When do you choose fragrance-free skincare for babies?
Choose fragrance-free skincare products from birth, especially if your baby has sensitive, very dry or eczema-prone skin. Fragrance-free formulas minimise irritation and protect your baby’s developing skin barrier.
With over 75 years of expertise in baby skincare, Mustela has developed fragrance-free ranges specifically designed for delicate, reactive and eczema-prone skin.
Why is fragrance-free recommended for babies?
Baby skin is thinner and more permeable than adult skin. In the first months of life, the skin barrier is still developing, making it more vulnerable to irritants, including added fragrance.
Even naturally derived fragrances can increase the risk of:
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Redness
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Stinging
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Dry patches
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Flare-ups in eczema-prone skin
That’s why dermatologists often recommend fragrance-free formulas for newborns with sensitive skin.
When should you choose fragrance-free skincare?
1. From birth: Using fragrance-free skincare from the very first days of life helps reduce unnecessary exposure to potential irritants.
2. If your baby has sensitive or reactive skin: If your baby's skin turns red easily or reacts to environmental changes, fragrance-free skincare products are the safest option for daily use. Mustela's Very Sensitive range is developed with carefully selected ingredients to help soothe, calm and protect reactive skin.
3. If your baby has very dry or eczema-prone skin: For babies with extremely dry or atopic-prone skin, fragrance-free care isn’t just recommended — it’s essential.
Mustela Stelatopia® range is completely free from fragrance and has been specially formulated to help restore and strengthen the skin barrier.
Key products include:
- Stelatopia+ Lipid-Replenishing Cream: nourishes and moisturises extremely dry to eczema-prone skin for up to 24 hours, for the whole family, including newborns. It's scientifically proven to soothe itchy skin and helps minimise frequency of re-occurring itch.
- Stelatopia Cleansing Oil: Gently cleanses and replenish the eczema-prone skin of babies and the whole family. It leaves a long lasting protective film on the skin to soothe discomfort, tightness and itching.
All of these formulas contain sunflower oil distillate, a patented ingredient which is known to support the skin barrier and reduce visible signs of discomfort.
4. If there’s a family history of eczema or allergies: If eczema, asthma or sensitive skin runs in the family, using fragrance-free skincare products from birth is a proactive approach.
Fragrance-free vs unscented: What’s the difference?
- Fragrance-free: No added fragrance ingredients.
- Unscented: May still contain masking agents to neutralise smell.
For babies, fragrance-free is always the safer option.
How to build a fragrance-free routine with Mustela?
- Cleanse with Mustela Very Sensitive Cleansing Gel or Stelatopia Cleansing Oil.
- Moisturise daily with Very Sensitive Moisturising Lotion for reactive skin.
- If your baby has very dry or eczema-prone skin, use Stelatopia+ Lipid-Replenishing Cream.
Using gentle, fragrance-free formulas supports long-term skin comfort.
Why choose Mustela for fragrance-free baby skincare?
Mustela is expert in baby skincare for over 75 years. All of our formulas are developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals and tested to ensure they are safe for use from birth.
Our fragrance-free ranges, such as Very Sensitive and Stelatopia®, demonstrate our commitment to:
- Baby Skin science
- Minimal, carefully selected ingredients
- High percentages of natural origin ingredients
- Dermatological and paediatric safety
Conclusion: When in doubt, choose fragrance-free.
If you’re unsure which skincare products to choose for your baby, fragrance-free options are always a smart first step, especially during the first year of life.
With fragrance-free ranges such as Very Sensitive and Stelatopia®, Mustela offers targeted solutions that are designed to protect delicate skin while providing clinically proven results.
