Safe & Gentle Beauty Products for Babies and Kids — As Seen On CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin”

We all know babies are delicate, and that’s also true of their skin. Compared to adults, baby skin is about 30% thinner, and it’s more prone to irritation and dehydration. Also, baby skin hasn’t yet developed a strong protective barrier, so it’s less resistant to external agents like UV rays, bacteria, pollution, and any harsh chemicals in detergents and personal care products. When harsh chemicals come into contact with a baby’s skin, then, they’re more likely to penetrate the epidermis and seep into deeper layers of the skin.

And it’s not just infants who have tender skin — children until the age of 6 have thinner skin than adults, so they, too, need to use mild body washes, shampoos, and lotions.

Today, I filmed a segment for CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin,“in which  I highlighted some great products for babies and young kids that parents can purchase with complete peace of mind. Make sure to watch the video above and read on for more details!

BABY DOVE RICH MOISTURE COLLECTION

The Baby Dove Rich Moisture collection is comprised of products that are hypoallergenic and both dermatologist- and pediatrician-approved.

After a day of having fun outdoors in the sun, when you want to give your baby a bath and take off any sunscreen, bug spray, dirt, and grime, you can try the Baby Dove Rich Moisture Tip to Toe Wash ($5.99; available at Target and food, drug, and mass market retailers), which has a gentle formula that replenishes any essential nutrients lost during the cleansing process so as to keep your baby’s skin hydrated, soft, and smooth.

The Baby Dove Rich Moisture Lotion ($5.99; available at Target and food, drug, and mass market retailers), meanwhile, functions as the perfect accompaniment to the body wash so that, together, this power duo will keep your baby’s skin moisturized and comfortable.

The collection also includes a Beauty Bar, Shampoo, and Baby Wipes. I’m particularly fond of the wipes, which are gentle enough to use on your baby’s face, hands, or bottom. The wipes are so soft and gentle, you may even want to purchase a pack for yourself!

SHEAMOISTURE BABY RAW SHEA, CHAMOMILE & ARGAN OIL ALL-PURPOSE DIAPER OINTMENT

As all moms know, diaper rash is a very common affliction for babies. There are many reasons why a baby might develop diaper rash. The most common cause is the skin becoming inflamed due to the diaper area being overly warm and moist — after all, even the most absorbent diaper can’t fully vacuum up all traces of urine. In some cases, a rash develops due to a baby’s diaper rubbing against his or her delicate skin, leading to chafing. In other instances, meanwhile, skin irritation is result of an allergic reaction to artificial dyes or fragrances within the diaper itself.

If you notice that your baby’s bum is red or irritated, you’ll want to reach for the SheaMoisture Baby Raw Shea, Chamomile, and Argan Oil All-Purpose Diaper Ointment ($5.99; available at Walgreens stores and Walgreens.com), which is perfect for soothing the symptoms of diaper rash and calming irritated skin. Made from a century-old family recipe, this ointment contains organic and fair trade shea butter sourced from 15 women’s co-ops in northern Ghana, as well as chamomile extract, which is naturally soothing. Moreover, the ointment contains  no parabens, sulfates, phtalates, mineral oils, and artificial dyes or fragrances that could be irritating your baby’s skin.

I particularly love that it doesn’t include petroleum jelly since this particular ingredient is found in a lot of diaper rash creams, and it’s a problematic one. For starters, it’s a derivative of crude oil refining, which is scary in and of itself. Its origins aside, petroleum jelly can be a deceptive substance — see, while it creates the illusion of moisturizing the skin, it is actually creating a barrier that seals in moisture and doesn’t let the skin breathe properly. In other words, petroleum jelly can suffocate the skin, which is hardly what a baby’s skin needs when it’s already irritated and in need of healing.

SHEAMOISTURE BABY CHEST RUBS

These two chest rubs from SheaMoisture’s Baby line are ideal for soothing fussy babies since they contain skin conditioning ingredients and combine those with essential oils that create an aromatherapy experience that’s conducive to relaxation and sleep.

The SheaMoisture Baby Nighttime Soothing Manuka Honey & Provence Lavender Chest Rub ($8.99; available at Walgreens stores and Walgreens.com) is made with natural and certified organic Manuka honey, which is a natural humectant, and with lavender oil sourced from Provence, which is often used in aromatherapy due to its calming properties. Each chest rub comes in a handy stick form so that you can literally glide it atop your baby’s skin and keep your hands clean. But, of course, if you want to create an even deeper bonding experience with your infant, there’s nothing like a gentle massage!

The SheaMoisture Baby Breathe Free Eucalyptus & African Water Mint Chest Rub ($8.99; available at Walgreens stores and Walgreens.com), meanwhile, creates a cooling sensation and features a refreshing scent. It features organic shea butter and calendula, both of which calm the skin, and the clean and crisp fragrance of African water mint and eucalyptus provides a sense of relief.

AVEENO BABY CONTINUOUS PROTECTION SENSITIVE SKIN ZINC OXIDE SUNSCREEN LOTION & AVEENO BABY CONTINUOUS PROTECTION SENSITIVE SKIN FACE STICK SUNSCREEN

Because baby skin is so thin and delicate, it’s much more susceptible to sun damage. Applying sunscreen before venturing outdoors, then, is absolutely crucial. I recommend choosing a great mineral sunscreen since babies can have adverse reactions to sunscreens with chemical filters.

One great option is the AVEENO Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Zinc Oxide Sunscreen ($10.49; available at Walmart stores and Walmart.com) because it’s formulated with 100% naturally sourced zinc oxide, which creates a physical barrier against UVA and UVB rays. The lightweight, non-greasy, hypoallergenic lotion goes beyond sun care, providing skincare benefits thanks to the soothing Active Naturals Oat extract in the formula. Recommended by dermatologists and pediatricians, this SPF 50 mineral sunscreen is water resistant for up tom 80 minutes.

The AVEENO Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Face Stick Sunscreen SPF 50 ($10.49; available at Walmart stores and Walmart.com) features the same mineral sunscreen protection (this time a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) along with soothing oat extracts, but it comes in this a convenient portable stick that’s easy to toss into your purse or diaper bag.

BABYGANICS OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS KIT

If you’re having a family picnic at the park, running with your baby in a jogging stroller, or just enjoying some time in your backyard, you want to make sure to protect your baby from UV rays, insects, and germs. The Babyganics Outdoor Essentials Kit ($14.99; available at Babies R Us) contains four plant-based products that will prepare your baby for any escapade: a Mineral Based Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 that’s great for the body; a Pure Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 that’s ideal for protecting your baby’s face; a Natural Insect Repellant; and an Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer. The kit also includes a mesh pouch in which you can stash all these essentials.

I’m particularly fond of the Natural Insect Repellant, which features a blend of 100% natural essential oils like citronella, peppermint, lemongrass, and geranium — all of which smell great to humans but not to insects. This spray doesn’t contain DEET, which is a huge relief for those parents who are skeptical about this chemical. For those of you who aren’t familiar with DEET, it’s the chemical most commonly found in bug sprays. Currently, the FDA says it’s safe to use products containing DEET on children 2 months and older, but the ingredient is hardly free of controversy. In fact, some studies indicate that DEET can easily penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. Some researchers allege that, over time, exposure to DEET could potentially lead to organ damage and even adversely affect the central nervous system. Considering that the jury’s still out regarding the toxicity of this chemical, many parents (like myself) would rather err on the side of safety and steer clear of insect repellants including DEET. The Babyganics Natural Insect Repellant, then, is a great natural alternative.

Another standout product in the kit is the Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer, which eliminates 99.9% of germs without relying on alcohol, which can leave hands feeling parched.

LIVE CLEAN COCONUT MILK COLLECTION

Live Clean specializes in skincare and haircare products that feature plant-based ingredients, are free of any harsh chemicals, and are safe for the entire family and for the environment. While Live Clean does have a baby collection that’s specially designed to address the needs of infants’ skin, it also offers some fantastic products that can be enjoyed by parents and young kids (think children ages 3 and up). My favorite is the Coconut Milk collection, which smells divine!

The collection includes the Live Clean Coconut Milk Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner ($5.99 each; available at HEB stores), both of which feature coconut oil to hydrate strands, along with rice protein to nourish and strengthen hair, and vitamins C, E, and B5 to leave hair feeling soft and silky.

Next, there’s the Live Clean Coconut Milk Moisturizing Body Wash ($5.99; available at HEB stores), which features luscious coconut milk and coconut oil; certified organic apricot extract, which helps the skin maintain its moisture balance; and vitamins C and E, which have antioxidant properties and help to protect the skin against free radicals while also promoting collagen production.

One product parents and kids will certainly use quite frequently is the Live Clean Coconut Milk Moisturizing Liquid Hand Soap ($4.99; available at HEB stores), which again contains coconut oil and apricot extract. This tropical-scented soap keeps germs at bay without leaving skin feeling parched. Kids can play with mud, glitter, finger paints, and chalk, then wash their hands before sitting down at the table and enjoying a meal. Parents, too, can keep their own hands clean without subjecting them to harsh chemicals.

SPONGELLE SPONGE ANIMALS

Designed for kids ages 3 and up, the Spongellé Sponge Animals ($14 each at Spongelle.com) make bath time fun and stress-free.

Hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, these animal-shaped body buffers are infused with a mild body wash that’s sulfate-free and vegan-friendly and which contains soothing chamomile extract. When you wet each sponge, squeeze out the excess water, and massage it onto your child’s skin using circular motions, it will create a frothy lather and a fruity scent will waft through the bathroom. Once your child is clean from head to toe, you can rinse the sponge, again squeezing out any excess water, and allow it to dry before using it again during your child’s next bath.

The bright colors and fun shapes — which include a duck, fish, and butterfly — will add some joy and excitement to your kid’s tub time.