How to choose a baby cream for the little ones

Once upon a time, the phrase "baby cream" was understood as a very specific tube of universal cream with the same name. This cream was beyond competition, it was used in different situations and for different parts of the body. However, the baby products and cosmetics industry is constantly releasing new products. Now a newborn baby may have more creams than a mother, and each of them will be for children. All of these care products are designed for different purposes. Let's see what types of baby creams exist, for which situations each of them is suitable.

What is baby cream

Moisturizing baby cream. Contrary to popular belief that there should be a minimum of different chemistry in caring for a baby, a moisturizer is a must. In newborn babies, the skin is very thin and delicate, the work of the glands has not yet been regulated. During bathing, the lipid film that protects the skin from the external environment is washed off, as a result, the skin dries up and begins to peel off. A moisturizer applied after bathing rebuilds this protective barrier. The composition of this cream includes vegetable oils, glycerin and vitamins.
Anti-inflammatory baby cream, or cream for irritation... This cream has a soothing effect on baby's skin, relieves irritation, and is effective even for wound healing. However, the main problem for babies is diaper rash, so this cream is often used under a diaper. Many anti-inflammatory creams are labeled accordingly. The soothing and healing effect of such a cream is due to the herbal extracts of chamomile, string, calendula included in the composition. In addition, the composition contains panthenol, which contributes to better skin regeneration, and zinc oxide, which has an antimicrobial effect.
Protective baby cream. The baby's skin has to be protected from the effects of the environment, be it frost and wind or the scorching sun. In the hot season, when most of the body is exposed to the sun's rays, use a sunscreen containing UV filters. There are special creams for winter, they create protection from frost and wind on the skin in the form of an oily film. It is necessary to apply the “winter” cream in advance, so that the cream has time to be completely absorbed, otherwise its effect will be the opposite: the unabsorbed cream will freeze on the skin surface and lead to hypothermia.
Universal baby cream. Thanks to its rich composition, this product copes with almost any task: it moisturizes, nourishes, protects and relieves irritation. Creams with a narrow spectrum of action, of course, are more effective, but if the problem is weak, a universal cream will do. Such a remedy must also be in the first-aid kit, especially since it is impossible for a mother to predict what problems she will face, and a universal cream is suitable in any situation.

Choosing the "right" baby cream

Given the variety of types of creams and manufacturers, it is important to learn how to choose safe and high-quality products for your baby. Knowing some of the rules for choosing a baby cream will help you not to get confused in front of the shelf in the store and choose the best for your little one.

Buying baby cream, like any goods for children, is in specialized departments or pharmacies, that is, in those places that inspire confidence and can vouch for compliance with all the rules for storing goods. Baby cream has a shelf life and must be stored under certain conditions, non-compliance with this rule leads to the fact that the effectiveness of some components decreases, and in some cases such a cream can provoke skin problems.
Speaking of shelf life. The longer the shelf life of the cream, the more preservatives and different "chemicals" it contains. Choose a baby cream with the shortest shelf life.
The composition of a baby cream, of course, must be natural. The presence of parabens, mineral or paraffin oils in the baby cream is unacceptable. All these substances are refined products and are very harmful to baby's delicate skin (for adults, by the way, too).
When studying the composition of the cream, look at the location of the components in the list. The further a substance is on the list of ingredients, the lower its mass fraction in the cream. Often on the packaging it is stated that the cream contains some expensive and effective component, but in the end it turns out that its content in the cream is so negligible that it will have no effect.
Pay attention to how baby cream looks and smells. The presence of dyes or harsh fragrances is very undesirable: these are quite aggressive chemicals that can cause irritation or an allergic reaction in the baby.
Don't ignore age labeling. What is suitable for children 2-3 years old is not always appropriate for a newborn baby.

Baby cream: safety precautions

It is worth using baby cream without fanaticism. It is unlikely that it will be possible to completely abandon such funds, but you should not abuse creams either. You should not once again smear your favorite ass with cream, if there is no objective need for this.

Be sure to observe the shelf life of an open tube. It is better if the tube is initially small: bacteria can easily multiply in long-stored open tubes of the cream.

Be sure to test for an allergic reaction. This recommendation is often neglected, but when it comes to an infant, it is better to play it safe in order to avoid serious problems.

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