Should Your Child Have A Skincare Routine? - Through Heather's Looking Glass

When Emma Kate was a baby, she had several skin problems. Sure she had the typical diaper rash issues, but she also had very dry skin on her hands and face. I wish I knew then what I know now, and had developed a skincare routine from the get go!

Developing a skincare routine for your baby or child might sound extreme, but if you want them to have healthy, problem-free skin, it’s one of the best things you can do for them. It’s not just you that should take care of your skin. The skin is the largest organ on the body, and taking the steps to look after it as early on as possible is key. If you don’t take care of their skin, they may be more susceptible to sun damage/burn, itchy skin, flakiness, redness, and other issues.

Below, we will take a look at how you can start developing a new routine for your baby or child. Take a look:

Take A Few Showers Twice A Day With Lukewarm Water

Taking a few showers every day in lukewarm water can help them to get used to cleansing their skin and enjoying the sensation of the shower. Baths are fine too, but make bath time fun! Some kids naturally love bath time, others need some help and encouragement to enjoy it. Have a variety of toys and play games to play with them so you can turn their routine into a fun game.

Bathing isn’t just about making sure your child stays healthy now; it will also help them learn about skin health and proper hygiene which will benefit them when they get older. When they reach about 4-5 years old you can allow them a little more independence in the bath, but you should still keep a close eye on them until they are old enough to stay in the bath alone. I now feel confident leaving Emma Kate alone in the bath because she talks to herself non stop, so I know she is ok!

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Moisturize With A Product Especially For Baby Skin

Don’t use your skincare products on your baby’s skin. Baby’s skin requires more TLC and special ingredients, as their skin is 10 times thinner than adult skin. Should you use a lotion, ointment, or cream? There’s a quick rundown of the difference and how you can decide below:

Creams – a 50-50 ratio of oil and water. Go on smoothly, keep skin hydrated. A good all round option.
Lotions – similar to creams but with a lower concentration of oil. Easy to apply, but may dry out sensitive skin.
Ointments – the highest concentration of oil at 80%. Provide best moisture but are a bit greasy and don’t absorb as well, so may be best for dry skin.

If your child appears to have a condition such as childhood eczema, you will need to make sure the product you purchase is suitable. Make sure that whatever you use, you apply it within a few minutes after bathing to keep their skin healthy and moisturized. When your baby’s skin is hydrated it will be more resistant to irritation from the environment. Also, be sure to reapply the moisturizer if they get itchy or start to scratch.

Apply SPF 30 Before Taking Your Baby Outside

SPF is not for infants under 6 months old, according to experts, so keep this in mind. However, there are ways you can protect them. Stay in the shade as much as possible and avoid direct exposure to the sun, also put them in wide brim hats and protective clothes. You can begin to use a sunscreen formulated with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as these ingredients will not irritate your baby’s skin once they hit 6 months old. Until then, make sure you take every precaution to keep them from getting sunburn.

Get Familiar With Ingredients

When looking at products to buy your baby, look for products that do not contain dye, alcohol, parabens or synthetic fragrance. These ingredients can be irritating to your skin, let alone your baby’s skin!

Perform A Patch Test Before Using A New Product On Your Baby

When you have a new product, don’t just slather it all over your child. Always do a patch test on a small portion of the skin first. This will give you an idea of whether the product is truly safe to use.

Start A Simple Skincare Routine

A simple skincare routine will often benefit your child no matter their age. You could even do yours alongside theirs to give them an incentive to do it – they will be far more likely to want to do it and stick with it if you do it! Their skincare routine should look like:

Washing their face using a mild cleanser.
Pat dry with a towel – do not rub the face.
Use a lightweight face cream in the morning and at night, but apply a layer of SPF in the AM also. Make sure the face, ears, and neck are all covered with SPF. You can get spray on SPF to make your life much easier.

This habit will benefit your child once they become teenagers. Although a teenager will benefit from a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, having adequate sleep, living a healthy lifestyle and practicing an excellent skincare routine, they still may experience skincare problems, as it can be down to hormones. Many sources will tell you that in order to achieve healthy skin, all a teenager needs to do is live a healthy lifestyle, but this is not the case. It can leave them feeling like they are not trying hard enough and give them major anxiety when actually it’s not their fault. Be prepared for this, don’t blame them, and try to tell them what they are doing ‘wrong’, and get expert advice if needed.

Final Thoughts

Getting your child into good skincare habits as early on as possible will only benefit them in the long run. For healthy, supple, moisturized skin that keeps irritants out, make sure you start as early on as possible and help to educate them if they need it. Avoid making them feel self-conscious of their skin, but do teach them the importance of treating skin with TLC and understanding skin type when they are old enough.

Does your baby/child have a skincare routine? Leave your thoughts and any advice below!