Isn’t pinching a baby’s face so irresistible? With their extremely soft and gentle skin? It is because of the smooth and buttery skin of babies that we must be cautious in choosing products that will suit them..
A baby’s gentle skin calls for gentle skincare products. When we as adults get tons of skin conditions and allergies from using strong ingredients, just imagine how worse it could be for the poor babies.
The reason is that, babies have thinner and much more sensitive skin when compared to adults. Due to the lack of a skin barrier, babies’ skin can get easily affected by harsh chemicals used in skincare products.
So, do we not do skincare for babies at all? That is not the solution. Skincare is a must for babies too. Their skin needs to be protected from the external environment that can cause damage, but not at the cost of their skin’s health.
Choosing gentle, mild ingredients can go a long way in giving your baby the right skincare. You can get good benefits of baby skincare without affecting their skin. It is a win-win situation!
Read along to find out which ingredients are actually gentle and safe for your baby.
CONTENT INDEX
- What is the purpose of gentle ingredients for our babies?
- Safe skincare products for babies
- Skincare products to avoid for babies
But, first let us see why it is better to use gentle ingredients for our babies.
Reasons to Use Gentle Ingredients for Your Baby
Baby’s skin is usually sensitive in nature. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the products we use for babies contain minimal ingredients.
A baby’s skin is more sensitive
A baby’s skin is said to be five times thinner than that of adults. Also, babies have extremely sensitive skin. Studies show that infants up to the age of two years are, on an average, ten times more vulnerable to carcinogens and its elements than adults.
This means that as parents we must be more cautious and choose products that are gentle for our baby.
A baby’s skin needs hydration
Due to their sensitive skin, a baby’s skin dries up easily. Thus, we should use products that are natural and nourishing to the skin, and avoid harsh chemicals that strip off natural oils from the baby’s skin.
Babies are more susceptible to infections
Compared to adults, babies are more prone to getting skin infections, as they do not have a strong barrier to protect them from the external environment. It is therefore better to use products with gentle ingredients that protect the skin barrier without causing any irritation to the baby.
Now that we have looked at the reasons, let us move on to a list of natural ingredients you will need for your baby.
Products That are Safe for Your Baby
Cleansing
Cleansing is the first step in any skincare routine. It is extremely essential as it removes all the dirt, excess oil and other pollutants from the skin. For babies, cleansing is as simple as washing their face with plain water. That is more than enough.
Bath additives are not required. If your child suffers from dry skin, start with applying a few drops of baby oil, or even unscented lotion, to keep their skin moisturized.
Moisturizer
Today, we have a number of alternatives to choose from where moisturizers are concerned. We have natural ingredients for babies, which are both safe to use, and serve the purpose very effectively. Do remember that not all babies need moisturizer. Most of the time, their dry patches go away on their own.
PS: coconut oil is the best option as a moisturizer.
If applying a moisturizer is necessary, go for alternatives such as ointments or petroleum jelly. These are excellent moisturizers and less expensive.
Some babies are not comfortable with a greasy texture, and in such cases, you can switch to creams.
Bath products
Generally, bath products for babies should be mild and fragrant free. Products consisting of cleansers can be used instead of soap. We recommend you to use a mild cleanser with a neutral pH value during bath time.
Only use plain water for newborn babies. You can start using an unperfumed baby bath from about 4 to 6 weeks, but be careful to only use a little so you don't damage your baby's skin. Babies with longer hair may need a drop of mild shampoo on wet hair, lathered and rinsed off.
Sunscreen
With the summer making its apearance, , it is time to provide sun protection for our little ones. unscreen is equally important for babies as for adults, as they prevent their exposure to the harmful rays of the sun. Remember, babies have a very thin skin barrier, and a sunscreen provides protection from exposure.
Choose a sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30. This will give full protection and does not contain any added perfumes or fragrances.
Now, let us see the ingredients that should be avoided for your baby.
Ingredients That are a Big No for Babies
Sulfates and parabens
Both of these come in the list of ‘ingredients to avoid’ in baby products. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in food and cosmetics to increase their shelf life and prevent growth of fungus in the product. Sulfates are chemicals added to a range of skincare products, especially for a lathering effect.
Both parabens and sulfates are harsh in nature, and cause irritation to the baby’s skin. They should be avoided at any cost to protect the baby’s skin as they can be easily absorbed.Common signs include itching, rashes and allergic reactions.
Fragrances
Perfumes and fragrances are other ingredients to be avoided in baby products. They are added to products to make them appealing and for smelling good. In reality, they are more harmful than good.
For babies, they can cause skin irritation, rashes and sometimes even breathing problems. If you find words such as fragrance, perfume, parfum and aroma in any baby product, then run!
Synthetic dyes
Synthetic dyes are mostly regulated by the FDA and the companies need prior approval for adding colors and dyes to their products. The bad news, however, is that this certification does not apply to all dyes. We must therefore be careful while choosing a product. Look for words such as minerals, plants and animal sources, which might indicate synthetic dyes.
Phthalates
Phthalates are another set of chemicals that come under the category of baby products to avoid. Studies show us that long-term exposure to these chemicals can have adverse effects on our baby’s health, including allergies and hormonal imbalances.
To sum it up, choosing the right products for our baby is a prerequisite to a good skincare routine for them. Always remember to consult your dermatologist before using any product on the baby’s skin. Go for organic ones that are mild in nature, yet effective — like the MadeForKids® range from UnbottleCo that is free from sulfates and parabens!
Tuco MadeForKids® Soap Proven Safe with Almond, Protein Milk and Virgin Coconut Oil for Kids Skin
Hi! I’m Tuco MadeForKids®'s Proven Safe Kids Soap. Here are the botanical super-actives I have inside me.
- Almond deeple hydrates little skins
- Milk protein relaxes the nervous system and muscles
- Coconut oil gives deep nourishment and antibacterial protection from rashes
While I cleanse those little bodies thoroughly, I don’t make your kids’ skin dry! Actually I can’t, because I have no chemicals in me! Did I mention that I’m sulfate-, paraben- and phthalate-free?
TuCo MadeForKids® Lotion Proven Safe with Almond, Rosemary Oil, Lily Oil
Hi! I'm Tuco MadeForKids®'s Proven Safe Kids Lotion. Here are the botanical super-actives I have inside me.
- Aloe vera deeply moisturizes and stimulates skin
- Almond oil evens out skin tone
- Rosemary oil stimulates circulation, calming down their senses
- Lily oil acts has an anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial
TuCo MadeForKids® Shampoo Proven Safe with Hibiscus Oil, Henna Oil, Soap Nut and Almond Oil
Hi! I’m Tuco MadeForKids®'s Proven Safe Kids Shampoo. Here are the botanical super-actives I have inside me.
- Hibiscus Oil removes excess secretions and maintains scalp PH
- Almond Oil cleanses, strengthens and promotes hair growth
- Henna Oil makes hair soft and shiny
- Soap Nut strengthens hair roots