It's important to take care
of your baby's sensitive skin;
but with so many labels
and ingredients,
it can be hard to know what's
best.
For bath time,
look for cleansers
made specifically for babies.
These products won't weaken
the skin's barrier the way
harsher soaps can.
Pick fragrance- and dye-free
cleansers.
Labels that say "mild"
or "neutral pH" are best.
A neutral pH means it's
as gentle as pure water.
For dry skin,
choose a fragrance-free baby
moisturizer.
And if you use baby wipes,
buy the hypoallergenic kind.
Wipes made without lanolin
or alcohol
will be less irritating.
There are
some labeling loopholes
every parent should be aware of:
Even though a product is labeled
as hypoallergenic, it may still
irritate your baby's skin.
Products advertised
as "fragrance-free" are allowed
to contain fragrance chemicals
if the chemicals also do
something else, like moisturize
skin.
"Unscented" just means
that the product doesn't have
an odor.
It doesn't mean it's
fragrance-free.
Skin care products can be called
"unscented" even when fragrance
chemicals have been added
to hide a strong odor.
And just because something is
"all-natural" or "organic"
doesn't mean it's guaranteed
to be good for your baby.
To find out more about choosing
the best skin care products
for your baby,
talk to your pediatrician.