Taking care of your child’s skin is a big part of keeping them healthy and happy, but where do you start? With so many products and conflicting advice, it can be challenging to figure out the best skin care for kids.
But don’t worry; we’re here to help! For over seventy years, we’ve manufactured clean and gentle skincare products for newborns and the whole family, giving us a deep understanding of the best practices for kids’ skin care.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the dos and don’ts of a kid-friendly skincare routine and provide tips on keeping your child’s skin soft, healthy, and protected.
Why Kids Need A Skin Care Routine
Before diving into specific steps, let’s discuss why a skincare routine is essential for kids.
Like adults, your child’s skin is the first line of defense against environmental factors and germs. However, because their skin is still developing, it can be more sensitive to irritants. Establishing a skincare routine early on can help boost their natural skin barrier.
Let’s take a deeper look.
Protect And Maintain Their Skin
The skin barrier acts as a protective shield against bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances. It also helps to retain moisture, keeping the skin hydrated and healthy.
A simple skincare routine will help your child develop and maintain a strong skin barrier.
Teach Healthy Habits From An Early Age
Creating a skincare routine for kids isn’t just about the products they use and the steps they take. It’s also an opportunity to teach your little one healthy habits that’ll benefit their skin in the long run.
By instilling these practices early on, you’re setting your child up for a lifetime of good skin health.
Kids’ Skin Care Needs
Your child’s skin isn’t just a smaller version of an adult’s. It has unique needs to consider before creating a skincare routine.
Why Kids Need Different Skin Care Than Adults
When your baby is first born, their skin is thinner and more delicate than an adult’s. It takes time for their skin to develop and mature, so it needs extra protection and care.
Throughout childhood, their skin produces less natural oil and is more susceptible to dryness and irritation. As they enter their teen years, hormones cause changes in the skin, which can lead to acne or breakouts.
Different Skin Types In Kids
Your child’s skin type will also affect their skincare routine. As with adults, there are several skin types: normal, dry, eczema-prone, and very sensitive.
Let’s look at each one more closely.
Normal Skin
Normal skin is typically soft and smooth. It’s not too dry or sensitive and has no visible blemishes or irritations.
Of course, normal skin for a kid is still developing, so it’s more delicate than that of an adult. You’ll want to be mindful of the products you use and avoid harsh or synthetic chemicals.
Dry Skin
Dry skin lacks moisture. It may feel tight or rough and can also be flaky or itchy. Most babies are prone to dry skin, but it can be an ongoing issue for some children throughout childhood.
To combat dryness, look for moisturizing products specially designed for kids, with gentle and nourishing ingredients like avocados and sunflower seed oil.
Eczema-Prone Skin
Eczema is a common skin condition in babies and children that causes red, itchy patches. If your child is prone to eczema, their skincare routine must be gentle and non-irritating.
Look for products with the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance, such as the Stelatopia Collection from Mustela.
Very Sensitive Skin
Some children have extremely sensitive skin that reacts quickly to irritants. This may include certain fabrics, detergents, or environmental factors like heat or cold. If your child has very sensitive skin, you’ll want to look for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free products.
You’ll also want to do a patch test with any new product before using it. Apply a small amount to the inner arm and wait 24 hours to see if a reaction occurs.
Ingredients To Look For
When selecting skin care products for kids, it’s important to read the label and look for specific ingredients that benefit their skin.
Prioritize natural ingredients like:
- Avocado Perseose®: Helps strengthen your baby’s skin barrier to protect their immature skin.
- Sunflower Oil Distillate: Highly moisturizing extract that can soothe skin and replenish lipids.
- Aloe Vera: Known for its soothing and moisturizing properties, aloe vera contains powerful antioxidants like Vitamins C and E that help strengthen skin.
- Jojoba Oil: This oil closely resembles the natural oils on our skin, making it a gentle and effective moisturizer.
- Shea Butter: A natural emollient that helps keep skin soft and supple.
Simple Daily Skin Care For Kids
No need to overcomplicate things — skinimalism is a growing trend in skincare, and it’s perfect for kids! Follow these three steps to keep your child’s skin healthy and happy.
Cleanse
Babies and young children don’t need to bathe every day, but it’s important to keep their face, hands, and diaper area clean. Use our No Rinse Cleansing Water or Home Compostable Wipes to clean and refresh your child’s skin between baths.
For bathtime, you can use one of our cleansing gels. Pick the one that corresponds to your child’s skin type:
- Gentle Cleansing Gel
- Soothing Cleansing Gel
- Nourishing Cleansing Gel with Cold Cream
- Stelatopia Cleansing Gel
Older kids might prefer our Shampoo & Body Cleansing Bar or Organic Cleansing Gel with olive Oil and Aloe.
When your child gets out of the tub, teach them to pat themselves dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing. This will help prevent irritation.
Hydrate
After bathing and at least once a day, moisturize your child’s skin with a gentle lotion or cream to lock in moisture. Keeping their skin hydrated can help prevent dryness and irritation.
Choose a product specifically designed for babies and children, like our Hydra Bebe Body Lotion or Nourishing Stick with Cold Cream.
Pay special attention to areas prone to dryness, such as elbows, knees, and cheeks. These areas may need extra moisturizer throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Protect
The final step in our skincare for kids routine is protecting them from the sun’s harmful rays. For babies six months and older, quality sunscreen is an essential part of their daily routine. Our broad-spectrum Mineral Sunscreen helps block UVA and UVB rays.
Putting sunscreen on each day might seem like a hassle, but it’s important. Teaching your kids to protect their skin now may help them avoid sun damage in the future.
To simplify this step, consider using our SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Spray. It makes application a breeze.
What To Avoid
While establishing your child’s daily skincare routine, there are a few things you’ll want to avoid.
Harsh Ingredients
Avoid products with harsh ingredients such as:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Phenoxyethanol
- Alcohol
Hot Water
Hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause dryness. To keep your baby’s skin softer, stick to lukewarm baths and showers.
Long Showers Or Baths
Spending too much time in the water can also dry out your baby’s skin. Limit their time in the bath or shower to no more than 10 minutes. And remember to help them moisturize after they get out!
Scrubbing Too Hard
Gentleness is key when it comes to skincare for kids. You don’t want to scrub too hard with a washcloth or loofa, as this can irritate their thin skin. Instead, use gentle, circular motions with a soft cloth.
Mustela Makes Skin Care For Kids Easy!
Our goal at Mustela is to make skincare for kids simple and stress-free for parents. By selecting safe, gentle, and effective ingredients in our products, we make it easy to establish a daily routine to keep your child’s delicate skin healthy and protected.
Additionally, all of our products are pediatrician- and dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic, so you can trust they’re safe for your baby’s delicate skin. From bathtime to boo-boos, Mustela has everything you need to care for your child’s skin.
So stock up on some basics, like our No Rinse Cleansing Water, Hydra Bebe Face Cream, and SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, and get started with the simple, three-step skincare routine listed above. Trust us, your little one will thank you for it!