BABY SKINCARE
INTRODUCTION
Every mother wants the best for her baby, and nowadays, when the market is flooded with chemical and harmful products online and offline, it becomes very confusing to choose what’s right for your baby. Newborn babies are born with wrinkled skin vernix, which wears off slowly within a month or two to reveal sensitive and delicate soft skin that needs regular caring.
Common Skin Issues of a Newborn Baby
A baby’s skin is delicate and external agents like detergents, dyes, chemicals, environmental factors, water quality, clothing materials, etc., can be harsh for them and irritate the baby’s skin, causing rashes, chafing, or dryness. Below are some common skin problems occurring in newborns.
BABY ACNE
Baby acne is tiny red or white pimples that develop on the baby’s nose, cheek, and forehead when the baby is 2 – 4 weeks old. It is not advisable to use any un-prescribed or over-the-counter products for it, as baby acne seems to resolve on its own.
ECZEMA
Eczema occurs when the baby comes in contact with allergic materials like detergents, house cleansers, dust mites, or even drool. It results in dry, flaky, scarlet skin peeling from the affected area that may also be itchy and painful. Scratching irritates it more. Eczema is common in the first six months as the baby’s skin is devoid of a thick epidermal layer but will heal with time.
Different Types of Contact Dermatitis
MILIA
Milia are like small, white acne-like rashes that appear on the baby’s nose, face, eyes, legs, or arms when dead skin cells get confined and develop into milia. Like acne, milia also dissolves on its own.
CRADLE CAP
These are yellowish, crust-like dry patches on the head, neck, armpits, nose creases, eyebrows, and even eyelashes. They occur when the baby is 2-3 months old and goes away slowly as the baby grows old.
HEAT RASH
Heat rash is quite common in hot, humid tropical countries like India, where the baby develops duck-like bumpy skin rashes, often red-coloured and filled with fluid or pus and with itchiness that is caused by too much heat. The most commonly appear on the back, elbow folds, armpits, shoulders, neck, chest, or groin area due to excessive sweating and heat.
DIAPER RASH
This is the most common rash appearing on the butts and genital area that are in contact with diapers, causing red scaling lesions. Diaper rash may also be triggered by a bacterial or fungal infection, as well as keeping a diaper on for more than 5 hours or exposed to harsh cleaning agents. Any good diaper rash balm or nappy balm can cure it.
Select Safe Skincare Products
It is essential to choose products that don’t inflame a baby’s sensitive skin and incorporate it into the baby’s daily regime. Consult a paediatrician if necessary. Look out for the labels in the skincare products that state :
Hypoallergenic, meaning it is very unlikely to cause irritation.
Gentle, meaning it doesn’t include harsh chemicals.
Organic, meaning it contains things that are farmed organically and devoid of pesticides.
Natural, meaning it contains naturally occurring, mostly plant-based ingredients.
Some common baby skincare products
MOISTURISERS
The inherent part of any skincare, baby or adult, moisturisers are loaded with good things that cure any dry or inflamed skin as well as keeping the skin soft and supple and preventing future irritations. A newborn moisturiser is crucial for locking the moisture after a bath and should be applied every day. The best moisturiser for newborns should be free of perfume and nourishing in nature.
SUNSCREEN
It’s not advisable to use sunscreen on babies aged less than six months. For older babies, however, sun exposure can cause sunburns and redness and irritate the delicate skin. Choose mineral-based sunscreens over chemical ones as the latter may cause allergies. Zinc oxide and titanium oxide are the safest ingredients for sunscreen.
DIAPER BALM
Some of the best diaper balms are organic and natural, which soothe the baby’s skin naturally. The best natural diaper balms are rich in calendula and natural oils, whereas the best organic diaper balms contain honey, beeswax, and vitamins.
Bath Essentials
Baby soaps and shampoos should be tear-free and fragrance-free formulations and devoid of sulfates that are potent irritants. After every bathing ritual, apply the best moisturiser for newborn dry skin that is free of chemicals.
Harmful Ingredients to Avoid in Baby Skincare
Despite FDA rules and regulations, the online market is flooded with baby products that often contain harmful products that are used as cheap alternatives for expensive natural components. As parents, it is crucial to be aware of these ingredients and avoid such baby products. Some of them are as follows :
Fragrance.
However sweet-smelling a baby moisturiser may seem, the best moisturiser for dry-skin newborns should be devoid of any ‘perfume, perfume, aroma, essential oils or fragrance’ for its potential skin-irritating qualities.
Synthetic Dyes
Artificially prepared synthetic dyes should be strictly excluded from baby skin and cosmetic products as they are highly toxic.
Parabens
Parabens are a common food and skincare preservative that can cause metabolic and hormonal disorders and should be avoided from an early age.
Sulphates
Body washes and shampoos contain sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium Laureth sulfate, which are essential irritants and deplete the skin and hair of its natural oils. A sulfate-free wash is a more healthy and less comedogenic (inflammation causing).
Phthalates
Phthalates are added to cosmetics and skincare products to increase their shelf life, durability, and binding agents. But phthalates like diethiphthalates (DEP), DEHP, DMP, etc., can cause reproductive inability, developmental disorder, endocrine hazards, and even cancer and should be avoided as much as possible.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde has been used as a preservative for organic and inorganic substances since ancient times and is often found in baby wipes, shampoos, and liquid soaps. But it has carcinogenic properties, and prolonged exposure may cause asthma and eye, skin, throat, and nose irritations. Though it may not be completely excluded, keeping it at safe levels is essential for a baby’s health.
Propylene Glycol (PG)
PG is a very good humectant and is added to moisturisers for its water-retaining and softening abilities. It hardly causes irritations but may be harmful to eczema and super-sensitive skin. It’s better to avoid it in baby skincare and better to look for natural alternatives.
Hero Ingredients for Baby Skincare
Coconut Oil
The age-old oil from coconut kernels is best for not only hair but skin also. It’s rich in vitamin E and lauric acid and can soothe diaper rashes, baby acne, and eczema flare-ups.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is the pulp of karite tree nuts native to Africa. It has multiple benefits - it is deeply moisturising, boosts collagen production, has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, rich in good fatty acids like stearic acid, linoleic, and oleic acid and contains essential vitamins and prevents dry and itchy skin. So, it’s ideal for eczema and can be used daily.
Chamomile
Chamomile flower extracts are naturally calming and anti-inflammatory and soothe the baby’s skin and hair.
Aloe Vera
Aloe is the best soothing gel that can calm heat rashes, cure insect and mosquito bites, moisturises skin enough yet prevents buildup, and has overall healing properties.
Milk Cream
Malai or milk cream that was used by your grandparents is the best natural moisturiser that deeply nourishes and replenishes the skin's moisture. It cleans the bay’s skin gently and also improves the skin tone, and has excellent healing properties.
Jojoba Oil and butter
Produced from the seeds of the jojoba plant, its oil and butter have many advantageous properties. It is a natural humectant, enhances the skin barrier from environmental pollution, increases skin elasticity, and is naturally anti-inflammatory. Hence, it is commonly found in many organic diaper balms.
Olive Oil
Olive oil has tremendous benefits for the baby's skin as it promotes skin tissue regeneration and is rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals. Olive oil massages can soothe and relax fussing newborns and induce sleep.
Calendula
Calendula flower extracts are famous for their calming and soothing properties. It has anti-inflammatory attributes and can heal regular cuts, burns, and bruises. It also induces skin cell renewal and encourages cell turnover.
Zinc Oxide
Zinc is naturally found in the skin, and zinc oxide can form an impermeable skin barrier to a baby’s skin and protects from external damage. It’s widely used in nappy balms and baby sunscreens.
Almond oil and butter
An excellent emollient rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids; almond butter and oil can improve skin barrier, hydrate and nourish, cools down diaper rash and eczema, and makes skin soft and supple.
CONCLUSION
Skincare, baby, or adult is completely subjective, and one thing that may suit a baby may not suit another. The best we can do is be aware and choose baby-friendly ingredients in skin care and avoid harsh chemicals. Remember, the gentle and nurturing touch of the mother is the best remedy for an irritated infant.
FAQs
Is propylene glycol safe for babies?
No. It’s one of the major ingredients to be avoided in baby products.
Is it essential to bathe babies daily?
No. Bathing twice or thrice a week is enough as it doesn’t strip the babies from their natural moisture.
How frequently should we use diaper rash balm?
Each and every time a baby's soil and his bottoms are cleaned, and before every new diaper change, a diaper rash balm is to be applied.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/baby-acne-or-rash?utm_source=ReadNext https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/brand-natural-ingredients-you-didnt-know-were-great-for-your-babys-skin/
https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/baby-skin-care-ingredients
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/skin-care-tips
