10 Tips to Look After the Skin of Your Little Ones This Summer, Naturally!
Looking after your kids’ skin in summer is always a little more challenging than during the colder months. Most families end up being torn between wanting to spend every free hour outdoors and the danger that prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can bring. While you might not be able to supervise your little ones around the clock, some precautions can help you avoid having to deal with more severe consequences in the future. Below you can find some of the most helpful tips to look after your little ones’ skin health properly and avoid dangerous chemicals.
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Pick the sunscreen wisely
As the first sun rays start to shine through your home windows, most parents run to the nearest pharmacy to buy sunscreen. However, both the market and the conception of these lotions have been changing over the years. Today, we know more about the effects that the chemicals contained in sunscreen can cause on both our kids’ skin and the environment.
At the same time, there are many terms that every parent should be familiar with, such as SPF, UVA, UVB, mineral and chemical lotions. So what do our children need? And how often do they need it?
The answer depends on the situation, but, generally, mineral sunscreens work thanks to their active ingredients: zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These substances add a protective layer on the skin, but they sit on the surface, without being absorbed. This characteristic, as well as the fact that they are safer for the environment, makes them a better choice compared to chemical-based sunscreens.
Hats and sunglasses
Aside from sunscreen, hats and sunglasses can offer an extra layer of protection to the skin of your kids. While this suggestion is often overlooked, harmful sun rays can cause damage to the eyes of little ones, especially during hot summer days. Moreover, a hat can protect their scalp and head, the surface which is usually exposed the most to sunlight.
Also, it’s vital to remember that the skin of our little ones is much more delicate and sensitive than ours. Depending on how old your kids are, the skin can be much thinner than ours. In turn, this can leave them exposed to harmful rays and more prone to skin conditions such as rashes.
Light clothing can add a layer of protection.
While the first instinct you might have is to walk around in vests and shorts, it is essential to keep in mind that exposed skin can quickly end up suffering from sunburn. If you are not sure how to dress your kids during the hottest days of the year, opt for light clothes that offer an extra layer of protection.
Ideal, these items should be tightly woven, breathable, and light in colour. These three simple characteristics make sure that your kids’ skin is protected throughout the day, without the risk of them suffering from overheating. During the day’s warmest hours, it is also suggestible to move in the shade, to find repair from the heat.
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Opt for natural products
Whether you are looking for a new sunscreen or you need a moisturizer cream for your children, opt for natural products. Ideally, these should contain the least amount of chemicals possible. Naturally, in some cases, you might need to use a cream prescribed by a doctor or pediatric doctor.
However, if your kids do not suffer from special skin conditions that require such treatments, you should avoid chemical-based products. Remember that our skin does work like a sponge, and can transfer any chemicals and toxins from the surface to the internal layers.
But, not all of the natural products are safe!
While generally natural products can be beneficial in limiting the number of toxins that get into contact with the skin, not all these lotions and cream are safe for our kids. First and foremost, even natural products can cause allergic reactions. This effect is something that can quickly develop into more severe consequences. So, you will need to address them promptly, ideally as soon as you see the first signs of a potential reaction.
Additionally, products that are advertised as natural might not always be so. Even if containing only a small percentage of natural ingredients, they might bear a deceiving label. In this case, it is essential to examine the list of ingredients and ask an expert if you are not sure of the effects that one of them could have on the health of your kids.
Always test the products before application.
Regardless of whether you have opted for natural or chemical products, you should always check if these agree with your children’s skin. The best way of performing such a test is to apply a small amount of lotion on a limited surface of the skin. Wait around 24 hours before using the product on the entire surface or a more sensitive part of the body – such as the face or neck. If you see signs of redness, rashes, or irritations, rinse the area with clean water and avoid using the lotion again.
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Select a safe insect repellent
One of the things that we tend to forget is to pick an insect repellant that is safe for the delicate skin of our children. While these lotions and spray are essential over summer to avoid the bites of flies and other insects, they contain chemicals that parents should be familiar with.
The most common ones found in insects repellents are:
- DEET (N, N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) – one of the most potent substances against insects bites is DEET. However, you will have to be cautious when applying it on your kid’s skin, keeping it away from the face and limiting its usage to once a day.
- Picaridin – safe for kids in small quantities, but the repellent might not be as efficient.
- Permethrin – safe for use on equipment and clothing, not on skin
- Essential oils – the most natural of insect repellents are essential oils. These substances are extracted from plants such as citronella and eucalyptus.
Lots of fun in the sun – but not during the hottest hours!
Even with all the precautions seen above, it is essential to remember that the sun rays can cause damage even when we are in the shade. Therefore, if you are planning a day of fun outdoors, you should consider limiting your time in the open to the early morning and later afternoon.
Skin conditions and treatments
If your little ones suffer from skin conditions such as acne and eczema, prolonged exposure to the sun can cause them to increase in severity. Therefore, it is recommendable to speak to an expert dermatologist and consider the implementation of adequate lotions, such as baby acne treatments.
Drink more water!
Of course, the rising temperatures can cause your children to sweat more and shed water faster. However, it is also possible that, as the holiday season approaches, they tend to move around and play for longer. These two factors can lead to dehydration, which can have serious consequences such as dry skin, episodes of overheating, and in the most severe cases, heatstroke. An easy solution to avoid dehydration is to always keep a reusable water bottle with you on all of your outings!
Bottom Line
Looking after your kid’s skin health can be tricky, especially when you have to pick the products that will help you on this mission. The massive range of skin creams, natural remedies, and lotions on the market can be overwhelming, and the advertisement quite misleading. However, testing each product before applying it on the skin of your kids is an easy way to prevent rashes and reactions.
