How To Choose Safe & Gentle Skincare Products For Your Baby
If you are a new parent, every instinct you have will be telling you to protect your baby and prioritise their health and wellbeing. One of the biggest challenges is taking care of their skin, which is soft, delicate and absorbent. This means that it is important to be very careful about what skincare and baby bath products you use.
The shelves of chemists and supermarkets are overflowing with baby products that claim to be gentle, but in reality they may contain chemicals that will damage or irritate the skin of your little one. Here’s what to look for (and what to avoid) so that you can make well informed decisions about caring for your baby’s skin.
Why your baby needs special skin care
Babies have much thinner and more delicate skin than older children or adults, and its protective barrier has not yet fully developed. This means that it is more prone to moisture loss, rashes, and irritation. It is also more permeable and absorbs more product, which is why it’s so important to use gentle and non-toxic ingredients.
However, this does not mean that you need lots of expensive products or a complicated skincare routine: in fact, the simpler the better. Most of the time, you will need nothing more than a gentle soap or a soap-free cleanser; a mild moisturiser and a nappy balm. Avoid anything that contains heavy synthetic fragrances or alcohol.
What to look for in baby skincare products
In the first instance, look for products that are labelled mild and intended for babies: if you are in the UK, this means that the product will have undergone a safety assessment. However, these are very general tests that are not necessarily backed by a lot of clinical research.
Therefore you should always be careful and try out a new product on a small area of their skin first of all. If you or your partner have a skin condition such as eczema, be extra cautious because in 75 per cent of cases, this is a hereditary condition and it could mean that your baby will have it too.
If your baby is prone to eczema or irritation such as cradle cap, look for nourishing products that contain natural ingredients such as organic coconut oil. This is mild and soothing, and free from pesticides and synthetic additives.
Study the ingredients list, especially if it is very long and toxic ingredients could be easily missed. High quality 100 per cent natural baby skin care products tend to have short lists that are clear and easy to understand.
Ingredients to avoid
If your baby has sensitive skin, some products that are labelled safe for babies may still irritate them. For example, artificial fragrances or colours are common triggers for rashes and allergic reactions. SLS/SLES (Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate) is a foaming agent that can strip a baby's delicate skin of its natural oils.
Tips for trying a new product
Even when using natural products, babies can react to any new substance. Here’s how to test safely:
Patch test: Apply a small amount to a small area of skin (such as the inside of the elbow) and wait 24-48 hours to check for any reaction.
Introduce one at a time: Try new products one by one so it’s easier to identify the cause if any issues arise.
Watch for subtle reactions: Redness, fussiness, dryness, or small bumps may indicate a sensitivity.
When in doubt, trust your instincts and read the label. By choosing gentle, natural, and organic skincare, you’re protecting your baby from irritation, and setting them up for strong healthy skin into childhood and beyond.
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