In the case of small children, the basic principle has always been minimalism. A newborn baby does not need a lot of cosmetics. Initially, he only needs water. With other products it is better to wait until the toddler is at least one month old. In the first weeks of his life it is worth to use products available in every home for bathing. They are 100% natural and gentle.
Cosmetics straight from the kitchen
Many products can be found in the kitchen. There is also no need to prepare any complicated cosmetics. This is not important in the case of a small child. In addition, various fragrances for small children can have an allergenic effect. Natural cosmetics, on the other hand, are not perfumed, they only smell of the oils they contain. In the first months of life, children may be useful:
Grape seed oil
It has astringent and antibacterial properties, as well as an anti-inflammatory and toning effect. It can be used instead of cream or massage oil. It effectively lubricates the skin and leaves on it a delicate film protecting against external factors.
Sweet almond oil
This in turn is a natural emollient. Excellent as a bath additive or body lotion. It can be cared for e.g. around the navel. It has a soothing and moisturizing effect. It also strengthens the lipid barrier of the skin. It is also recommended for future mothers as a massage oil. It protects the skin against stretch marks.
"Stretch marks are the spindle-shaped strands most commonly found on the skin of the abdomen, buttocks, thighs and breasts, much more often in women than in men. The main cause of their formation is the impairment of fibroblasts - fibres responsible for skin elasticity, firmness and firmness". (source: https://klinikamurano.com/oferta_ deletion-distribution_196.html).
Olive oil
Oil soothes and softens irritated skin. In addition, it has a moisturizing effect and prevents water loss. Lecithin contained in oil helps to regenerate damaged epidermis and vitamin E strengthens the skin's lipid barrier. It is also suitable as a massage oil.
Pumpkin seed oil
Pumpkin seed oil has a smoothing, cleansing and lubricating effect. It can be used as a bath additive. In case of older children it can also be used orally as a prophylactic agent against parasites and to strengthen immunity.
Coconut oil
It can be added to the bath or used as a massage cream. It contains natural emulsifiers, so it is at the same time a cleansing, moisturizing and lubricating agent.
Black cumin oil
Effectively accelerates the healing process of wounds and other skin changes. It is also anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. It softens the epidermis and nourishes it. It can be used for massage.
Potato flour
It absorbs moisture perfectly and has an astringent and anti-inflammatory effect. So it works well as a backfill to the bottom and as a remedy for soothing sore spots.
Camomile infusion, marigold or oak bark
All three infusions are suitable for washing the umbilical region. Chamomile reduces inflammation and soothes irritations, marigold accelerates regenerative processes, and oak bark is recommended for burns. Meanwhile, the classic wipes available in stores can still sensitise the baby's delicate skin and lead to the development of allergies. Therefore, in the case of a newborn baby, the bottom should be washed with such infusions. The wipes are the last resort.
Oil for the child - which one to choose?
First of all, it is necessary to focus on unrefined oils, i.e. cold-pressed oils. These heat-treated products lose many of their valuable properties. Heating up the oil causes damage to vitamins and fatty acids. In addition, organic oils have no contact with pesticides and are not returned to chemical processes.
Care for sensitive and allergic skin
If a baby has skin problems (e.g. atopic dermatitis is more and more frequent), it is worth trying a bath in linseed, which should have been boiled to the consistency of kissel. Another way is to bath in starch or oat flakes.
Linseed
It is best to buy whole linseed, but ground linseed should also work. In order to prepare the mixture for bathing, half a glass of sowing is poured with 5 litres of water and boiled for 20 minutes. After this time, kissel is produced, which has to be poured into the bathtub. Such a bath helps in case of redness or AD. It has a soothing and moisturizing effect.
Oat flakes
Oat flakes are also recommended for allergic skin care. Just pour cold water over them (3 litres of water per glass of flakes) and boil for 15 minutes. In the bath they have moisturizing and anti-itch effect, which results from the presence of zinc and silica in their composition. They are also suitable as a scalp scrub and in the fight against cradles.
Swimming in starch
Starch is a potato flour dissolved in boiling water. Just dissolve 5 tablespoons of potato flour in a glass of cold water and then pour a litre of boiling water. Such a mixture has a soothing, smoothing and anti-itch effect. It has been known for many years as a method of fighting skin ailments. It also helps with potions or sore spots.
Linseed oil
Linseed oil can be added to the bath or used as a body lotion. It also works well while making dressings. In the case of slightly older children, in whom the diet is expanded, this oil should be added to meals, because it fights against AD. As a cosmetic it has a regenerating and anti-inflammatory effect.
Such natural cosmetics can successfully replace those available in pharmacies. With itchy and dry skin, it is good to know that creams and lotions should be rubbed into the skin as soon as they have been wiped off with a towel. The longer the waiting time, the greater the risk of skin irritation. If such home remedies are ineffective, you should of course go to a doctor, because sometimes skin problems are a symptom of food allergies.
Natural cosmetics - for mother and child
All these cosmetics for children will also work for mums. This is certainly an ecological and economical solution. In addition, a small child cuddling up to his mother is also exposed to what she rubs into her own skin. The use of the same natural cosmetics by mum and her child is therefore by far the most comfortable and safest solution at the same time. It is worth remembering that.