Our children are born with by and large the healthiest skin we ever see. They are born with a fatty padding, which gives it a smooth, soft appearance. It has no damage from the sunlight. However, as children play outside, often spending most of the summer out of doors, there is often massive exposure to the sun, which will have long term consequences.
The care of their skin is almost entirely in the hands of their parents. Regular protection against the sun should begin now.
Mainstream products for babies and young children are usually highly fragranced, which can cause irritation. Moreover, baby products almost always have a pretty yellow or pink tint, which comes from coloring agents, which is also problematic for children’s sensitive skin. If baby products were really gentler than adults’ products, than they would be free of chemical fragrance and coloring agents. So that is where we as parents, as advocates for our children, need to choose fragrance-free and color-free products.
Bubble Baths - Many bubble bath products for young children are based on detergents that destroy beneficial bacteria and harm the baby’s acid mantle. Bubble baths are also the leading cause of vaginitis and urinary tract infections in infants. This problem has become so common that the FDA has ruled that these products must carry warning labels advising parents against excess bathing.
Lotions and Oils - Massaging lotions and oils into your baby’s skin can relieve irritation. But what you use should be free of petrochemicals, which are irritants. Also, healing herbs such as Aloe have a good record of safe use in cosmetics.
Powders - Most powders contain tiny particles that irritate the skin and many contain fragrance, a leading cause of irritation and allergy. Many baby powders also contain talc. Studies have linked talc to cancer.
Shampoos – A mild shampoo is best. It is best if they do not contain synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, or highly allergic and irritating preservatives. The gentlest preservatives may include vitamins A, C, and E.
Sunscreen - Once your baby is 6 months old, you should get in the habit of using sunscreen on your child year round, even on overcast days. During the day, if the child’s skin is going to be exposed to the sun, a sunscreen is essential. Choose hypoallergenic, PABA-free sunscreen, that has a SPF of 15 or higher and blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Formulations that contain titanium oxide and zinc oxide are best because of their reduced risk of irritation.
Key Ingredients
Some key ingredients to look for include the following:
Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate) - a skin normalizer that helps to keep skin soft. It readily penetrates into the epidermis and dermis, and is an antioxidant. It is a skin moisturizer and increases the skin’s elasticity. It also helps prevent roughness due to UV exposure.
Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate) is an antioxidant with skin moisturizing properties. It plays a crucial role in protecting the skin from free radical damage. It helps to soften skin. It is absorbed into all layers of the epidermis and then goes into various tissues in the dermis. It improves the moisturizing and elastic properties of the skin.
Aloe penetrates the skin and delivers moisture directly to the tissues; it is considered a true moisturizer. It forms a barrier on the skin’s surface, which prevents moisture loss due to evaporation. It has anti-inflammatory, soothing and healing properties.
Orange Oil and Orange Blossom Oil have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, making them excellent for use on sensitive and delicate skin. Both have soothing and calming abilities when used in skin care.
Cedarwood Oil is calming and has the ability to release tension and ease anxiety. It helps to relieve itching so it could be helpful in easing the symptoms of common childhood eczema.
Other Beneficial Ingredients: Decyl Glycoside, Oat Extract, and Shea Butter
Resources: www.arbonne.com
By Mary on 06/16/07 in Uncategorized, Health, Columns, Beauty, Editor Picks
tag this | permalink | trackback url
