What Is Baby Oil Used For? Newborn Uses and Safety Tips
Baby oil is mainly used for baby massage, for softening the scales of cradle cap, and as a light layer on dry or flaky skin. It is not essential for a newborn. Warm water is enough for most baths, and Australian children’s health services generally recommend simple, fragrance-free moisturisers for dry skin. If you do use baby oil, use a small amount, keep it away from your baby’s eyes and mouth, and store the bottle out of reach.
Updated October 2026
A bottle of baby oil turns up in a lot of hospital bags and baby shower hampers. But what is it actually for, and when should you use it on a newborn? Here is a plain guide to what baby oil is, the uses that make sense, and the times you are better off with something else. The safety points draw on the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Raising Children Network, Pregnancy, Birth and Baby and healthdirect.
Baby oil uses at a glance
| Use | Is baby oil a good fit? | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Baby massage | Yes, in small amounts | Choose fragrance-free; a gentle cream such as sorbolene also works |
| Cradle cap | Yes, to soften scales | Avoid olive oil; take care with nut and seed oils |
| Dry or peeling newborn skin | Sometimes | A thick, fragrance-free moisturiser or ointment is often the better choice |
| Eczema | Ask first | Follow your GP’s or MCHN’s plan; avoid fragrance |
| In the bath | Not needed | Makes your baby slippery; plain water is fine |
| Every day, all over | Not needed | Newborn skin does best with simple care |
What is baby oil?
“Baby oil” is a label, not one ingredient. Most classic supermarket baby oils are based on mineral oil, which may appear on the label as paraffinum liquidum, and some have added fragrance. Other products sold for babies use plant oils such as sunflower, almond, coconut or jojoba. Always read the ingredient list, because the difference matters for sensitive skin and allergies.
Oil forms a layer that helps slow water loss and lets your hands glide during a massage. Creams and ointments are also moisturisers, and may suit persistent dry skin better.
Plant oils are not automatically gentler
“Natural” sounds safer, but the evidence is more mixed. The Royal Children’s Hospital’s neonatal and infant skin care guideline notes that food-based oils applied to the skin have been linked to a higher risk of developing allergies, and that olive oil and mustard oil have been shown to impair the developing skin barrier. If your family has a history of food allergy, eczema or asthma, talk to your GP before using nut or food-based oils on your baby.
What is baby oil used for on newborns?
1. Baby massage
This is the main use. A little oil stops your hands dragging on your baby’s skin and makes massage more comfortable for both of you. Raising Children Network’s newborn massage guide suggests a safe, suitable cream or lotion such as sorbolene, so oil is an option rather than a must. Massage when your baby is calm and alert, not hungry or overtired, and stop if they turn away, cry or stiffen.
2. Softening cradle cap
Cradle cap is the yellowish, greasy, scaly patches that can form on a young baby’s scalp. Healthdirect explains that it is common and harmless, usually clears by itself, and does not always need treatment (cradle cap). If you want to help it along, Australian health services suggest gently massaging a small amount of baby oil or moisturiser into the scalp at night, then the next day loosening the softened scales with a soft brush or cloth and washing with a mild baby shampoo.
The government-funded Pregnancy, Birth and Baby cradle cap page advises avoiding olive oil, as it can lead to a yeast infection in cradle cap, and taking care with nut and seed oils because young children may have allergies. Do not pick at the scales. Raising Children Network’s cradle cap guide has more detail.
3. Dry or peeling skin
If your newborn has dry or flaky skin, you do not need to cover them in oil. Keep care simple and ask your midwife or MCHN if you are unsure whether the skin needs treatment, especially if it looks red or sore.
The Royal Children’s Hospital’s skincare for babies fact sheet recommends a thick, non-fragranced moisturiser at the first sign of dryness, noting that thicker creams work better than lotions. For persistent dryness, choose a suitable thick moisturiser with advice from your GP or MCHN rather than relying on oil.
4. Eczema: check with your GP first
Babies with eczema need a consistent skin care plan, and products with fragrance or food ingredients can make things worse. The RCH eczema fact sheet is a good starting point. If you think your baby has eczema, see your GP or maternal and child health nurse (MCHN) rather than reaching for whatever oil is in the cupboard. Our roundup of eczema creams for babies shows the kinds of products parents compare. Itchy skin is also one reason babies rub their face on you, which we cover in why does my baby rub her face on me?
5. In the bath
Some parents add baby oil or a bath oil to the water. It is not needed, and oil makes a wet baby very slippery. The RCH suggests warm water for most baths, with a mild, soap-free cleanser only when needed. If your GP has recommended a bath oil for dry skin, hold your baby securely and lift them out carefully.
Raising Children Network recommends a bath temperature of 37°C to 38°C, and stresses never leaving your baby alone in the bath, even for a moment.
When to use baby oil on a newborn
There is no set age or schedule. The better question is whether there is a reason to use it. Good times include:
- during a calm massage, often after a bath or as part of a wind-down routine
- at night on cradle cap, so the scales are soft by morning
- after a bath on a small dry patch, while the skin is still slightly damp
If your baby’s skin is healthy and comfortable, you do not need to use anything. If your baby was premature, or has broken or very dry skin, ask your midwife, GP or MCHN before using any product.
How to use baby oil on babies
- Choose a fragrance-free product and read the ingredients.
- Try a small amount on a small area first and watch for redness over the next day.
- Warm a few drops between your hands rather than pouring oil straight onto your baby.
- Keep it away from the eyes, and avoid your baby’s hands and face, since hands go straight into mouths.
- Wipe off any excess with a soft cloth, and take extra care holding a baby with oily skin.
- Close the bottle straight away and put it up high.
Is baby oil safe for babies?
Used on the skin in small amounts, a fragrance-free baby oil is a common choice. The main risks come from fragrance, from oils your baby may react to, and from accidents with the bottle.
- Fragrance and additives: the RCH recommends avoiding fragranced and botanical products on babies’ skin, as they may disrupt the skin barrier.
- Swallowing or inhaling: mineral oils are hydrocarbons. The RCH’s clinical guideline on hydrocarbon poisoning explains that these products can be breathed into the lungs and cause serious lung inflammation. Keep the bottle closed and out of reach of babies and older siblings.
- Slippery babies: oil makes skin and hands slippery, especially in and around the bath.
Call 000 for severe breathing difficulty, blue lips, collapse or unconsciousness. For suspected swallowing or exposure, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 promptly, even if your child seems well. Healthdirect lists it as available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Tell them if your child has coughed or gagged after contact with the oil. Do not induce vomiting.
Baby oil vs lotion vs moisturiser
| Product | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Baby oil | Massage, softening cradle cap | Sits on the surface; choose fragrance-free |
| Lotion | Light everyday use | Lighter texture; a thick cream may suit dry skin better |
| Cream or ointment | Dry skin, eczema care | The RCH notes thicker creams are more effective than lotions |
If you are putting together a newborn checklist, a fragrance-free moisturiser is more useful than a bottle of oil. Baby oil often turns up in baby shower gift hampers, so you may be given one anyway. If irritation keeps coming back, also check your laundry routine with our guide on what to wash baby clothes in.
Other everyday uses for baby oil
Plenty of people searching “uses for baby oil” mean around the house rather than on the baby. Common grown-up uses include softening dry cuticles or heels, removing makeup from skin, keeping it away from the eyes, and loosening sticky residue from labels and stickers. These are adult uses, not baby care. Wipe up spills promptly, because oily floors and bath surfaces are slippery, and store the bottle out of children’s reach.
When to talk to your GP, midwife or MCHN
- a rash appears after using a product
- dry patches are red, itchy, cracked, weeping or crusty
- cradle cap spreads to the face or body, looks inflamed, or does not improve
- your baby was premature or has a skin condition and you are unsure what to use
You can also call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 to speak with a maternal child health nurse.
FAQ
What is baby oil used for?
Mostly for baby massage, softening cradle cap scales and as a light layer on small dry patches. Adults also use it for dry cuticles and removing makeup.
When can I use baby oil on my newborn?
There is no fixed start date, and many newborns never need it. Use it when there is a reason, such as massage or cradle cap, and ask your midwife or MCHN first if your baby was premature or has broken or very dry skin.
Can I use baby oil on my newborn every day?
A small amount of fragrance-free baby oil on healthy skin is commonly used. Avoid fragranced products, keep oil away from eyes and mouths, and store the bottle out of reach, because swallowed or inhaled mineral oil can harm the lungs.
Should I use baby oil or lotion on my newborn?
For dry skin, a thick, fragrance-free cream or ointment usually does more than either. Oil suits massage and cradle cap, and lotion suits light everyday use.
Can you put baby oil in the bath?
It is not needed and it makes your baby slippery. Warm water is enough for most baths. Only use a bath oil if your GP recommends one, and hold your baby securely.
