Babies- all cute with squishy cheeks, they come into this world helpless and are fully reliant on us to look out for them. While pregnant a mother will do everything she can to protect her unborn child, from a healthy diet, regular doctor appointments - why should any of that change once they are brought into this world.

There has been much talk in recent decades about not only the quality of the products used for babies but drawing attention to some of the ingredients that have proven to be quite harmful for a young child’s skin.

Don’t Be Fooled by Catchy & Clever Marketing

When you hear ‘Baby’s Best’ or an overwhelming amount of advertising and endorsements from celebrities, why would you question a product? When it comes to the sensitive nature of a baby’s skin, natural and safe ingredients are essential. The expression ‘soft as a baby’s bottom’ is a saying for a reason - they have naturally pure, soft skin. They do not need any harsh chemicals or complex ingredients, only ingredients that will enhance their naturally pure skin.

Harmful Toxins

Toxins in everyday skin and beauty products is a HUGE problem. As a society we are educating ourselves more and more to question what we buy and how things are made. However, we still have a ways to go in this movement, as some of the traditional powerhouses like Johnson & Johnson have been slow to remove chemicals from their products. It especially worrisome when these chemicals can be found in baby products.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics had previously highlighted a chemical that was in Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo. Two years after it was brought to their attention, Johnson & Johnson was still using a chemical that releases formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. Their initial response was to create a formaldehyde-free versions for sale outside of the North America. A company that has been around for over 120 years is only slowly starting to catch up with the times and has attempted to revamp their lines of baby products. 

Their Skin Is Thinner

While the skin immediately acts as a barrier to outside irritants, the barrier properties continue to strengthen during the first year. This means your skin protects you a little better than your baby’s skin protects them.

There is evidence a baby’s skin retains more moisture than adult skin. However, because of their thin skin, it also loses moisture more quickly, too. Bathing your baby with the wrong products can easily cause their skin to dry out if you’re not careful.

Ingredients To Avoid in Skincare Products

As you would expect, a baby’s first few months are the most critical in many areas and skincare is no exception. Natural based products are best for their sensitive skin. Here is a list of some of the ingredients you do NOT want to see when you are deciding what products to use on your baby.

Fragrances: may smell pretty, but they are one of the most common known allergens

Mineral Oil: is a cheap petroleum by-product used in many products. It acts as a coating on their skin and thereby blocks your baby’s pores and the skin’s natural breathing process.

Parabens: they can irritate baby’s skin, and the biggest concern is that they are known to disrupt hormone function.

Sodium lauryl (ether) sulfate: synthetic substance that is cost effective and creates foamy bubbles. It is an irritant, particularly on a sensitive baby’s skin and is easily absorbed. Not to be confused with SLSa- read more HERE

Newborns until around the age of 2, infants wear diapers which can lead to serious diaper rashes. As mentioned their skin is thinner and more sensitive, now imagine having to wear a diaper all day- not ideal. There is a variety of diaper rash creams on the market and the same rules as above apply- ensure those ingredients are not found on any product you're applying to your babies bottoms.Little Charlie was created for our youngest bathers to experience a beneficial bath without the nasties. Luscious coconut milk and oat proteins nourish dry and inflamed skin while gently cleansing from head to toe. Specifically designed for newborns to eight years old. No need for soap when using Little Charlie- just the bath water and washcloth! 

Little Charlie uses pure botanicals like oat, coconut, and chamomile which provide the perfect base that are natural and free of any parfum, toxins and harmful surfactants that are commonly found in baby products today. It can also help soothe a baby's bottom who is suffering from a diaper rash. To prevent future rashes, LOVEFRESH has an amazing baby bottom butter. It is Zinc based with other natural ingredients, coconut oil, calendula, beeswax and aloe vera (to name a few). It has no scent to it and goes on so smoothly and creates a moisture barrier to protect against rashes.

This little guy loves his bath time. 🛁 We’ve been using @LiveBathorium’s Little Charlie bath soak and we love it so much! 🧼 Roman has super sensitive skin just like his daddy :’). We love how gentle + calming it is for his skin and it leaves him smelling like coconut milk - as if it was hard enough not smelling my baby all the time. 🤪 #bringbackthebath#mylittlecharlie #bathorium