Lotions Vs Ointments And Creams
When shopping for baby lotion, you might come across some products that are called creams or ointments. Lotions are the thinnest, lightest type of moisturizer because they contain the highest percentage of water, so they are absorbed quickly, says Brendan Camp, MD, a dermatologist at MDCS.
Creams contain more oil than lotions, and as a result feel heavier but are still easy to spread on the skin, and ointments contain the most oil by concentration. Ointments, Camp explains, are best for targeting areas of extremely dry skin.
When creating this list, we relied heavily on the advice of board certified dermatologists to ensure that we were selecting lotions containing the most beneficial and non-harmful ingredients.
We also considered Environmental Working Group ratings, as well as customer reviews.
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Whether you’re shopping online or IRL, choosing the right baby moisturizer proves a bit tricky. There are seemingly endless amounts of options and when you factor in that infant skin is easily irritated by fragrances, dyes, and other ingredients in skin care products and the environment? The choice can look even more complicated.
One good rule of thumb: Ointments are more hydrating than creams, which are more hydrating than lotions.
To find the perfect moisturizer to keep your baby’s skin soft and rash-free, try out one of these baby lube picks from top dermatologists who just so happen to be moms themselves.
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Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion
Aveeno is a daily moisturizing lotion for your baby that gives you not only soothing ingredients but also keeps your babys pores from clogging. Its odor-free and made with hypoallergenic that will not have any adverse effect on your baby. No rash, no dry skin, no dry patches or skin peeling for your baby when you have Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion. The formula doesnt stay heavy on the skin, but absorbs fast and keeps the skin from clogging.
Is Baby Lotion Good For Acne
Anyone with acne knows you have to be extremely careful what products you use so you dont make your acne worse. As mentioned before, if you have severe acne, its best to use products that are recommended by your dermatologist.
In general, baby lotion is not good for people with acne. Both Johnsons baby cream and Johnsons baby lotion, two of the most popular baby products, contain comedogenic ingredients that may cause acne breakouts.
If you have acne, its better for you to choose products that are designed specifically for acne-prone skin. Since baby lotion is designed for babies, it doesnt have the properties you may need to help with your acne and it may actually worsen your acne if you use it consistently.
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Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Rash Ointment
A sore baby bottom is, well, a bummer â for babies and their caregivers. Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Rash Ointment is made to soothe and protect your little oneâs bum from diaper rash discomfort. This powerful cream is a maximum strength formula for long-lasting comfort, but itâs made with clean ingredients like zinc oxide and sweet almond oil. â¦
Best For Eczema: Vaseline Pure Petroleum Jelly
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If your baby suffers from eczema, youll be limited in which lotions you can choose for his red, itchy skin. When it comes to the best baby lotion for eczema, we havent found anything that works better than old reliable: Vaseline.
Its the pediatrician-recommended ointment for baby eczema, and youll see most cases resolve themselves in just a few days once you begin applying Vaseline regularly. We like Vaseline Petroleum Jelly for Baby, which has a light and fresh scent that youll love and that wont irritate your babys sensitive skin.
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How To Combat Dryness In Newborn Babies
We are not telling all these things to make you frightened, but so that you can give special attention to taking proper care of your babys skin. You might have also heard, babys skin loses moisture sooner than the adults skin.
Yes, it is true. So, before you start a routine to protect your babys skin from any issues and put in special effort to lock the moisture, it will be best to know about the possible reasons. So, here are some common reasons that cause dry skin to your newborn.
How To Choose The Best Lotion For Your Newborn
The skin of a newborn is very different from an adult. The skin of a baby is much thinner and more fragile than that of an adult because it has not fully developed yet. Therefore, it requires special care, especially if your baby has sensitive skin.
However, with a variety of options available in the market, it can be difficult to select the right one for your baby. A wrong choice may do more harm than any good.
Here are some factors you need to consider while choosing a lotion to care for your babys skin:
- Ingredients: Choose a mild and gentle lotion that is free of colors, preservatives, perfume, phthalates, phenoxyethanol, and extracted plant oils. You should also check if your baby is allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients used in the product.
- Sensitivity: Avoid allergic reactions by opting for a lotion that is hypoallergenic on your babys skin.
- Age: Check the age group that the product caters to and pick one according to your babys age.
- Recommendation: Opt for a lotion that is doctor-recommended. in.
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Which Type Is Right For My Baby
That really depends on your baby’s skin. Does your baby have normal skin or is he prone to eczema, allergies, or irritation? Lotions are the most lightweight and typically the first line of dry-skin defense for babies with normal skin. Creams have a heavier consistency and will help with red, dry, irritated skin. Thick, sometimes greasy ointments are typically reserved for more severe skin irritation or eczema flare ups because they form a healing barrier on your babys skin.
If you’re trying a new lotion, particularly one with fragrances and dyes like some of the nighttime aromatherapy lotions, try applying the lotion to just a small part of your baby’s body first, for example, on just one forearm near the shoulder. Then wait for a few hours to see if any irritation occurs. If your baby’s skin stays clear, you should be fine to apply to the whole body.
When Can You Put Lotion On A Baby
Despite the silky nature of newborn skin, babies can experience dry skin and can also develop a variety of skin ailments from dryness to rashes. its important to know what products are healthy to use and when you can put lotion on your newborn babys skin.
According to Kaiser Pemanente, many newborns usually will not need to use a moisturizer. Newborns may have peeling skin but this is normal. If it seems like your baby suffers from dry skin or eczema, a moisturizer should be used. Your baby can also develop dry patches that may go away on their own but if dry skin persists, we recommend consulting your physician before starting any skin regimen on your baby, especially if youre treating a skin condition. A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that infants with a daily application of moisturizer had a 32 percent risk for developing eczema compared to 47 percent of the control group.
If you get the okay to start using lotion on your newborn, we always recommend organic products, and definitely ones that dont contain any synthetic dyes or fragrances, as babys skin is very sensitive. As a way to stay on top of your babys dry skin, its always helpful to carry a travel-sized lotion around as well.
Easy to apply, Erbaviva’s Baby Lotion is carefully crafted with natural emulsifiers and organic oils to moisturize sensitive skin. It’s scented with a custom blend of mandarin and chamomile essential oils.
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When To Consult A Pediatrician
You may notice that your baby has red skin with flaking and is itchy, it may be eczema and need to be seen by your pediatrician. The symptoms of eczema include red bumps, redness and peeling skin that itches. You may notice these areas on the arms, face and back of the knees. The doctor may suggest a medical treatment and offer some home remedies such as moist compresses to alleviate any discomfort.
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Baby Face Lotion For The Family
Baby face lotion is crafted with the particular needs of baby skin in mind. But since its hypoallergenic and typically free of a lot of the questionable chemical ingredients in adult face lotion, it may also be a good choice for your skin.
Opt for a natural baby face lotion, like our Hydra Bebe Facial Cream, Soothing Moisturizing Face Cream, Stelatopia Emollient Face Cream, or Certified Organic Hydrating Cream, knowing that baby lotion can also be amazing for the whole family!
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When Can You Put Lotion On A Newborn
Your babys skin care is just as important as all the late night feedings and diaper changes. You may be asking yourself, When can you put lotion on a newborn baby? Your new babys skin needs attention, but it is also very sensitive in the beginning.
You will want to use caution with products on newborns. They can be very sensitive to fragrance, dyes, soaps, certain chemicals and even things designed for babies. You may notice a rash or flaking skin after using something on your baby. This is why many parents wonder when they can start using baby lotion.
When To Use Baby Lotion
Baby skin is generally best suited for a less-is-more approach.
Its normal for babies skin to go through some transitions as they adjust to life outside the womb in the first few days and weeks, so dont be alarmed if you notice some acne or peeling early on.
Dont worry too much about these changes, unless your baby seems uncomfortable. If they do, consider talking to your pediatrician.
Infant skin problems, including dry skin, can be caused by unnecessary skin products. Many babies wont need lotion. In fact, most babies skin generally doesnt need much of anything other than an occasional sponge bath.
If you do decide to apply lotion to your infant, the best time to use it is right after bathtime. Using lotion after a bath could help lock in moisture and support the skin barrier, says Garshick.
However, dont bathe your baby just to put lotion on. In fact, young babies dont need a bath every day and when they do get a bath, they dont need soap. Soap can actually increase the risk of dry skin and skin irritation.
Because baby skin is naturally more delicate, youll want to look for baby lotions that are formulated without harsh ingredients that can be rough or irritating to your childs sensitive skin.
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Lets Hear It From The Experts
According to Sandy L. Chung, your newborns skin is extremely sensitive. So, it is important that you avoid harsh chemicals at least for a few weeks. These scented lotions and oils can cause rashes, and allergic reactions claim the expert. Similarly, you should also avoid powders as it can cause respiratory distress. However, many parents still want their newborns to smell nice, for that take the lotion or oil in your palm, rub it gently to warm it up and then apply to your babys skin, do so very frugally.
According to Susan Scott Ricci, Terri Kyle Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, you should always bathe and apply an unscented lotion of needed and avoid putting lotion on your babys head.
As per Pual Pettit, lotions are a big no as they block your babys sweat glands, and babies dont require lotion anyway.
So, its pretty apparent from the accounts of experts that lotions and scented oils are a big no, they dont do any good. In fact, they may even harm the baby. If you do feel that your babys skin is dehydrated even after 2 or 3 weeks of birth, consult a doctor.
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Do Newborns Need Lotion Anyway
The skin of a newborn baby is different from that of an adult. Newborn skin is thinner and more delicate, which makes it more susceptible to dryness. In addition, babies typically have less fat on their bodies than adults, which means they have less natural insulation against the cold.
These factors make it important for parents to use lotion on their newborns, primarily to help keep their infant babies skin healthy and hydrated.
Here are just a few reasons you should make sure to have lotion on hand for your new arrival:
- First, newborns have very sensitive skin, which can easily become dry and irritated. Lotion helps to keep skin hydrated and prevents dryness and scaling.
- Second, lotion can help to protect against diaper rash. The barrier that it creates helps to keep moisture in and irritants out.
- Finally, lotion helps to prevent the development of eczema, a chronic condition that can cause red, inflamed patches of skin.
That being said, the answer to Can you put lotion on the skin of a newborn baby? is yes, you definitely can.
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Babytime Soothing Cream By Episencial
If youre looking for an all-natural moisturizer, Babytime Soothing Cream features ingredients that would be just as at home in the kitchen: chamomile, shea butter, safflower, avocado, and jojoba oils. Antioxidants and probiotics help to settle easily inflamed infant skin. Infused essential oils make this a nice choice for postbath pampering.
To buy! Babytime! Soothing Cream by Episencial, $12
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Puracy Organic Baby Lotion
Best Organic Baby Lotion
Not only is this made with certified organic ingredients, but its also plant-based, non-toxic, vegan, gluten-free, and not tested on animals. Puracy Organic Baby Lotion was developed by doctors and is suitable for babies with the most sensitive skin even those with eczema.
The formulation is lightweight and includes natural oils that will both moisturize and nourish the skin. With the lavender and grapefruit scent, your baby will smell wonderful, too.
And with the companys 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, you can be sure youll be pleased with your purchase.
Pros
- It contains no harsh chemicals.
- Made in the USA.
- It contains a fragrance that can be an irritant for some babies.
- Some parents find the scent overpowering.
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Stelatopia Emollient Face Cream
If your baby has eczema-prone skin, Stelatopia Emollient Face Cream and our whole Stelatopia line is the way to go.
Crafted specifically to replenish, soothe, and restore the delicate skin on your babys face, this fragrance-free cream is gentle enough to use even on your babys eyelids and newborn skin.
It contains sunflower oil distillate to replenish lipids, avocado perseose to help protect and hydrate, and licorice extract to reduce visible redness and inflammation.
Weleda Nourishing Body Cream
Brand new bodies have a lot to learn from the first day of birth
Give babyâs skin the nurturing help and support it needs, with rich, smoothing Calendula Body Cream containing sesame oil and precious extracts of calendula. Restorative, deep care for dry areas, supporting essential skin moisture. After all, Weleda has been helping babyâs skin to â¦
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Where Can You Put Lotion On A Newborn
Some healthcare professionals also have given some advice on where to and where not to put lotion on your newborn or infant. According to Women and Infants, It is normal for the skin on your babys hands and feet to be very dry. Do not put lotion on the babys face. If you put lotion on the babys hands, cover them with a baby mitt or socks so the baby doesnt get the lotion in his or her mouth.
Similarly, according to the Mayo Clinic,the majority of newborns do not need lotion after being bathed. If his or her skin is very dry, apply a small amount of unscented baby moisturizer to the dry areas. The massage might make your baby feel good. If dryness continues, you might be bathing your baby too often.
Additionally, Kaiser Permanente explains that some babies have skin that is very dry and splits, especially around the ankles and hands. You can put olive oil, Vaseline, or AD ointment on those areas.
So to sum up, you should avoid putting lotion on a babys face, and if you do put lotion on their hands you should make sure they are covered so they dont accidentally get lotion in their mouth. You can also put small amounts of lotion on dry areas. And, if there is dryness or cracking around the ankles or hands, these spots can benefit from other emollients besides lotion.