Children's cosmetics: How to choose safe products for the sensitive skin of toddlers?
Children's cosmetics have become a major concern for many parents concerned about the health and well-being of their little ones. Indeed, children's skin is particularly fragile and their skin barrier is built up until adolescence, which makes it more permeable to external substances. It is therefore essential to choose suitable products and know the ingredients to avoid to protect the delicate skin of our children.
We had the opportunity to talk about it live with the Teed * brand - find the interview here .
Ingredients to avoid in children's cosmetics
When looking for cosmetics for toddlers, pregnant women, and fragile skin in general, it's important to avoid chemical substances. Some of these substances can be irritating, allergenic, even carcinogenic, or be considered endocrine disruptors. To ensure the safety of the products you choose, here is a list of ingredients to avoid:
- Parabens : these are preservatives frequently used in cosmetics, but they are recognized as endocrine disruptors and can present risks to the health of children.
- Sulfate derivatives: These are the foaming agents often found in personal care products. They can be irritating to children's sensitive skin.
- Methylisothiazolinone (MI, MIT, MCI): These preservatives are known to cause allergic reactions.
- Alcohol : Although it is often used as a preservative, alcohol can be too irritating to children's skin.
- Petroleum derivatives such as petroleum jelly and paraffin: They can form an occlusive barrier on the skin and interfere with its natural function.
- Cortisone treatments: They can be effective in treating certain skin conditions, but they should be used with caution, for a short duration, and on the recommendation of a healthcare professional, as they can be addictive to the skin.
- Aluminum : This ingredient is often used in deodorants, but it may be best to avoid it due to concerns about absorption through the skin. We are thinking in particular of breastfeeding mothers or adults in skin-to-skin contact with an infant – to simply avoid.
- Essential oils : Although natural, some essential oils may be too strong for children's sensitive skin and should therefore be used with caution.
What to look for on the packaging of a children's product
In addition to avoiding certain ingredients, it's important to know how to decipher the ingredient list on a children's cosmetic label. Avoid products with long ingredient lists, favor products with recognized labels, and check the origin of the product. Standards may vary by country, so it is recommended to be careful and question products purchased outside of Europe.The label of a children's cosmetic product should contain essential information to ensure its safety. Look for notices indicating that the product is specifically intended for children and check whether labels or mentions such as "organic", "Cosmos Organic", "dermatologically proven on sensitive skin" and "suitable for infants or pregnant women" are present.
The advantages of “Organic” cosmetic products
You may be wondering if organic cosmetic products are actually kinder to the skin of children and babies. In general, organic cosmetic products guarantee the absence of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The charters governing organic products are also stricter, which means that the list of ingredients is restricted and that most ingredients harmful to health are not authorized, nor are the packaging used.  
|
It is also important to mention that labels and certifications can be a valuable help in choosing safe children's cosmetics. The terms COSMOS ORGANIC or COSMEBIO, or even SLOW COSMETIQUE impose demanding specifications on manufacturers to obtain their label. These specifications often include the exclusion of GMOs, nanoparticles, parabens, silicones, synthetic perfumes and dyes, as well as ingredients coming from animals or petrochemicals. |
Until when should you use specific care for children?
It is necessary to use specific cosmetic products for children throughout their growth . But all the recommendations here are also valid for adult products. A child's product is perfect for an adult. But be careful, the opposite is not at all true!The frequency of use will depend on each person, but remember to always protect and care for your little one's skin. In winter, when the skin is prone to dryness due to the cold, it is important to use suitable moisturizing products . In summer, it is essential to apply sunscreen with a high protection factor (SPF 50+) to protect children's skin when exposed to the sun. The best thing is to avoid exposure .
The importance of a limited ingredient list
When it comes to the number of ingredients, it is best to choose products with as short an ingredient list as possible. However, it is important to note that certain substances are necessary to guarantee the preservation of products. The INCI list (list of ingredients) classifies products from the highest concentration to the lowest. Generally, water appears first for an aqueous product. The most important thing is to check that the main ingredient or important active ingredients noted on the packaging appear in the first 3 to 4 ingredients on the list.Use of “pure” ingredients
It is also possible to use good quality pure oils, provided that they are not hydrogenated and that they are first cold pressed vegetable oils. However, it is not recommended to make cosmetic products for children yourself (DIY), as this may result in the risk of formulation errors.Recommendations for pregnant women
Future mothers, mothers and breastfeeding mothers must follow the same recommendations. Use the most natural products possible, avoid chemicals, potential endocrine disruptors, irritants and essential oils.In case of doubt or uncertainty, it is better to move on and find other cosmetic treatments.
Pioupiou Cosmetics treatments
All our organic baby care products are 100% natural and vegan. We are certified and our products meet a demanding charter and specifications to guarantee healthy care for babies from birth, pregnant women, children and the entire family. We make no compromises, we only use the best.
In conclusion
Here are some simple tips and recommendations for choosing and using safe cosmetics for sensitive skin:- Avoid products with long ingredient lists and focus on simplicity.
- Be careful about products used during pregnancy.
- Avoid artificial perfumes and favor products with a natural, delicate fragrance present in very small quantities.
- Opt for reusable cotton wipes and water rather than pre-soaked disposable wipes.
- Rinse so-called “leave-in” products to minimize children’s contact with allergens or potential endocrine disruptors.
- Be careful about the products in contact with your baby (if you wear a perfume that is too strong, a deodorant containing aluminum salt, a potentially irritating cream, etc.).
- Do not use an adult product on a child! Always check compatibility for sensitive skin.
- Use mobile applications such as YUKA, INCI Beauty to scan product barcodes and obtain information on their composition.
*Teed is a friendly brand of Pioupiou. They offer panties
learning: the fun and caring solution to go from diaper to pants. Find them on their website: https://teed-story.com/
