Hypoallergenic and perfume-free, Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes tops our list
Baby wipes are a must-have essential for all households with a baby. Besides ensuring your baby has a clean diaper area, baby wipes are also useful for cleaning faces and hands. You can even use them to wipe down toys and high chairs or pick up spills from the carpet.
Gentleness on the skin is key. We have to choose baby wipes gently. Many babies can be sensitive to perfumes and other ingredients in wipes, so look for water-based wipes. Need to select the baby wipes with the fewest ingredients. You might want to start with a small package of baby wipes to see if they cause any reaction. Look for wipes that are thick enough to effectively clean a baby’s bottom.
To find the best baby wipes, we reviewed ingredients, gentleness, and thickness. In addition to disposable wipes, we also considered reusable wipes due to their reduced environmental impact.
Best Overall: Pampers Sensitive Water-Based Baby Diaper Wipes
- Readily available
- Pop top container
- Thick and durable
- Not environmentally friendly
- Hard to pull out just one wipe
Pampers Sensitive Water Baby Wipes are our top pick because they are mild, hypoallergenic, and free of alcohol, perfume, parabens, phenoxyethanol, and dyes. A bestseller in both the baby skincare and diaper wipes categories, Pampers wipes are used in many hospitals across the United States. The wipes are 20% thicker than regular Pampers wipes, and are 97% water-based, making them excellent for sensitive skin. In addition to water, the wipes contain citric acid, castor oil, benzyl alcohol, and aloe barbadensis leaf juice.1
Customers say that the wipes work well on children with even the most sensitive skin and that by using the wipes they save money on diaper rash cream. The Pampers Sensitive Water Baby Wipes also tend to stay moist for a long time which leads to you using fewer wipes during a diaper change as compared to other brands of wipes.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Water Wipes Original Baby Wipes
- Good for sensitive and eczema-prone skin
- Can be used on the face and hands
- Dries out easily if the package isn’t closed
- Hard to remove from packaging
The water wipes are made of 99.9% pure water with a drop of grapefruit seed extract. Baby Wipes received a Seal of Acceptance™ from the National Eczema Association of America. Completely devoid of chemicals, these wipes are safe for newborns, and effectively clean even the most irritable skin.
Parents note that these are the only wipes that don’t inflame their babies’ sensitive skin. Others warn that if the wipes are not kept in a cool, dark place, they are susceptible to mold, so don’t buy too many at once. Also, as your kid grows and starts to eat solids, you might need a more substantial wipe.
Best for Newborns: Huggies Natural Care Baby Wipes
- Readily available
- Relatively inexpensive
- Unscented formulation
- No pop-top on the container
- Very wet wipes
Made of 99% triple-filtered water, HUGGIES Natural Care Unscented Baby Wipes are formulated specifically for sensitive newborn skin. Free of fragrances, alcohol, and parabens, the wipes are pH-balanced and contain aloe and vitamin E, ingredients that prevent rashes and keep a baby’s skin healthy.
The wipes are gentle enough for newborns, but also hearty enough to use on toddlers. Parents love how strong and moist the wipes are, even when the package is left open.
Best for Toddlers: Seventh Generation Baby Wipes
- Easy to close the top
- Thick and soft wipes
- Good for the hands, face, etc.
- Can stick together
Once your baby starts eating solid foods, you might want to opt for a heavier wipe that can handle bigger messes. This favorite from Seventh Generation is free of dyes and perfumes, but it also packs a punch in the cleaning department.
Beyond cleaning diaper areas, these are great for hands, faces, and car seat messes so they are always great to have on hand. The handy closable top keeps them fresh, so you don’t have to worry about them drying out.
Best for Diaper Rashes: Mustela Baby Cleansing Wipes
- Multi-use (can be used to remove makeup)
- Lightly scented
- Resealable container
- Expensive
- Lightly scented
- Small wipe size
A definite splurge when compared to other brands, Mustela Cleansing Baby Wipes are great when you need to address a specific skin concern such as a diaper rash. Formulated from 97% plant-based ingredients such as an avocado person, which protects your baby’s skin, and aloe vera leaf extract, which soothes irritated skin, the wipes are hypoallergenic and alcohol-free.
Best Organic: Doctor Butler’s Organic Soothing Baby Wipes
- Made from bamboo and essential oils
- Safe for postpartum moms
- Biodegradable
- Expensive
- Hard to find
- Not sold in bulk
Many brands of baby products claim to be organic, but Doctor Butler’s Organic All Natural Chemical Free Soothing Wipes is one that lives up to the hype. Doctor Butler’s wipes are made from ultra-soft bamboo cloth, which is a more sustainable material than the plant-based fabrics used to construct most other baby wipes.
Free of chemicals and artificial preservatives, the wipes also contain organic ingredients such as vitamin E, rosemary oil extract, lysine, Calendula Officinalis, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, and chamomilla. Customers rave that compared to other brands advertised as organic, Doctor Butler’s wipes smell great, and work well with sensitive skin.
Best Eco-Friendly: Buttons Flannel Baby Reusable Washable Natural Unbleached Wipes
- Washable
- Reusable
- Environmentally responsible
- Requires washing after each use
- Only 15 wipes per package
Although they are necessary for cleanliness, most baby wipes are made of tree-based fabric, which is a significant drain on natural resources. Those worried about the environment may prefer reusable wipes made out of unbleached cotton flannel.
Besides being great for the environment, these also eliminate the use of harsh chemicals on your baby’s skin and also help save you money. After each use, you will have to thoroughly clean them with hot water and soap to make sure you sterilize them appropriately.
What to Look for in Baby Wipes
Gentleness
For babies with extra sensitive skin, regular baby wipes may cause irritation, drying, and overall discomfort. Skip the regular wipes and opt for a brand that is specifically formulated to address the needs of little ones with extra-sensitive skin. Usually made with hypoallergenic ingredients, these wipes are often touted as fragrance-free, and alcohol-free, and some brands take it a step further by having their wipes tested by dermatologists. They’re appropriate for everyday use on your baby’s sensitive skin.
Thickness
There is nothing worse than cleaning your baby’s bum after a poop explosion and feeling the wipe disintegrate into pieces. While thicker wipes may cost a few dollars more, they will actually help you save in the long run as you’ll use fewer wipes per diaper change thanks to their cleaning efficiency.
Ingredients
All wipes are not created equal. Some are formulated with just water (or 99% water) juwel.477
while others have an extra hydrating formula to help moisturize your little one’s most delicate areas. Depending on your baby’s needs, you’ll want to take a look at the formula to make sure it includes what your baby needs.
Environmental Impact
Disposable baby wipes are most common, but some families choose reusable wipes, which are more environmentally conscious. While at home, reusable wipes can be convenient, but if you’re on the road, it’s much more of a hassle to store and then wash the wipes. Plan for your lifestyle and if you choose reusable wipes, it can be helpful to have a pack or two of disposable wipes just in case.
