Future parents, you’re likely looking for the best body care products for your baby. It’s quite common for babies to have minor skin problems from birth: dry skin, redness, irritation, bumps, diaper rash… Many children go through all these stages!
So if you thought babies had flawless skin, you’re probably feeling a little distraught! Since newborn skin is especially fragile, parents are quick to seek the best baby products to comfort their child's delicate skin. But what exactly does your child need? How can you choose the best products for your little one?
And most importantly, what can we really find in the formulas of baby stuff available on the market? Discover our three tips below.
Did you know?
Contrary to what one might think, the skin of full-term babies is either mature at birth or becomes so within a few hours or days after their delivery. However, their skin remains somewhat more vulnerable than adults, as their stratum corneum and epidermis are thinner, resulting in a less effective protective barrier1.
1: European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Healthcare
1. Read the label (using tools that can help)
Given the incredible number of creams, lotions and specialized body care products for babies on the market, it can be very hard to choose! Not to mention that the ingredient list is incomprehensible to most parents. When you’re exhausted and overwhelmed, with a crying infant in your arms, you need simple and practical tools to rely on in order for you to get your baby essentials. This is why the Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database exists.
The EWG’s Skin Deep® Cosmetic Database analyzes and assesses the safety of over 70,000 skin care products sold under nearly 2,000 brands. The data is based on the research the EWG has conducted to establish the ingredients’ effects on health and the environment.
The search tool shows the results for each ingredient found in body care products, helping you choose what is best for your child. It even mentions possible manufacturing residues and contaminants associated with certain raw materials.
This database is an excellent tool to find out what may be lurking behind the label! The site also contains a list of baby essentials. Lotions, shampoos, soaps, diaper creams, baby wipes and more are listed in order of safety to help you choose the best ones according to the EWG’s standards. If you have any doubts about a product, simply enter its name and brand in the search box to see its score, from 1 (safest) to 10 (least safe).
What are synthetic ingredients, exactly?
The modern cosmetics industry reached maturity between 1920 and 1960. It is the development of petroleum-based raw materials that caused it to flourish. Often inexpensive, ingredients of petrochemical origin led to the mass production of beauty products. After that, advances in technology made it possible to synthesize new molecules or reproduce naturally occurring molecules.
Obviously, some ingredients have a greater environmental impact than others (for example, being less easily biodegradable, toxic to aquatic organisms, etc.), which is why it's important to check their rating on the Skin Deep database.
2. Look for safety seals
EWG VERIFIED™ SEAL
The EWG VERIFIED™ seal identifies products and brands whose ingredients meet EWG’s stringent health and safety criteria. For a product to be certified EWG VERIFIED™, the manufacturer has to provide all the details of the ingredients used, including ingredients not listed on the label (very small quantities).
They must also be completely transparent and certify that their products do not contain any carcinogenic contaminants, endocrine disruptors, mutagens and other synthetic and polluting chemical substances.
VEGAN MENTION
Unprocessed animal-derived ingredients are not actually harmful for your baby, but may pose an ethical and personal issue. If you prefer vegan body care products for your baby, look for any vegan mention on the package.
3. Be on the lookout for allergens and irritants
- Avoid essential oils. They are extracted or distilled from the volatile molecules of aromatic plants The extracted essence has a high concentration of powerful active ingredients. Some essential oils are rich in highly irritating ketones (neurotoxic in high doses) or phenols (anti-infectious molecules). It is therefore not advised to use essential oils on children under three years of age.
- To prevent allergic reactions, avoid products containing methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone, two known contact allergens (they often replace parabens as preservation).
What are the key ingredients for baby products?
When you look at the ingredient list, look for ingredients such as argan oil, sweet almond oil, or coconut oil, which are known to maintain skin in good condition and improve the appearance of dry skin. Learn more about ingredients for baby products here.
Opt for these baby must haves:
- A dermatologically-tested nourishing lotion or cream
- A gentle and dermatologically-tested shampoo or body wash. The 2-in-1 version is practical for baby’s bathtime
- A deep moisturizing unscented body cream for dry and delicate skin.
- A diaper cream made of zinc oxide to block moisture and prevent diaper rash
- Non-nano zinc oxide mineral sunscreen (infants under 6 months: consult a doctor for advise)
- Biodegradable baby wipes
Are you pregnant or planning to be? Read our article on which ingredients to avoid in personal care products when pregnant.
Your baby has dry skin? We have 6 simple tips to help you!