Skin care is one of the most sensitive aspects in newborns. This is because babies’ skin has specific physiological characteristics that require the application of specific procedures and cosmetic products. Below, we review some of the cosmetic treatments and active ingredients that experts recommend for the care and hygiene of your child’s skin.
The master in Cosmetics and Dermopharmacy, Leire Azcona, identifies in an article in the specialized health magazine Elsevier some of the general guidelines for baby skin care:
There are specific products for the care of the skin of newborns, given the specialty of their physiological characteristics. Pediatric cosmetics have little detergent, are not irritating and protect the most superficial layer of the skin. These are the right products to protect your baby from factors such as radiation or excessive salivation and prevent the appearance of skin problems in the future:
These are products with emollient properties that protect the skin from moisture and friction. These oils allow dirt and oil to be removed from the skin with a light pediatric drag. They include Vaseline and natural and synthetic oils in their formulation and are perfectly suitable for the bath.
These products should be formulated at a pH between 6.6 and 7.8 to minimize irritation to the skin and eyes. It is common for them to contain ingredients such as aloe vera, which have moisturizing, emollient and anti-inflammatory properties, or keratolic substances to prevent seborrheic dermatitis. Likewise, it is recommended to wash the baby’s hair daily in the first 4 months of life to avoid cradle cap.
Oil-based creams are an emollient active ingredient that serves to create a film on the skin that protects it against aggression. In its composition there are concentrations of 2 to 10% of zinc oxide, due to its anti-inflammatory, astringent and antiseptic properties. Other active ingredients such as glycyrrhetic acid or calendula extracts help prevent skin irritation, while panthenol is used for its itch-relieving properties.
Children’s colognes with low alcohol content and moisturizers should be used exclusively due to the high skin permeability of babies.
Wet wipes should incorporate mild detergents to maintain the hydrolipidic layer of the baby’s skin. Currently there are oil wipes, recommended because, in addition to cleaning, they create a protective skin barrier.
