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Newborn baby skin is sensitive, thin and fragile. In research published in the journal An Bras Dermatol in 2011, it was stated that the baby’s skin will gradually undergo an adaptation process in a very different external environment when it is still in the mother’s womb. During this adaptation period special care is needed.
As they age, skin care for six month old babies is certainly not as extra as when they were just born. However, parents still should not neglect choosing care and hygiene products for six month old babies.
Even though babies have normal skin, they can still experience skin problems if their daily care is not appropriate. Still make sure that the product does not contain ingredients that could irritate his skin and endanger his health.
The condition of the baby’s skin as he ages
It was stated in the study entitled ‘Children and newborn skin care and prevention’, it used to be thought that the maturity of the baby’s skin barrier would be perfect at 34 weeks of pregnancy. However, new data shows that the maturation process will continue until the child is 12 months after birth. It is during this period that special care is still required.
Newborn babies have an immature epidermis layer, which causes their skin to have high permeability (absorption capacity). As a result, babies are more susceptible to absorbing toxins that may be contained in medicines or products applied to their skin. This condition usually occurs during the first year of a baby’s age.
Signs that your baby is developing sensitive skin:
- Skin reacts after being bathed with soap containing the detergent Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
- The skin reacts after applying moisturizer. It could be caused by fragrances or other ingredients in moisturizing products
- Changes occur in the skin after wearing clothes or covering it. This may be due to an allergy to the detergent or dye content in baby clothes washing products.
Skin care for newborns, toddlers and children must be able to maintain skin integrity, prevent the absorption of toxins and avoid exposure to dangerous chemicals.
Considering that the protective function of the skin is very important for newborn babies, while its workings are still limited by imperfect maturity, skin care must be optimal while still minimizing the risk of skin health problems that can arise. This is closely related to paying attention to the side effects of using topical products in this age group.
As the skin barrier function matures, the child’s skin permeability also decreases. However, they are still more susceptible to absorbing toxins or poisons than adults. Apart from that, the skin of toddlers and children is also susceptible to mechanical disturbances such as repeated friction that occurs when someone wipes their skin. This condition increases skin permeability making it easier to absorb toxins.
Even though baby skin care may no longer use sensitive skin products, it is important to still pay attention to the ingredients.
Ingredients to pay attention to in baby care products
Unfortunately, there are those who still ignore the ingredients that are harmful to baby’s skin.
The report entitled ‘Pharmacology and Toxicology of Infant Skin’ issued by the Department of Dermatology, Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine and Departments of Pharmacy Practice and Hospital Pharmacy Services, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois in the United States, mentions several drugs and chemicals that commonly used has been the cause of poisoning in infants and children.
It is found that many babies are at high risk of experiencing toxicity, especially premature babies because their skin barrier is not yet fully mature, so it is unable to ward off toxic drugs and dangerous chemicals that enter the body.
Here are the ingredients you should pay attention to and some of them should even be avoided in baby care and hygiene products:
1.Phenol, resorcinol and castellani paint
In 1967 there was an outbreak of pentachloro-phenol poisoning which affected 20 newborn babies, two of whom died. Chemicals found in linen for babies are thought to come from laundry products. Poisoning causes a number of symptoms such as hemolytic anemia, drowsiness, shallow breathing and hemoglo-binuria.
2.Boric acid
This chemical is often found in loose powder and ointment products. This substance is usually used to treat diaper area dermatitis at a concentration of 5-10 percent.
3. Salicylic acid
In 1946, there were cases of fatal salicylic acid poisoning in 13 children, 10 of whom were under three years old.
4.Epinephrine
Cases of epinephrine poisoning have occurred in babies aged two days after circumcision.
5.Corticosteroid
Corticosteroid poisoning has been reported in babies with atopic dermatitis. Topical hydrocortisone can suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in infants.
6.Estrogen
Two baby girls and a boy were reported to experience early puberty after being given topical estrogen ointment with daily use 2-10 times.
7.Hexachlorophene (hexachlorophene)
Hexachlorophene is a chemical that is toxic to nerve cells. It is used as an antibacterial. However, using high doses can cause poisoning, open and large skin wounds, and not rinsing properly if exposed to this content.
8.Lindane
It is a chemical commonly used to treat scabies and water fleas. Cases of lindane poisoning have occurred in babies aged four months.
Choose the right bath soap according to your baby’s age and skin type
Babies with normal or sensitive skin must still be bathed to avoid germs, because germs can enter through the skin pores. “Bathing can add moisture to the skin and clean bacteria that cause infection,” explained Amy S. Paller, MD, a professor of pediatrics. at Northwestern University.
So is there a difference in using the type of bath soap for babies with sensitive skin and babies with normal skin? Meanwhile, babies with normal skin can use bath soap for normal skin and sensitive skin, but this is not the case for babies with sensitive skin. Babies with sensitive skin can only use special bath soap products for sensitive skin.
However, for both sensitive skin and normal skin, baby bath soap should not contain SLS detergent (SLS free) or contain ingredients that are dangerous for babies as mentioned above.
When using bath soap and baby moisturizer, choose a triple moisturizer and avoid SLS content
Sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS is a chemical commonly used in beauty products, soap, toothpaste, and cleaning products. Especially for baby care and cleaning products, including bath soap, you should avoid those containing SLS because they can irritate the skin.
Yousuf Mohammed, a dermatology researcher from The University of Queensland, Australia, explained that the use of chemicals that weaken the skin’s defense mechanisms has the potential to damage the skin.
Meanwhile researchers from Germany tested 1,600 patients for SLS irritation and found 42 percent of the patients tested had an irritation reaction. A person is exposed to SLS, their skin develops dry, scaly, itchy or painful conditions and becomes red.
When choosing bath soap, parents must ensure that the soap their little one uses does not contain SLS in it, such as PUREBB Wash which also does not contain SLS detergent ingredients. This soap has been tested as hypoallergenic and is suitable for babies who are ready for normal skin care.
PUREBB Wash contains triple moisturizer, namely aloe vera, which helps maintain skin moisture, as well as antibacterial and natural functions. Chamomile as a moisturizer and slows skin aging and helps brighten the skin, and sunflower seed to moisturize the skin and prevent skin infections.
Apart from that, it also contains provitamin B5 (panthenol) which plays a role in maintaining the skin’s natural moisture, preventing dry skin due to ultra violet rays, and preventing skin irritation. This is suitable for tropical climates like Indonesia.
Even though babies have normal skin, they also need to be given moisturizer which can help prevent dry skin. Applying it to the baby’s skin after bathing can be protective to protect the skin from irritants.
PUREBB Lotion maintains normal baby skin moisture and softness. Contains aloe vera, sun flower seed oil, provitamin B5 and vitamin E, all three of which act as a triple action moisturizer, namely as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and healthy skin regeneration.
Especially for babies with normal skin types, PUREBB Lotion is safe to use for the entire body including the facial area, and can also be used for baby massage.
Use PUREBB Wash & PUREBB Lotion every day for your little one’s normal skin care, so that their skin remains healthy and moisturized. However, if your baby has skin that tends to be sensitive, regardless of age, Moms must still use baby care products specifically for sensitive skin.
