Skincare is quite an essential habit. When practised every day, it can quite literally result in a glowing appearance! As a parent, the joy of skincare is being able to inculcate the same healthy habits in your child. And, this can be an enjoyable process! Kids are best engaged when they are able to model after their parents. As such, it’s best to introduce them to skincare at an early age!
However, it’s important to know that skincare for kids should target problems unique to them. In fact, if you have an infant, your concern should be regarding how to hydrate baby skin! The natural protective barriers of the skin develop with age. This means that dry skin is a genuine issue that your kid may face. By understanding this fact, and potential counters to it, you’ll be well-equipped to foster a healthy skincare habit in your child! Read on to learn more…
What Causes Dry Skin in Kids?
Wondering why and how to hydrate kids' skin? Don’t worry! It’s quite easy to understand. Dry skin, as the name implies, is a condition where the skin manages to lose too much moisture and natural oils. This leads to a rough, flaky, and quite itchy skin texture. Not only is this irritating to sensitive skin, but it may also lead to infections, scarring, and later on, acne. Young mothers may especially get frightened by this, leading them to frantically search for how to get rid of dry skin on baby face.
Remember, dry skin is not always a sign of a deeper ailment. It’s simply the body’s natural reaction to dry weather. If you live in a particularly low-humidity environment, the skin tends to lose moisture quickly. This is especially common in the winter or perpetually air-conditioned spaces. However, it’s also essential to check for other factors. For instance, frequent hot baths are a common culprit. Consistent use of rough fabrics also leads to further irritation and dryness!
Tips to Hydrate Kids Skin
Thanks to modern medical science, your worry about how to hydrate kids skin can be easily answered. It all comes down to healthy and consistent skincare habits. Your role is to ensure that your kids use only naturally derived and chemical-free
products for maximum care! Here’s what you need to know…
Bathing
Fixing unhealthy bathing practices can go a long way when the concern is about how to hydrate baby skin. Firstly, avoid daily baths unless absolutely necessary. 3 times a week is sufficient for extremely young children. Ensure that bath water is lukewarm, i.e., comfortable enough for a bath but not harsh enough to remove natural oils. A best practice for hygiene is to use mild and gentle cleansers instead of regular soap. These can go a long way in dealing with dryness!
Moisturising
After a healthy bath, it’s important to take an additional step towards hydration. This involves establishing moisturising as a part of healthy skincare. When your child applies moisturiser immediately after a bath, a barrier is created to prevent water loss from the skin. Additionally, it reduces current itchiness and discomfort due to dry skin. It’s best to use the
Delicate Body Lotion formulated by the experts at
Lav Kids! This has chamomile and sweet almond oil extracts to help nourish the skin. Additionally, it’s quite gentle on the skin, ensuring no further harm!
Going Beyond the Skin - Laundry, Linens and Humidifiers
When the concern is regarding how to hydrate kids skin, proper bathing and moisturising are only half of the equation. Dry skin in children is often a reaction to other factors. By tweaking these specific factors, your child is sure to enjoy fresh and moisturised skin for a long time. Here’s what you need to know:
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Laundry Products - Heavily fragrant detergents include very harsh chemicals. These are likely to irritate sensitive skin. Avoid them at all costs when handling your child’s laundry!
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Skin-Friendly Fabric - Daily wear for kids must be soft and breathable. All you need are some simple cotton clothes. These fabrics allow the skin to breathe and thus prevent dryness.
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Climate - Indoor climate is quite a major culprit. First, check what resting humidity levels are in your home. Based on this information, incorporate a humidifier to maintain ~40% humidity!
When to Contact Your Pediatrician?
A deeper concern in how to get rid of dry skin on baby face is identifying related issues. There’s a small chance that dry skin does not improve after moisturising. It may continue to become itchy and painful! If this happens, it is best to check with your child’s pediatrician. Research has identified that certain
allergens, ailments like eczema, and other side effects are common causes of dry skin. Medical attention can help develop an appropriate treatment plan for your kid!
Final Thoughts
Dry skin is a concern, but only if you let it become one! Engage your kids in the process of skincare to help protect against dry skin. Kids are quite perceptive to new habits and behaviours. Encouraging and incentivising them to stay healthy, bathe gently, and moisturise immediately can go a long way in preventing skin concerns. Your child will not only carry this lesson throughout their life but will also be grateful to you for inculcating such a positive habit!
