Baby cream: which care cream is the best?

Why a baby cream?

In the first years of your child’s life, the skin’s natural protective mechanisms are not yet fully developed. The natural protective acid mantle, which is supposed to protect the body from environmental influences such as cold, wet, wind, dehydration and pathogens, does not work nearly as effectively as that of an adult. A cream for the baby should therefore on the one hand take over some of these tasks by leaving a protective greasy film on the skin. On the other hand, it should provide the sensitive skin with sufficient moisture and thus contribute to healthy skin development.

Important: Only apply as much cream as can penetrate the skin. Otherwise, heat can build up, which can lead to rashes. So the motto is: it’s better to apply cream more often than too thick!

Which cream is good for the baby?

There is no clear answer to the question of which cream is best for the baby, not only because there are countless different products on the market. The fact that the whole body cannot be treated with the same care product also makes differentiation necessary. Basically, a distinction can be made between three different areas of action, all of which should be cared for differently: face, body and buttocks.

• Face:Your baby’s facial skin is most exposed to the elements. While the rest of the body is protected from the cold, wind and sun by clothing, the face is mostly exposed. It is therefore particularly important to protect the sensitive skin in this area from drying out. So-called “wind and weather creams” are particularly suitable for this, as they can be easily spread over small faces even at low temperatures. The so-called water-in-oil emulsions consist largely of fat and thus form an effective protective film against wind and cold. Because they contain so little water, there is also no risk of the cream freezing on the skin when the outside temperature is low. Many wind and weather creams are also available with a sun protection factor, which protects the skin from UV rays. Other fat creams are better not to be used on the face unless your child suffers from severedry skin . You should be particularly careful with baby acne , as the pimples under the layer of fat can easily become inflamed.

• Body: In relation to their body weight, children have a much larger skin surface than adults. In relative terms, therefore, significantly more moisture is lost through the skin. To protect your child from dry and vulnerable skin, you should rub their body regularly with a moisturizing cream. So-called oil-in-water emulsions are particularly suitable for this purpose. They contain a lot of water and little fat, which makes them easy to spread. This makes the procedure more comfortable for your child because the sensitive skin is not pulled as much. Since body milk or lotions are also absorbed faster than greasy creams, they leave a slightly cooling effect, which is particularly pleasant in summer.

• Bottom: Your baby’s bottom is a very special area that is exposed to a lot of stress every day. The aggressive acids in the faeces and urine put a lot of strain on the delicate baby skin. It is all the more important to carefully protect this area from becoming sore. It is best to use special wound creams for this. They are suitable for both prevention and treatment of a sore bottom . Wound creams usually contain antiseptic agents such as marigold extract, chamomile, panthenol or zinc oxidecontained, which inhibit the development of fungi and bacterial infections and support wound healing. Zinc-containing creams also protect the skin particularly well from moisture, since some components of zinc ointment have a high water absorption capacity. Wetness, for example urine, is bound and at the same time kept away from the baby’s skin by the dense film of fat that does not penetrate the skin. This is referred to as a covering effect.

What else should you look for in a cream for your baby?

So that your baby’s skin is optimally cared for and can develop healthily, it is not only important to select the right product for different parts of the body. Above all, you should pay attention to the ingredients and the composition of the baby care products.

• Allergy-causing substances: Avoid buying creams that contain artificial colors and fragrances, as these can irritate the baby’s sensitive skin and cause allergic reactions. For this reason, caution is also required with preservatives. Look out for products that are labeled “hypoallergenic” or have the Deutsche Haut- und Allergiehilfe eV (DHA) logo on them.
• Moisturizing effect: A cream for babies should at best have a moisturizing effect to compensate for the increased moisture loss of immature skin. Care products based on vegetable oils are therefore particularly suitable because, in contrast to synthetic oils such as mineral oil or silicone, they penetrate deep into the skin and thus sustainably support its natural barrier function.
• Urea: Some creams also contain urea, the so-called urea. This active ingredient also promotes skin health to a particular degree, as it stabilizes the horny layer and thus helps the skin to bind water better. However, urea should only be used preventively. Ointment containing urea can burn unpleasantly on inflamed skin. When using it, also make sure that the urea concentration for children should only be about 2-3%. Ointments for adults usually have a concentration of 5-10%.

Like all cosmetic products, baby care products are subject to particularly strict controls with regard to their skin compatibility. However, every skin is different, which is why not every cream works equally well for every baby. If your child shouldn’t tolerate a cream or if his complexion deteriorates, you can change the product first. If there is still no improvement, you should discuss the problem with your pediatrician to rule out serious skin diseases.