Skincare for each decade of your life. The first 10 years.

The first 10:

Babies have perfect skin, or at least what looks like perfect skin. But is it? The skin barrier is far from perfect, and it will allow water loss and irritation by chemicals that an adult’s skin could take without a problem. This is why you have to be so careful with the baby’s skin, and even young children. When the adult forgets to look at the ingredient list of a diaper cream, that can spell trouble, lots. Use a “natural” product with a lovely smell and a dreamy named ingredient in it (Balsam of Peru sounds like Paddington would use it). Some irresponsible “skincare” companies use it. Don’t touch it! Balsam of Peru is “in the ‘top five’ allergens most commonly causing patch test reactions in people referred to dermatology. It is a marker for allergy to perfumed products.”

Figure: Paddington, as a bear with a non-human immune system, may be able to use the Balsam of Peru. Your baby can’t.

Best thing: try to avoid diaper rash by keeping babies dry and using skin barrier creams, and don’t be fooled by “natural.” Natural can also be allergenic, as Balsam of Peru demonstrates. Petrolatum, which is a product of nature and is derided by “organic purists,” is a great skincare ingredient. Do you need any skincare products for babies through 10 years? Yes. The delicate skin needs some insulation from wet diapers. Look for a product with petrolatum or something similar; it will prevent water loss and irritation. What about zinc oxide? Zinc, a divalent cation, is an essential micronutrient for humans and a component of more than 300 metalloenzymes and over 2000 transcription factors needed for regulating lipid, protein, and nucleic acid metabolism and gene transcription. It seems to help with inflammation and is a component of many baby skincare products.

Prevent damage to children’s skin by not using strong detergents, like in bubble baths. They smell great, and they are fun, but a weak skin barrier will further deteriorate if you use detergents and allergenic fragrances.

Next post: Adolescence

References

Gupta M, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Chauhan PS. Zinc therapy in dermatology: a review. Dermatol Res Pract. 2014;2014:709152. doi: 10.1155/2014/709152. Epub 2014 Jul 10. PMID: 25120566; PMCID: PMC4120804.