Our skin is our largest organ and it is very permeable, which means many of the things we rub on it eventually end up in our bloodstream.

So when it comes to keeping our babies as chemical-free as we can, it’s not just about what’s in the air they breathe and the food they eat, but also what we’re rubbing on their skin. Here are some tips for keeping your baby chemical-free.

Make your own wipes for baby

I don’t recommend using baby wipes if they’re not chemical-free. The best way to clean a baby’s bottom is with warm water and paper towels – and it’s cheap. To make it easier, you can put the warm water in a spray bottle. And if you want the convenience of baby wipes while you are out, moisten some paper towels with water and put them in a resealable plastic bag. You can add a little olive oil for extra moisturising and cleaning power if you like.

Massage and moisturise

Baby oil smells lovely but it is petroleum-based and has synthetic fragrance added. Instead, opt for a bottle of natural almond oil – available in supermarkets – and use it to massage your baby and keep their skin soft.

Heal with aloe

Keep an aloe vera plant in your garden or on a windowsill and use the gel inside the leaves for nappy rash or any other skin rashes. Simply slice off a leaf, run a knife down the centre of one side and open it to reveal a wonderful gel that is a great moisturiser as well.

Homemade nappy change gel

You can mix up a really effective moisturiser for using on baby’s bottom at nappy changes by combining a quarter of a cup of aloe vera gel (you can buy this at health stores if your plant isn’t big enough to give you that much) and one teaspoon of glycerine (find this at pharmacies or health food stores). Put it in a jar and shake. You only need to use a tiny bit – it goes a very long way.

Alternative sunscreen

Sunscreen should never be used on babies under six months old. Instead, keep them well-covered and out of the sun at all times. If you do need a natural sunscreen, get some zinc oxide from the chemist. It’s a thick white cream and your baby will end up looking a bit ghostly, but it works!

Think zinc oxide for nappy rash

Zinc oxide is also excellent for preventing and treating nappy rash. Buy it from the chemist mixed with castor oil.

Commercial soap vs olive oil

Most soaps are made with caustic soda, which is not the best thing to have next to baby’s skin. Instead, you can bathe baby in warm water with a little olive oil added.

Stay away from chemical spray

Try not to spray chemical air-fresheners around your baby, or fly sprays either for that matter. A simple way to keep the air fresh and fight off germs is to fill a 250ml spray bottle with water and add four drops of lavender oil.

Use rolled oats to combat rashes

If your baby has a rash, wrap some rolled oats (the type you use for making porridge) in a bit of cloth and tie at the top. Once added to the bath, they will soften and you can squeeze out the liquid. It is very soothing and healing for any sort of rash.

Try cocoa butter to cure cradle cap

If your baby develops cradle cap, an old-fashioned method is to rub paraffin oil into the scalp. But I prefer cocoa butter. Simply rub it on and leave it to work.