10 Safety Tips for Using Skincare Products on Infants
Babies’ skin is delicate, tender and sensitive. It requires utmost care and attention. It is important to use the right skincare products on your baby to avoid damage to their skin. Due to the high sensitivity of babies’ skin, they react to skincare products faster than adults and without the proper care, this might affect their health. It is exciting to see numerous baby skincare products on the market, but it is still important to use the right product with the right application to protect your baby’s skin adequately. Here are 10 safety tips for your baby’s skincare:
- Choose Products Specifically Formulated for Babies
There are lots of skincare products on the market today and many parents use this skincare on their babies’ skin. Using non-baby products on babies’ skin can be harmful to their skin. Several parents are using non-baby skincare products on their babies’ skin, which is an improper skincare choice for every child. Firstly, to make the best out of your baby’s skin health, only skin care products designed for babies must be used on their skin. This can be supported with gentle and natural products for optimal benefits for your baby. Babies’ sensitive skin disallows the use of adult skin care products since they are stronger compared to babies’ skincare products and may disrupt their skin pH balance. Choosing a gentle and baby-formulated product will leave their skin protected and healthy.
- Understand the Ingredients
Many parents use random skin care products on their babies, caring less about knowing and understanding the ingredients in their baby’s skincare products. Reading labels and understanding the ingredients of baby skin care products is vital for a baby’s health. Unlike adult’s skin, their skin is more sensitive and irritable. They need the gentlest of care on their skin to avoid adverse reactions on the skin. Understanding the ingredients of your baby’s skincare product allows you to separate harmful skincare from non-harmful ones. This generally benefits babies’ skin. Your baby’s skin deserves the gentlest care, and understanding product labels is key.
- Conduct a Patch Test
The tender and sensitive nature of babies’ skin makes them react to even safe and gentle skin. To avoid adverse reactions to your baby’s skin and health, a patch test needs to be conducted before applying skincare products to it. This will serve as an observation of any allergic reactions. Applying a new skincare product behind your baby’s ear or thigh can reveal any reaction to the skin product. And if any reaction occurs, it is important to discontinue the use of the skincare product on your baby’s skin. For an effective test result, you should observe your baby’s skin for 24-48 hours.
- Avoid Overusing Skincare Products
Babies’ skin does not need the extension of skincare products for protected and healthy skin. Their skin is naturally designed to produce oil for skin hydration and moistness. Overloading your baby’s skin with various skin care products may disrupt their skin’s balance. Using a cleanser and moisturiser for your baby’s skin goes a long way, and if a certain skin condition occurs, remedial cream can be added to correct it.
- Say No to Fragranced Products
Many baby skin care products are laced with fragrance to improve the smell of the product. However, this fragrance may react on babies’ skin and respiratory organs due to their developing stage. The fragrance has been revealed to cause dermatitis in infants, and using fragranced products can trigger this skin condition in your baby. Choosing a fragrance-free product can prevent unnecessary skin reactions.
Note: Products labelled as unscented may contain fragrances that have been masked with chemicals to prevent them from having a distinct fragrance
Fragrance-free products mean they do not contain fragrances.
It is important to check product labels for any trace of fragrance
- Store Products Safely
Storing your baby’s skincare products safely will prevent contamination and compromised quality. For instance, storing your baby’s products close to sunlight may reduce their quality, while leaving your baby’s product open will increase the risk of contamination, which may result in unwanted reactions on the skin. Storing your baby’s product in a cool, dry place will help maintain its quality and prevent compromised quality.
- Use Baby-Safe Diaper Creams
A baby’s bum area is one of the most targeted parts for itch rashes, which are discomforting for every baby. Using random products such as diaper cream may not be able to offer a permanent solution to your baby’s bum. Using a safe and gentle diaper cream can help treat diaper rash and its discomfort, leaving your baby happier and healthier.
For the best treatment for diaper creams, choose natural diaper creams for your baby to relieve inflammation and prevent exacerbation of rashes.
- Avoid Sharing Products
Avoid sharing skincare products with your baby. It may transfer germs and affect their health. Also, adult skincare may be harsh on babies’ skin, causing discomfort for babies. For the guarantee of safety for your baby’s skin, steer clear of all adult skincare products, either gentle or not, and stick to baby skin care products.
- Consult a Pediatrician for Persistent Issues
Babies with recurrent skin issues need the guidance of a paediatrician. Self-treating recurring skin conditions like eczema, rashes, cradle caps, breakouts and so on may damage babies’ skin and affect their health. Paediatricians can proffer solutions to these skin conditions and promote a healthier baby.
- Be Gentle During Application
As babies’ skin is naturally gentle, they must be treated gently as well to prevent redness, microtears, and discomfort in general. Massaging a natural and gentle skincare product on your baby’s skin will ensure their skin maintains its natural balance. This will protect and leave their skin healthy.
Babies’ skin is naturally gentle and they require the greatest of care. Using these 10 tips can keep your baby’s skin protected from common baby skin conditions. Consistently following these tips with natural and gentle baby products will support healthy skin and a healthy baby.
