Being able to care for and raise your baby is one of the most loving and fulfilling experiences any parent can have! And we know that while caring for your baby, you want to look after your little one in the best way possible.
However, with many skin care products on the market containing synthetic fragrances and potentially harmful ingredients, babies (and moms alike) can have adverse reactions, including skin irritation, rashes, respiratory issues, and more.
Luckily, natural skin care ingredients are also readily available and provide an easy and effective way to protect your little one.
At Mustela, safety for you and your baby is our guiding principle. We strive to go beyond current safety standards to offer effective and natural skin care ingredients that are safe to use on newborns, moms, and families alike. That’s why we’re dedicating this article to breaking down the top nine natural skin care ingredients for your baby — and you too!
But before we dive into the top natural skin care ingredients, let’s take a closer look at the importance of using such products.
Your Baby’s Delicate Skin
Your little baby's skin barrier is up to 30 percent thinner than an adult’s skin barrier, and it loses moisture twice as fast. That means that baby skin is extra prone to dryness and irritation.
Babies are also more susceptible to temperature change due to their thinner skin, so it's important to keep that in mind, making sure they are nice and warm in winter, cool in summer, and hydrated and protected year-round.
Dry, irritated skin can be really uncomfortable for your little one, so it's important to take extra care and only use natural products that will help your baby’s skin, not hinder it.
The Importance Of Natural Skin Care Ingredients For Babies
The long-term effects of chemical additives in babies’ skin care products are not always known. But researchers believe our little ones may actually be more prone to sickness later in life if they are exposed to potentially harmful ingredients at a young age.
In the short-term, exposure to certain ingredients, such as parabens and sulfates, can lead to mild allergic reactions, rashes, acne, and minor irritation (among other things) on your baby’s delicate skin.
That’s why it’s crucial to choose high-quality skin care ingredients, like those found in Mustela’s Hydra Bébé Facial Lotion. Formulated with plant-based ingredients, such as sunflower oil, vitamins E and F, shea butter, and avocado perseose, Hydra Bébé Facial Lotion safely protects and strengthens the skin on your baby's face.
With that being said, let’s explore some of the ingredients that should be avoided when it comes to your baby’s skin care routine.
Skin Care Ingredient Terms To Look For In Your Baby’s Products
Free Of Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol is a synthetically produced chemical that is used to fight bacteria. Though more testing is ultimately needed, phenoxyethanol may have an impact on the nervous system. It is known to be a skin irritant and may cause vomiting and diarrhea if used at certain concentrations.
Free Of Parabens
Parabens are widely used as preservatives in the food and cosmetics industry, but they may irritate your baby’s skin. Furthermore, the biggest concern surrounding parabens is that they are known to disrupt hormone function.
Since a baby’s hormone system is not yet mature, parabens may cause irreparable damage to their developing endocrine system.
Free Of Sulfates
Sulfates are used in shampoos and body wash products for their detergent and foam-building abilities. However, sulfates are easily absorbed through the body and are often known to cause eye irritation, skin rash, hair loss, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, and allergic reactions in babies.
Free Of Alcohol
Alcohol is commonly used in adult skin care products to make them dry quickly and feel light on your skin. But alcohol can be very drying and may irritate your baby's delicate skin, so it shouldn't be used in skin care products for your little one.
Whenever you shop for skin care products for your baby, make sure they are phenoxyethanol-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and alcohol-free. With a bit of effort and a lot of ingredient-label reading, it’s possible to safely keep your little one as fresh and clean as can be! Here are the top nine natural skin care ingredients for your baby.
Natural Skin Care Ingredients For Your Baby
Aloe Vera
The aloe vera plant’s fleshy leaves contain a natural gel that helps treat various medical conditions of the skin, digestive tract, and more. Aloe vera for baby skin is quite safe.
Aloe vera is specifically effective in fighting baby rashes. These rashes can inflame your child’s skin with itchy, red patches. Allergies and a weak immune system can also lead to skin problems such as eczema and worsen your little one’s skin irritation. Use aloe vera gel on your baby’s skin to soothe irritation without any side effects.
Additionally, try aloe vera gel to treat minor cuts, burns, and bruises on your little one’s skin. It can also soothe your baby’s itching that occurs due to mosquito or insect bites.
Many Mustela Certified Organic skincare products contain Aloe Vera, like our Certified Organic Cleansing Gel with Olive Oil and Aloe, Diaper Cream with Olive Oil and Aloe, and Certified Organic Hydrating Cream with Olive Oil and Aloe. What's more, each of these has been verified by the National Eczema Association.
Avocado
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil, which is rich in Vitamin E, is used in many baby hair, skin, and sun products. It is a beneficial oil that strengthens the skin barrier.
Products containing avocado oil, like Mustela's Baby Oil, blend effortlessly into your little one’s skin, creating the ultimate soothing and comforting massage experience for your baby.
Avocado Perseose
Mustela’s scientists formulated Avocado Perseose — a rare molecule within the heart of the avocado.
This patented, natural skin care ingredient can be found in all of Mustela products, such as the Diaper Rash Cream 1 2 3, and it works in harmony with your baby’s delicate skin to hydrate and protect and to preserve its cellular resources.
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural salve that helps to soothe easily irritated skin.
It’s understandable for parents to worry whether or not allergy-inducing pollen spores can be transported through contact with pure beeswax or beeswax as a product ingredient. But in its skin care form, beeswax is 100 percent safe for babies.
Galactoarabinan
Galactoarabinan (GA) is a natural tree extract that is extremely beneficial to your baby’s delicate skin. GA helps protect and renew sensitive skin and helps vulnerable baby skin maintain a barrier that will keep moisture in.
Remember, moms, that your skin care routine matters too! Mustela’s Ultimate Hydration Bundle for moms contains galactoarabinan to help prevent and heal stretch marks. Safe to use while breastfeeding for both moms and babies, Mustela’s skin care products are effective during prenatal and postpartum pregnancy.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil acts as a natural emollient, which makes it suitable for your baby's delicate skin. Natural jojoba oil is effective in treating skin rashes on babies and for general skin care. It is even gentle enough for you to apply a few drops of the oil directly on skin that is affected by rashes.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is naturally high in the beneficial fatty acids called linoleic acid and oleic acid. Scientific research suggests that linoleic acid can help strengthen your baby's skin barrier.
You can find olive oil as one of the main ingredients in our Certified Organic skin care!
Shea Butter
Native to Africa, Shea trees bear fruit that is known as “God’s gift to Africa” because of the rich, highly nourishing butter that they yield.
When used in your baby’s skin care products, shea butter’s composition and unique fatty acid profile give it the ability to moisturize, soothe, and protect very dry, sensitive, and flaky skin.
Sunflower Seed Oil Distillate
Sunflower seed oil distillate is a great source of vitamin E, rich in nutrients and antioxidants, and is effective for combatting tough baby skin care issues like acne, inflammation, general redness, dryness, and irritation. Sunflower oil also has emollient properties that help your little one’s skin retain its moisture.
Mustela’s Nourishing Lotion With Cold Cream contains sunflower oil distillate to protect your baby's dry skin against environmental conditions while simultaneously keeping it healthy.
Calendula
Calendula is another amazing skincare ingredient for your little one and is known for its ability to help reduce feelings of discomfort. Try our Soothing Arnica Gel with Calendula to provide a moisturizing and refreshing effect and help soothe boo-boos.
Be Gentle With Your Baby’s Skin
Your baby’s skin is extremely delicate — and so is your little one's immune system. Chemicals, fragrances, and dyes in baby skin care products can cause irritation, dryness, chafing, and rashes. Fortunately, there's something you can do to protect your baby from these skin problems.
Opt to use the natural skin care ingredients listed above — and avoid the potentially harmful ones — to keep your baby as happy and healthy as possible while they grow big and strong!