Baby Skin Care Centre
Your baby's skin - as soft as a baby's....
We've all heard the saying "as soft as a baby's bottom" and there are many grown women who would aspire to that level of softness in their own skin. Babies' skin isn't just softer than grown up skin though, it's also more delicate, and it's much easier to damage than that of an adult.1
Babies' skin needs to be treated with care, as it's even possible to damage it just by using a rough towel. This is because the skin of a baby is around 20 to 30 per cent thinner than an adults1, and it has a slightly higher surface pH level to that of an adult.1
Babies Bottoms!
Sometimes the afore mentioned baby's bottom can be decidedly less than smooth, and this is when it needs a little extra care. Because of the thinness of their skin, the higher pH level, nappy friction and exposure to urine and faeces on a regular basis, babies can be prone to nappy rash.5 Nappy rash is a very common condition2 and thankfully most cases of nappy rash are mild.2
The best way to treat nappy rash is to let the air get to it. Avoid putting baby in plastic pants or tight clothes, and use gentle, breathable products which will help soothe the rash and repair the skin. It goes without saying that nappies should be changed as often as possible, especially when baby has nappy rash. Make sure that you wash the nappy area after every nappy change and then dry it thoroughly.5
As a preventative measure, use a hydrating barrier ointment at every nappy change and after every wash. Experts recommend this as it helps to reduce the contact a baby's skin has with urine and faeces.
Baby Skin Care Products
There is no shortage of choice when it comes to finding good baby skin care products - and you'll be pleased to know that when manufacturers make baby products, they legally have to take into account how delicate babies skin can be, and formulate their baby ranges using milder cleansers, and with less fragrance, as well as making sure that they carefully control the pH levels.1 Any products that are meant to be used on children under the age of three have to pass an enhanced safety assessment, by law.1
When you're choosing a product, look for something that's been 'clinically proven' and go for a well known brand that you can trust. Opt for fragrance free products with no added colours, preservatives or antiseptics to avoid the risk of irritation.
Babies' skin and the sunshine
Another area where babies skin needs extra care is in the sunshine. Thankfully, skin cancer is very rare in children.3 But there's no room for complacency because damage that happens to the cells of very young skin may develop into skin cancer several decades later.3 Studies have found that getting burned in childhood can increase the risk of skin cancer later, so it's vital that you keep baby sun safe.3
Babies up to the age of six months should be kept out of direct sunlight, because their skin doesn't yet contain enough melanin to protect them from UV light.4 For older babies and children, there are specially formulated sunscreens which contain less alcohol or fragrance that could cause allergic reactions or irritate baby's skin. Choosing the right products and taking a little extra care should help keep that peachy new skin kissable as long as possible!
