How does a baby's skin differ from an adult's?
Immediately after birth, a baby's skin is exposed to a variety of adverse environmental factors. Despite the fact that the basic structures of a newborn's skin have already been formed in utero, it still has certain anatomical, physiological, and functional characteristics that differ from those of adults. For example, the epidermal barrier, which provides the main protective function, is still "immature," the outermost layer of the skin - the stratum corneum - is significantly thinner than in adults, the hydrolipidic mantle is not fully formed, and moisture evaporation from the skin's surface is much more intense. These characteristics predispose infant skin to inflammation, dryness, and the penetration of infectious agents and potential allergens. Generally, infant skin continues to develop during the first two years of life, after which most of its parameters are practically the same as those of adults. Given this fact, it is crucial to follow the basic principles of care in the early stages of a child's life, taking into account the dynamic properties and characteristics of the skin, since maintaining the barrier function is crucial for maintaining the necessary level of hydration, as well as preventing irritation, xerosis or maceration of the skin and the penetration of allergens and other pathogens through the thin stratum corneum and the still weak epidermal barrier.
Washing and changing your baby correctly
Proper cleansing is necessary to remove unwanted contaminants that act as potential skin irritants, including saliva, nasal discharge, body fluids, dust, food debris and pathogens. Clean water is generally used for washing or rinsing a baby, without the use of alkaline soaps or other cosmetics/cleansers containing surfactants, which not only disrupt the skin's surface pH but also negatively impact the hydrolipidic mantle and epidermal barrier. However, water alone may not be sufficient to remove all fat-soluble impurities (such as sebum) from the skin's surface. Furthermore, hard tap water negatively impacts both the pH and barrier function, leading to irritation and drying of the baby's skin. Therefore, optimal care requires the use of specialized pharmaceutical dermatocosmetics designed to effectively cleanse and restore the skin barrier, maintaining its functional integrity. Furthermore, such specialized baby skin care products have a proven safety profile and do not contain any ingredients that are harsh or allergenic to delicate infant skin, making them suitable for use from the very first days of a child's life. Among the most suitable products in this regard are the shampoo and shower cream gel from the LIBREDERM Baby line, whose active ingredients include cotton extract, aloe vera gel, wheat proteins, and panthenol. The combined action of these ingredients provides comprehensive care, including gentle cleansing, moisturizing and restoring the integrity of the skin, as well as reducing excessive sensitivity to external irritants. The shampoo formula is also designed to care for baby's hair, leaving it shiny and silky. Furthermore, the product is non-irritating to the eyes, making it convenient and practical for washing the scalp. A distinctive feature of this gel-cream is its unique format: not only does it effectively and gently cleanse the skin, lather well, and be loved by babies, but it also cares for the skin by softening tap water. It's important to note that bathing can be frequent (or done as needed), but its duration should not exceed 7-10 minutes. The bath water temperature should be between 33°C and 36°C, and the water depth should be approximately 5 cm (to the baby's hip). After the bath, gently pat the baby dry, but do not rub the skin dry, and then apply a moisturizer to lock in moisture. After bathing, be sure to immediately apply an emollient (moisturizer) to the entire body, as evaporation of excess water from the skin's surface leads to excessive drying. I recommend combining this with a light massage using Baby Librederm oil, which is ideal for maintaining skin hydration and integrity after bathing, and also improves its appearance. This oil differs from competitors by containing natural oils derived from olive, soy, and grape seed. These oils have nourishing and softening properties that provide baby's skin with essential fatty acids and vitamins A, C, and E. The risk of allergies to these components is minimized due to the product's special formula. The oil is best applied with gentle movements using warm hands, so before applying it, the caregiver should wash off any potential contaminants and allergens with a cleansing gel and warm water. The oil is applied in sufficient quantity to create a thin protective layer on the baby's skin. The diaper area is a particularly vulnerable area of the baby's skin to irritation and exposure to aggressive substances. Delayed diaper changes result in prolonged exposure of the baby's sensitive skin to digestive enzymes from intestinal contents, urine, and moisture, leading to maceration, disruption of the skin's pH balance, irritation, and damage to the stratum corneum and epidermal barrier. All of this leads to the development of an acute inflammatory process and the penetration of intestinal microflora and/or pathogens from outside the skin, leading to infection. This condition is known as diaper dermatitis and is quite common among children under two years of age. Following simple diaper care guidelines can help prevent the development of this condition. Diapers should be changed promptly, after each bowel movement or urination: usually every 1-3 hours during the day and at least once at night, as well as if the diaper is significantly soiled. Gentle yet effective cleansing is also essential, which can be achieved with the aforementioned shower cream gel from the Baby line. If access to water is unavailable, or for more convenient and quick cleansing from the first days of life, you can use soft wet wipes from the same line. These are made of non-woven, hypoallergenic material and impregnated with lotion, which gently and thoroughly removes dirt from baby's skin. Cotton extract and panthenol improve the skin's protective functions and elasticity, and relieve redness and discomfort. The use of specialized baby wipes for cleansing is widespread and, contrary to popular belief, has no negative impact on baby's skin, as these care products do not contain unwanted, irritating ingredients such as alcohol solutions, alkaline surfactants, unstable fragrances, or preservatives. After cleansing, moisturizing with special emollients is still necessary. These create an additional protective barrier between the baby's sensitive, delicate skin and the diaper, as well as the alkaline environment of urine and fecal enzymes. Baby LIBREDERM diaper cream does this perfectly; when applied, it forms a breathable barrier that prevents contact with irritating moisture. The active ingredients included in its composition (cotton extract, shea butter, bisabolol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, obtained from licorice root) have a moisturizing, softening and soothing effect on the skin. Moreover, these components have mild antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and also help relieve allergic reactions that often occur to dyes and moisture-absorbing absorbents contained in low-quality disposable diapers. The cream is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, which is important if your child is prone to irritation.Therefore, every mother should have the following essential set of baby care products:
- Gel-cream for washing with mild surfactants and sulfate-free shampoo
- Anhydrous oil
- Wet wipes with a caring effect
- Hypoallergenic diaper cream
In winter and cold autumn, it is recommended to apply the protective cream (cold) from the Baby LIBREDERM line to the face and hands 30 minutes before and after a walk.
All the products recommended in the article have undergone clinical trials at the Federal State Autonomous Institution "National Center for Health Care" of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, are approved by dermatologists, are hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive skin prone to allergies.
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