Selecting the right skincare products for your baby
By Henry Chan
Your baby's skin is five times thinner than yours. Anything you put on your baby will easily be absorbed into its system. Therefore, selecting healthy baby skincare products is of utmost importance. There are so many different types and brands available, organic and non-organic, at different prices. So how do you differentiate between them and select what is good for your baby?
The answer is simple: Always read product labels and look for facts!
Don't be tricked by marketing terms. Words such as “hypoallergenic,” “natural,” for
“sensitive skin,” “dermatologist-tested and -recommended” and “organic” are great, but products with these labels may still contain additives and synthetic chemicals unless they are certified by a reputable certifying body.
Only select skincare products that list their ingredients. Try to avoid mineral oil, synthetic preservatives and other highly processed and contaminated ingredients. The skin may become overburdened and weak because it will need to cope with these foreign substances.
Ingredients to avoid include:
- Mineral oil, petrolatum or paraffin, all cheap byproducts of crude oil. These substances hold in moisture but prevent the body from releasing unwanted toxins. Mineral oil can also block the body's absorption of essential vitamins and nutrients.
- Parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl). These preservatives and antibacterials are petroleum-based and can cause dermatitis and other allergic reactions.
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). This is a foaming agent commonly found in shampoo. It has been linked to eye injury and cell membrane and immune system damage.
Look for fruit- and vegetable-based oil. Your baby can easily lick lotion off his or her skin, so products with food-based ingredients make sense. Aloe vera, sunflower, coconut, apricot seed, olive oil, vegetable glycerin and shea butter are all good moisturizing food-based ingredients.
Ingredient lists with chemical terms can be daunting. Selecting a certified- organic product will help reduce your concern about harmful ingredients. With a seal from a respected organic certification body, you can be assured that the product was inspected and approved by the organization. It’s found to be free of hundreds of unwanted additives found in almost all mainstream skincare lines and the organic integrity of every ingredient is guaranteed.
Although different certification bodies have different requirements, they generally screen for all harmful ingredients. Ecocert, in France, requires the product label to list all ingredients and show the percentage of organic ingredients used. Other well known certification bodies include the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the U.K. Soil Association. So if you decide to use organic products, look for the symbol of the organic certification body on the packaging. The word “organic” on the label doesn't in itself mean that it the product is certified.
Spot-test products. No matter how good a product is, always try some on a small area of your baby's skin before using it widely. This is to make sure your baby does not have an allergic reaction to any ingredients.
Mother Organic provides natural and organic baby products, including bedding, skincare, toys, clothing, food, mother care and more. Visit them at www.mother-organic.com or call 2521-1162.
