Keep that Kissably Soft Skin!

By Kristin Rose

As any mother knows well, it is hard to resist snuggling and kissing soft baby skin. As a parent we have an extremely important job in preserving that baby soft skin against the harmful irritants in our environment. Of course, in a baby care market valued at $380 million in the U.S for 2005, there is not a lack of baby products available to put on our precious baby’s skin…but, with so many choices, which is best?

First, it is important to know why babies and children are so different than adults. As babies develop in the womb they are protected in a safe, unexposed, moisture-dense environment. As infants they are immediately exposed to hazards in our everyday environment, the most natural of which are the sun and wind.  

Babies and children have thinner skin than adults. As we age our skin thickens to protect us from the environment. Babies also have lower sweat and sebum formations. (Ever noticed babies don’t sweat?) Oil, sweat and sebum are the skin’s natural protectors and because young children and babies don’t have as high of levels as adults, it is important to protect young skin from moisture loss.

As we scour the baby aisles and search for skin care products there are a few key points parents should consider. Check for products that are pediatrician and dermatologist TESTED (note this is different from “recommended”, which is really just a great marketing term). Look for products that are manufactured without mineral oil, animal by-products (i.e. lanolin) and do not contain dyes or chemical fragrances.  These are the most likely culprits to agitate any skin type, and even more so for a babies sensitive skin. While there are not substantial scientific studies that relate topical use of nut oils and ingestion of nut oils with nut allergies, it does not hurt to avoid products that contain nut oils if you are concerned!   

Seek out products that are mild and gentle. Many baby washes strip away excess oils which are vital for moisture retention. As a mom, I know that one of the most challenging parts of bath time can be washing hair. So, I always reached for “tear-free” versions. In my research, I found that many of the products that promote tear-free can make such a claim because they add a light anesthetic which actually numbs the eye so it does not feel the irritating agents in the washes. There are products available that do not use any of these irritating agents in formulation, which means they are naturally tear-free rather than chemically processed to be that way. Overall, strive to use baby products that are pure, proven safe and offer beneficial results.

Lastly, as we head into summer, remember the sunscreen! Over 90% of all visible signs of aging are due to sun exposure and most of the damage is done by the time we are 18 years old. While our parents may have not known better in terms of sun protection, we can do our children a favor now that will keep them looking great when they are parents…I won’t offer help with the stress-induced gray hairs though, they can earn that badge of honor! For now, my goal is to protect that kissably soft baby skin and maybe it will remain that way a little longer! 

About the author:  Kristin Rose helps women find pure, safe and beneficial health and wellness solutions for their families and is also a freelance writer of market research. She is a stay-at-home mother of 2 children. Visit www.roseteam.myarbonne.com for more information or call Kristin at 972.540.2965.