Thursday, March 10, 2011

How to Shop for Skincare Products for Your Kids

Being a parent means worrying about pretty much everything when it comes to your child or children. From what they eat to where they go and who they play with, the list of worry for a parent is seemingly endless. Skincare can be yet another area where your concerns as a parent play a huge role. Each day you have to make decisions based on your child’s wellbeing. Having knowledge about how to shop for skincare products for your children, however, will remove at least one stressful factor from your list.

As a new parent or a well seasoned vet, skincare products may be the last thing on your mind when it comes to your children. Maybe the concept of skincare where your children are concerned is no more than getting them to take a bath, putting on lotion and then getting them to bed. However, maintaining the health of your child/children’s skin is very important. From infants to toddlers and pre-teens, skincare should be a vital part of their daily routine. Healthy skin is happy skin so keep the following tips in mind while shopping for the right items for your kids.

It goes without saying that young children, especially babies, have very sensitive skin. Due to the wide selection of items available on store shelves, it can be downright confusing as to which formulas, ingredients and products would be best for your little ones. Perhaps one of the best tips to keep in mind is to use common sense. For example, if you have a newborn, you’ll only want to use skincare items that are formulated for newborns. Read the labels and make sure the products you reach for are made for your child’s age range. Another helpful tip is to avoid going overboard - keep it simple! While adults may invest tons of money on a score of items to keep their complexions on point, babies and children don’t need as much. Not only does this make things more convenient for you, it also helps you save money. For babies the most you’ll need in terms of skincare will be baby wash, shampoo and lotion. Depending on your baby’s skin type, you may have to shop accordingly for the appropriate moisturizing lotion. If you are in doubt, consult your pediatrician, who can make suggestions.

When it comes to ingredients, you can’t go wrong with all natural. Many skincare lines now offer products that contain natural ingredients while being formulated for young skin. Because sun damage is always a threat for babies and young children, you’ll also want to make sure you’ve got quality sunscreen made for kids. If you can find a body lotion that contains SPF that is a plus.

Although you may want your baby or children to smell good, avoid skincare items that are heavily scented. This is usually a sign that the ingredients contained will be too harsh on your child’s skin, which could result in dryness or a negative skin reaction.