The parenting world is filled with making countless decisions and handling loads of responsibilities every day. Your life as a parent is constantly filled with the choices like in which school to put your kid, what food to give them to eat and what not. These choices can sometimes become overwhelming. One area that is often overlooked but is equally crucial is the selection of personal care products for your children.
The products we apply to the skin of our kids plays a significant role in determining their skin health and overall safety. This makes it all the more important to understand and scrutinize the ingredients used in these products.
Why do labels matter?
Whatever we apply to our bodies, it gets absorbed by our skin. Reading labels for ingredients fills you up with the satisfaction that whatever you are applying to your skin is safe. You get a true picture of the product composition. A child’s skin is more permeable and sensitive than an adult’s. It implies that kids are more prone to allergies, adverse reactions and skincare issues. Reading the labels allow you to use the products according to the suitability of the children.
Now, let’s find out in detail the Importance of Reading Ingredient Labels on Kids Skincare Products
Identifying beneficial ingredients
You want to buy the products that are beneficial for the skin of your kids. So look for the skincare products with natural and organic ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, calendula etc. They are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
For instance – skincare products with aloevera are considered as best in terms of hydrating your skin and also comes with anti-inflammatory benefits to protect you from minor abrasions or sunburns. Chamomile is yet another ingredient to be found in creams and lotions to calm the sensitive skin of the kids. Presence of Calendula in the baby skincare products (derived from marigold flowers) shows magical healing properties and helps with rashes and minor cuts. Recognizing the beneficial ingredients helps enhance the health of your child’s skin.
Avoiding harmful chemicals
Just as important as knowing the beneficial ingredients, the other side of the coin is to know which harmful chemicals to avoid. Many skincare products, even when they are particularly developed for children, contains harmful chemicals. Phthalates, formaldehyde, parabens, and sulphates are some common culprits that can lead to health hazards like reproductive issues or even cancer.
Let’s clarify this with an example. Existence of parabens can result in hormonal disruptions. Sulphates can strip off the natural oils from the skin, leading to irritation and dryness. Phthalates are associated with the reproductive toxicity. Diligently reading the ingredient labels helps you choose safer alternatives and avoid harsh chemicals.
Understanding natural and synthetic ingredients
The debate between natural and synthetic ingredients is evergreen. Natural ingredients are more gentle on skin. But here is the catch: Not all natural ingredients are harmless and not all synthetic ingredients are harmful. Understanding their distinction is a key to make informed choices.
Example of the same is some natural oils can cause allergic reactions to you while some synthetic ingredients like synthetic glycerin can just be as effective as the natural one. What’s more? Know about common skincare jargons like hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, dermatologist-tested, vegan-friendly etc. to reduce the risk of contamination. Reading labels help in the formation of balanced choices.
Maintains the natural balance of skin
The water content in children’s skin is higher than that of adults. So, they are likely to lose more moisture and their skin is more prone to irritation. Their pH balance is slightly neutral while the pH of adult skin is slightly acidic.
Reading ingredient labels helps you choose such products which are able to support the pH balance of your child’s skin. For instance – Products with moisturizing ingredients like ceramide, glycerin and hyaluronic acid maintains skin hydration. On the other hand, harsh soaps can with high pH levels can result in infection or irritation to the skin of the kids.
Preventing long term skin issues
The products we will choose for our children today will have long-term effects on them. Regularly using products with harmful chemicals can develop skin issues like eczema and also cause severe allergic reactions. Their long term usage can even impact the overall health of your kid.
So, understand and read the labels carefully before buying to prevent such long term skin issues. Additionally, instilling the habit of reading labels and understanding ingredients from a young age can empower children to make informed decisions about their health and wellness as they grow older.
Final Thoughts
Tempting to buy the most convenient skincare product off the shelf might sound like the easiest thing to do, but you have to be careful. Take the time to read the labels and make an investment towards your child’s overall well-being. Their skin will thank you in the long run.
