Choose the Right Lotion for Your Baby

Choose the Right Lotion for Your Baby 10Dec

 

Newborns may look soft and perfect to us but even they can get dry skin. In their first few weeks, their bodies are still adapting to the outside environment and sometimes this leads to rash and rough patches. If eczema runs in your family then the likelihood of skin irritation for your baby is even higher. We use lotion on ourselves when we feel dry and itchy but is lotion for babies a safe idea?

 

The answer is YES!

You can definitely put lotion on your little one starting from the time she’s a newborn as long as you are careful. The lotion itself is safe to use – the important consideration is what kind of ingredients are in the lotion. We will spend the rest of this article looking at this topic up close so you can walk away feeling confident about how to choose the right lotion for your baby.

 

Baby Skin Permeability

Something important to know before anything else is the fact that infants have a thinner and more permeable skin barrier than we do. Chemicals and other substances that are put on your baby’s skin are much more likely to be absorbed into her bloodstream than yours. It’s incredibly important that you choose the ingredients of your baby’s lotion with utmost care. Both natural ingredients and organic
ingredients are a good starting point.

 

Which Are the Safest Baby Lotion Ingredients

Every parent wants to make sure they use ingredients that are non-toxic but what exactly does that look like? 

Both “organic” and “natural” are terms that usually stick out and for good reason. These types of ingredients are going to be simpler and less processed and therefore safer. Of course, the fact something comes from nature alone is no guarantee it’s safe. Edible ingredients are a step further in the right direction since they are not only natural, but they can be broken down and flushed away from your baby’s body.

 

BabyologyOne excellent example is coconut oil. It’s full of healthy fats that are great for moisturizing and soothing any rashes or irritation in your baby’s skin. Almond oil also has multiple uses including moisturizing and aiding blood circulation. Rosewater is another star ingredient. It has soothing and toning properties that can help get rid of cradle cap and improve other baby skin issues.

 

Some other safe and beneficial ingredients include aloe, shea butter, avocado oil, and oat flour.

 

Ingredients to Avoid in Baby Lotion Products

Not every last synthetic ingredient is bad, contrary to what some might think. However, many popular and attractively packaged baby products today, unfortunately, have a number of toxins and harmful chemicals in them. Rather than categorizing broadly, it’s important to home in on particular ingredients that can be harmful to your baby especially because of his skin permeability.

 

The following are ingredients you and baby should steer clear of:

  • Parabens
  • Sulfates
  • Fragrance
  • Synthetic Colors
  • Mineral Oil

Many of these ingredients have been linked to negative health studies.  Parabens, for example, have been linked to both hormone disruption while sulfates are known to cause irritation.

Fragrance is a particularly insidious ingredient since it is actually not just one ingredient. It’s a term that indicates a trade secret, meaning that any number and combination of unknown ingredients may be inside. If a product does not reveal all its ingredients clearly then it’s one you definitely don’t want to use on your baby.

Synthetic colors are often made from coal tar, which has been suggested in animal studies to increase the risk of cancer. Since this is an ingredient that is purely used for the appearance of the product and has no beneficial property whatsoever, it’s definitely one to avoid! Mineral oil may sound more harmless than the other ingredients but in fact, is a cheap moisturizing product that keeps the skin from breathing, and traps toxins inside.

 

The bottom line: you want to opt for a chemical-free baby lotion that has as many natural/edible and unprocessed ingredients as possible. After a bit of study and diligence, you will be pro in no time!