Baby skincare tips
SUPPORT THE SKIN BARRIER
All infants are born with an undeveloped skin barrier and during infanthood they form a barrier that helps to lock hydration into the body whilst filtering out harmful toxins, pollutants and germs. Without an effective skin barrier, these toxins can enter the bloodstream where they have potential to pose a threat to health. If your baby has dry, sore, eczema-prone skin, this can be a sign that their tender skin needs an extra care during their development. This can be taken care by using baby oils enriched with nourishing ingredients known to contain a high level of fatty acids.
ESTABLISH A pH-BALANCE
Healthy skin has a slightly acidic pH but some baby skin care ingredients can disturb the skin’s pH-balance leaving the skin dry. SLS is one such ingredient, which is commonly added to baby shampoos and baby bath washes to make them foam, it can disturb the skin’s delicate acid mantle. Tap water is also naturally alkaline so, even if you are just cleaning your baby with water and cotton wool, their skin pH will be more alkaline after bathing. Ensure to use pH-balanced skin care products made with naturally foaming ingredients.
KEEP BABY'S SKIN SOFT & HYDRATED
Infant skin is more vulnerable to dryness and there are many factors contributing to this:
- Their skin is much thinner than adult skin and therefore is more vulnerable to water loss
- The natural moisturizing factor in babies’ skin is less effective at binding moisture to the skin
- Their skin contains fewer corneocytes – a cell in the epidermis that retains water and prevents the skin from drying
To keep the infant skin soft, always ensure to use skin care oil made from natural ingredients, such as Coconut oil, virgin coconut oil or coconut milk.
PROTECT INFANTS FROM SKIN CARE TOXINS
Researches proves that, as much as 70% of some toxins applied to the skin may be absorbed into the bloodstream. While this can have untold consequences on adults, the infants are more prone to risk of toxins. The infant’s skin are more sensitive to toxins which can be commonly seen in some skin products which permeate the skin barrier and are likely to be more concentrated and therefore have a greater impact on the tender skin. Synthetic ingredients with potential to permeate the skin barrier include UV filters, parabens, petrochemicals, PEGs, DEA, TEA, irritating emulsifiers, synthetic colours and artificial perfume. Some of these ingredients are also penetration enhancers and can pull other toxins through the barrier. Keeping this in mind, lets refrain from using these hazardous products which damages our little one’s skin.
PROTECT AGAINST PRICKLY HEAT
It is also important that infants too need age-appropriate sun care. Adult sun creams are often too thick for thin infant skin and, because children find it hard to regulate their body temperature, they may need to use a sun cream that won’t clog pores and increase their risk of developing prickly heat. It can be used on babies from six months. Avoid using sun cream on infants less than six months and to take extra care that they are not exposed to direct sunlight.
TO PROTECT AGAINST ECZEMA
Some commonly used skin care ingredients can exacerbate eczema-prone skin. To avoid an infant eczema flare-up, it is important to keep the skin well hydrated and to avoid ingredients known to trigger childhood eczema, such as SLS and synthetic fragrances. Instead, opt for natural baby skin care products.
