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Natural Baby Skin Care:
Common Treatments and Remedies

Everyone has their own natural baby skin care philosophy. My favorite is to use daily skin care products made from food-based ingredients.

Olive Oil

Experts say up to 60% of what goes on your baby's skin is absorbed into their bloodstream within minutes.

So why take your chances with even the "safest" of chemicals? If you can't eat it, it probably shouldn't go on your skin.

Choosing only food-based products may sound limiting, but you may be surprised by the number of common food-based oils that can soothe and nourish the skin.

You can use this list to make your own natural baby skin care products at home or buy them off the shelves at your local grocer or health food store.

Using Food-Based Oils for Natural Baby Skin Care

When I started to learn about the chemicals and toxins in conventional baby skin care products, I wondered what I could safely use to moisturize my baby's skin.

When a television news program suggested virgin olive oil, I took some out of the refrigerator hoping my daughter wouldn't smell like focaccia bread dipped in oil all day. She didn't and it worked.

Olive oil is rich in vitamin E which acts as an antioxidant and offers protection from free radicals in the body. It can be applied directly to the skin or used as a bath oil.
Sweet almond oil can help alleviate dry itchy skin, soothe sunburn and soften the skin. It is used as a base in many soaps, lotions and massage oils.
Sunflower oil has high amounts of vitamin E. It softens the skin and is commonly used in massage oils and soaps.
Coconut oil is used as a base for many soaps, detergents, lotions and creams.

Photo courtesy of kckellner

It is also a wonderful moisturizer for most skin and hair textures. Massaging it into the scalp can relieve eczema, dryness, repair damaged hair and more.

Adults may experience even more benefits such as weight loss, cholesterol control and blood sugar control.

Finally, lauric acid and monoglycerides (two ingredients found in breastmilk) in coconut oil can help to boost the immune system of adults.

Coconut Oil can be applied to the skin directly or used as a cooking oil for family meals.
Avocado oil, which is rich in Vitamin E, is used in many baby hair and sun products. It has been proven to offer more sunscreen protection than most food based oils. However, it should not be relied upon solely for extended sun exposure.
Avocado oil penetrates the skin more deeply than any other plant oils and therefore is to be used in smaller quantities.
Safflower oil is nutritionally similar to sunflower oil and can be used to relieve eczema and dry skin. It is often used for massage and as a base in lotions and hair care products.
The certified organic baby massage oil by Natures Paradise is a simple blend of safflower oil and sunflower oil.

Natural Baby Skin Care Butters

Shea butter is extracted from the nuts of the shea or karite tree in West Africa. In its purest form it has been used as a treatment for eczema, sunburn and insect bites.
Shea butter offers a mild, natural protection from the sun. Some say it is equivalent to SPF-6. Shea butter can be used alone or as an ingredient in lotions, hair care products, creams, soaps and lip balms.
Mango butter is a source of essential fatty acids. It is another natural protector from the sun's rays and can be used to soften the skin. It is a common base for lotions, creams, hair products and soaps.
Aloe butter derived from the Aloe Vera plant is native to Africa. Aloe Butter helps to keep skin soft and supple. It can be used to treat acne, scratches, insect bites and sunburn.
Cocoa butter is made during the processing of cocoa and chocolate. It has a natural chocolate scent or can be obtained with the scent removed.
Cocoa butter is used as a thickening agent in many cosmetics and is not recommended for naturally oily skin. Many pregnant women use cocoa butter to minimize stretch marks and it is often the base of creams and lip balms.

Are you wondering why old fashioned, baby oil is not on this list?

Natural Baby Skin Care Safety Tips

Whenever possible choose organic versions of these oils.
Always rule out the possibility of a food allergy before applying any oil to the skin. Test out oils and organic skincare ingredients alone before mixing.
Adhere to oil safety recommendations and instructions on the package.
Babies under six months old should use little or no natural baby skin care products.
Consult a physician for the treatment of serious skin ailments and keep them informed of the oils used on your baby's skin. Pregnant and lactating mothers should also follow the advice of a physician when choosing natural oils for skin care.