Two Simple Rules for Infant Skin Care

SustainLane
Last Updated: Monday, March 03, 2008

Keeping your little one clean, dry, and comfortable can feel like a full-time job, and the array of products available can make the whole prospect overwhelming.

There are two simple things to keep in mind when choosing infant skin-care products: 

• Choose products made specifically for babies and from organic ingredients. Pay special attention to products that contain essential oils; conventional extraction methods can use toxic solvents.
• Avoid products with fragrances and synthetic chemicals, which can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can overwhelm a baby’s sensitive respiratory system.

Sustainable body care for babies doesn’t stop at buying the right products. Here are five tips to help make body care healthier for you and baby:

1. Limit baths. With all the diaper-area and face cleanings throughout the day, babies don't need daily baths, which tend to dehydrate their delicate skin.
2. Some products, like powder, are unnecessary. A thorough air-drying is infinitely more effective at fighting irritation than messy powders
3. Instead of disposable wipes, try using a clean washcloth and water to clean your baby during diaper changes. For times when only wipes will do, choose fragrance-free products.
4. Diaper rash is a common problem, but the solution can be simple. A bit of air circulation and time without a diaper tend to be the best cures. If that doesn't work, try using organic salves that contain beeswax or lanolin, which keep moisture away from skin, instead of chemical-laden creams.
5. Limit sun exposure. Dress your kid in loose cotton and use a PABA-free UVA and UVB sunscreen when she's outside.

Learn More

Natural Family Online offers helpful "how-to" advice about healthy parenting.

Find healthy products that won't irritate your child's skin at Mothernature.com.

SustainLane.com is the nation’s largest community-powered directory of green products and businesses. SustainLane allows people to easily find and share reviews on anything from organic baby food and fair trade chocolate to eco-friendly clothing  and environmentally friendly diapers. The more people share and participate in SustainLane’s community, the easier it becomes for you and your family to live green.

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