Nothing is sweeter than a newborn baby with chubby cheeks, tiny fingers and toes, and the softest skin in the world. But unfortunately, they don’t come with an instruction manual! A baby’s still developing skin, in particular, requires special consideration. So, let’s discuss what makes it different, how to protect it, and why our founder formulated the Simple Mama Naturals line with all this in mind.
A Baby’s Developing Skin
Skin provides a physical barrier between us and the external environment. However, the skin barrier isn’t fully developed during the first year of your newborn’s life. As a result, babies are vulnerable to excessive dryness and permeability until the skin barrier is fully mature. Because of this, anything applied topically, like cleansers and moisturizers, absorbs more readily, making babies susceptible to harmful chemicals and drying agents in products. In addition, hydration level, pH balance, and the skin’s microbiome are markedly different from that of adults and are all things to consider when caring for your new baby.
Hydration
When babies are born, their skin is about 20% thinner than adults. With less fat, melanin, and other natural moisturizing factors, their skin loses water (and absorbs water) and heat much more easily than an adult’s. As the skin barrier continues to develop during the first year of life, which cleansers and moisturizing agents you use and how often you use them become particularly important.
Skin pH
The pH of babies’ skin is also different from that of adults. Why is this important? pH is a number scale (between 0-14) given to a solution to describe the level of acidity or alkalinity. A pH of less than 7 is acidic, and greater than 7 is alkaline. Mature skin (sweat and glands, specifically) has a pH between 5-6, a perfect environment to support the function of key enzymes that maintain a healthy skin barrier or “acid mantle.” This mantle is a wall of defense, keeping out intruding organisms and substances and keeping in needed hydration and heat. However, at birth, babies’ skin has a pH of around 7 and gradually becomes more acidic as it ages. During this vulnerable period, it is vital not to damage developing skin by using products that are too alkaline (over a pH of 7).
Skin Microbiome
You may have heard of the “Gut microbiome,” the micro-organisms in the intestines that help break down bacteria and influence your health in numerous ways. But did you know that your skin has a microbiome as well? The microflora that lives on healthy skin grow optimally at an acidic (below 7) pH. When healthy microflora isn’t present, harmful bacteria will thrive, leading to inflammation, acne, and other skin problems. Using overly alkaline products on your baby’s developing skin can establish a less-than-ideal skin microflora, setting them up for problems down the road.
Protecting the Skin Barrier
Soap, lotion & moisturizers for dry skin, even those marketed for use on babies, often have a pH well above 7. Repeatedly washing babies’ skin with alkaline cleansers triggers inflammation, and disruption in the moisture barrier, leaving skin more permeable and susceptible to dehydration, inflammation, infection, eczema, and other chronic skin issues. Then, we apply overly alkaline lotions to a weakened skin barrier, exacerbating the problem. If babies’ skin is damaged when the barrier is still developing, chronic skin issues can linger into adulthood. So, how do we set our little ones up for healthy skin?
Specialized Products for Your Baby
Simple Body’s Simple Mama Naturals line of products are pH balanced for the unique needs of a baby’s skin. The Baby Wash + Shampoo starts with tea made from Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) flowers that soothes irritable, dry skin. Then, we add two humectants, aloe vera, and vegetable glycerin, to restore barrier function by drawing moisture to the top layer of the skin. For best results, limit baths to 2-3 a week.
After bathtime, protect skin with Chamomile Baby Lotion. Using Chamomile and Lavender tea, Jojoba oil, Apricot Kernel oil, and Vegetable Glycerin, this pH-balanced Baby lotion will hydrate and nourish skin without damaging the developing barrier. Use the Chamomile Baby Lotion twice daily on more exposed areas that may require a little extra hydration.
We formulate all the Simple Mama Naturals products with the highest quality, natural, and organic ingredients (when available). We never use sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, or mineral oils. Our goal is to empower and educate parents so they can care for their babies and future generations by creating products that are clean, natural, and affordable. In addition, our Simple Mama Naturals line considers hydration, pH, and microflora so you can relax and enjoy the little humans in your life, knowing you’re protecting their developing skin.