Safe Skincare For Newborns: A Parent’s Guide To Choosing The Right Baby Products

When shopping for skincare products for your baby, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. A newborn’s skin is very delicate and sensitive and is easily prone to infections, as the outermost layer of a baby’s skin is 30% thinner than that of adults. Their skin is more permeable and has fewer elastic fibers than an adult's. The baby’s skin allows more substances to pass through easily and absorbs ingredients from products that come directly in contact with their body. So, their extra-fragile skin warrants special attention.

You want to put your baby’s health and skincare first and use completely safe products for your little one. You always scan the back of every baby product with a microscopic vision to check the ingredients and if any of them have the potential to harm your little one. But do you know what to look for?

Here is a guide to help you choose the right products

• Read labels carefully: Baby skin care products that contain dyes, fragrances, and chemicals can irritate your baby's skin and affect their breathing.
• Ayush approved: If opting for natural plant-based products, make sure they are approved by the Ministry of Ayush. The Ministry of Ayush, a ministry of the Government of India, is responsible for providing education, supporting research, and propagating traditional ayurvedic systems in India.
• Dermatologically tested: The product should be tested and approved by dermatologists for being 100% safe and gentle on the baby’s skin, and is approved and recommended by pediatricians.
• NO cancer-causing agents and Toxin Free: Look for products without Parabens, Phthalates, SLS/SLES, Formaldehyde Donors, artificial colors, and perfume (artificial fragrances).

Here are some commonly found ingredients in skincare products to avoid when purchasing skincare products for babies:

1. Parabens: These are artificial preservatives found in skincare products. Studies show that parabens can cause breast cancer, other tumors, and can also cause hormonal imbalances.
2. Phthalates are chemicals found in creams, soaps, and other personal care products. Research reveals that phthalates can damage the kidneys, lungs, liver, and reproductive organs.
3. Synthetic Fragrances: These perfumes may cause cancer, nervous system disorders, skin allergies, congenital disabilities, skin irritations, and can even cause eczema in newborn babies.
4. Sulfates: Scientifically known as SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate), are commonly found in baby soaps, body washes, and shampoos, and are used to create lather and foam. Studies show that on long-term use, sulfates can cause cancer and irritation to the skin, eyes, and lungs.
5. Artificial Colors or Dyes: These are used to enhance the color of baby care products and have been known to cause chromosomal damage, tumors, lymphomas, asthma, skin allergies, and skin irritations.

Sulakshana Reddy, mompreneur/pharmacist and founder of ShuShuBabies

Sulakshana Reddy, the founder of ShuShu Babies, says, “Since the inception of this idea, it has been my goal to build an inclusive, affordable, and ethical company based on values of trust, transparency, sustainability, and a sense of purpose in what we offer. We make products that work. I am a mompreneur/pharmacist. I am a gold medalist from Osmania University, and that gives me a complete understanding of what I am doing and what my products are made of, and as a mother, what I definitely don’t want in the products. A good and trusted baby care product will clearly label each ingredient used in its products to reassure the buyer. So, the safest and most effective way to ensure that you buy the right product that is entirely safe to be used on your infant is always checking carefully what the product is made of."