You want something that smells divine, but how do you know which organic skin care product is best for your baby's delicate skin? Here are a few tips to help you make sense of all of the tempting options.
Whenever possible choose certified organic skin care.
Look for the
USDA seal of approval
(or corresponding seal from the certification group in your country).
Don't be tricked by fancy marketing terms.
Marketing terms like hypoallergenic, natural, for sensitive skin, dermatologist tested and recommended, organic ingredients used are all great. But without a certified seal they can still contain additives and synthetic chemicals as ingredients.
I know this first-hand because I've paid premiums for products that made all the right promises, only to realize they still contained synthetic ingredients.
No animal testing, no dyes, free of heavy metals and pesticide and herbicide free are also beneficial labeling.
Keep It Sage and Simple!
The less ingredients involved, the better. However, do make sure the manufacturer has a complete list of ingredients on the packaging. Regardless of the number of ingredients always test it in a small area on your baby for potential allergies.
Fragrances that come from certified organic essential oils.
Again test your baby for allergies to specific essential oils before applying. It's best to wait until your baby is four months old to introduce products with essential oils.
Preservatives derived from vitamins A, C and E.
Sudsing agents that are coconut or vegetable derived.
Cornstarch, baking soda and clay are good alternatives to talc powder for absorbing moisture.
Look for fruit or vegetable based oils.
Aloe vera, safflower, sunflower, coconut palm, apricot seed, olive oil, vitamin E or vegetable glycerin are all good moisturizing agents (in lieu of petroleum and mineral oil).
Can you eat it?
Think about how absorbent your skin is. Anything you put on your baby is getting inside of his system, as much as anything he digests.
You may notice your baby trying to lick the lotion off of his skin to find out what that sweet-smelling, creamy stuff tastes like.
Skin care products with food-based ingredients make a lot of sense,
especially since they become a part of our daily routines as we get older.
We use Natures Paradise for our organic baby skin care needs. They have a line of certified organic products that includes a body wash and shampoo, body lotion, diaper rash cream and massage oil.
