Organic baby skin care
A baby’s skin is soft and extra delicate, therefore more fragile than an adult’s skin, and that is why baby skin needs special care. The skin of the newborn, when it is just beginning to develop, has to deal with a series of harmful substances that an adult faces on a daily basis. This is just one of the reasons why baby skin needs to be specifically protected and treated, using the appropriate purest and most natural organic ingredients.
During the first 3 months, good advice is to bathe the baby in lukewarm water (better if it is filtered to avoid chlorine or excess calcium), adding rice water or oatmeal starch for its soothing and emollient properties. Another suggestion would be to add a calming infusion of chamomile to the water. A 100% organic baby bottom balm can be used as a barrier to prevent skin inflammation or treat it, if it develops.
After a few weeks it is possible to introduce a light organic vegetable oil to moisturize and massage the baby’s delicate skin. The same pure body oil can be added to bath water. To dry out wet spots, I would recommend an organic baby powder without talc.
Baby skin is less thick and much more permeable than adult skin, and preservatives and chemical ingredients can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin, contaminating internal organs. Therefore, all chemicals and artificial preservatives (parabens) should be avoided. I recommend also excluding mineral oils, which are petroleum-based, because of their tendency to clog skin pores.
Plant-based oils, rich in ω-3 and ω-6 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) and similar in chemical composition to the skin’s sebum (the fatty layer present on the skin to protect and hydrate it), are best. 100% organic is a must!
An increasing number of people, especially parents, are becoming more aware of the relationship between man-made chemicals and all kinds of diseases, including skin conditions like allergies, rashes, eczema, etc. In addition, the impact of chemical products on our Planet and the environment is today an essential issue. What World are we going to leave as a legacy to our children? The choices that parents are making, not only in choosing the right foods, but also the right cosmetics, to safeguard the health of their babies, are an important conscious step for the present and future of our destiny.
As the child grows, this does not need to change. Of course, as the skin thickens, it is possible to use more cosmetic products, but at the end of the day, the principles of healthy skin are always the same.
During the “teen” years, the skin undergoes many changes due to hormonal changes in the body of children. More sebum and spots can “appear” on the face, sometimes having a great psychological impact on the adolescent’s self-esteem. To prevent (and treat) this (in addition to a good and healthy diet…) it is best to regularly cleanse the skin with an organic cleansing balm, followed by an organic and alcohol-free facial toner. This routine will help the skin get rid of excess sebum by establishing a good and balanced skin chemistry, thus avoiding bacterial contamination.