Protecting your own children, their well-being and their health, that is what really matters. As parents and later as grandparents, we do everything in our power to ensure that our children are well. For babies and very young children in particular, skin care also plays a crucial role.
WHY IS SKIN CARE SO IMPORTANT IN BABIES?
Babies’ skin is much more sensitive than that of an adult. There are mutliple reasons for this:
- The horny layer of the skin is thinner.
- The sebum and sweat glands are less active than in adults.
- The baby’s skin produces less melanin. (Melanins are pigments that color the skin and protect it from harmful UV light.)
- Babies have a larger surface area of skin in relation to their weight.
These four circumstances mean, among other things, that the skin of newborns can absorb moisture more quickly, but it also releases it more quickly. The result: dry skin, which in turn leads to skin irritation, e.g. B. can result from the friction of clothing or diapers. The lower production of sweat and sebum increases this sensitivity even more, as the fatty, acidic protective layer, the so-called protective acid mantle, is less pronounced than in adults and germs can penetrate more easily.
Less sweat production also means that the skin of newborns is less able to regulate body temperature. This can make babies overheat faster.
SHOULD YOU PUT LOTION ON BABIES?
Yes, babies should be regularly moisturized to protect their skin with an additional layer of fat on the one hand and to supply it with sufficient moisture on the other.
Even if baby skin absorbs moisture more quickly, you shouldn’t overdo it with the amount of cream. The cream should still be absorbed into the skin. Using too much cream can lead to heat build-up and rashes in the baby.
WHICH CREAM IS BEST FOR BABY SKIN?
In principle, it is advisable to use care products for sensitive baby skin that are made on the basis of vegetable oils. Depending on the body region, the creams and care products should differ a little and meet certain requirements.
For the face
On the face, it is an advantage if the water content of the cream is low, while the fat content is correspondingly higher. In contrast to the rest of the body, the baby’s face is exposed to wind and weather. The high fat content gives the sensitive baby skin an additional protective film against wind and cold.
For the body
The baby’s body, on the other hand, is usually protected by clothing. It doesn’t need a protective film against wind and weather, but it does need a moisturizing cream. A cream with a higher water content is therefore recommended for regular moisturizing of the body. A positive side effect: Creams with a higher water content are easier to distribute and have a slightly cooling effect, especially in summer.
For the butt
Babies’ bottom and diaper area must be specially protected. First of all, the substances in urine and feces put a lot of stress on the skin. In conjunction with the movement and friction caused by the diaper, the risk of the baby becoming sore is particularly high in this area. Therefore, special wound protection creams are advisable for the buttocks and diaper area. These usually contain antiseptic ingredients such as B. from marigold or chamomile as well as panthenol and zinc oxide. This prevents bacterial infections and supports wound healing.
The active ingredient Syricalm contained in the baby wound protection cream from Herb House Sanct Bernhard was developed to reduce inflammation, soothe the skin and repair or maintain the skin’s barrier function.
WHAT IS BABY OIL SUITABLE FOR?
But what about the much-talked about baby oil? What is the difference between oil and cream and what is baby care oil particularly suitable for?
Baby care oil is often used:
- for massage,
- as cleaning oil in the diaper area,
- for general skin care or
- as a bath additive.
In contrast to the cream, the percentage of fat is much higher, which creates a protective film on the skin. The oil is very easy to spread on the baby’s skin and many babies like it to be gently massaged and caressed.
WHEN DOES BABY SHAMPOO MAKE SENSE?
Basically, there is no need to buy a special baby shampoo. In most babies, hair growth is not very pronounced in the first few months of life. And midwives usually only recommend one bath per week so as not to overstrain the skin’s natural protective acid mantle. A single product for the face, body and hair is therefore completely sufficient for bathing the baby. However, it should be particularly kind to the skin and contain natural active ingredients. Our baby wash lotion & shampoo meets exactly these requirements.
WHAT IS THE BEST CARE FOR BABY SKIN?
In the end, you have to find out for yourself which oil or cream is best for your child’s skin. If you take our tips to heart and your baby still cannot tolerate a certain cream or oil, you should try another first. If problems or rashes persist, check with your pediatrician.
