HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN OF YOUR BABY
By: Smart Accessory Store
Tags: Baby Care

Use the following baby skin care tips in this article and start to look after the skin of your baby.

It is important to take care of the skin of your children properly. It is even more important to teach your children to take care of their skin. They should start from young as possible. This will help them to maintain healthy complexions as they grow older.

BASICS OF BABY SKIN CARE

The two most important things about skin care is cleansing and moisturizing. Use a mild soap and moisturizer for your children. It is not necessary to use expensive products.

Here are some tips for baby skin care:

» Bath the child using a mild baby soap once a day. If your child’s skin is very dry, you may want to try a soap that is glycerin-based. Do not use hot water. Use lukewarm water instead. Be gentle and do rub the skin vigorously as your child’s skin is very sensitive and tender.

» Wash the baby’s hair regularly, daily if the weather is very hot. Use a baby shampoo that is mild and will not cause the baby to tear.

» Moisturize after bath. Gently pat dry with a towel. Then use a mild moisturizing lotion and apply on a slightly moist skin. Application should be done in one direction. Do not massage the skin. It is not advisable.

» Change the diapers whenever wet. It is the best way to avoid diaper rash. Before putting on the new diaper, wipe the area dry and apply some powder.

» Mosquito nets can be used to prevent insect bites. Do not use mosquito repellants. They may cause irritation and rashes.

» Provide adequate sun protection, drink sufficient water and eat a well balanced and healthy diet. These are equally important for a healthy skin.

» Finally, consult a doctor if you observe any skin problems.

WHAT BABY SKIN CARE PRODUCTS SHOULD I USE?

The basic baby skin care products that you would need for your child are:

» Gentle and mild cleanser or baby wash

» Gentle and mild shampoo formulated for children

» Baby wipes that are fragrant free

» Light, soothing moisturizer that does not contain any irritant

» Use diaper rash creams that are petroleum based or contain zinc oxide. Choose ointments that are fragrant free. This is a must. Putting scent will irritate rashes.

» You should use baby powder on areas with creases such as underarms, genital areas and the neck. Be careful when dusting. Ensure that the powder does not enter the lungs.

Talc is a common ingredient in talcum powder. When choosing a baby powder, you should choose one that does not contain talc. Talc or magnesium silicate hydroxide is a chemical and should never be used on a baby’s skin. An excellent alternative is plain cornstarch. It is the primary ingredient found in most talc-free baby powders and does not contain fragrance.

Use scent free powders as well.

While you can use powders to treat diaper rash in infants, the best way to treat a diaper rash is to keep the baby’s bottom as dry as you can. Air-drying is the best. Over the counter products that contain zinc oxide will help to protect your baby’s skin from moisture.

If you are using cloth diapers, boil them for 15 minutes to kill all bacteria and germs. You can use a diaper service where the water is hotter. If you are using disposable diapers, choose one that has extra-absorbent gelling materials. This will help to keep your baby’s skin dry.

» Sunscreens are important if your child is subjected to sun exposure. Use sunscreens that have an SPF of 15 or greater and with UVA-protecting ingredients.

was specially created for children. It contains 100% Natural / Organic Ingredients and can be used on babies too. It provides superior UVA and UVB protection and water resistance. This mineral based sunscreen is also a non-greasy lotion, rich in free radical fighting anti-oxidants and vitamins.

A baby’s skin is very sensitive. It is much more delicate than that of an adult’s, more prone to irritants and more prone to allergic skin problems. The basics of any skin care routine is cleansing and moisturizing. This is fundamental for anybody’s skin including the skin of your children. The difference lies in the choice of baby skin care products.

HOW TO CHOOSE BABY SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

While you should always use products that have been formulated for babies, here are some extra pointers that you should look out for when choosing the ideal baby skin care products for your baby.

MILD

Baby skin care products should be very mild. This is to avoid irritation, allergy or sensitive skin reactions. A lot of baby skin care products out in the market are far from gentle. Do not assume that a product is gentle just because the manufacturer states that it has been formulated for children. Watch out for both expensive and cheap baby skin care products that may actually harm young, delicate skin.

FRAGRANCE FREE

If you take a walk along the baby section of your local drugstore, you will find a range of beautifully packaged baby skin care products. You would probably assume that the manufacturers have taken the necessary care to use only ingredients that are gentle to your baby’s skin. Unfortunately, that assumption is not true. If you could just unscrew the cap, you will realize that a lot of them contain the most sweet smelling fragrance. That delicious aroma while appealing can irritate your baby’s skin.

FREE OF COLORING AGENTS

Another thing to note: a lot of baby skin care products have a pretty yellow or pink tint. This means the product has coloring agents which can cause problems for sensitive baby skin.

FREE OF SKIN IRRITANTS

Read the labels! The best baby skin care products should be free of skin irritants. Yet, there are baby skin care products that contain skin irritants such as peppermint, citrus and menthol. These ingredients are problematic even for an adult’s skin. Protect the skin of your child. Pay special attention to the ingredient labels. Do not be taken in by the product description or claims on the package.

CHECK THE INGREDIENTS

When looking for a detergent to wash your babies’ clothing, check that they do not contain harsh ingredients. Normal detergents may be too harsh for your child. Of course if your baby is not allergic, you can continue with your usual choice of washing powder . It is best to look for washing powders that are surfactant-free i.e. no detergent cleansing agents.

Be careful with bubble baths. Check the ingredients and make sure that they are safe for your children as well as the septic tank system. Many bubble bath products are manufactured with detergents that can cause harm to your baby’s skin. Irritants from bubble bath products may cause urinary tract infections in small children. Examine the packaging of bubble bath products closely. Look for labels that warn against use of the product on babies and small children.

Use shampoos that are specially formulated for children, especially those that will not cause the child to tear. Baby washes can be used in the initial months of your babies’ life. As the child grows older, look for products that do not contain perfumes, preservative or artificial colors. These may cause allergic reactions to your child.

Common preservative include Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA), citrus seed extracts, vitamins A, E, and C. Some of these ingredients may be listed as an abbreviation or listed as compounds with other ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate.

NATURAL INGREDIENTS

Natural ingredients are always best. As your child gets older it is still fine to continue to use the same products. Always be sure you are using a sunscreen made just for kids or babies. If you are going to use oils be sure they are of natural ingredients.

You should never use bacterial soaps on infants. If a soap is needed do not use a harsh soap. Look for a mild one which is made from all natural ingredients. You can try soaps that contain olive, coconut or palm oils. They work the best on a child’s soft skin.