Natural Skincare is Best for Babies

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People are becoming aware that many modern skincare products contain potentially harmful ingredients. For this reason many seek to learn more about natural skincare or organic skincare.

Whether you call it 100% pure skincare or holistic skincare or natural skincare or organic skincare, what people are looking for is skincare products that don’t contain harmful ingredients.

If it’s news to you that many mainstream skincare products and antiaging products and cosmetics contain potentially harmful ingredients then here’s a couple of examples to demonstrate why so many people are now looking for natural skincare products.

A recent study, for example, has found lead in many of the big brand lipsticks that so many of us use. Other studies have found chemicals called Phthalates in many of our skincare and anti aging products and cosmetics. Phthalates have linked to birth defects.

Why is this so? Because the FDA doesn’t regulate or test anti aging products and skincare products for safety, (or for how well they work), and so many companies use ingredients in their products that are suspect or even dangerous, and sometimes are also damaging to your skin.

There are many other examples, which have prompted consumers to research what they are buying and created consumer organizations dedicated to exposing dangerous ingredients in skincare products and cosmetics in an attempt to clean up the industry.

For those seeking safe skincare products there is good news. There are excellent companies dedicated to developing high quality, safe, effective and pure skincare products, and safe, effective and pure cosmetics.

Scientific studies have shown many naturally occurring ingredients that can be used in skincare products to avoid the necessity of using chemicals and other suspect or dangerous ingredients.

Many of these natural ingredients provide much more than just vibrant skin, but a unique way to reintroduce vitamins and minerals back into your body. The skin has a special characteristic which allows it to absorb these nutrients from lotions and creams into the blood stream topically.

If you are looking for a better natural skincare product that is safe, affordable and effective it’s out there. Do some research and be sure to find a product you feel comfortable with and an honest company who stands behind the ingredients in their products.

Buying the Right Type of Skin Care for your Baby

For you as a consumer in the billion-dollar skin care industry, lack of information about products is costly, and you have to bridge the gap between. Without accurate information, you are throwing your money away, because you are completely at the mercy of advertisers and marketers. Knowing more specific information about your skin needs, such as your true skin type, you can take control of your skin.

In 2001, the average American owned about five hundred dollars’ worth of cosmetic products, and this amount has surely risen dramatically as more and more expensive product lines have been developed since that time. Do you really need to spend that much to get quality skin care? No. What truly matters is not your skin cream’s price, but whether it’s right for your Skin Type. No matter how glamorous its packaging or delicious its feel, that four-hundred-dollar cream is not right for everyone. (In fact, some types don’t need to use any skin cream at all.)

Proper information – not hype – will save you the expense, trouble, and waste of buying the wrong products-while directing you to the right ones. Ingredients are the only thing that should drive your purchasing decisions and once you’ve learned what all the jargon and 14-syllable words mean, you too will be better able to read a cosmetic label and figure out if it’s appropriate for you.

Again, products should be chosen based on their ingredients first, manufacturing practices, and formulations.

Also try to research the clinical trial data of the products, when available, to choose wisely those that have proven effective. Leading dermatologists recommend following these criteria before buying any skin care:

Make sure the product…
1. Contains the right ingredients for your skin type
2. Contains sufficient amounts of active ingredients to be effective
3. Does not contain counterproductive ingredients
4. Is formulated effectively for your needs
5. Is packaged to maintain stability of the active ingredients
6. Is cosmetically elegant (smell good and feel good)
7. Is approved from those who’ve used them
8. Is easily available for purchase

Using Sunscreen on your Baby

If you have talked to your pediatrician or some of your friends about your baby being in the sun you might have determined you should just keep baby out of the sun altogether if you can. But when that’s not possible, try choosing a “physical” or “chemical-free” sunscreen made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide — look for one of those ingredients on the label.

Unlike chemical sunscreens, which may cause irritation or allergic reactions because the skin absorbs the active ingredients, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sit on top of the skin, forming a barrier against the sun’s rays. There’s no evidence chemical sunscreens are dangerous or toxic, but we just don’t know enough yet about how young children react to the ingredients. Also, sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide start protecting as soon as you put them on, whereas chemical products need to be slathered on 30 minutes in advance so the skin has time to absorb them.

If you do use a chemical-based sunscreen, do a patch test first to make sure your child won’t have a reaction to it. Apply a small amount to the inside of her upper arm. If she develops a rash or redness at the site by the next day, choose another formula instead. Also make sure any chemical sunscreen you use is labeled “PABA-free.” PABA was once widely used in sunscreens but now has been linked with skin irritation.

You may have heard you should look for a “broad-spectrum” product that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Any sunscreen that contains the physical blocker zinc oxide or titanium dioxide will do this.

The sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least 15, but you generally don’t need to go above 30: Higher than that and you’re getting smaller and smaller amounts of added protection — which, in a chemical sunscreen, means a higher dose of unwanted chemicals. It’s fine to use a “children’s” sunscreen, but don’t go out of your way to buy one of these, since they’re usually no different from the adult versions.

Natural Skin Care Benefits

There are toxins all around us in the world today.  People are becoming more and more conscious of where they go, what they eat, and the things they are exposed to.  The rage over organic and natural products isn’t really a rage. People are simply learning that using synthetic chemicals will probably result in our bodies absorbing elements we weren’t supposed to absorb.  Learning how our bodies work and why we should avoid certain synthetic ingredients will help promote overall well-being and a more healthy society.

Skin is our first barrier of defense from the outside world not to mention the largest organ of our body.  It is made up of several layers (dermis, epidermis, and subcutaneous tissue). These layers work together by utilizing different types of cells, which create a semi-waterproof layer of tissues highly concentrated with blood vessels.  This simple factor allows us to release and absorb substances to regulate our bodies based on the environment we are exposed to.

This is the key to understanding why using organic and natural products is so significant.  The types of ingredients skin care products are made up of will dictate what becomes absorbed quickly, what won’t be absorbed and what may clog the absorption process.  Most essential oils have a relatively small molecular mass so they are absorbed quickly.  However many synthetic ingredients also have a small molecular mass meaning they will be absorbed into the skin and blood stream right away also.  As for some of the heavier oils like almond, olive, and coconut oil which make up the majority of crèmes and lotions, they are higher in molecular mass resulting in a slower absorption rate which it ultimately leaves your skin feeling soft and lubricated several hours after the application.  Some ingredients like Zinc are not absorbed at all and will sit on top of the skin and act as a physical barrier.

It is important to understand how our skin works and why using natural products will help us in the long run. The more natural and organic a lotion or crème is the more our bodies will be able to absorb and break down the ingredients for overall use in a natural way.  Ultimately, preventing synthetic substances from entering our blood stream will help to prevent unwanted chemical reactions commonly associated with toxins.

Dry Skin and your Baby

Baby’s skin is sensitive but also very resilient and resistant because it’s the first defense barrier.  Dry skin can be a common skin condition.  If your baby has itchy red patches on his skin, it’s possible he has eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. Sometimes even eczema will clear up with regular moisturizing, though, so you needn’t rush to the doctor unless the patches don’t get better or your baby seems itchy or uncomfortable.

In rare cases, dry skin can indicate a genetic condition called ichthyosis. Ichthyosis shows up as dry skin with scaling and, occasionally, redness. It’s also generally accompanied by a thickening of the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. If your doctor suspects that your baby has ichthyosis, she’ll probably refer you to a dermatologist for treatment.

How to Help you Baby Overcome Dry Skin

Treating dry skin in a baby can be a challenge, but if you are informed on steps to prevent making it worse it will be easier.

Cut back on bath time
Bathing dries a baby’s skin because it removes the skin’s natural oils along with the dirt. Following a few bathing tips will be a great first step.

First, try cutting down the time in the bath (for example if your baby is bathing 30 minutes now try 10 minutes). Use warm water — not hot — and soap up sparingly. Use a fragrance-free, soap-free cleanser, which is much less harsh than regular soap.

Let your baby have his playtime in the tub before you wash him, so he won’t be sitting in soapy water. And don’t leave the cleansing bar floating in the tub. You’ll probably want to cut bubble baths out of your baby’s routine — or at least limit them to special occasions.

While bath oils may seem like a good idea, they can make the tub dangerously slippery, and most of the oil slides down the drain anyway. Applying an emollient after bathing is a better route.

Slather on the moisturizer
Once you take your baby out of the bath, quickly and lightly dry him with a towel, then apply moisturizer immediately. Applying the moisturizer within minutes of taking your baby out of the tub will seal in the water that’s still in his skin from the bath.

As far as moisturizers go, the general rule is the thicker the better. If your baby’s skin is still dry even with daily moisturizing, try switching from a lotion to a thicker cream or ointment. You might also want to consider moisturizing twice a day — once after bathing and once during the day.

Don’t let salt or chlorine dry on his skin
Chlorine and salt water can both be very drying. After a swim in the pool or ocean, rinse off your baby with tap water, and then apply moisturizer while his skin’s still damp.

Run a humidifier
If the air in your home is dry, use a cool mist humidifier in your baby’s room.

Protect your baby from the elements
Make sure your baby wears mittens in cold weather to keep his hands from becoming dry and chapped from the cold and the wind. In summer, take steps to protect him from sunburn.

Organic Baby Skin Care Products

Your baby’s skin is highly sensitive. Before using any skin care product, be sure it is formulated for babies with as few chemical ingredients as possible. Natural and organic baby products are preferable, as they use little to no man-made chemicals that your baby can have a harsh reaction to.

Organic baby skin care products are made from things that come from the earth, such as herbal plants and natural oils. Because there are no chemicals in organic skin care products there is less chance of your baby having a skin reaction when using the products

The best way to avoid chemicals is to choose pure and natural toiletries for babies and question which products you actually need at all. Yet when you read the list of ingredients listed on baby products they look much the same as those listed on standard family toiletries. Look at the chemicals listed in your child’s toiletry products; commonly SLS or sodium lauryl sulfate is used in baby wipes and shampoo’s it has been linked to skin irritations, diarrhea, breathing problems and eye damage particularly in small children. In higher concentrations, this same chemical is used in household cleaning products. Another item to consider when you purchase baby clothes or baby linens for the very first time, make sure to wash the baby items in a hypoallergenic soap formulated for babies.

Avoid products containing potentially irritating or harmful ingredients. Unscented, all-natural products are the safest things to use on our children. Making your own all-natural powders, salves, and bath products is a wonderful way to care for your children. Research organic baby skin care and learn what is best for your baby’s soft and delicate skin. As a caring parent, you want your baby to have the best health possible – that includes their skin care as their tiny body can absorb every chemical of a lotion or skin care product you apply.

Organic baby skin care products today include a full range of baby lotions, baby creams, balms, baby oils, salves and baby powders to soothe, moisturize and protect. Refrain from using products designed for adults as they are usually too harsh and contain irritants and allergens.

Speak to your pediatrician for organic products he/she may recommend. If you live in a small town and don’t have access to specialty stores, check online. There are now many sites linking you to stores across the country that can ship products for little to no additional cost of driving to a nearby store.

Treating your Baby for Cradle Cap

Cradle cap is a harmless scalp condition common in newborns. Your baby may have a mild case of flaky, dry skin that looks like dandruff, or a more severe case marked by thick, oily, yellowish, scaling, or crusting patches.

Cradle cap can appear anytime between two weeks and three months after birth and usually clears up on its own after several months. It’s usually not problem after about 6 or 7 months of age.

Cradle cap results when oil-producing sebaceous glands produce too much oil, which turns into oily patches and then dries and flakes off. Many experts think the extra hormones that a mother produces and passes to her child during childbirth cause the oil glands to act up. When the hormones in your baby’s body level out after the early months, the condition will go away.

The best way to remove the scales is to rub mild vegetable or olive oil into your baby’s scalp a couple of times a week, let it sit for about 15 minutes, then gently comb out the flakes. Then wash your child’s hair with a gentle baby shampoo.

Some doctors recommend leaving baby shampoo on your child’s head for about 20 minutes (or as long as your baby can stand it) and then massaging the scalp with a soft toothbrush. Cradle cap will eventually go away on its own, but consult a pediatrician if the condition persists, gets worse, or spreads. She may prescribe a medicated shampoo or cortisone cream.

Milia and Acne Baby Skin Care

Sometimes you can see white bumps on your baby’s nose or chin. These are called milia, and are different from baby acne. Milia are caused as tiny flakes are trapped under the upper layer of your baby’s skin, and are likely to affect boys and girls equally.

Milia are not as common as acne, and are cured on a few weeks, whereas acne may take longer. Some babies have both the problems. Take care that when you wash your baby’s face, use the towel very gently and pad the surface. Both – milia and baby acne do not require any treatment or medication except that if either of these exceed beyond six months. Also, if you notice that there is a change in baby’s complexion while suffering from acne or milia, or both, consult your baby’s doctor.

Skin Care for Baby Diaper Rash

If your baby gets a diaper rash (and to prevent future diaper rashes) it’s important to keep the area as clean and dry as possible. Change wet or soiled diapers right away. This helps cut down how much moisture is on the skin.

• Gently clean the diaper area with water and a soft washcloth. Use soap and water only if the stool does not come off easily. If the rash is severe, use a squirt bottle of water so you can clean and rinse without rubbing.
• Pat dry; do not rub. Allow the area to air-dry fully.
• Apply a thick layer of protective ointment or cream (such as one that contains zinc oxide or petroleum jelly). These ointments are usually thick and pasty and do not have to be completely removed at the next diaper change. Remember, heavy scrubbing or rubbing will only damage the skin more.
• Avoid using wipes that can dry out the skin. The alcohol or perfume in many of these products can further irritate your baby’s skin.
• Do not put the diaper on too tight, especially overnight. Keep the diaper loose so that the wet and soiled parts do not rub against the skin as much.
• Use creams with steroids only if your pediatrician recommends them. They are rarely needed and may be harmful.
• Check with your pediatrician if the rash
  • Has blisters or pus-filled sores.
  • Does not go away within 2 to 3 days.
  • Gets worse.

• Too much moisture
• Chafing or rubbing
• When urine, stools, or both touch the skin for long periods of time
• Yeast infection
• Bacterial infection
• Allergic reaction to diaper material

• Babies get older—mostly between 8 to 10 months of age.
• Babies are not kept clean and dry.
• Babies have frequent stools, especially when the stools stay in their diapers overnight.
• Babies begin to eat solid foods.
• Babies are taking antibiotics, or in nursing babies whose mothers are taking antibiotics.

• The rash does not look like it’s going away or gets worse 2 to 3 days after treatment.
• The rash includes blisters or pus-filled sores.
• Your baby is taking an antibiotic and has a bright red rash with red spots at its edges. This might be a yeast infection.
• Your baby has a fever along with a rash.
• The rash is very painful. Your baby might have a skin condition called cellulitis.

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