The skin of babies and children has specific characteristics that make it more fragile and sensitive. It therefore requires special attention and appropriate care to stay healthy and adapt to its environment.
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It is also important to distinguish the needs of an infant up to the age of three months, of a baby up to the age of three, and of a child from the age of three. years up to 10-12 years old. In general, adult cleaning and care products should not be used on the skin of infants and babies.
What are the specificities of a baby's skin?
We often speak of “baby skin” to describe soft, velvety skin. And yet, this is not always the case! Except for premature babies, a baby's skin is already fully formed at birth.
However, it is thinner and does not fulfill its barrier function as effectively as that of an adult. A few weeks after birth, an infant stops producing sebum and its sebaceous glands will not be reactivated until adolescence. Thus, the hydrolipidic film is thinner and therefore does not protect the skin as well, which results in:
- Dry skin causing irritation
- Permeability to infectious agents or allergens, aggravating these irritations
In addition, the surface area of a child's skin is two to three times larger than that of an adult (higher surface area/weight ratio). Thus, a product applied to a child's skin penetrates more easily. Skin absorption is also favored by a humid environment (skin under diapers), damaged skin (diaper rash) and skin folds.
It is therefore essential to use effective and extremely gentle cleaning and body care products, guaranteeing:
- High tolerance, respecting the specific needs of children's skin
- High safety, meeting strict formulation and production requirements adapted to the skin of infants and babies.
How do I recognize if my baby has dry or atopic skin?
Weakened by external stresses such as wind, cold, hard water or heating, a baby's skin tends to become dry and more reactive.
With atopic dermatitis, your child's skin will be very dry and rough, sometimes with red patches. Your child's skin is tight and sometimes itchy, which can lead to trouble sleeping.
Atopic dermatitis is a dermatosis that often appears after two to three months and disappears in most cases after a few years. The stratum corneum of this skin type is excessively permeable due to a lack of lipids. “The skin no longer properly fulfills its barrier function. It no longer protects the body from environmental allergens, allowing them to penetrate more easily. Sensitivity to these allergens triggers inflammation that leads to an eczema flare-up, often accompanied by severe itching. »
Scratching causes lesions which increase skin irritation. The skin becomes even more permeable to allergens, which can lead to a new acute inflammatory reaction. Extremely dry and atopic skin progresses through successive phases of flare-ups and remissions.
Three main types of environmental allergens responsible for acute inflammatory reactions have been identified:
- Airborne allergens: dust mites, pollen, cat and dog hair, feathers, etc.
- Food allergens
- Contact allergens: nickel, perfumes, etc.
Is diaper rash inevitable?
Diaper rash is a common problem that occurs in certain situations, including rubbing diapers, overly aggressive cleaning, diarrhea, a change in diet, an infectious episode, and teething.
Most cases of diaper rash are due to irritative dermatitis triggered by the occlusive effect of diapers, worsened by contact with stool and urine, and potentially infected by bacteria.
To prevent diaper rash, the occlusion and maceration effect of diapers must be eliminated. It is therefore advisable to take certain precautions:
- Change your child frequently;
- Clean it after each change with a gentle, soap-free cleaning product, guaranteeing safety and tolerance (products that are too aggressive alter the skin barrier);
- Dry it gently, especially in the folds of the skin;
- After each change, apply a water paste containing antibacterial ingredients guaranteeing safety and tolerance. This will soothe, insulate and rebuild the epidermis of your baby's bottom to help eliminate diaper rash.
- If erythema persists, consult a doctor.
What causes irritation around the mouth?
Irritation of the skin around the mouth is characterized by redness, small spots and dry, rough skin. This irritation is due to maceration of saliva following repeated use of a pacifier, thumb or comforter, or during teething.
Amylase, an enzyme present in saliva, is an aggravating factor in irritation. Aggravated or altered by the cold and wind, these skin irritations around the mouth reach their peak in winter.
How to protect a child's skin from the sun?
- Babies should never be exposed to the sun.
- The skin of young children requires specific protection offering the best safety guarantees.
WHAT SHOULD I DO ?
A dermatologist is the best resource for identifying skin disorders, finding the cause of your skin problems and developing appropriate treatment. Please consult your dermatologist, doctor or pharmacist so that they can best advise you on your personal care regime.
EVERY DAY
Pay special attention to at-risk areas like the face, around the mouth, diaper area, and any areas with creases. Do not give in to the temptation to medicalize babies and children yourself. Always consult your pharmacist or pediatrician. Do not put wool or synthetic clothing directly in contact with your child's skin. Wash their stuffed animals very frequently. Avoid rugs and carpets.
CLEANING
Bath time is a special time – make the most of it!
To avoid stress and rush, prepare everything you need before you start. This will allow you to fully concentrate on your child during this tender moment. All cleaning and personal care products must guarantee safety and tolerance.
For body and hair:
Wash your child gently with an extra-gentle, soap-free cleaning product that respects the balance of your child's skin and does not sting the eyes. Dry your child by gently dabbing him. Your child's scalp and hair should be washed every two to three days. Choose a gentle shampoo that does not sting the eyes and respects the balance of babies' skin and hair. Rinse your child's hair gently, making sure the water is the right temperature and the pressure is not too strong. For older children, why not use a leave-in detangling spray to make styling easier? After each bath, hydrate your child with a product suitable to nourish their skin.
For the face and eyes:
Use cotton to clean your child's face with a mild, soap-free cleanser. For practical reasons, or simply to avoid hard water, opt for a micellar solution, dermatological wipes or a no-rinse cleansing milk.
For hands :
Dermatological wipes will allow you to wash your child's hands as often as necessary in all situations.
For diaper change:
After each diaper change, clean your child's bottom thoroughly with a mild, soap-free cleaning product to remove dirt, excess water paste or barrier creams. Dry gently, especially in the folds of the skin. For practical reasons, or simply to avoid hard water, opt for a micellar solution, dermatological wipes or a no-rinse cleansing milk. And for mothers who prefer rinse-off products, use a gentle, soap-free cleansing gel suited to your child's skin.
SKIN CARE
Your child's skin is delicate. She must learn to defend herself against external aggression. To protect it, you must apply a suitable moisturizer guaranteeing safety and tolerance.
If your child has normal skin, use a moisturizing milk every day to nourish and protect their skin. For drier skin, choose a superfatting treatment enriched with cold cream to help restore the barrier and provide immediate comfort. Cold cream is a designation given to thick, semi-occlusive formulas. The term cold cream comes from the fact that the first creams of this type gave a cold sensation when applied to the skin. Today, new generation cold creams have the same superfatting and moisturizing properties as traditional cold creams, but with innovative, more pleasant textures offering greater comfort of use and better protection against external aggressions.
ADVICE FOR BABIES WITH VERY DRY AND ATOPIC SKIN
In addition to the advice of your dermatologist, you should take the following precautions to improve your child's quality of life:
- Do not use bubble baths or bath salts, as they tend to dry and irritate your child's skin.
- Wash your child with a gentle, soap-free, fragrance-free cleaning product that guarantees safety and tolerance, which will clean gently, soothe itching and prevent dry skin by limiting the proliferation of micro-organisms that can aggravate dry skin.
- Dry your child's skin very carefully, gently dabbing it, especially in the folds of the skin.
- Once or twice a day, generously apply a nourishing and protective treatment guaranteeing safety and tolerance, which will soothe and prevent severe dryness by restoring lipids (to strengthen and rebuild the damaged skin barrier).
- Avoid allergens.
- It's best to dress your child in cotton clothing, as other fabrics, especially wool and synthetics, can irritate their skin.
- Choose a mild detergent and be careful not to use too much when washing their clothes. Too much detergent can weaken their skin. Don't forget to iron the clothes, as they will be softer.
You can find additional information and advice on baby skin care on the website of the French Association of Outpatient Pediatrics .
