Our Ingredients
What’s inside (and that’s all).
We chose six ingredients. Each one has a purpose. None of them are filler. We believe the best thing we can put in a baby product is less: fewer ingredients, working harder, doing more. Here’s what’s in a Bask liner and exactly why it’s there.
The full breakdown
Shea Butter
(Butyrospermum Parkii Butter)
Rich in fatty acids and natural ceramides, shea butter forms a breathable moisture layer that keeps baby’s skin soft without trapping heat. Its melting point (34–38°C) is nearly identical to skin temperature, so it absorbs on contact.
The research
Shea butter is widely recognized for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties. In published research, it has been shown to support transepidermal moisture retention in infant skin.
Why we chose it
It’s the only plant-based emollient with published data specifically in diapered infants. The ideal melting point means it activates with body heat, no rubbing required.
Squalane
(Squalane)
A stabilized form of squalene, the most abundant lipid in vernix caseosa (the waxy coating that covers babies in the womb). Squalane is known for being lightweight, non-greasy, and exceptionally biocompatible with a comedogenicity rating of just 1.
The research
Squalane is recognized in dermatological literature for its ability to integrate with the skin’s own lipid structure. It’s shelf-stable for 2+ years without preservatives, making it one of the most reliable emollients available.
Why we chose it
No other ingredient so precisely mirrors what’s naturally found in infant skin. It’s what babies are literally born with.
Panthenol
(Panthenol (Provitamin B5))
The gold standard for infant skin conditioning. Panthenol penetrates the stratum corneum and converts to pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), which is known to support the skin’s natural renewal processes.
The research
Panthenol is one of the most widely studied conditioning ingredients in infant care. It’s recognized for its humectant and skin-smoothing properties, and it’s the conditioning backbone of Bepanthen, the leading hospital-grade infant skincare line in Europe.
Why we chose it
Decades of published data in the most sensitive population: newborns. No other conditioning ingredient comes close to this body of research.
Bisabolol
(α-Bisabolol)
Bisabolol is the soothing compound behind chamomile’s centuries-old reputation for calming skin. It’s recognized in dermatological literature for its anti-irritant properties and is the key calming ingredient in Aquaphor Baby, without the petroleum.
The research
In published research, α-bisabolol is known for its skin-soothing and anti-irritant activity. Studies have demonstrated its gentleness and compatibility at concentrations as low as 0.1%.
Why we chose it
Effective soothing action at trace concentrations. We get the calming benefit chamomile is known for, without fragrance, allergens, or essential oil volatility.
Vitamin E
(Tocopherol)
Vitamin E is widely recognized as one of the most effective natural antioxidants in skincare. It helps condition skin and also keeps the formula’s other ingredients stable over time.
The research
Tocopherol appears in 6 out of 10 leading premium baby skincare products. It’s known in cosmetic science for its antioxidant and skin-conditioning properties.
Why we chose it
A workhorse ingredient that benefits both baby and product. Well-tolerated and trusted across decades of pediatric use.
Citric Acid + Sodium Citrate
(Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate)
Healthy infant skin naturally maintains a slightly acidic pH (~5.5). Every time urine enters the diaper, it raises the pH, which can leave skin feeling uncomfortable. This citrate buffer system helps maintain the skin’s preferred pH range passively.
The research
pH buffering is a well-established concept in skin science. Published research from P&G explored pH-buffered diaper care and found that maintaining skin’s natural pH range is associated with greater comfort in the diaper area.
Why we chose it
Bask is the first product to deliver pH buffering passively inside the diaper. We chose this approach because pH management is widely recognized as one of the most important factors in diaper-area comfort.
Intentionally excluded
What you won’t find in a Bask product.
Not because these ingredients are evil. Because we found better options.
Zinc Oxide
Zinc oxide is an effective ingredient, but it’s classified as a drug by the FDA. That means it requires a Drug Facts panel, limits formulation flexibility, and carries regulatory constraints we don’t need. Our emollient blend provides moisture conditioning without the drug classification.
Petrolatum
Petrolatum is the gold standard for moisture retention, and we’ll give it that. But it’s occlusive, petroleum-derived, and can feel heavy. Shea butter and squalane deliver comparable barrier function with a lighter, more breathable feel.
Fragrance
Fragrance is the #1 contact allergen in cosmetics. Baby products don’t need to smell like anything except clean. We’d rather skip it entirely than risk sensitization.
Parabens
Our formula doesn’t contain water, which means bacteria can’t grow in it. No water means no need for preservatives like parabens. Simple as that.
Lanolin
Lanolin is a good emollient, but it’s a known allergen for some infants and can vary in purity. Squalane gives us the same barrier support with a cleaner safety profile.
Essential Oils
Lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus. They sound natural, but essential oils are concentrated plant extracts with real sensitization risk. We use bisabolol for calming instead: same chamomile lineage, none of the volatility.
Colloidal Oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal is classified as an OTC drug ingredient by the FDA, which means using it would change our product’s regulatory category. It’s great in lotions, but we chose a cosmetic pathway that gives us more formulation freedom.
Verified & tested
Standards we hold ourselves to.
EWG Verified
Meets the Environmental Working Group’s strictest standards for health and transparency.
Leaping Bunny
Certified cruelty-free. No animal testing at any stage of development.
Dermatologist Tested
Evaluated by board-certified dermatologists for gentleness on sensitive skin.
Pediatrician Recommended
Reviewed and recommended by practicing pediatricians for everyday use.