Children's skin is exposed to various, sometimes completely new, adverse environmental factors every day, including climate and weather conditions, which occupy a special place.
Delicate children's skin is several times thinner than adult skin. Also, infants have not yet fully developed sweat and sebaceous glands, which provide thermoregulation, the establishment of physiological pH of the skin and the formation of a protective hydrolipidic mantle. The most important difference between children's skin and adults is the smaller number of structural components, including lipids, especially in areas of the skin most exposed to external influences, such as the face and limbs. Even without the influence of unfavorable weather conditions, the skin of infants and young children is less hydrated and evaporates more moisture from its surface compared to adults, which makes them more susceptible to the development of inflammation and xerosis.
In this regard, the additional impact of climatic factors in the form of wind and low temperatures causes an even further decrease in the level of hydration (moisture) of the skin of the face in children, leading to the development of redness, dryness, cracks, burning, itching and irritation. And if the child has skin diseases, worsening of their course and the appearance of new rashes is noted, this is especially true in the presence of eczema and / or atopic dermatitis. This is also due to the disruption of the skin's own production of such important structural components as filaggrin and natural moisturizing factor due to extreme weather conditions. These play a key role in maintaining hydration levels and the integrity of the epidermal barrier. Furthermore, temperature fluctuations, changes in skin texture, and UV radiation reflected off snow also affect capillary function, altering their tone (constricting and dilating), leading to the development of redness and irritation. The sudden change in temperature when moving between dry, warm indoor air and cold air outside also plays a significant role. Low humidity in the home due to the heating system also contributes to a decrease in skin hydration, as the surrounding dry air draws moisture from the skin, which in turn leads to all the negative consequences mentioned above. Various items of clothing, including hats, scarves, sweaters, and mittens, that we wear in winter are often made of wool or synthetic materials, which often cause itching and scratching of already dry and damaged skin. These changes also have a certain impact on the composition of the normal skin microbiome, leading to both an exacerbation of atopic dermatitis and an increased risk of infectious pathologies. Thus, children's sensitive skin is exposed to a variety of harmful weather factors that disrupt the protective epidermal barrier and lead to dry skin, and sometimes even to the exacerbation of existing skin conditions or the development of new ones. Preventing such adverse effects and negative consequences requires following proper skin care practices, which we will discuss in more detail.
To create an optimal environment at home, it is best to use humidifiers; when going outside, protect your baby's skin from cold winds by covering the sensitive skin of the face and hands with gloves and scarves made of skin-friendly materials: soft fabrics such as cotton, linen, or silk are excellent. Layering (when wrapping your baby) of such skin-friendly materials also has the added benefit of allowing you to easily remove layers of clothing as needed to prevent your baby from overheating. Don't forget to use emollients (moisturizers) daily, especially if your baby will be indoors for long periods of time. The most suitable topical emollient in this case is a cream, which will quickly absorb and moisturize baby's skin without causing any discomfort. A moisturizing protective cream should be used at least 2-3 times a day, or more, depending on the individual needs of your baby's skin. The key is to maintain moisture and prevent overdrying. This is easily recognized by tactile contact with your baby's skin: in the first case, the skin will be soft, supple, and smooth, pleasant to the touch and to the eye. Otherwise, it will be dry, rough, slightly tight, losing elasticity, and may also exhibit slight peeling. It is best to use pharmacy-based children's dermocosmetics with proven safety, which do not contain ingredients that irritate the skin or provoke allergic reactions, especially preservatives and fragrances. These products are designed not only to maintain optimal hydration levels but also to restore and preserve the skin's barrier (protective) function, while reducing irritation and redness. For example, LIBREDERM's Baby line of protective baby creams is ideal for protecting baby's sensitive skin in cold weather and at home from the very first days of life. Active ingredients such as cotton extract and highly purified lanolin, which is chemically similar to skin lipids, improve the skin's barrier function, stimulate regenerative processes, increase elasticity, and reduce excessive sensitivity, ensuring a high level of protection and hydration. Applying protective baby cream is also essential before going outside. In this case, it's important to follow the key rule: allow the emollient to absorb thoroughly into the skin, which typically takes 5 to 10 minutes. Cleansing baby skin is just as important as moisturizing it. Here, too, there are several important rules. So, upon returning home, instead of alkaline soaps, which damage the immature epidermal barrier and negatively affect the pH balance of the skin's surface, it's important to use specialized cleansers from pharmacy dermatocosmetics. Baby LIBREDERM cream-gel is ideal for gently cleansing delicate baby skin. Its active ingredients include cotton extract, aloe vera gel, wheat proteins, and panthenol, which provide restoration and hydration, improve the skin's protective functions, and help prevent irritation during cleansing. Avoid bathing your baby in hot water for long periods of time, as this will only dry out the skin. It's recommended to maintain a lukewarm water temperature (32-36°C) and limit bathing time to 7-10 minutes. After the bath, gently pat the skin dry, rather than rubbing, and then apply a moisturizer to lock in moisture. After washing or showering, it is imperative to immediately apply an emollient not only to the face but also to the entire body, since the evaporation of excess water from the skin surface leads to its excessive drying and entails the development of xerosis.
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