthetic additives of any kind.
Storage and Shelf Life
Both balms last 12 to 18 months when stored in a sealed container in a cool, dark location away from direct sunlight. Always use clean, dry hands or a clean spatula — introducing moisture into the jar will significantly shorten the shelf life. Label each jar with the date made.
Where Baraka's Ingredients Come From
Baraka's shea butter, cocoa butter, and baobab oil are sourced through the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region. Wayne Dunn has maintained direct cooperative relationships with the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre for over 15 years. Every batch is hand-processed using traditional water-based methods — no solvents, no chemical extraction at any stage. The women at the cooperative receive a fair-trade premium directly, without intermediaries. For Issahaku Samata's story on safer work and reduced smoke at the cooperative, see Issahaku Samata on Safer Work and Reduced Smoke. For the full cooperative sourcing story, see Baraka's Social and Environmental Impact Report.
What We Know and How We Know It
The traditional use of shea butter, cocoa butter, and baobab oil on baby and infant skin comes from generations of practice across West Africa. The fatty acid profile of each ingredient is well-characterised in published literature. The guidance to avoid essential oils on infant skin, and to patch test any new product, reflects common practice recommendations rather than a claim specific to any Baraka product; this article is not medical advice, and any concerns about a baby's skin should go to a paediatrician.
Related Recipes
For a more complex belly balm recipe using the same ingredients — suitable for pregnancy skin — see DIY Stretch Mark Prevention Belly Butter (5 Formulations). For pregnancy skincare guidance, see Shea Butter During Pregnancy: What Is Safe and What to Expect. For other simple African ingredient recipes, see DIY Lip Balm Recipes and The Complete Guide to DIY Natural Lip Balm: 10 Recipes Using African Ingredients. For coconut oil on baby skin specifically, see Is Coconut Oil Good for Baby Skin? Top 3 Benefits. For the tools and setup needed to get started with DIY mother-baby skincare, see DIY From Kitchen to Nursery: Essential Tools for DIY Mother & Baby Skincare.
All Baraka ingredients are available with full sourcing documentation. Browse the complete Butters Collection and DIY Ingredients Collection. For real accounts from parents and caregivers using these ingredients on baby skin, see Baraka Customer Stories: How People Use Our Shea Butter and Why It Works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is shea butter safe for baby skin?
Unrefined shea butter has a long history of use on newborn and infant skin across West Africa, applied as a standard skin conditioning ingredient for generations. It contains no synthetic fragrance, no preservatives, and no chemical additives. Always patch test before first use and consult your paediatrician before using new skincare products on babies with known skin conditions.
Why are anhydrous balms safer for babies than commercial lotions?
Anhydrous balms contain no water and therefore require no preservatives. Commercial baby lotions contain water, which requires preservatives to prevent bacterial and mould growth. Those preservatives are some of the ingredients that parents of babies with sensitive skin prefer to minimise. A balm of two ingredients consists of exactly those two ingredients and nothing else.
Can I add essential oils to this baby balm recipe?
No — do not add essential oils to skincare products for babies, particularly newborns. Essential oils are concentrated active compounds that are generally not recommended for use on infant skin. These recipes are intentionally simple for that reason. If you want a scented balm for older children, consult a qualified aromatherapist for age-appropriate guidance.
Which recipe is better — cocoa butter or baobab oil version?
Both are suitable for newborn and infant skin. The cocoa butter version is firmer and provides a more occlusive layer — better for cold weather or dry skin areas. The baobab oil version is softer and absorbs more readily — better for lighter daily application in warm weather. Choose based on your preference for texture and the season.
How do I patch test baby balm on infant skin?
Apply a very small amount to a small area of baby's skin — the inner arm or leg is a suitable location. Wait 24 hours and observe. If there is no redness, irritation, or reaction, it is generally safe to proceed. If your baby has known skin conditions or sensitivities, consult your paediatrician before introducing new skincare products.
How long does homemade baby balm last?
Both recipes last 12 to 18 months when stored correctly in a sealed container in a cool, dark location. Always use clean, dry hands or a clean spatula to scoop. Label the jar with the date made so you can track freshness.
Can I use this balm on myself after making it for my baby?
Yes — both recipes are suitable for adult skin as well as baby skin. The simple two-ingredient formulation works as a general body moisturiser, hand balm, or dry skin treatment for adults.
Where does Baraka source the shea butter and cocoa butter in this recipe?
Baraka's shea butter is sourced through the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region. Wayne Dunn has maintained direct cooperative relationships with the Centre for over 15 years. Every batch is hand-processed using traditional water-based methods, with zero chemical extraction at any stage, and the women at the cooperative receive a fair-trade premium directly, without intermediaries.
Where can I buy the ingredients for this recipe?
All ingredients are available directly from Baraka — Grade A unrefined shea butter, unrefined cocoa butter, and cold-pressed baobab oil, all sourced through direct cooperative relationships in Ghana's Upper West Region and traditionally processed with zero chemical extraction at any stage.
About the Author
Wayne Dunn is the founder of Baraka Impact and a former Professor of Practice in Sustainability at McGill University. He holds an M.Sc. in Management from Stanford and has spent over 15 years working directly with the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region to source traditionally made shea butter and natural oils. He shares DIY skincare recipes and ingredient guides designed to be made at home with real ingredients — and sourced with full transparency about where they come from.
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