Baby Skin Care 

*Although this information may not be applicable to all who come across this blog, it can be helpful to some. Maybe you are a mother yourself or know a mom in your life that’s in the beginning stages of motherhood and could use some guidance for something as simple (or not so simple) as to what products they should buy. Or rather, what ingredients to avoid and how to recognize greenwashing in baby brands. I wanted to give a little bit of baseline knowledge on how a baby’s skin differs from ours and how it functions at such an early age. I found as a mother myself that it can be very confusing and scary to choose the right products for my baby’s skin. Just as with products we use as adults, products tailored towards babies and young children can contain many harmful ingredients disguised by pretty packaging and misleading labeling. When choosing a product specifically made for a baby, most trust it to be a safe and gentle formulation, but that’s not always the case. Many long standing and “trusted” brands unfortunately contain toxins and harmful additives. In a world where we care so much about our own skincare routine, I think it’s good to have insight on what’s best for our children as well, as this often gets overlooked. I hope this is helpful for some of you, and if not, send it to mom you know and help her! 

Throughout a human’s life, their skin is constantly evolving and changing. This process begins as an infant, which also happens to be the most critical time in that journey. A baby’s skin, especially of those born prematurely, is most vulnerable during those initial stages of life as the skin barrier is still maturing and more susceptible to damage and toxins. Becoming educated on what products to use and how to properly care for an infant’s skin is necessary in ensuring they have a strong and healthy foundation to start with. When considering how this information can be used in a spa setting, it can either be used in an esthetician’s personal life or be passed on to the clients it pertains to. With so many harmful products being applied to babies skin and misinformation being spread, having access to an evidence-based skin care regimen is essential.

With advanced research being conducted on infant’s skin there is a better look into how it differs from an adult and what type of care it requires. Although they are small, the skin is still the largest organ on their bodies, and it’s important to keep it healthy. Compared to an adult, an infant’s stratum corneum and epidermal layer have been found to be 20-30% thinner, containing more water but less natural moisturizing factors, making it difficult to retain. It takes about 2 years for a baby’s skin barrier to resemble the properties of those found in an adult. With a skin barrier that isn’t fully developed, this means they are at a greater risk for trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) resulting in dry skin if it isn’t kept properly moisturized. This also means that a baby’s skin has high permeability, and with an acid mantle that’s not fully formed, they are much more susceptible to the exposure and absorption of chemicals. Melanin is also lacking in an infant’s skin, allowing for the skin to burn easily and making it imperative that proper UV protection is applied. However, the sunscreen chosen should be carefully considered due to the high absorption rate of an infant’s skin, and their susceptibility to toxicity. For this reason, mineral based sunscreens are recommended, and even then are best used after 6 months of age. Until then, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends applying sunscreen to only small areas of the skin exposed to sunlight. Zinc oxide is preferred as it naturally protects from UVA/UVB rays. Incidentally, it is also effective and safe as a diaper rash cream. Precautions with baby skin care products are not limited to just those used for UV protection, any products placed on their underdeveloped, sensitive skin should be reviewed prior to use. 

When choosing the correct products for baby’s skin, they should be natural, organic, gentle, and hypoallergenic. However, knowledge of each ingredient listed is vital to knowing whether the brand has made false claims about their product. If only 1% of the ingredients are natural, a brand can still advertise it as natural. Terms that should put the mind at ease tend to have no legal meaning. “In fact, a 2018 study of 438 baby cosmetic products in the United Kingdom found that those marketed as “sensitive,” “gentle,” “organic,” or “fragrance-free” were more likely to contain skin irritants than those without such labels.” (Healthline, Understanding Product Labels) Natural products don’t 100% guarantee that there will be no reaction, but products laden with chemicals have a much higher chance of producing one. Although, it is worth noting that an infant’s skin is naturally sensitive and may develop conditions that can’t be avoided regardless of the products used. Baby acne, milia and cradle cap are good examples of what can present themselves and, unless severe, don’t necessarily need to be treated, but can still be exacerbated by harsh products. Pediatricians and dermatologists are a great source to reach out to for concerns regarding babies skin, but education on a product’s formulation is still needed. Unnecessary additives to look for and avoid can include fragrances, synthetic dyes, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, preservatives, alcohol, formaldehyde, propylene glycol, talc, mineral oil and chemical sunscreens. It’s common for any of these ingredients to cause reactions or rashes in babies skin and long term exposure of some are linked to cancer. Fragrances can show up on the label with words like perfume, parfum, and aroma. ‘Fragrance’ is a broad term used to compartmentalize a list of toxic chemicals that cause cancer, nervous disorders, and birth defects. It’s best to look for labels stating a product is “unscented” because even those listed as “fragrance-free” are not to be trusted, as they could still contain fragrances to mask other odors. Sulfates are identified as sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate and can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. Phthalates are used to soften plastics and cause organ damage but are still included in baby creams and cleansers. Propylene glycol is an ingredient used to de-ice planes in wiper fluid yet it’s commonly found as an ingredient in baby wipes. Talc is almost always a main ingredient in baby powder even though it’s a lung irritant. Hormone disruption and reproductive toxicity are known after effects from exposure to parabens. Due to the baby’s immature hormone system, that damage may be irreparable. Unfortunately the FDA does not require manufacturers to submit to premarket approval of their product formulations and in an effort to reduce production costs they take advantage of that by filling them with chemicals and toxic material. There are a select few ingredients that are banned in the United States, and as long as those aren’t included, the product can be sold. “The European Union has banned 1,328 ingredients from cosmetics and restricted the use of 256 others. Canada has banned 599 ingredients and restricted 267. The United States, however, has banned or restricted only 11.” (McDonough, paragraph 4) This is a concern with all cosmetics, but even scarier that it applies to baby products as well. 

Due to baby skin having an immature skin barrier and an unbalanced pH, the products used need to be safely formulated and not exacerbate these issues, or cause any more. This is a common concern when choosing the right soap to cleanse an infant’s skin with. A single use of a cleanser without a mild formulation suitable for babies can disrupt the acid mantle and lead to long term issues if use is continued. A baby is born with a skin pH value of 7 and takes about 3 months to develop and reach the normal skin value of 5.5. Traditional cleansers suitable for adults typically have a neutral or an alkaline pH, anywhere from 7 to 10, and are much too harsh on a baby’s maturing skin as it can alter the pH. A lot of baby soaps lay in the alkaline range of 8 even though it should be pH balanced and sitting at the 5.5 mark. Water alone, with a pH of 7, has been considered for cleansing but it’s not sufficient in removing all unwanted substances on an infant’s skin such as saliva, dirt, urine, and fecal matter. Along with knowledge of ingredients, the pH of a baby’s cleanser should be known before use. However, even with the use of an effective and gentle cleanser, it’s important that they aren’t bathed too frequently because their natural protective oils will be stripped. After bathing, and whenever otherwise necessary, applying a nourishing and non-toxic cream or moisturizer is a vital step in maintaining an infant’s healthy skin care routine. 

Moisture levels in an infant’s skin fluctuate easily and can therefore easily become very dry. Ingredients avoided in cleansers are also found and should also be avoided in moisturizers, such as fragrance, parabens, etc. Moisturizers without water in the ingredient list can mean the product is less likely to require those chemical stabilizers, fillers and preservatives. Due to the skin being thinner, products placed on a baby’s skin can quickly and easily absorb into their bloodstream and build up in their body over time in a process known as bioaccumulation. This is especially concerning when brands laden their products with endocrine disrupting and carcinogenic substances. Choosing a small and simple list of ingredients helps to minimize potential exposure to harmful additives. Unscented is preferred, but mildly scented with properly diluted essential oils can also be a safe option. Even a natural formula that is too potent in pure essential oils can aggravate a baby’s skin. A proper moisturizer or emollient will contain lipids and essential fatty acids to supply their delicate skin barrier with the tools needed to become functional and prevent TEWL. Those made up of butters and oils will help hydrate and soften while strengthening the skin barrier. 

Luckily, some manufacturers have recognized these concerns and developed product formulations with gentle ingredients suitable for an infant. After scanning for any harmful additives, beneficial ingredients to look for could include calendula, coconut oil, avocado and olive oils, shea butter, chamomile, colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera, beeswax, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and sunflower oil. Calendula is calming, regenerative, and soothing to dry and itchy skin making it especially beneficial for babies suffering from eczema. Coconut oil can also help to soothe eczema flare ups, but is also known to help with baby acne and to strengthen the skin barrier. It has both antibacterial and antifungal properties with a rich Vitamin E and lauric acid content making it an extremely versatile natural ingredient in baby skin care products. Another versatile ingredient would be chamomile. With its hypoallergenic and anti-inflammatory properties it’s a great additive, especially for babies with rashes, irritation and redness. Aloe vera is a very soothing natural gel that's also great for irritation and rashes. Both avocado and olive oil are natural emollients. Shea butter is protective and helps to promote collagen production in the skin as it's packed with essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Colloidal oatmeal is perfect for babies with extra sensitive skin and brings moisture back into those that are lacking. Jojoba oil is the most similar to the skin’s natural sebum, therefore, perfect for hydrating a baby’s skin without fear of disrupting their pH or natural barrier. Beeswax is great for use in salves tailored to a baby’s skin. Both sweet almond oil and sunflower oil are both safe and nourishing baby massage oils. These ingredients are beneficial for adults as well, although many products suitable for adult’s should not be used on a baby. It’s always a good idea to perform a patch test one at a time with each new item you plan to incorporate into their regimen. This can be done by applying a small amount to the inside of their forearm for 24 hours, and watching for any negative reactions or signs of sensitivity that may show up as redness, bumps, blotches, vomiting and respiratory issues. A clean, organic and chemical free ingredient list is much less likely to cause such reactions but it’s best to be safe with a baby’s already naturally sensitive skin. 

Choosing the best options for a baby’s unique skin can be overwhelming with so much misleading information being presented by brands that are more interested in expanding their business and less concerned about what’s actually in the product they are selling. Thankfully more research is being conducted and more manufacturers and brands are listening to consumer’s concerns for the care of their little ones. There are even apps and websites available now such as ThinkDirty or EWG that give hazard scores to products. It’s vital to do the research and seek out those that have a baby’s best interest in mind, and to avoid those that are taking advantage of the slack FDA regulations in order to make a profit. However, a thorough understanding of what ingredients are presented on a label is still of utmost importance. Even when a safe, natural, toxin-free product has been chosen, the bio-individuality of the infant must still be considered. Just as with adults, there is no one-size-fits-all for skin care for babies. Each has their own unique make-up and needs based on internal and external forces such as genetics and environment. Sensitivities to natural ingredients are less common but still a possibility, and what works for one baby might cause a reaction in the next. Being mindful and consciously choosing the most nourishing and protective ingredients for a baby’s individual skin needs will provide a great foundation as it matures and evolves. Although estheticians don’t generally provide services to infants, knowledge on this matter could be an invaluable resource in their own personal life and for their clients that have babies of their own. A trusted esthetician could provide the advice and information that may be lacking from other sources. Babies need our help to advocate for positive change in the future of baby skin care.

If you have any questions or want to chat about skincare feel free to reach out!

Celsius Med Spa

229 Queen Anne Ave N St 101, Seattle, WA 98109

(206) 922-3861

https://celsiusmedspa.com/seattle