New parents wonder how they should choose a baby body wash. Baby’s skin is thinner and more sensitive than adults. Using only water to bathe a baby cannot remove residues effectively from the body. This will also damage the protective skin barrier indirectly. Here is the ultimate guide for choosing the best baby body wash.
(1) Mild
Baby’s skin is slightly acidic. Pediatricians recommend choosing a mild and hydrating body wash for babies with a pH value between 4 and 7. Avoid using an alkaline baby body wash that will strip away natural oils and will lead to dry skin. Most often, baby body wash are combined with shampoo and the formulation can affect the baby’s lacrimal gland which is still young and immature. In effect, it is difficult for babies to secrete tears to protect their eyes. It is better to choose a baby body wash with tear-free formula.
(2) Hypoallergenic and Soap-free
When choosing a baby body wash, parents should also consider if it’s made of natural and non-toxic ingredients. Baby’s liver and kidneys are still developing. Therefore, they cannot remove toxins by themselves. Avoid using body wash containing SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate). These chemicals may lead to skin irritation. Body washes with a “hypoallergenic” label mean these products are gentle on baby’s skin.
(3) No Artificial Colours, Alcohol-free and Fragrance-free
Pediatricians point out that baby’s skin development is not yet complete. Parents should avoid using baby body wash containing artificial colours, alcohol, and fragrances which may lead to skin irritation or respiratory allergy. There are many baby body wash with scents for better sleep that are present in the market. To check, you can do a patch test for your baby first.
(4) Paraben-free, Dioxane-free and Formaldehyde-free
Parents should be aware of the ingredients and product labels of baby body wash. You should avoid using a baby body wash containing parabens, dioxane, and formaldehyde. MIT (Methylisothiazolinone) and CMIT (Methylchloroisothiazolinone) are common preservatives that can be found in body wash. Continuous use may cause dry skin and skin allergies such as redness, rash, itching, or eczema.
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