India's pioneering G.M.P-certified Unani manufacturer — since 1995.
India's pioneering G.M.P-certified Unani manufacturer — since 1995.
by Syed Fuzail Irshad
Ask any new parent, and they will tell you the same thing. Someone in the family, usually a grandmother or an aunt, has already told them to start massaging the baby with almond oil. It is one of those bits of advice that gets passed down through generations, and there is a good reason it has stuck around this long.
Baby massage is not just bonding time, though that part matters too. A gentle daily massage helps with blood circulation, keeps the skin soft, and often leaves the baby calmer and more settled, especially right before nap time or bedtime. But the oil matters just as much as the massage itself, and that is exactly where a lot of parents get stuck with so many options sitting on the shelf.
Almond oil has been part of baby massage in Indian households for generations now, and it is still one of the more recommended oils among paediatricians and elders alike. The texture is light, it absorbs into the skin fairly well, and it skips that heavy, sticky feeling some other oils tend to leave behind.
There is also the vitamin E content, which is known to support healthy skin. For a newborn whose skin is still adjusting to life outside the womb, a gentle, nourishing oil like this can genuinely make a difference in keeping things soft and moisturised.
Not every almond oil on the market is made the same way, so knowing what actually matters helps before picking one off the shelf.
Purity comes first. You want something free of unnecessary additives or synthetic fragrances, since a baby's skin is a lot more sensitive than an adult's.
Texture matters too. A good massage oil should feel light rather than greasy, and it should spread easily without you having to rub hard just to work it in.
Then there is the smell. Babies pick up on scent more than people give them credit for, and a mild, natural fragrance is almost always the safer choice over anything heavily perfumed.
And one more thing worth checking: whether the oil is actually meant for external use and massage, rather than something repurposed from cooking oil. That distinction gets missed more often than you would expect when parents are shopping in a rush.
This is where Roghan Badam Shirin from Rex Remedies comes in. It is a sweet almond oil made specifically for external use, based on a traditional formulation that has been trusted in Indian households for years. The texture stays light; it absorbs well without turning sticky, and the scent is mild and natural rather than overpowering.
A lot of parents use it daily as part of the baby's massage routine, usually right before or after a bath, since that is when the skin tends to soak it up best. It works well for regular use too, since it does not leave heavy marks on clothes or bedding, which matters more than you would think when you are dealing with a newborn's endless outfit changes.
The process itself is simple enough, and there is no special technique required to get it right.
Warm a small amount between your palms first. Cold oil straight from the bottle can be uncomfortable against a baby's sensitive skin. Start with gentle strokes on the arms and legs, working toward the rest of the body, and keep the pressure light throughout. A baby's muscles and bones are still developing, so this should feel more like a soothing touch than an actual deep massage.
Spend a little extra time on the hands and feet, since babies usually respond well to gentle pressure there. Skip the face and eyes entirely, and if you are ever unsure about a particular spot, it is completely fine to just leave it out.
A daily massage, ideally around the same time each day, helps the baby settle into the routine, and often leads to a calmer response over time as the pattern becomes familiar.
Every baby's skin reacts a little differently, so a small patch test the first time you use any new oil is always worth doing, even one as gentle as almond oil. Apply a small amount on a small patch of skin and wait a bit to check for redness or irritation before moving to a full massage.
It also helps to massage on a comfortable, warm surface, in a room that is not too cold. A chilly environment can make the whole experience uncomfortable for the baby regardless of how good the oil actually is.
Is almond oil safe for newborn babies?
Generally yes, almond oil is considered gentle and safe for newborns, though a small patch test is always a good idea, especially the first time you use it.
How often should I massage my baby with almond oil?
Most parents massage their baby once a day, often before bath time, though some prefer doing it in the evening as part of a calming bedtime routine instead.
Can almond oil help with baby sleep?
Plenty of parents find that a gentle massage before bedtime helps the baby relax and settle down faster, though this can vary quite a bit from baby to baby.
Is Roghan Badam Shirin different from regular almond oil?
It follows a traditional formulation built specifically for external use and massage, made to stay light, gentle, and suitable for regular use on a baby's sensitive skin.
Can I use almond oil on my baby's face?
It is best to avoid the face and eye area during massage and stick to the arms, legs, hands, and feet instead.