Baby cream for daily care: how to choose and rank the best cosmetics for children La Roche-Posay

Features of children’s skin

The skin of children is very different from the skin of an adult and is especially vulnerable to external environmental influences. To ensure comfort for the baby’s skin, prevent dryness and irritation, it is important to choose the right delicate products for daily care.

After the birth of a child, his thin epidermis (top layer of skin) is just beginning to adapt to the environment. The epidermis, which performs the barrier functions of the skin, is 3 times thinner in a baby than in an adult, therefore, in children, the evaporation of moisture from the skin surface is increased, it is more prone to rapid dehydration. The topmost, so-called. the stratum corneum of the epidermis in a child is looser than in an adult, which is why the risk of penetration of harmful substances is higher. In addition, the skin of a child contains more water and less lipids than the skin of an adult, and the sebaceous glands practically do not secrete sebum – that is, there is an imbalance in the water-fat barrier, which can lead to dryness. By the end of the first year of life, skin cells mature, the stratum corneum of the epidermis gradually thickens, and by about three years the child’s skin adapts to the external environment.

The skin of a child is characterized by low acidity pH and practically no protective pigment melanin, a poorly developed immune system for protecting the skin, so it is more susceptible to microbes, UV radiation and external factors that can provoke negative skin reactions.

What is baby cream for?

Dry skin of a child is one of the most common problems that almost every new mother faces. Peeling, microcracks, inflammation and irritation – all this brings discomfort to babies and is the cause of their parents’ worries. Properly selected baby cream will help strengthen the hydro-lipid (protective) layer of the child’s skin, supporting its barrier functions and ability to resist external aggressive factors, prevent dehydration and prolong the feeling of comfort.

Useful properties of baby cream

Traditionally, children’s skincare formulas have focused on moisturizing, softening, reducing discomfort, and protecting. Let’s analyze the main properties of cosmetics for the smallest:

• Moisturizing and softening are the main functions of baby care formulas. Since the protective lipid barrier of the skin is not sufficiently formed, the cells quickly lose moisture. Moisturizing components in the composition will help maintain water balance and prevent dehydration and dryness of the skin.
• Strengthening and restoring the natural protective properties of sensitive skin is another important function. The skin of babies is especially susceptible to external irritants, which is why it is so important to maintain its defense mechanisms.
• Acceleration of recovery, strengthening and protection of the skin. Often, children’s skin needs special care products that quickly soothe and restore the child’s skin.

How to choose a baby cream: features of the composition, labeling

Choose care based on the basic needs of your baby’s skin. The products from my mother’s cosmetic bag may not be suitable for his delicate, thin, sensitive skin, as they can provoke an undesirable reaction. If you find it difficult to independently choose children’s cosmetics, contact a specialist.

What should I pay attention to when choosing a baby cream? First, you can evaluate its composition. help to soothe, moisturize, soften, restore and strengthen baby skin. Among them are:

• vitamins E, F;
• B vitamins (niacinamide, panthenol);
• plant extracts (calendula, chamomile);
• zinc oxide;
• glycerol;
• madecassoside;
• vegetable oils, such as shea butter, coconut, avocado.

Remember that not all baby skin care products are suitable for newborns. Check for the presence of age markings on the packaging, it happens: “for babies” marked “0+”, for older children – marked “3+”. Also on the package there may be marks: “hypoallergenic” or “tested under the control of dermatologists and pediatricians.”

Rules for the use of baby cream

Children’s funds also differ in the purposes of their use:

• moisturizers can be used regularly from the birth of the baby;
• soothing – for example, with sensitive and atopic-prone skin;
• before putting on a diaper, special products are used with soothing and protective components;
• saturated nourishing creams create a protective film on the surface of the skin, preventing the effects of bad weather;
• Use a children’s sunscreen with maximum UVA and UVB protection (SPF 50+) before going out during the sun.

Before using a new baby cream, experts recommend testing the allergic tolerance of its formula: apply a small amount of the product on the child’s forearm and wait 48 hours. If there is no redness, swelling and discomfort on the skin, you can use the remedy for its intended purpose.

Review of children’s cosmetics La Roche-Posay

To moisturize and protect baby skin, an emollient (softening and moisturizing product) is suitable Lipikar Baume AP+M¹ based on niacinamide, shea butter and La Roche-Posay thermal water. The product instantly moisturizes the skin for 48 hours², soothes dry skin, thus helping to reduce itching and irritation, softens the skin, regulates its microbiome. The balm instantly returns comfort to the skin, reduces the feeling of dryness and tightness, strengthens its protective functions.

As an SOS remedy, use Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Revitalizing Balm³. The product with a rich nourishing texture and hypoallergenic composition is suitable for sensitive skin of children and adults. The formula based on panthenol, madecassoside, shea butter helps to fill the lack of lipid mantle of the skin, strengthens, protects and restores the epidermis. The balm helps speed up the process of skin repair and contains a complex that has antibacterial properties.

For daily protection of the skin of the child from the sun during walks, use Anthelios Dermo Sunscreen Baby Milk for babies and children.⁴ with SPF 50+⁵ and avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Milk provides reliable protection against UVA / UVB rays⁶. However, when outdoors, remember to reapply every 2 hours to maintain photoprotection. This is a general requirement for any sunscreen. The hypoallergenic formula is dermatologically tested and contains a sunscreen filter system. Shea butter in the composition additionally softens, moisturizes and protects the skin.

1 Lipikar Balm AP+M 2 confirmed by an instrumental test with the participation of 26 respondents 3 Cicaplast balm B5 4 Antgelios Dermo-Pediatrics 5 UV protection factor type B 6 UV rays type A and B