Baby Skincare Tips
By Harvard Medical School Board Certified Pediatric Dermatologists at EllaOla + nutrition tips from Cerebelly
*Disclaimer: this article is not meant to be individual medical/nutrition advice but for education purposes only. Each child’s needs are different.
Each day, countless patients ask me for recommendations regarding skincare. One of the biggest challenges facing parents today is finding products that they feel comfortable using on their children, including those that utilize all-natural, gentle, and non-toxic ingredients. As a dermatologist, I was familiar with many skincare products but still had a hard time finding one that contained the ingredients that I considered to be best for my daughter’s skin and eczema. I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for parents without basic skincare knowledge! I wanted to help families navigate the confusing market by helping EllaOla create products that are all-natural, organically based, and safe for children. Read my tips and product recommendations below for soothing baby eczema.
– Dr. Jennifer Tan, MD, Scientific Advisor for EllaOla
We’re no strangers to the joys and challenges of parenting–drool and eczema, late-night feedings, and early morning cuddles. We turned to science-first baby skincare brand EllaOla to get you expert advice on caring for your baby’s skin, protecting it from sun and environmental stress, and how to avoid and repair dry skin. Their dermatologists kindly shared 3 baby skin care tips to keep your little one healthy & comfortable!
With these tips, we hope that the ritual of baby skincare will become a moment to connect and care for your baby.
Here are 3 baby skin care tips from dermatologists:
1. Use only fragrance-free skincare products
Did you know that just like all of the other organs in their bodies, baby skin is still growing and maturing after they are born? Their skin is thin and sensitive and can react to ingredients that adult skin does not react to. Fragrances can be irritating and result in future allergic reactions. When it comes to baby skincare products, the simpler the better!
2. Limit your baby’s bath to less than 10 minutes and avoid soaps with lots of bubbles
Did you know that long baths dry out the skin? All soaps, no matter how gentle, disrupt the oils and proteins that protect your skin. Even plain water dries out your skin! Babies do not need to bathe more than once a day. Limit your baby’s baths to less than 10 minutes and avoid soaps that make lots of bubbles.
3. Apply moisturizer from head to toe at least twice a day
Washing can strip the moisture in the skin and lead to breakdown. Use creams to create a layer over the skin barrier to help the body repair itself. No matter how thick your moisturizer is, frequent application is important, especially when your baby is prone to dry skin. Use moisturizer more frequently in sensitive or exposed areas.
skin health science fact:
The skin is made of millions of skin cells that are glued together with various human proteins. In babies with eczema, this glue doesn’t work well and cells do not stick together tightly. There are gaps in between the cells and literally cracks in the skin. This problem is often inherited. These gaps and cracks cause the skin to dry out easily and get irritated easily. This is why it is so important to frequently moisturize the skin of children with eczema. Good moisturizers help to fill in these gaps and cracks in order to protect the skin from dehydration and irritation.
Nutrition & Skin
by The Cerebelly Team
Did you know that your baby’s diet can also impact the health of their skin?
Breastfeeding provides essential nutrients like essential fatty acids and vitamins to support healthy skin development, hydration, and immune function. It also helps to establish a healthy gut microbiome, which is important for reducing skin inflammation and promoting healthy skin. (1,2)
When your little one starts eating solids, look for these nutrients that can help keep your baby’s skin healthy as they grow:
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- Essential fatty acids
Essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 play an important role in maintaining the skin barrier function and hydration, reducing inflammation, and promoting healthy skin cell growth. They are found in breast milk, fatty fish, seaweed, algal oil, and certain nuts and seeds. (1,2)
- Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for healthy skin development and immune function. (3,4)
- Probiotics
Probiotics, found in fermented foods like yogurt, help in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, which in turn helps in reducing skin inflammation and promoting healthy skin.
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Zinc
- Lutein
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References:
- Ballard, O., & Morrow, A. L. (2013). Human milk composition: nutrients and bioactive factors. Pediatric Clinics, 60(1), 49-74.
- Kim, J., & Kim, H. (2016). Skin barrier and microbiome in acne. Journal of Dermatological Science, 83(2), 105-111.
- Nwosu, L. N., & Searle, T. (2015). Nutrition and skin health: Vitamin A and beyond. Clinics in Dermatology, 33(4), 405-411.
- Liu, X., Wang, G., Hong, X., & Wang, D. (2015). Associations between vitamin D status and allergic diseases in preschool children: A meta-analysis. Medicine, 94(50), e2040.
Want nutrient-dense baby food?
Cerebelly’s purees and smart bars have 16 key nutrients to support every stage of your little one’s development.
Want gentle, toxin-free skincare?
EllaOla makes science-first, plant-based skincare for baby.
Have more questions? Send us an email at support@cerebelly.com and we will be sure to get back to you!
