Babies have incredibly delicate skin — in fact, babies’ skin is 30% thinner than adults’ skin. In the womb, babies’ developing skin is protected by a waxy protective layer known as the vernix caseosa. When babies are born, they lose the protective benefits of the vernix caseosa. After birth, babies’ skin is still developing, and it takes two to four years for their skin to mature. In order to keep your baby’s skin looking and feeling good, it’s critical to look at ingredients when choosing baby skin care products.
Picking which products to use for your baby’s skin can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be complicated! Focusing on ingredients can help you find the right formulas for your baby.
Ingredients to look for:
Certain ingredients can be very beneficial for babies’ skin, providing essential moisture, hydration, and protection.
- Ceramides: In the third trimester, babies’ skin is protected by the vernix caseosa, which is rich with ceramides. After they’re born, it’s important to maintain the skin’s natural barrier by choosing products that are rich in ceramides.
- Vitamin E: Keep babies’ skin comfortable with Vitamin E, an antioxidant that provides soothing and moisturizing benefits.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that protects skin cells and helps retain the skin’s natural moisture all day.
- Niacinamide: A form of Vitamin B3, niacinamide can help reduce water loss in the skin, increase moisture, promote hydration, and calm the skin.
Ingredients to avoid:
Experts agree, when it comes to baby skin care products, the simpler the better.
- Fragrance: It’s not uncommon for baby products to be scented, but fragrance can cause irritation and allergic reactions, so it’s better to avoid them.
- Dyes: Artificial dyes can add unnecessary chemicals to skin care products, which can lead to sensitivity and irritation. Keep things simple and skip the dyes.
- Parabens: Parabens are common in products like shampoo and soap, but they are easily absorbed by the skin and cause irritation. Since babies’ skin is so delicate, they are even more sensitive to the effects of parabens.
- Phthalates: Sometimes used in cosmetic products, phthalates are chemicals that have been linked to various health issues over the years. Although the research is not definitive, it’s better to just avoid phthalates altogether.
CeraVe Baby
When you’re looking for a brand that focuses on the good ingredients and skips the problematic ingredients, look no further than CeraVe Baby. All CeraVe Baby products are free of fragrance, parabens, dyes and phthalates, and are formulated with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and a blend of ceramides 1, 3, and 6-II, which are identical to the those naturally found in babies' skin.
