Natural and Organic Baby Skincare: Why it matters!

Natural and Organic Baby Skincare - No new parent wants to use a product that will irritate their baby's sensitive skin. With so many products available it can be challenging to sort through all the options. And choose the best one for your infant.

In fact, you may have a lot of questions about what your baby's skin needs? And what ingredients in skin care products are best for your child? Here's a rundown of what you need to know to choose the best natural and organic skin care products for your baby or toddler.

How is infant skin different from your skin?

You may think your skin is sensitive, but babies do have skin that is different from adult skin. Scientists examined infant and adult skin to determine how they differed in structure. It was found that the toughest outermost layer of skin, the stratum corneum, is 30 percent thinner in babies. The entire outer layer, called the epidermis, is 20 percent thinner. What's more, infant skin cells are smaller than those of adults. Which makes sense when we think of how quickly a baby's skin can grow and heal.

Because babies have thinner skin with cells that reproduce and grow rapidly. It's important to use only skin products that have gentle, natural and organic ingredients. Any ingredients you use will penetrate the thinner outer layer of your newborn's skin. So they shouldn't contain any chemicals or synthetic by-products that would cause harm or disrupt your baby's delicate skin structure.

Why are natural and organic ingredients essential?

The World Health Organisation. Task Force for the Protection of Children's Environmental Health identified nearly 15 years ago that:

Kids around the world "are vulnerable to the effects of many chemical, biological and physical agents." The report found:

Children under five years old are just 12% of the population of the world. They have roughly 40 percent of the environmentally related disease burden. This means the youngest among us are the most susceptible to chemicals in the environment. We shouldn't do anything that will increase our little ones' chemical intake. Especially at a very young and vulnerable age.

Using natural and organic ingredients can reduce the chemical burden for our infants and toddlers.

Natural and organic ingredients have:

No chemical residue.

Are not synthetic.

Are not produced with petroleum, or other harsh chemicals.

Using natural and organic products gives you peace of mind that your child is not absorbing or ingesting more toxins through the skin.

How do you know if a product is natural and organic?

Look for the label to state if baby skin care products like Natralus' My Little One line are natural and organic baby skincare products. Natralus products are Australian made Natural and organic.

Natural and organic baby skincare means no chemicals are used in the growing or harvesting process all the way through the supply chain.

Using natural and organic ingredients means a company has gone the extra mile to ensure their products are a safer option.

Some products say they are natural and organic, but they only use a small percentage of natural and organic ingredients. Natralus only uses natural and organic, toxin-free ingredients in the My Little One range of baby skin care products.

What natural and organic ingredients should you look for in baby skin care products?

The backbone of Natralus' My Little One products is organic Paw Paw. Paw Paw otherwise known as papaya contains natural sugars and protective antioxidants. Its gentle enzymes clean and remove dead skin cells, effectively cleaning without chemicals. Paw Paw also has anti-inflammatory properties. This will soothe any irritation to your baby's sensitive skin.

Besides Paw Paw, Natralus products also contain these natural and organic ingredients:

Shea Butter

Oatmeal extract

Calendula

Aloe Vera

Rosehip

Jojoba Oil

These ingredients help to moisturise and soothe your child's skin. As well as assisting healing of any small abrasions quickly. The gentle oils protect the skin and work with the skins natural oils to protect from environmental toxins.

Which ingredients in traditional baby skin care products should be avoided?

Some non-natural and organic products are particularly harmful to young children. These should never be in your baby's skin care products. These include anything petroleum-based. As petroleum jelly and mineral oil form a greasy layer over the skin. This blocks pores and prevents the skin from working naturally. As a result, your baby's skin may even stop producing critical oils and become more cracked and dried.

Petroleum can also be absorbed through the skin. Adding to the environmental toxic burden that children are exposed to. And who hasn't seen a baby chewing or sucking on his hands or fingers? Accidental ingestion is another reason to eliminate exposure to petroleum-containing products.

At Natralus, we also avoid parabens and sulphates. Some of these chemicals are suspected of being carcinogenic even at low doses. Sulphates, which help produce lather, are extremely drying to the delicate skin. We don't think either of these types of chemicals should be in products that go on your baby's skin.

Lanolin, while naturally sourced from a sheep's wool. Almost always contains residues from the pesticides sprayed on the sheep. Accordingly, we leave out Lanolin as well.

And, of course, we reject all artificial fragrances or colours. They are too harsh for your baby's skin and can cause irritation and even skin rashes.

What does Natralus recommend for sensitive infant and toddler skin?

Our My Little One range of products are created and produced specifically for young children and their needs. Because a child's skin is very different to an adult's skin. Having natural and organic ingredients is important. These won't burden or overpower their delicate skin structure. At the same time, you want to be sure that you're removing dirt from your baby's skin and hair during bath time. Our products work well with their blend of specially chosen natural and organic ingredients. They do a fantastic job of cleansing and protecting skin. The My Little One Loving Care Nourishing skin Lotion is perfect for moisturising and restoring your little ones delicate skin.

The My Little One products are effective without containing any harsh chemicals that can damage the skin.

Naturally scented Natralus products will not overpower your baby's natural and lovely scent.

The six products in the Natralus My Little One line are:

Gentle Cleanse Shampoo & Body Wash

Loving Care Nourishing Skin Lotion (Certified Organic by OFC)

Joyful Bubbles Bubble Bath

Relaxing Touch Massage Oil (with natural and organic oils)

Make it Better Soothing Repair Balm (available in a tube or tub)

Happy Bottom Nappy Barrier Cream

All of our products for infants and toddlersare natural and organic and toxin-free. You can use them without worry, as each one is gently formulated to be just right for your baby's sensitive skin. They also make a wonderful gift for new parents who want the best for their child, and choose organic baby skincare.

At Natralus, we take great care to design and manufacture skin care products. Ones that you'll be happy for your family to use. Look for our My Little One products in supermarkets, pharmacies and healthcare shops throughout Australia or online.