There are loads of baby skincare products from different brands available these days which are formulated to take care of your baby's delicate skin. Before choosing the right skincare product for your baby, it helps when you are clear about your baby's skin condition and what kind of texture the skin needs. Some products may have heavier textures than others. And, most skincare products fall into one of two main categories: oil vs. lotion. Which leads to the question - what are the differences?
Baby lotion
Baby lotion is normally applied daily after a bath to moisturize your baby's skin. The baby lotion is usually creamy in texture and contains ingredients such as oils, water, and glycerin to help your baby's skin stay hydrated. It is most suitable to use for babies over 1 month old with dry or irritated skin.
Pros of baby lotion
- can be used daily
- easy to apply directly on the skin
- usually formulated with soothing, calming scents like lavender
Cons of baby lotion
- may contain irritating ingredients such as alcohol or fragrances that could flare up your baby's skin. Hence, read the labels closely!
- due to its thinner consistency, it usually runs out more quickly
Here are some examples of baby lotion
Offspring Nourishing Baby Lotion
K-MOM First Baby Moisture Lotion
Baby oil
Baby oil is frequently used for baby massage and is often known as an emollient. It is used for locking moisture into the skin, by forming a barrier on the surface of your skin to protect it from water loss. It usually can be found in moisturizers in the form of Jojoba oil or Almond oil - as they are known to mimic our natural lipids (fatty substances found inside our skin that make it feels smooth). Hence, incorporating baby oil into your baby's routine can help to restore and improve the surface of the skin.
Pros of baby oil
- work best on slightly dampened skin, ideal for use after a bath
- has multiple uses - to relieve cradle cap, soften the skin in a bath, or for baby massage
- lock in moisture quickly and effectively
- provide baby's skin with deep restorative hydration
Cons of baby oil
- does not absorb well on newborn skin
- can be messy
- can clog pores if overused or used on oily skin
- the ingredient mineral oil (found in some baby oils) is derived from petroleum (again, check your labels!)
Here are some baby oils available
Ning Salmah Minyak Tenang Anakanda
