When it comes to your baby and their delicate skin, you want the best of the best. Becoming informed on certain skin care routines and products is a good place to start when finding what will be the most beneficial for your baby’s skin.
That’s why Mustela’s baby experts are here to provide you with some information about different types of skin care. We have everything you need to know about clean skin care versus vegan skin care for your baby.
So gather up your baby products and let’s take a look at what ingredients are in your little one’s skin care regimen!
Clean Skin Care
What Is Clean Skin Care?
“Clean” in terms of skin care means the product contains ingredients that are sustainable and nontoxic to your health, your baby’s health, and the environment.
Clean skin care products can be made with synthetic ingredients — those that mimic natural ones — but these man-made ingredients do not present any health concerns.
Why Clean Skin Care?
Clean skin care reduces the possibility of any skin irritation or sensitivity for your baby. This is good news because your baby’s skin naturally absorbs the ingredients! Clean products are also helpful to the environment by eliminating harmful toxins.
How Can You Tell If A Product Is Clean?
Check the ingredients list on the back of your baby’s skin care bottles. Clean skin care products will be free of the following:
- Sulfates
- Silicones
- Phthalates
- Parabens
- Pesticides
- Petroleum derivatives
- Artificial coloring
- Synthetic fragrances
What Is The Shelf Life Of Clean Skin Care Products?
An expiration date on your baby’s skin care products is used as a guide to indicate the date in which the active ingredients are likely to expire. Pay attention to that date because the products will be less effective, or not effective at all, once it has passed.
In essence, there’s no straight answer to the question of shelf life for clean skin care products because it varies from product to product.
Vegan Skin Care
What Is Vegan Skin Care?
You’ve heard of a vegan diet, but what about vegan skin care? Vegan skin care is defined as being completely animal-free, which means no animal-derived ingredients (extracts or by-products) are present in these products. Vegan skin care only contains plant and mineral ingredients.
Why Vegan Skin Care?
Vegan products are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction or cause skin irritation. Also, those who’ve adopted a vegan lifestyle, such as a vegan diet, will opt for these skin care products because they want to improve the environment.
Other benefits of vegan skin care include:
- Made with vitamins containing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
- Typically contains fewer ingredients
Note: Vegan skin care products can still potentially cause skin irritation. Just because a product is vegan doesn’t mean that your baby can’t have an adverse reaction to it, as many plants and plant-based ingredients can cause irritation or allergic reactions.
How Can You Tell If A Product Is Vegan?
To verify if a product is vegan, you’ll have to take some time and read over the ingredients list on the label. Look specifically for these beneficial ingredients:
- Aloe
- Shea butter
- Grapeseed extract
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Lavender
- Green tea
- Olive Oil
But, if you don’t really have time to sift through all of the ingredients on each baby item, look for specific seals verifying that the product is vegan. More specifically, check for stamps from official certifying agencies, such as a PETA stamp or a Vegan Society Logo.
Vegan skin care products avoid the following ingredients:
- Honey
- Elastin
- Lanolin
- Collagen
What Is The Shelf Life Of Vegan Skin Care Products?
Vegan products use several plant-based ingredients and avoid chemical preservatives, so the shelf life of these items can be short. In order to extend their shelf life, you may have to store them at a lower temperature.
Note: Be mindful of any product that does not indicate a shelf-life period.
Ensuring That Your Baby Has The Right Products
Ingredients To Avoid
Some companies can be selective in their ingredients due to strict cosmetic safety guidelines, but this depends on where a product is formulated. This is helpful in the process of eliminating various harmful and unnecessary ingredients.
Avoid these ingredients when shopping for baby skin care:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Phenoxyethanol
- Ammonium lauryl sulfate
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Benzophenone
- Alcohol (ethanol)
Ingredients To Look For
The possibility of an allergic reaction occurring dramatically decreases when most of the ingredients are plant-based. Also, the smaller the ingredients list the better. So pay attention to the label and avoid products with a long paragraph of ingredients.
The best skin care products for babies include some or all of the following ingredients:
- Jojoba Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Vitamins E and F
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Shea Butter
- Avocado Oil
- Chamomile Extract
- Avocado Perseose
- Plant-based Glycerin
The Importance Of Research
Testing
Do your research on the type of testing administered when searching for the right product for your baby’s skin care needs. Some products only go through light testing, while others go through rigorous testing. You’ll want a product that has been well tested to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
Environment
In addition to rigorous testing, find a product that’s safe for the environment. Again, do a little research to determine whether the skin care product you’re using is helpful or harmful to the environment.
As a trusted leader of safe and natural skincare, Mustela is constantly finding ways to further minimize the environmental and social impact of its products. For example, take a look at some of Mustela’s packaging standards:
- 100 percent of our bottles and cartons are recyclable
- 100 percent of our cleansing formulas are biodegradable (meaning they are able to decay naturally without harming the environment)
- 100 percent of our labels are printed using vegetable-oil-based inks
Your Baby’s Skin
Finding skin care products that are specific to your baby’s skin type and contain natural ingredients is a top priority in your search. Mustela is committed to helping you discover your baby’s skin type and provide the best course of treatment.
Here’s what to look for in products, based on your little one’s specific skin type.
Normal Skin
Babies with normal skin will have skin that appears soft. This skin type can easily be overlooked, but it still daily hydration and protection. Mustela’s Hydra Bébé Body Lotion is a great option to provide daily protection and long-lasting moisture to your baby’s delicate skin.
Dry Skin
Dry skin appears rough and sometimes flaky and requires extra nourishment and protection. Use Mustela’s Dry Skin Bath Time Set in the evenings to protect and nourish your baby’s dry skin. This trio includes:
Very Sensitive Skin
Your baby with very sensitive skin is prone to redness and irritation, so their skin will need to be soothed and protected. Stock your cabinet with our Sensitive Skin Bath Time Set because it effectively cleans your baby’s hair and body while working to soothe their skin!
Our bundle includes:
Eczema-Prone Skin
If your baby has eczema-prone skin, it needs to be replenished and protected on a daily basis to tackle their extremely dry and itchy skin. Our Stelatopia Emollient Cream and Stelatopia Emollient Face Cream are the perfect must-haves to soothe, moisturize, and replenish your baby’s skin!
And last, but certainly not least, Mustela’s Cicastela Moisture Recovery Cream keeps skin comfortable and replenished on an as-needed basis! It’s a great option for treating minor cuts and scrapes, insect bites, red patches, skin sensitivity, and even diaper area redness, which can happen to any skin type.
What’s Next?
Now that you’re better informed on clean skin care and vegan skin care, you can decide what the best course of treatment is for your baby based upon their skin type.
Every baby’s skin is different, but Mustela is committed to providing skin care products for your baby that are eco-friendly and contain naturally derived ingredients to meet your baby’s skin care needs.
No matter what, we know you want the most effective products that are less likely to trigger a reaction or skin irritation. That’s why we’ve provided a safer and healthier option for your baby’s skin care needs.
So remember to look for products that are safe for your baby and the environment to promote a healthy skin care routine!