Sensitive, allergic and atopic skin are increasingly common problems for babies and toddlers. For some, the condition is permanent, while for others it occurs only at certain developmental stages. How to help your little one relieve the symptoms and what skin care products can help? We share our tips on which skin care products have been most suitable for our babies since birth. What baby skincare products we still use today and what we recommend for your children.
baby skincare – is it necessary?
Preparing for the birth of a baby and buying a basket is a headache for every expecting mother. Many mothers have a lot of questions about how to prepare, what clothes and things to buy, and often don’t know if baby skincare needs to be in the newborn basket. So we have prepared a mini-guide article for you on baby skincare products, their necessity and shared our personal experience.
Every baby has its own shock as soon as it is born – it goes from a cosy, warm space to a world full of bacteria, different quality air, temperature differences, winds, sunshine and many other uncomfortable things. The skin is the first to react to change – it has to adapt the fastest to all environmental factors. In the first month, it is normal for the skin to be chapped, shaggy and change colour. It takes time to adapt to the environment.
However, sometimes the adjustment does not go smoothly, often hampered by congenital illnesses, allergies, intolerance to certain foods, unclear bacteria, strong external stimuli (e.g. airborne allergens such as pollen, fungal spores and mould).
And in our weather conditions, children’s skin health is usually threatened by another major enemy: the cold season and its sinister companions: cold, wind and central heating.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory disease characterised by severe itching. It affects 1-12% of children in developed countries. More than half of them develop the first symptoms of atopic dermatitis in the first year of life, and 90% by the age of 5. Inadequate care of this type of skin worsens the symptoms.
It is estimated that as many as one in five babies in Lithuania has atopic dermatitis!
Baby skincare
Atopic dermatitis and baby skincare
- The main signs of sensitive and atopic skin:
- Dryness;
- severe itching;
- Rashes;
- Increasing redness with urination;
- wounds;
- sensitive, swollen skin from scratches;
- Scratching intensifies the inflammatory process in the skin, itching becomes more intense and a vicious cycle of scratching and clawing begins.
Healthy skin easily protects us from harmful or dangerous environmental factors such as bad weather, chemicals and dangerous infectious agents.
However, in children with atopic dermatitis, the skin ceases to act as a protective barrier, becoming susceptible to various bacteria and micro-organisms, environmental allergens such as pollen, house dust mites, etc. Atopic dermatitis also increases the loss of water from the deeper layers of the skin, resulting in persistent itching and tightness.
So if your little one is affected, don’t blame yourself and don’t resort to drastic measures, diets and aggressive house cleaning. The treatment of atopic dermatitis is complex. The aim is to manage the symptoms of the disease. Careful skin care and avoidance of factors that provoke flare-ups are essential.
Dermedic baby skincare line
Top tips for sensitive and atopic skin care
Bathing
For sensitive skin, you should bathe your baby as briefly as possible – just 5 minutes is advisable. It is also important that the water is not too hot for the baby, preferably just pleasantly warm. Dry the skin without rubbing it with a towel.
Cleansers
When bathing, use only very mild products specifically designed for babies with sensitive and atopic skin, preferably with lipids to help strengthen the skin barrier. For us, DERMEDIC BABY LINUM EMOLIENT cream cleansing gel is indispensable.
Emollients
After bathing, be sure to use mild emollients for allergic and atopic babies. It is important to remember that after bathing your baby, emollients should be applied immediately – within three minutes, while the skin is still moist. Emollients should be applied even when there are no rashes, at least 2 times a day. However, if the skin is very dry, it may be necessary to apply 3-4 times a day or more. Emollients are moisturising agents that do not contain medications, irritants, colouring agents, parabens, fragrances. We are very happy to use – DERMEDIC BABY LINUM EMOLIENT Lipid Restoring Moisturiser and Soothing Cream.
Winter
Avoid cold, bitter winds during the cold season. If your home is very dry, be sure to humidify your home air and ventilate your rooms. It is best to keep the humidity around 60%. If you have the possibility to regulate the heating, set the temperature at a lower but comfortable level, no higher than 22 degrees.
Clothing
Avoid “biting” woollen clothing and synthetic fabrics. Try not to dress your baby too warmly, just +1 light layer compared to parents. Overheating the baby makes the skin sweat and irritates the dermatitis areas even more, and sweat rashes may appear.
baby skincare
Air allergens
Make sure your home is free from mould, parasites and fungi.
Food allergens
Infants and children can get inflammation from eating certain foods such as eggs, milk, soya and wheat. You can try eliminating certain foods and see if the skin condition improves, then gradually reintroduce them. In this case, allergy testing may be necessary.
Washing machines
Use only washing products suitable for babies and allergic people that are free of fragrances, dyes and other skin irritants. Remember to use mild detergents not only for your baby’s clothes and bedding, but also for your own clothes and bedding, and for anything that your baby’s skin clings to.
Routine
Important for both diet and cosmetics. If your allergy doctor has diagnosed a food allergy, do not consume those foods; if you are diagnosed with an allergy to environmental or contact allergens, avoid contact with them. The child’s allergy will then be significantly reduced and perhaps even disappear completely. Applying emollients is also necessary on a daily basis, even when the skin condition improves.
Fluids
As well as using the right creams and lotions, it is important to drink plenty of fluids to moisturise dry skin. If you are breastfeeding, always feed your baby according to its needs, as breast milk is not only food but also the main fluid. As your baby gets older, offer water more often and put a cup or bottle in an easy-to-reach place. This is important both in summer and in winter when the indoor air is drier.
Outdoor
Nature can work wonders, so try to spend as much time as possible outdoors with your baby at every opportunity. If your child has pollen allergies, you should take care when choosing walking routes and avoid allergens. Excessive direct sunlight should also be avoided – specialised sunscreens for sensitive skin and appropriate light clothing and a hat can help.
How to choose sun cosmetics for babies
The best products for baby’s sensitive skin
It so happens that we have had to try many different products with each of our children, because each of them not only has a special character but also a different skin type. Jolita, in particular, has become a real expert on sensitive baby skin as a result of raising her own children – from the very first days, the babies’ skin was so fragile, allergic and atopic that it took a lot of time to find the right products and to understand sensitive skin care.
As the children grew up, we suddenly discovered DERMEDIC – initially we decided to try their SUNBRELLA sun cosmetics for children (which, to be honest, the whole family was happy to try, as it was suitable for every skin type and, most importantly, it’s super easy to apply). We were particularly encouraged by the fact that DERMEDIC is a certified manufacturer of specialised dermatological cosmetics and absolutely all of its products are designed for sensitive and problematic skin.
So we tried not only sun cosmetics, but also shampoos, scalp serums, moisturising creams, a mature skin line and, of course, DERMEDIC BABY for sensitive baby skin, which we were particularly pleased with.
What are they, their purpose and what makes them special?
DERMEDIC BABY bath and shower oil, 500 ml
Gentle body wash for the daily care of children’s sensitive skin, as well as for very dry skin, atopic dermatitis or psoriasis symptoms. Suitable for the whole family, with both cleansing and nourishing oil effects.
- Active ingredients: linseed oil, glycerine.
- For soothing baths.
- Gently cleanses in the bath and shower.
- With linseed oil – nourishes, smooths and softens the skin, with a regenerating effect.
- Does not damage the skin’s hydrolipidic layer or the skin’s microbiome.
- Contains no soap.
- Hypoallergenic.
- Suitable from the first days of life!
DERMEDIC BABY LINUM EMOLIENT Cream Cleansing Gel for children, 200 ml
Gel for daily cleansing of children’s skin and hair. Suitable for babies and children with very dry or atopic skin. Very versatile as it is suitable for the whole body, easy to take with you on the go and even for the whole family.
- Cleanses without damaging the lipid barrier.
- Contains flaxseed oil (rich in omega-3, 6 and 9 polyunsaturated fatty acids), betaine (skin irritant).
- Reduces itching and skin irritation.
- Has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Improves the condition of even extremely dry skin.
- Contains no soap, parabens or SLS.
- Does not irritate the eyes.
- Hypoallergenic.
- Suitable from the first day of life.
DERMEDIC BABY LINUM EMOLIENT lipid-restoring moisturising and soothing cream for children, 100 ml
Daily cream for babies and children with dry, atopic and allergic skin.
- Active ingredients: linseed oil with essential fatty acids Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9, almond oil, olive oil, allantoin, D-panthenol, vitamin E, glycerin
- Moisturises for long-lasting hydration by binding water in the epidermis.
- Replenishes skin lipids.
- Suitable for face and body.
- Has anti-inflammatory properties, effectively reduces itching.
- Soothes the skin and strengthens its natural resistance.
- Hypoallergenic.
- Suitable from day 1
DERMEDIC BABY LINUM EMOLIENT body butter, 225 ml
Extra-fat body butter for babies and children. In our experience, ideal for the cold season!
- CicalinumTM, shea butter, cocoa butter, Super Hartolan, vitamin E, glycerin
- Has a positive effect on the symptoms of dry and atopic skin.
- Restores the lipid barrier.
- Reduces epidermal damage.
- The patented Cicalinum complex restores the physiological balance of the skin’s microbiome and has a positive effect on the symptoms caused by atopic skin: tightness, dryness, roughness, etc.
- This ultra-oily butter replicates the hydrolipidic barrier, while vitamin E and shea butter can help until unpleasant skin sensations subside.
- RECOMMENDED for: persistently dry and atopic skin of babies and children (face and body), for intensive nourishment and hydration, as well as psoriasis.
- Hypoallergenic, can be used on newborn babies.
- Clinically tested.
DERMEDIC BABY LINUM EMOLIENT Special protective face cream for children, SPF 15, 50 ml
Face cream for babies and children with dry, atopic and allergic skin. Very versatile and a must-have in every mother’s handbag. For us, it was not only for the skin, but for every dry area, whenever we needed it quickly and at hand. Very handy on trips and outings, with extra sun protection!
- Active ingredients: linseed oil with Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9 EFA, Mineral filters, Mineral oil, Olive oil, Allantoin, D-panthenol, Vitamin E, Glycerin, Natural extract AP, Shea butter, Medilan
- Creates a protective barrier for baby’s delicate skin.
- Protects against UVA and UVB rays (the mineral filters used in the cream do not penetrate the baby’s delicate skin, but create a protective barrier on the surface of the skin which blocks and reflects UV rays).
- Soothes skin irritations and redness.
- Protects the skin and strengthens its natural resistance.
- Ensures the right level of skin hydration.
- Hypoallergenic.
- Suitable from the first day of life.
Dermedic baby skincare products
For us, these things have been 100% effective in stopping dermatitis (in our case, mainly seasonal). The most important thing is that the treatment of dermatitis and sensitive skin is complex, so it is necessary to pay attention not only to cosmetic products, but also to food and environmental factors.
When to seek medical advice
Every time you visit your paediatrician or family doctor, ask about the condition of your baby’s skin. If you notice skin damage or if you see that emollients are not helping to stop the drying of the skin, make sure you consult a specialist who will evaluate the condition of the skin and, if necessary, prescribe a treatment or medication.
Sometimes doctors can prescribe conventional anti-histamines (anti-allergic), which will effectively relieve the bothersome itching. Topical anti-inflammatory agents (corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors) are used to treat atopic dermatitis when treatment with emollients alone is not effective. These drugs have an anti-inflammatory effect and are applied to the affected skin areas. Use these medicines as prescribed by your doctor. When topical treatments are ineffective, your doctor may prescribe systemic (oral or injectable) medicines. So if you notice that your baby’s allergy is not getting better, you should definitely report it to a specialist.
Atopic dermatitis
Severe atopic dermatitis can be very difficult for a baby to bear, as itching or a rapid rise in temperature not only causes discomfort during the day, but also prevents a good night’s sleep. Severe atopic dermatitis will only stop causing discomfort once the child has been referred to specialists who can identify the cause of the disease and prescribe appropriate treatment. Allergy tests for children and babies are also carried out, so it is advisable not to experiment and to seek medical advice immediately.
Atopic dermatitis often flares up in the beginning, but you need to keep a close eye on the situation and the child’s condition. Unfortunately, if the child does not improve and professional treatment is not given in time, as many as 30% of children’s skin problems will develop into more serious allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis and/or allergic bronchial asthma. This phenomenon is often referred to by specialists as allergic march.
We are very happy to be the ambassadors of the Dermedic Baby line in Lithuania. This is a great achievement and responsibility for us. The idea of the photo shoot for Paulė and the Dermedic Baby line was carried out by the wonderful photographer Ligita Vaitkutė.
How to choose sun cosmetics for babies
