Is baby soft skin a myth? Well, kind of. Babies have more sensitive skin than adults, which leaves them susceptible to skin conditions like heat rash, dry skin, cradle cap, and more. That means your baby’s skin may not always be silky smooth.
So, if you’re struggling to help protect and nourish your baby’s skin, know you’re not alone. Skin conditions in babies are common.
However, with proper hygiene and the best baby skincare products, you can help soothe any irritating skin conditions your baby may be facing.
So, let’s dive into what’s best to use and avoid on your baby’s skin and other helpful lifestyle tips to protect your baby from any further skin irritation.
Best Baby Skincare Products
The majority of ingredients you put on your skin, the largest organ of the body, are absorbed and brought into the bloodstream.
The best baby skincare products won’t contain harsh and toxic chemicals that can irritate the skin and build up in the body over time, leading to possible health concerns.
Many baby products on the market today use cute packaging or fun additives like “bubbles” to sway your buying decision.
However, don’t be fooled by these marketing tactics! The best baby skincare products have a clean ingredients label — that’s what really matters.
Gentle Cleansers and Washes
At Gladskin, we recommend avoiding baby soaps because they can really dry out the skin. Instead, opt for gentle cleansers and washes free from preservatives, fragrances, and dyes.
Parabens are some of the most popular preservatives in topical skincare products today. Research shows these artificial preservatives act as endocrine disruptors, meaning parabens can mimic estrogen in the body. This estrogenic activity can harm reproductive organs and increase the risk of certain cancers.
The Environmental Working Group (or EWG) also found strong evidence that parabens act as a skin toxicant/allergen. That’s why we highly recommend cutting out parabens from your child’s skincare routine.
Parabens can show up on labels as any of the following:
- Butylparaben
- Methylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
Like parabens, fragrances and dyes can be skin irritants, especially if your child is already struggling with a skin condition like baby eczema.
Also, be on the lookout for products that say “unscented” because they’ll sometimes still use chemicals to mask the product’s natural scent. Instead, look for the words “fragrance-free” and always do your own label research.
Moisturizers
To help maintain or improve moisture in the skin, it’s important to moisturize daily — especially after bathing or washing.
Just like with cleansers, look for moisturizers free from preservatives, fragrances, and dyes.
If your baby’s dealing with dry skin in the form of eczema, you’ll likely need more than a simple moisturizer to help relieve itching and reduce the rash.
For eczema, we recommend Gladskin Eczema Cream, which is safe for everyone three months old and up. Because it’s formulated with Micreobalance® (our patented smart protein) and without the use of preservatives, steroids, fragrances, or drying alcohols, you can use it as many times as needed to treat your baby’s eczema.
Dr. Peter Lio, board certified pediatric dermatologist, says, “Babies’ skin barriers are immature. Many chemicals that are not harmful to adults can cause trouble for a baby because they're absorbed at a higher rate. We just don't want them to absorb anything unnecessary. And one of the best parts about Gladskin is that by being preservative-free, I feel very comfortable using it on the littlest patients.”
Gladskin Eczema Cream works with your baby’s skin to restore balance to the skin microbiome gently and effectively while moisturizing at the same time.
Most eczema creams on the market today fail to address the root trigger of eczema flare-ups — an imbalance in the skin microbiome, which is made up of the trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that live on your skin’s surface.
With Gladskin Eczema Cream, that goes straight to the cause of eczema, four out of five users experience reduced itch and redness associated with eczema.
Other Tips for Baby Skincare
Choosing the best baby skin care products is only one piece of the puzzle to calm, smooth skin for your little one.
Lifestyle and hygiene habits also play a massive role in the outcome of your child’s skin health. Here are three ways you can tailor your baby’s routine to help promote healthy, vibrant skin:
Give Short, Lukewarm Baths
Bathtime should be done delicately with gentle cleansers or washes. You don’t need harsh soaps or even hot water to cleanse your baby’s skin. In fact, as long as you’re wiping and cleaning your child after feedings and diaper changes, they don’t even need a daily bath.
Two or three baths each week are enough to keep your baby clean and healthy without drying out their skin or causing other irritations. Long, frequent, or hot baths will strip your child’s skin microbiome and remove natural protective oils, which does more harm than good.
Keep Your Baby Out of the Sun
According to the FDA, sunscreen should not be used on children younger than six months. Why? Children in this age range have an increased risk of side effects like rashes.
That means your baby’s sensitive skin is more susceptible to the harsh sun, posing a significant risk to their skin health.
That’s why keeping your child in the shade or dressing them in a hat that protects their face, neck, and ears helps prevent skin irritation from the UV rays.
You may also want to dress your child in loose-fitting and lightweight clothes that cover their arms and legs. Just make sure the clothing isn’t too tight because tight clothing can cause chafing and heat rash.
The UV rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., so limit sun exposure during this time and keep a close eye on your baby’s skin.
Avoid Eczema Triggers
The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that 20% of infants have eczema. Because baby eczema is relatively common, you’ll want to keep an eye out for potential eczema triggers around your baby.
Everything from environmental allergens, laundry detergents, sun exposure, preservatives, fragrances, and detergents could trigger your baby’s eczema.
Unfortunately, the list of eczema triggers is practically endless. Each child will react differently to triggers, and many won’t react at all.
There isn’t a simple way to identify triggers without testing or coming into contact. However, once you’ve determined a potential trigger, avoiding it should clear up symptoms significantly!
Conclusion
Your baby’s skin is sensitive — and prone to skin conditions like eczema, dryness, and heat rashes — which means it’s extra important to choose gentle baby skin care products.
The best baby skin care products are formulated without preservatives, sulfates, parabens, fragrances, or dyes.
Checking the ingredients labels for your baby’s topical products can feel like a tremendous feat, but the effort pays off when your baby experiences soft and supple itch-free skin.
If your baby is dealing with eczema that just won’t go away, try Gladskin Eczema Cream. We’ve safely formulated the microbiome-balancing cream to be friendly and truly therapeutic for anyone three months old and up.