DIY Baby Balms: Why Ingredient Simplicity Matters Most
DIY Baby Balms: Why Ingredient Simplicity Matters Most
Last updated: July 2026
Your baby's delicate skin does well with simple, traceable ingredients. Making your own baby balms with traditional butters and oils gives you full control over what touches your baby's developing skin. This guide covers why ingredient simplicity matters, what Baraka's foundation ingredients offer, and three balm recipes to get started. For a broader guide to natural baby skincare, see The Complete Guide to Natural Baby Skincare: Safe Ingredients, DIY Recipes & Expert Tips, or browse the full Mother & Baby DIY Skincare Hub.
Why Ingredient Simplicity Matters for Baby Skin
Many commercial baby products contain long ingredient lists, some listed under general terms like "fragrance" that don't disclose what's actually in the product. Making your own baby balm with a small number of traceable ingredients — often just one or two butters and an oil — gives you a clear picture of exactly what's in the product.
Baby skin is thinner than adult skin — roughly 20–30% thinner in some areas — and its barrier function is still developing during the first year of life, which is part of why many parents prefer simple, single-ingredient or few-ingredient products for babies. Baby skin also has a higher surface-area-to-body-weight ratio than adults, so topical products cover a larger percentage of the body relative to size.
Baraka's unrefined butters and oils are traditionally processed with no chemicals or solvents, no bleaching or deodorising, and low-temperature extraction that preserves the naturally occurring vitamins and fatty acids in each ingredient.
Baraka Ingredients as a Foundation for DIY Baby Balms
| Ingredient | Texture | Common Use in Baby Balms |
|---|---|---|
| Shea Butter | Soft, moderate melting point | Moisturising base for most balms |
| Cocoa Butter | Firm, solid at room temperature | Structure and protective barrier |
| Coconut Oil | Light, liquid at room temperature | Softening and absorption |
| Shea Oil | Light, liquid | Lighter alternative to shea butter |
| Baobab Oil | Light, liquid | Lightweight conditioning addition |
| Red Palm Oil | Medium, semi-solid | Vitamin-rich addition, small amounts |
| Palm Kernel Oil | Light, liquid | Light protective layer for sensitive skin |
Butters
Shea Butter: Harvested from the nuts of the karité tree in West Africa, Baraka's unrefined shea butter contains naturally occurring vitamins A, E, and F. Traditionally processed by women's cooperatives using generations-old methods, it moisturises without clogging pores and creates a breathable layer on skin.
Cocoa Butter: With its natural chocolate aroma, cocoa butter creates a firm, protective moisture layer. Its stable solid form at room temperature makes it well suited to protective balms. Baraka sources cocoa butter from traditional producers who ferment and process the beans using methods passed down through generations.
Oils
Coconut Oil: Traditionally processed, Baraka's coconut oil retains its naturally occurring lauric acid content — well suited to protecting delicate skin folds.
Shea Oil: A lighter alternative to shea butter, carrying a similar fatty acid profile in a more easily spreadable, liquid form. Traditionally extracted by hand-pressing roasted shea nuts.
Baobab Oil: From Africa's baobab tree, this oil contains omega fatty acids that support the skin barrier's normal function. Baraka sources from traditional producers who harvest using sustainable methods.
Red Palm Oil: Rich in vitamins A and E, traditionally processed red palm oil (not to be confused with refined commercial palm oil) provides antioxidant content. Baraka's is traditionally harvested using methods passed down through generations.
Palm Kernel Oil: Distinct from palm oil, this comes from the kernel and is traditionally used in West African skincare. It creates a light protective layer, often used for sensitive skin.
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.
Traditional coconut oil is village-processed using methods that preserve the full lauric acid content and naturally occurring beneficial compounds. Refined coconut oil has been processed to remove scent and extend shelf life, but this process also removes a portion of the naturally occurring compounds. Baraka's Traditional Coconut Oil is processed by village women under rigorous quality control — the same distinction that separates factory shea butter from genuine hand-made shea butter.
The butters and oils used in baby skincare 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 and oils 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.
Why Make Your Own Baby Care Products?
Ingredient transparency: No hidden ingredients — every component is one you chose. No unnecessary additives, since fresh, small batches don't require preservatives. Unprocessed ingredients retain their full natural fatty acid and vitamin content. Full ability to adjust formulations based on your baby's needs.
Traditional processing: No chemicals or solvents — extracted through traditional pressing and separation. No heat damage — low-temperature processing preserves heat-sensitive nutrients. No bleaching or deodorising — natural colour, scent, and vitamin content remain intact.
Practical benefits: Cost-effective, since a few base ingredients make multiple products. Reduces packaging waste. Easy to adjust as your baby grows or as seasons change.
Shea butter has been used for baby care in West Africa for generations, particularly valued during dry seasons. Baobab oil use for infant skincare is part of the traditional knowledge of communities living near these trees.
Your First DIY Diaper Balm
Simple Protective Diaper Balm
Ingredients:
- 30g (2 tablespoons) Baraka unrefined shea butter
- 15g (1 tablespoon) Baraka cocoa butter
- 5g (1 teaspoon) Baraka coconut oil
- Optional: 2–3 drops lavender essential oil (only for babies 3+ months)
Essential oil note: Lavender is one of the gentler essential oils and is sometimes used at very low concentrations for babies over 3 months. Avoid essential oils on babies under 3 months entirely.
Essential oils to avoid on babies: tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary essential oils are generally avoided in baby skincare. Never use essential oils on babies under 3 months.
Equipment: small heat-resistant glass bowl, pot for double-boiler method, clean jar for storage, mixing spoon (wooden or stainless steel).
Instructions:
- Create a double boiler by placing the glass bowl over a pot with about 2.5cm (an inch) of simmering water.
- Add shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil to the bowl.
- Gently melt the ingredients, stirring occasionally, keeping heat low.
- Remove from heat once fully melted and combined.
- If using essential oil for babies over 3 months, add now and stir well.
- Pour into a clean storage jar and allow to cool completely.
- Seal and label with ingredients and date made.
Application: Apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin at each diaper change or as needed.
Storage: Keep in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months.
Customisation Options
For extra sensitive skin: Omit essential oils completely. Replace coconut oil with extra shea butter (additional 5g/1 teaspoon). Consider adding 2.5g (1/2 teaspoon) of Baraka baobab oil.
For persistent redness: Add an additional 15g (1 tablespoon) of Baraka shea butter to the base recipe. Consider adding 2.5g (1/2 teaspoon) of Baraka baobab oil.
For enhanced barrier protection: Increase cocoa butter to 30g (2 tablespoons). Add 5g (1 teaspoon) of beeswax for extra staying power. Consider adding 2.5g (1/2 teaspoon) of Baraka palm kernel oil.
Starting Your DIY Formulation Journey
Working with a small number of high-quality ingredients like Baraka's makes formulation forgiving. Unlike complex commercial formulations that must be precisely measured for stability, natural butters and oils are flexible — a balm that comes out softer or firmer than planned is still a usable, simple product.
For firmer, protective balms: cocoa butter (firmest), beeswax (if desired), shea butter.
For softer, more absorbent formulations: shea butter, coconut oil, baobab oil.
Start with a base of shea or cocoa butter, then add oils to adjust consistency. Adjust ratios for climate and season — lighter formulations for summer, more protective ones for winter. Keep notes on your formulations so you can recreate the ones that work well.
Baby Balm Recipe Ideas
Gentle Protection Diaper Balm
Ingredients:
- 30g (2 tablespoons) Baraka shea butter
- 15g (1 tablespoon) Baraka cocoa butter
- 5g (1 teaspoon) beeswax pellets
- Optional: 2.5g (1/2 teaspoon) Baraka baobab oil
Method:
- Melt all ingredients together using the double-boiler method.
- Pour into a small jar and allow to cool completely.
- Apply to clean, dry diaper area with each change.
Notes: Creates a water-resistant layer that protects against wetness while allowing the skin to breathe. The shea and cocoa butter combination is a traditional pairing for protective balms.
Soothing Shea Baby Balm
Ingredients:
- 30g (2 tablespoons) Baraka shea butter
- 15g (1 tablespoon) Baraka cocoa butter
- 5g (1 teaspoon) Baraka baobab oil
Method:
- Gently melt the butters together using the double-boiler method.
- Remove from heat and stir in baobab oil.
- Pour into a container and allow to cool completely.
- Apply to irritated areas as needed.
Notes: Shea butter provides moisture and conditioning, cocoa butter provides structure, and baobab oil adds a lightweight, easily absorbed finish.
Simple Barrier Cream
Ingredients:
- 30g (2 tablespoons) Baraka cocoa butter
- 15g (1 tablespoon) Baraka coconut oil
- 2.5g (1/2 teaspoon) Baraka palm kernel oil
Method:
- Melt cocoa butter using the double-boiler method.
- Add coconut and palm kernel oils, stir to combine.
- Pour into a container and refrigerate until set.
- Store at room temperature after setting.
- Apply to areas needing extra protection.
Notes: This minimalist formulation creates a strong, long-lasting moisture layer — well suited to overnight use or areas with persistent moisture exposure.
Where Baraka's Ingredients Come From
Baraka's shea butter, cocoa butter, and other ingredients 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 methods — no solvents, no chemical extraction at any stage. The women at the cooperative receive a fair-trade premium directly, without intermediaries. For Yahaya Amina's story on using shea waste for fuel, see Yahaya Amina on Using Shea Waste for Fuel. For the full cooperative sourcing story, see Baraka's Social and Environmental Impact Report.
Browse the full DIY Ingredients Collection and Recipe Kits Collection. For more baby balm recipes, see DIY Baby Balm, DIY Newborn Oil & Balm (First Touch), and DIY Balm for Eczema-Prone Baby Skin. For guidance on formulating without water or preservatives, see Preservative-Free Formulating: Creating Safe, Fresh Baby Products with Baraka Ingredients. For the shea butter for babies guide, see Shea Butter for Babies.
What We Know and How We Know It
The traditional use of shea butter, cocoa butter, and other African butters and oils for baby skincare comes from generations of practice across West Africa. The fatty acid and vitamin content of these ingredients is well-characterised in published literature. The essential-oil avoidance guidance in this article reflects common practice recommendations rather than a specific clinical study cited here; this article is not medical advice, and any concerns about your baby's skin should go to a paediatrician.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients do I need to make a DIY baby balm?
Most simple baby balms use just two or three ingredients — commonly a butter like shea or cocoa butter as the base, plus a lighter oil like coconut or baobab oil for texture. Some recipes add a small amount of beeswax for extra staying power.
Is shea butter or cocoa butter better for a baby balm base?
Shea butter is softer and easier to work with as a primary moisturising base. Cocoa butter is firmer and adds structure and a stronger protective layer, which is why many recipes combine the two.
Can I add essential oils to a baby balm?
Never use essential oils on babies under 3 months. For babies over 3 months, only gentle oils like lavender are sometimes used, at very low concentrations. Tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary essential oils are generally avoided in baby skincare products.
How long does a DIY baby balm last?
An anhydrous (water-free) balm made without water-based ingredients typically keeps for up to 3 months when stored in a cool, dark place. Because there's no water in the formula, no preservative is needed.
How do you choose high-quality butters and oils for baby skincare?
Look for unrefined, traditionally processed ingredients with no chemical solvents or bleaching. Ask your supplier whether chain-of-custody documentation is available. A mild, natural scent and some batch-to-batch colour variation are signs of genuine traditional processing rather than factory uniformity.
What equipment do I need to make a DIY baby balm?
A small heat-resistant glass bowl, a pot for a double-boiler setup, a clean storage jar, and a mixing spoon (wooden or stainless steel) cover most simple balm recipes.
Where does Baraka source its shea butter and cocoa butter?
Baraka's shea butter and other ingredients are sourced through the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region. Wayne Dunn has maintained direct cooperative relationships for over 15 years. Every batch is hand-processed with zero chemical extraction. Chain-of-custody documentation is available on request.
Can I customise a baby balm recipe for sensitive skin?
Yes — for extra sensitive skin, omit essential oils entirely and replace coconut oil with extra shea butter. Adding a small amount of baobab oil is a common adjustment for skin needing extra conditioning.
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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