Top tips for caring for your baby's winter skin

Why does skin become so dry in winter?

The humidity in the air plummets in winter leaving the air dry. Your skin faces this daily and since your skin is essentially a semi-permeable membrane, the dry air will draw out the moisture in your skin through osmosis resulting in Trans-epidermal Water Loss (TEWL).
In addition to the dry air, we heat our homes in winter resulting in a hot dry indoor environment which further accelerates moisture loss from the skin.
Taking hot showers and baths, coupled with the use of strong soaps and washes, strip the natural oil content from the surface of the skin and further aggravate dry skin.

A baby’s skin is just as prone to the eﬀects of winter skin and often presents with inﬂamed and chafed cheeks or dry red patches on the body.

What can be done?

Choosing washes with ultra-mild surfactants that do not raise the PH of the skin and don’t strip the skin of natural oils is critical during the winter months. Harsh surfactants such as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) dry out the skin and are proven skin irritants. Conventional soaps are also exceptionally drying and should be avoided if you are suﬀering from dry skin.

Applying body creams and lotions daily, can really assist in improving the moisture content of the skin. However not all creams are created equal. Many use petrochemicals and mineral oil as the base which does not absorb into the skin but sits on the surface, temporarily alleviating symptoms but creating a dependence on reapplication.

Products made with natural plant oils such as Jojoba Oil, Sesame Oil, Shea Butter, Olive Oil and Coconut Oil, will be absorbed into the skin and improve the skin’s natural moisture content and normal barrier function. Massaging these natural lotions into your baby’s skin daily will greatly improve hydration levels and prevent dry and inﬂamed skin.

Under extreme conditions such a severe dry, cold and wind, the application of a barrier cream can be beneﬁcial to minimise TEWL. Choosing barrier creams made with natural vegetable oils and glycerin are much healthier for the skin than petroleum jelly and other petrochemical based options. Applying the barrier cream to your baby’s cheeks and other exposed parts before exposure to the cold, wind and dry will minimise moisture loss from the skin.

Tips for beating winter dryness

Avoid exposing baby to baths for long periods. Rather opt for warm water for shorter periods. Add a tablespoon of any natural plant oil to the bathwater in very dry conditions or if your baby’s skin shows signs of dryness.
Use a gentle body wash that contains an ultra- mild surfactant. Avoid soap and harsh chemical washes such as SLS.
Use creams and lotions that do not contain petrochemicals or mineral oil. Look out for products with natural plant oil bases. Massage baby’s body daily with one of these lotions.
Place a humidiﬁer in your baby’s bedroom at night or any room that is heated for prolonged periods

About the Author: Pure Beginnings Organic Baby & Kids ultra-mild washes, creams and lotions are the perfect remedy for beating the winter dryness. The Pure Beginnings product range is available at Baby City, Wellness Warehouse, Faithful-to-nature and leading independent health stores.