Among baby care products, baby soap takes a leading position. It is studied with particular meticulousness, because an incorrectly selected product can harm a child.
Material Content:
Features of the skin of the baby
The delicate skin of the newborn has characteristic signs:
- thinner than in adults, the protective layer of the epidermis;
- differs in poorly debugged sebaceous and sweat glands;
- has an increased intensity of gas exchange;
- Detects hypersensitivity to the sun, chemicals.
These features make you carefully choose a child care product. The usual "adult" soap will not work.
Varieties of Soaps for Kids
There are three main types of soap products for children:
- Solid cosmetics - the category of the most “ancient” washing types of bath products. Such funds are used to clean young skin and remove dirt on children's clothing. Lump soap acts on the skin quite aggressively, but has high cleansing abilities. For bathing, solid products are recommended to be used no more than once every 7-10 days. Daily they can be used only for washing hands. Bars are also not forbidden to wash or remove stains on children's underwear.
- Baby liquid soap has a more gentle effect. Thanks to a special dispenser, such a product is convenient to use. This is an economical and hygienic version of cosmetics. High-quality liquid products are recommended for babies daily hygiene.
- Cream soap is a special group of products for the care of children's skin.On sale you can find liquid and solid varieties of such a product. Cream soap cleanses delicate skin and performs specific care. Such a tool can moisturize, further soften the skin, relieve it from irritation, and have an antibacterial effect.
Usually, all three types of soap are used in the process of caring for the baby. The choice of remedy depends on the situation. A liquid is suitable for daily bathing; lumpy will help to clean the dirty skin of the hands of a child. Cream soap of a certain composition should be used to get rid of bacteria, inflammation on the skin or to achieve a calming effect.
For washing children's things they use special means without bleach. Such preparations account for no more than 15% surfactants, and their distinguishing feature is their effect at rather high temperatures.
The composition of baby soap
When creating soap for children, various substances are used:
- as a basis: natural vegetable fats (palm, coconut and other types of oils) or animal origin;
- for a softening effect, boric acid, glycerin, lanolin, spermaceti are administered;
- additional ingredients - fatty acids, beeswax, honey, triclosan and others.
Extracts and plant oils form a special group in soap, due to which the product acquires special properties:
- lavender soothes; calendula, plantain and celandine have a healing effect;
- the series fights skin irritation;
- products based on olives and avocados well soften and effectively exfoliate;
- cosmetics with fir or spruce oils help to overcome pathogenic bacteria.
Age selection rules
The most stringent requirements apply to soap products for the smallest.
The range of permitted funds increases as the child grows older:
- It is unacceptable to use harmful chemical elements in soap for newborns. A hypoallergenic product of liquid consistency is chosen. When buying, they prefer products that are painted white or colorless, with a mild odor. Bright soap usually contains harmful chemical additives.
- In the absence of allergic reactions for children older than three months of age, agents with various herbal supplements are gradually beginning to be used. First, choose soap with chamomile, string, St. John's wort, plantain or sage extract. It not only cleanses, but also relieves irritation, helps to overcome diaper rash, heals small wounds.
- Soap cosmetics with additives in the form of honey and coniferous extracts can be used only for children older than six months. Citrus species for babies are not recommended.
- After a year, they begin to more often replace liquid varieties of soap products with solid ones. By the age of three, you can use bar soap once a week during bath procedures.
- For a child older than five years in the absence of allergies, it is appropriate to choose a quality soap with a “tasty” aroma: strawberry, chocolate or others, taking into account personal preferences.
Before buying the goods carefully inspect:
- Check expiration date. A product with an expired storage date is dangerous to use.
- Learn the composition of baby soap. Such cosmetics should not contain synthetic components, mineral oils, dyes, active substances, flavors, perfumes, parabens, sulfates.
- Inspect the packaging. It is worth giving up the goods with various damages, deformations.
- Clarify the level of acidity of the product. For baby skin, only soap with a neutral pH of not more than 8 is suitable.
- Examine the labeling. Cosmetics for newborns should have a special mark “from birth” or “0+”. High-quality eco-friendly products are labeled with "Ecocert", "Cosmos Organic", "ICEA" or "Cosmos NATURE". The absence of dyes and parabens confirms the inscription "BDIH".
In babies, an allergen test is performed before using a new soap.A cotton swab is moistened with a tool and lightly rubbed on it with skin in the area of the elbow. The reaction is checked after 24 hours. If there is redness on the site, the product cannot be used.
On sale you can find various handmade soap products. This is a worthy replacement for store cosmetics, but it’s not always realistic to know the exact composition of such products. A more reliable alternative may be soap made by hand.
The harm and benefits of detergent
A hygienic product has a positive effect on immature skin:
- softens;
- disinfects;
- moisturizes;
- cleans.
Soap for children without additives and fragrances is also suitable for adults. Liquid types are recommended not only for washing and bathing, but also for shampooing. Thanks to some of them, it is possible to overcome the oily hair and get rid of dandruff.
The emollients of the cream soap cleanse carefully without damaging the skin. But it is impossible to regularly use its antibacterial varieties. Such agents typically contain triclosan or triclocarban. These substances kill not only the "bad", but also beneficial organisms on the surface of the skin. They protect the skin from harmful bacteria, but at the same time, disease resistance decreases. It is appropriate to use antibacterial soap from time to time. For example, with a decrease in immunity, the presence of microtraumas, while in a medical institution, when visiting a swimming pool, public bath.
After using the soap, experts recommend applying a special body milk, lotion, or other similar products to children's skin. This is especially true when using a solid soap bar, this composition often overdries the skin.
Rating of the best baby soap
Products from a wide variety of manufacturers received popularity among buyers.
List leaders starting with the most inexpensive items:
- Hypoallergenic soap "Baby" from the "Neva cosmetics" contains chamomile essential oils, does not dry out, cleanses and eliminates inflammation.
- The solid Johnsons Baby bar with natural milk does not irritate delicate skin. It has a dense solid structure; when it enters the water, it does not become sap for a long time.
- Eared Nannies liquid soap with aloe juice is suitable for newborns. Funds last for a long time thanks to a convenient dispenser. Nourishes the skin and maintains its natural balance.
- Bubchen's natural baby remedy has a pleasant aroma. Suitable for sensitive skin.
- The German manufacturer BabyLine has a wonderful liquid soap with chamomile. It has a calming effect, rarely causes allergies.
- Organic cosmetics Little Siberica is recommended for babies from the first weeks of life. Perfectly moisturizes, helps to cope with diaper rash.
- Ecolab liquid soap has the properties of a cream, gently cares, has a natural composition.
- The soap product Shea Moisture for children with argan oil and incense does not contain animal fats. It has a calming effect.
- Weleda vegetable solid soap has a pleasant light aroma, preserves the silkiness and smoothness of children's skin. Does not upset water balance.
- Mommy Care Israel is an organic product. This is a high quality product rich in Dead Sea minerals.
It’s hard to say which soap is better for newborns. Buyers have to consider not only its composition, but also the price, as well as the individual characteristics of their child.
A correctly selected product will take care of the appearance of the baby and his health, give many pleasant moments.
