Dermatologist Approved Skincare for Babies
By Marissa Oliva
Baby skin may be baby soft but it’s also ultra sensitive. With that said, knowing what to look for — and what to avoid — in their skincare products goes deeper than just reaching for that bottle of baby lotion at the drugstore. Board certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine Mona Gohara explains, “Baby skin barriers are still immature and this makes them prone to irritation from common triggers found in skincare products. Avoid fragrances, botanicals, and plant-based products because they can be very irritating and cause eczema, itch, and inflammation.” Instead, Gohara recommends looking for non-soap cleansers, and products that are fragrance-free and pH neutral and contain ceramides, squalene or glycerin. But don’t stress, mama: We’re holding your hand through it all. Keep scrolling for our derm-approved picks for everything from body lotion to baby wipes and everything in-between.
Body Wash & Shampoo
Fragrance-free and soap-free Mustela Organic Cleansing Gel with Olive Oil & Aloe gently cleanses away dirt and grime while keeping the natural protective oils on baby’s skin intact.
Body Lotion
Calming oat and nourishing shea butter and jojoba oil in Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance-Free Body Lotion moisturize rough patches and make skin velvety soft, especially after a bath, where the water can sometimes be stripping for their skin.
Diaper Cream
Applying a thick barrier cream at every diaper change helps wick away moisture and prevent irritation from diaper rashes. Honest Diaper Rash Cream seals out moisture with zinc oxide and calms with sunflower seed oil.
Diaper Wipes
“Baby wipes should be fragrance free and perfume free, mainly water with some type of ceramide or squalene to provide barrier protection,” says Gohara. Try Pipette Fragrance-Free Baby Wipes which are packed with squalene to replenish moisture and protect this sensitive area.
Sunscreen
“Generally avoid the sun, then at 6 months choose a sunscreen with a mineral filter like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as these are much less likely to create inflammation,” says Gohara. “Apply every two hours and after swimming or a lot of sweat. This way, if the baby puts their little hands in their mouth they are not ingesting chemicals and it won’t hurt their little eyes if it drips in.” We love Badger Baby Mineral Sunscreen Cream.
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