Choosing Baby Skincare for Eczema: The Ingredient Checklist

Choosing skincare for a baby with eczema-prone skin can feel overwhelming. Labels carry a lot of claims, ingredient lists are long, and it’s hard to know what actually matters.

This guide cuts through that — covering four ingredients most worth avoiding, what pH tells you about a product, and a simple checklist to use before buying.

What front-of-pack claims can and can’t tell you

In Malaysia, terms like “gentle”, “hypoallergenic”, “natural”, and “dermatologist-tested” have no legally enforced definition under the NPRA — this regulatory gap isn’t unique to Malaysia; it applies in the US, EU, and Australia too.

A 2013 study in JAMA Dermatology found that 83% of products marketed for sensitive or eczema-prone skin contained at least one known allergen. The INCI ingredient list on the back of the packaging is where the formulation is disclosed — that’s the more reliable place to look.

4 ingredients to avoid for eczema-prone baby skin

1. SLS and SLES (sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate)
These surfactants create lather — and are well-documented skin irritants. Even a single wash with SLS has been shown to increase transepidermal water loss and disrupt the skin barrier. Look for “Sodium Lauryl Sulfate” or “Sodium Laureth Sulfate” in the INCI list.

2. Fragrance — natural and synthetic
“Fragrance” on a label can mean hundreds of undisclosed chemical compounds. Natural isn’t safer: lavender, chamomile, calendula, and citrus extracts are among the most common contact allergens in baby skincare. Look for “parfum”, “fragrance”, or any essential oil listed in the ingredients.

3. MI and MCI (methylisothiazolinone / methylchloroisothiazolinone)
These are preservatives common in baby washes and shampoos. The EU classified MI as a contact allergen “without a safe threshold” in 2014 and restricted its use — but Malaysian-sold products may still contain it. It appears as “Methylisothiazolinone”, “Methylchloroisothiazolinone”, or “Kathon CG” in the INCI list.

4. High-pH formulas
Healthy baby skin sits at pH 4.5–5.5 (slightly acidic). Many conventional baby soaps are pH 7 or above — alkaline. Regular use disrupts the skin’s acid mantle, destabilises the microbiome, and worsens barrier function over time.

A simple checklist

Before buying any product for eczema-prone baby skin, check for:

• No SLS or SLES
• No parfum, fragrance, or essential oils in the INCI list
• No MI or MCI preservatives
• pH 4.5–5.5 (confirm with brand if not stated)
• Short ingredient list — fewer ingredients, fewer potential allergens

REMDII Ultra Sensitive, Calming Baby Balm, and Calming Body Wash all meet the above criteria — free from SLS, fragrance, and MI/MCI, formulated at skin-compatible pH, and suitable from birth, including for G6PD-prone skin. As with any new product, a patch test before first use is recommended.

One more thing: the laundry detergent

Don’t forget what touches your baby’s skin indirectly. Many “sensitive” laundry detergents still contain fragrance and optical brighteners that leave residue on fabric. The same ingredient rules apply.