Collection: Mum & Bub

For eczema-prone baby skin, look for products that are water-free, fragrance-free and free from harsh preservatives.

Water-free balms are particularly effective because they contain no water, meaning no preservatives are needed, and they form a richer, longer-lasting barrier than conventional creams or lotions.

Our Kawakawa Balm is used by thousands of NZ families on babies and young children with eczema-prone and sensitive skin.

A colloidal oatmeal bath is one of the most widely recommended additions for babies with eczema and sensitive skin.

Finely milled oat disperses in water to form a milky, skin-soothing suspension that moisturises and calms irritated skin. It is gentle, natural and suitable from birth. Our Soothing Oat Bath Soak is designed specifically for this purpose and is loved by NZ families managing eczema and dry skin in babies and young children.

Kawakawa (Piper excelsum) is a taonga native plant, central to rongoā Māori, traditional Maori plant medicine in New Zealand. It has been used for centuries for its properties across a range of skin conditions.

Our Kawakawa Balm is water-free, meaning it contains no preservatives, and forms a rich protective barrier on the skin. It is used by NZ families for eczema-prone skin, dribble rash, cradle cap, nappy rash and general dry or sensitive skin from birth onwards.

While there is no substitute for a GP's advice for severe eczema, many families find the following helpful alongside medical care: lukewarm baths rather than hot, keeping bath time short, patting skin dry rather than rubbing, applying a barrier balm immediately after bathing while skin is still slightly damp, and using fragrance-free, natural laundry detergent. Our Soothing Oat Bath Soak is a favourite with parents for soothing irritated skin at bath time.

Baby eczema typically appears as dry, red, scaly or crusty patches on the skin. In young babies it most commonly shows on the cheeks, forehead and scalp. In older babies and toddlers it tends to appear in the creases of the elbows, behind the knees, and on the wrists and ankles.

The skin is often intensely itchy, which can cause babies to rub or scratch, making the skin raw and weepy. If you are unsure whether your baby has eczema, always check with your GP or Plunket nurse.

Our Kawakawa Balm, Soothing Oat Bath Soak and the rest of our range is free from synthetic fragrances, parabens, mineral oils and hormone-disrupting chemical UV filters.

Many customers first find Frankie Apothecary during pregnancy when they are looking for cleaner alternatives to conventional skincare. As with any new product during pregnancy, we recommend checking with your midwife or GP if you have specific concerns.

Yes, and you are not imagining it. Baby eczema often flares at night. Skin loses more moisture while we sleep, cortisol levels naturally drop which can increase skin reactivity, and the urge to scratch is much harder to resist when little ones are tired and there are fewer distractions. Bedding and pyjama fabrics can also irritate sensitive skin. Applying a generous layer of a water-free balm at bath time and again before bed helps lock in moisture and protect the skin barrier through the night.

Cradle cap is a common and harmless condition in newborns, a build-up of flaky, crusty skin on the scalp. Many parents find that gently massaging a small amount of natural oil into the scalp before bath time helps loosen the flakes. Our Kawakawa Balm works well for this. Leave it on for a few minutes, then gently comb through with a soft baby brush before washing. Be sure only to remove flakes that are already loose - never try to pick flakes or loosen them with a brush or comb. Always be gentle.

Dribble rash is a common skin irritation around the mouth, chin and neck caused by constant contact with saliva.

Keeping the skin clean and dry helps, but a gentle barrier balm applied to clean skin can protect against further irritation.

Our Kawakawa Balm is used by many parents as a protective barrier for dribble rash, a small amount on the affected area creates a natural shield without blocking the skin. For regular itchy skin conditions, we recommend applying the balm 3x per day. For dribble rash as the skin gets wet more often during the day, you can apply it as often as needed. Dab skin dry and apply a layer of balm.