When it comes to bathing your little bundle of joy, you cannot take any risks with the baby products, such as soaps and cleansers, etc. Your baby’s skin is very delicate and tends to lose moisture quickly.
Therefore, you must choose a soap that hydrates and nourishes your child’s skin. However, with so many various kinds of baby soaps on the market, choosing the best soap for your baby can be a difficult task!
But don’t worry; we’re here to help! In this article, we will inform you about 7 things to keep in mind when shopping for baby soap.
So let’s get started!
7 Things To Keep In Mind When Shopping For Baby Soap
1. Say No To Harmful Ingredients
One of the most important considerations when selecting soap for your little one is to check if it doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients. Avoid products that contain:
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – SLS are hazardous compounds included in many baby products as lathering agents.
According to studies, long-term exposure to these chemicals has been shown to irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.
- Parabens – Parabens are commonly used in many baby products and The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has classed them as very dangerous.
- Propylene Glycol – It is linked to kidney, liver, and brain abnormalities according to studies.
Tip: When trying out baby soap for the first time, always do a patch test. Simply apply a little amount on your baby’s arm and wait for a while to look for any allergic reaction.
2. Say Yes To Natural Ingredients
Now that you have an idea of the ingredients that are harmful to your baby, let’s also have a look at ingredients that are safe for your baby’s delicate skin.
Always look for productions infused with natural ingredients such as aloe vera, olive oil, almond oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, honey, oatmeal, Vitamin E, cocoa butter, and shea butter, etc.
Not only are these ingredients safe to use on your baby’s skin, but they also help in maintaining the moisture of your baby’s skin and protecting it against any rashes.
3. Avoid Using Antibacterial Soaps
While you may be concerned that your baby’s skin will become infected, you don’t need to use antibacterial soap on them. The explanation for this is that ordinary soap is equally as effective as antibacterial soap at killing germs.
Antibacterial soaps, on the other hand, contain ingredients like triclosan and triclocarban. Studies suggest that these compounds have the potential to degrade the body’s bacterial resistance and impair the immune system.
Moreover, triclosan and triclocarban have also been related to liver and inhalation damage, according to The Environmental Working Group (EWG).
4. Scented Soaps – A Big NO!
Babies have their own fragrance and you don’t need to use a scented soap for them! Scented soaps are loaded with hard chemicals such as phthalates that may irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions.
According to studies, phthalates can interfere with hormone function in the body. Therefore while shopping for baby soap, check product labels carefully, and avoid products with the words “fragrance” or “perfume” on the label. Always go for fragrance-free products.
5. Consider Your Baby’s Skin Type
Every baby’s skin type is different – some have oily skin while some have dry skin or sensitive skin. As a result, a soap that suits one type of skin may not be good for the other. It is important to consider your baby’s skin type while shopping for baby soap.
- If your baby has oily skin, you can choose any mild soap.
- If your baby’s skin is dry, you should choose a soap that is full of moisturizers so that their skin would not become drier.
- If your baby has sensitive skin or skin conditions such as eczema, opt for hypoallergenic baby soaps.
6. Look For A pH Balancing Soap
The pH of the skin refers to how acid or alkali it is and it varies from 1 to 14 on a pH scale.
The pH of a baby’s skin is different from that of an adult’s skin. Babies have a relatively high pH (between 6 and 5) because their skin is three times thinner than adult skin, and lack proper protective barrier.
It is therefore vital that you choose a soap capable of maintaining the pH of your baby’s skin. Look carefully at the pH of the product and see whether it is around 5.5, as it is the ideal value for babies.
Maintaining a pH of 5.5 protects your baby’s naturally acidic skin coat. If this barrier is disturbed, your baby’s skin can get too dry and sensitive.
7. Bubbles Baths Are A Trouble!
While giving a bubble bath to your little bundle of joy can be fun, many bubble bath products contain harmful ingredients.
Bubble bath products contain ingredients such as SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) as a foaming agent for making bubbles. They can damage the natural acidic mantle of your baby’s skin.
According to studies, a bubble bath is one of the most common causes of urinary tract infections (UTI) in infants due to the soapy residue not being rinsed correctly from their intimate areas.
FAQs
How frequently should I bathe my baby?
Since babies don’t get dirty and sweaty easily, you don’t need to bathe them daily. Bathing them 2-3 times a week would be enough.
When can I wash my baby with regular soap?
You should use only baby products or mild soap just on the portions of your baby’s body that need it till he’s 1 year old.
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Conclusion
Bathing your little munchkin can be really exciting and it is a great time to bond with your baby!
Choosing the right baby soap will not only make bath time enjoyable for your child but will also protect their gentle skin from any harm.
By now, we hope that you know how to find the perfect soap for your baby.
If you still have any queries, you can type them in the comment section below and we will be happy to help you!
