Natural skincare for your baby

The skin is the body’s largest organ and it is able to absorb whatever we put on it. The skin of babies is delicate and extremely sensitive and does not respond positively to the chemicals found in many creams and shampoos. To keep your baby’s skin soft, smooth and healthy, a natural skin care regime may be the answer. Natural skin care products for babies are safe, gentle and help protect new skin.

Why choose natural skin care for babies?
More parents are turning towards natural skin care options for their babies. People are starting to become more aware of the chemicals and fragrances added into skin care products and are naturally wary about using these on their children. Natural skin care products are made from organic, pure ingredients. They are fragrance free, with no added colours or chemicals.

Many conventional skin care products contain harmful ingredients such as propylene glycol or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), while natural skin care products often have simple formulations using such ingredients as beeswax, jojoba, carnauba wax, butters and vegetable oils.

Be sure to read the list of ingredients for any products you buy. Many products may advertise themselves as being organic or natural skin care products but in fact contain chemicals and fragrances.

Washing your baby
Avoid using regular soap or body wash when bathing your baby. Soap will dehydrate the skin and many body washes contain chemicals. There are a range of specialised products made just for babies that are formulated to suit their sensitive skin. Look for specialised natural skin care solutions for babies that are gentle, non-toxic and fragrance free. Natural skin care products will help protect the skin and preserve your baby’s natural oils. Other unnatural cleansers may potentially strip away these oils and leave the skin dehydrated and unprotected.

Natural skin care for rashes
As baby’s skin is so very delicate they are prone to a number of skin conditions including rashes. Nappy rash can be caused by a number of factors such as skin trapped by warmth and wetness or through the gel contained in disposable nappies. Be wary of using conventional skin care products for rashes as they may further aggravate the skin. Instead look for natural skin care products that are free of harsh chemicals and fragrances. A cloth or biodegradable nappy will be able to also assist nappy rash by absorbing wetness away from the skin.

Remember, the skin is an organ and needs a chance to breathe. So give your baby some nappy-free time to benefit the skin.

Using talcum powder on your baby
Many are still divided over the use of talcum powder on babies. Although many people love the scent, it does contain a number of questionable substances and has been linked to several conditions. Talcum powder can also be potentially inhaled by babies and can lead to a chest infection.