When it comes to infants, the rule of thumb for skin care is ‘Less is more.’ Baby skin is delicate and tender. Keeping it protected from dangerous products is the first step in baby skin care. The range of products available to parents today is simply astonishing. Shelves upon shelves are dedicated to baby skin care products. Does a tiny infant really need all these? Often, parents are actually done in by smart packaging and the sweet scents.

There are just a few essentials when it comes to baby skin care:

Baby soap: A mild soap is needed to clean the baby thoroughly. Mild application of a gentle soap three or four times a week is all that your baby needs. If the soaps are enriched with olive, coconut or palm oil and herbal extracts like calendula, so much the better.

Many parents use bubble bath products for young infants. Children love the bubbles and parents like the clean, fresh scent. But bubble baths are usually based on detergents that can destroy the beneficial bacteria on the body. Consequently, skin can become excessively dry. If your purpose is to scent your baby’s bath, a few drops of lavender oil in his bath water will do the trick (keep the water out of the baby’s mouth).

Shampoos: Whether your baby is relatively hairless or has a thick cap of hair, you will need to use a mild shampoo once in a while – the frequency depends on how thick his hair is. A mild shampoo can be identified by what it does not contain – artificial colors, synthetic fragrances, and irritating preservatives are all harmful. If you see the following abbreviations, TEA and DEA, do not buy that product.

Oils and lotions: Massaging oils and lotions can be healthy for the baby while offering a joyful bonding experience for the parent. Massage can help develop muscles and relieve any irritation of the skin. Buy a product free of petrochemicals, which cause irritation; including mineral oils. Aloe and chamomile have a long history of soothing and moisturizing. Marigold, arnica and calendula are some other healing herbs. After a bath, you may want to apply a natural all-purpose moisturizer to keep skin from drying up. As in the case of shampoos, keep away from products that have artificial color, scent and harsh preservatives.

Baby powder: Baby powders are controversial. While some parents swear by it, others condemn its use totally. Baby powders have tiny particles that irritate the skin. Most powders are fragrant, which means further irritation of the skin. But powders can be useful to dry the baby’s bottom and is usually used to dry off certain hard-to-access areas like the neck, genital area, underarms, folds of the bottom etc. Avoid a powder that contains talc.

Doctors recommend scent-free powders made of cornstarch.

Sunscreen: If the baby’s skin is going to be exposed to sun, a sunscreen becomes essential. The sunscreen must have an SPF greater than 15 along with UV-protecting ingredients.

Diaper rash ointment: Select an ointment that is gentle and free of any fragrance. Fragrance can hurt red, irritated skin.

Fragrance free wipes are advisable if you need to travel with your baby. It is not possible to bathe the baby every time he makes a mess. Wipes become useful at such times.

Before you shop for skin care products, please remember that personal care products are among the least regulated of consumer products. As parents, it is our duty to be alert to the dangers of sweet smelling, irritant-rich solutions that are beautifully packaged and wonderfully presented.