Is your baby’s dry skin concerning you? Take it easy, all newborns go through a phase where the waxy layer over the skin peels off, and the skin becomes dry. Applying a moisturizer at this phase will incredibly improve the texture and appearance of their skin. You can begin to use a certified, safe and allergy-free moisturizer when your baby reaches a few weeks of age. It will supply plenty of vital nutrients and hydration to their skin. So, how to choose the right baby moisturizer for your baby?
You should be careful when you’re selecting the moisturizer. Don’t get caught in anyone’s words – products with fragrances can be harmful to your baby. Other than that, strictly avoid all baby products which have paraben in them. Hypoallergenic creams or lotions with minimal artificial chemicals can be the best for your baby. You should always look for certified popular brands for your little munchkin. Lets get into some more details.
In This Article
- What is a Baby Moisturizer?
- Can You Use Baby Moisturizer For Your Baby?
- When Can You Start Using Moisturizer on a Baby?
- List of Ingredients to Avoid When Choosing a Baby Moisturizer
- How to Choose the Best Baby Safe Moisturizer For Your Baby’s Skin Type?
- Top 3 Benefits of Using Moisturizer For Your Baby
- Do Baby Moisturizers Have Any Side Effects?
- FAQ’s
What is a Baby Moisturizer?
A baby moisturizer is a blend of multiple nutrients that come together to nourish your little one’s skin. A properly hydrated skin is always healthy and moisturizers are vital for maintaining your baby’s skin health.
They lock in the skin’s moisture and prevent unnecessary drying and irritation to your infants’ skin. Changing weather can pose a lot of issues to a baby’s skin and using a moisturizer helps control and prevent this problem.
Can You Use Baby Moisturizer For Your Baby?
Seek out for gentle and fragrance-free moisturizers to avoid dryness of the skin. Olive oil serves best for mothers who are skeptical about using commercial products. Because your infant’s skin is so tender, they’re at the risk of having eczema and skin irritation. Therefore, moisturizers are good for shielding their sensitive skin from these troubles. And if you keep enough things in mind while choosing a moisturizer for your baby, they will certainly reap the benefits.
Your infant’s skin is well hydrated under their exposed skin. However, the dry air in the room, and especially bathing, makes it dry and snatches the essential oils also. Aside from this, make sure that you’re not giving more than 3 baths per week to your baby. It washes off these necessary oils that are crucial to maintaining the skin’s texture and health.
[Read : 7 Amazing Facts About Your Baby’s Skin]
When Can You Start Using Moisturizer on a Baby?
A waxy layer called ‘vernix’ blankets your baby’s body against the amniotic fluid in the womb. And soon after your delivery (in the first few weeks), this layer will begin to peel away on its own – when it does, their skin will look very dry and flaky. Within this flaky skin, is a skin which is sufficiently moist and needs no extra hydration.
But to ensure the good texture of the skin while the layer peels off, a moisturizer is very helpful. Mostly, the hands, elbows and ankles face a lot of dryness. A good moisturizing cream or lotion provides the necessary protection when the baby gets all dry.
List of Ingredients to Avoid When Choosing a Baby Moisturizer
Be extra cautious when taking a look at the ingredients list. Some moisturizers may smell like heavens and flowers but will damage your baby’s skin.
1. Parabens
Parabens are used in baby moisturizers and other products to lengthen their shelf life. These chemicals safeguard the product from mold and bacteria. Also, the presence of water demands preservatives so that the product can last longer. These chemicals are found to imitate estrogen, which, when applied to the skin can cause damage in the long run. Watch out for ingredients that end with “-paraben”.
2. Fragrance
Keep a close eye on moisturizers with fragrance. It is harmful to a baby because brands don’t mention ‘phthalates’ in their ingredient list. And without them, it’s not possible to introduce scent to a product. Like parabens, phthalates also mimic estrogen’s properties, which can cause hormonal imbalance.
3. PEGs (Polyethylene Glycol )
Beware of the products with ingredients which have names like oleth, myreth, ceteareth, laureth, and all which include ‘eth’ as a part of their names. Further, don’t purchase the product if it has polyethylene glycol or oxynol. These are disastrous to a baby’s overall health.
4. Propylene Glycol
This filling agent has its roots in glycerin and is generally a part of dye and natural deodorants. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given a thumbs up to this agent if it’s included in cosmetics and even food. Still, it’s one of the chemicals used in the process of de-icing airplanes whenever frost, snow, or ice has formed over them.
How to Choose the Best Baby Safe Moisturizer For Your Baby’s Skin Type?
Baby can have different skin types like sensitive skin, dry skin, normal skin or eczema prone skin. And you have to pick your moisturiser according to the baby skin condition.
1. For Sensitive Skin
Your baby’s skin is said to be sensitive when they easily react to the smallest temperature changes or are bound to easily break out into rashes. Such babies need hypoallergenic, chemical-free and fragrance free moisturizers so that the cream or lotion does what it is supposed to do – protect the baby, as opposed to irritate it.
2. For Dry Skin
As the name suggests, a baby with dry skin will experience dryness and flakiness and is prone to redness and irritation. Many creams and lotions can contain ingredients such as parabens which can dry out the skin even further. Look for products with natural and safe ingredients such as coconut oil or cocoa butter.
[Read : Dry Skin In Babies]
3. For Eczema Prone Skin
Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions in babies. Skin becomes dry, itchy, irritated and inflamed. If your baby has eczema, you may need to consult your doctor and take their suggestions on how to proceed with the skin care. Creams with cocoa butter or chamomile can be good for your baby’s skin.
Top 3 Benefits of Using Moisturizer For Your Baby
Once you make the right choice, the moisturizer will give a lot of benefits to your little one. Some of them are mentioned here;
1. A Release From Skin Irritations
Your baby’s skin is so fragile and the air outside so impure, that they’re bound to get one or the other kind of skin problems. And you can see this problem in all newborns – skin itchiness, redness and so on. A baby moisturizer is very soothing to the skin and shields your infant from such problems.
2. Healthy Hydration Levels For the Skin
When you apply any good moisturizer to your little one’s skin, they surround the skin cells and make it soft for a long time. If the skin is properly hydrated, problems such as skin dryness are out of the question.
3. Supplies Nourishment to the Skin
Ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter and so forth nurture the skin cells and help them to develop well. Moreover, your baby will have smooth and beautiful skin because of the goodness of these nutrients.
Do Baby Moisturizers Have Any Side Effects?
Although it’s rare, some babies may have an allergic reaction to the safest moisturizers. Thus, pay close attention to these signs;
- Swelling in areas like the face, lips, throat or tongue
- Redness in the skin
- Irritation where the product is applied (watch your baby’s behavior, you’ll know)
- Hives (rashes on the skin)
Choosing the right moisturizer for your baby is not rocket science. You can simply purchase a moisturizer with the safest ingredients and apply it without breaking a sweat. However, if you want to be extra-cautious, consult your pediatrician for the best guidance.
[Read : Hives In Babies]
FAQ’s
1. Do Babies Need a Moisturizer?
Only apply moisturizer to your infant’s skin if you see any signs of problems or dryness. Otherwise, it’s not needed.
2. How Can I Moisturize My Baby’s Face?
Babies generally don’t need moisturizer on their faces. So don’t put it there if it’s not dry.
3. Should I Moisturize My Baby Every Day?
If you have a family story of skin allergies, eczema and other skin problems, then, take your baby to a pediatrician. In this case, it may be necessary to apply moisturizer every day.
Read Also: What Is The Difference Between A Baby Lotion And A Baby Cream? When To Use What?
