Product advice for baby skincare 2020
I’ve written a few times about baby products. Also that, as a new mum (or dad), you don’t want to succumb to the heaps of purple, yellow and blue bottles and jars available. I am convinced that all those intensely perfumed and irritating baby products play a very large part in the onset of skin problems in young children. The fact is that more than two thirds of babies up to the age of one, and more than three quarters of children up to the age of five have skin problems. Furthermore, 20% of newly born babies develop eczema within six months (Arch Dis Child, 2006).
Babies skin five times thinner
We need to be careful with our own skin, but even more so with children’s skin. Did you know that a baby’s skin is five times thinner than that of an adult? So, not only is a baby’s skin more readily irritated but potentially damaging substances can also enter the body more easily. If you add to this that the skin surface of a baby is proportionately greater to the size of its body than that of adults, you then realise how important it is to check the contents of those adorable bottles. If you have been less fussy in the past about what you have used don’t start worrying straight away. But from now on ingredients which are under discussion are probably best avoided. Just to be on the safe side!
Baby care and talcum powder…
One more but important tip. Avoid talcum powder! This product has traditionally been a part of nappy changing. Fortunately it doesn’t happen often, but if talcum powder is accidentally inhaled by your baby it can have major, sometimes even fatal, consequences. The Italian journal of paediatrics has recently dedicated an article to it and repeats its warning against the use of talcum powder.
Suitable for babies?
I know from experience that it’s not easy to find suitable baby products. Seeing as your time as a brand new parent is probably better spent on other things (such as catching up on sleep), I have put together a list of good products below.
PRODUCT ADVICE 2020
BABY WIPES
I once read that you change nappies, on average, 7300 times per child. Seven thousand three hundred nappies! Imagine how many baby wipes you would go through for this. And that is precisely where the danger lies, in the cumulative exposure. Or, in other words, the sum total of, often several times in a day, years of using the wipes to clean the delicate skin on your child’s face and bottom. If your child has nappy rash then the skin is even more sensitive to potentially damaging substances.
Watch out, however, for the so-called ‘all natural’ wipes. Because no (or not enough) preservatives at all are not good either. Jessica Alba’s (Honest Company) baby wipes had to be recalled a few years ago because mould was found in them…
All of the baby wipes mentioned here are also suitable for wiping your child’s hands and face after eating.
| Baby wipes by Neutral | Lotiondoekjes Sensitive by Kruidvat |
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| Billendoekjes Gevoelige huidje by Zwitsal | Babylotion billendoekjes sensitive by Etos |
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| Sensitive Babydoekjes van Pampers | Baby lotion pure billendoekjes van Etos |
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| Sensitive Wipes Perfume Free by Eco by Naty | |
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NAPPY RASH CREAM
Nappy rash occurs when the skin becomes exposed to irritating chemicals in the urine and faeces. The acidic level, skin’s moisture balance and bacteria also have an effect. At least fifty percent of children will encounter this at some point. Prevention is, of course, better than cure. But if there is a nappy rash then it is best treated with an ointment containing zinc oxide. This stops moisture or irritating substances from coming into contact with the skin and also inhibits the inflammatory process.
Make sure that you clean and change the nappy in time and pat the skin thoroughly dry after cleaning, especially in the creases. I kept a hairdryer handy to make sure everything was properly dry. It works a treat.
You may be wondering why the old faithful tub of Sudocream isn’t included in the list. Sadly this cream contains fragrances and lavender oil- completely unnecessary in my opinion. Therefore the above options are my preferred choice.
| Zinkzalf by Daro | Baby zink salve by Neutral |
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| Baby zinkzalf (0% perfume and colourings) by Kruidvat | Zinkzalf by Zwitsal |
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| Babybillen zalf By Dr Leenarts | |
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SHAMPOO AND SHOWERGEL
Although some dermatologists say that it is best to wash yourself with water on its own, research has shown that the use of a mild liquid detergent is no worse than just using water. If your child is really dirty then a mild detergent is fine to use. If your child is not so dirty then plain water is good enough. I would suggest alternating between the two.
| Baby shampoo by Neutral | Shampoo and wash lotion by Louis Widmer |
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| Baby Washgel by Neutral | Lipikar Syndet AP by LaRoche Posay |
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| Zeepvrije Wasgel by Kruidvat | Badolie by Kruidvat |
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| Baby shampoo/bad by Derma /strong> | |
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OIL/CREAM/LOTION
Make sure you apply this after a shower/bath if young skin is dry. If required use one of the undermentioned products on just the drier patches.
| Repair cream by Dr. Jetske Ultee | Body Cream by Dr. Jetske Ultee |
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| Jojoba Olie by Het Blauwe Huis | Baby Body cream by Neutral |
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| Baby Olie by Derma | Calendula baby oil by Weleda |
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| Baby ointment by Bepanthen | Wind and weather cream by Louis Widmer |
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| Lipikar Balsem AP+M by LaRoche Posay | Verzorgende creme by Kruidvat |
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| Nurturing baby cream by Kiehls | |
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Sun cream
Sun exposure during childhood significantly increases the chances of getting skin cancer at a later age. My advice for children under 6 months (better still the first 12 months) is simple: no sun. Keep such a small child inside or in the shade under a UV protective umbrella. In this way you don’t need to burden the young skin with sun cream. Failing that, if there is no other alternative, make sure you apply it thoroughly. I have good sun cream advice for you in a separate blog.
Cradle cap
Lots of babies suffer from cradle cap, a layer of dead skin on the scalp. It may not be so attractive, but it is not harmful and doesn’t affect your baby. If you would rather get rid of it then you can apply oil onto the scalp (such as one of the products above), leave it on for a night and then wash the hair. You can remove the flaky skin carefully with a nit comb.
If you know about any more good products just let me know via the blog or by e-mail ([email protected]).
Best regards,
Jetske.
Research Physician Cosmetic Dermatology