As parents, we often want the best for our children, especially when it comes to caring for their delicate skin. However, some seemingly harmless skincare habits can actually cause more harm than good. Here are seven common skincare practices that may be damaging your child’s skin, along with tips on how to avoid them and promote healthy skin care habits.
To understand this, OnlyMyHealth team interacted with Dr Abhishek Chopra, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, New Delhi (Punjabi Bagh).
1. Over-Washing the Skin
While it’s important to keep your child’s skin clean, over-washing can strip away natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Many parents tend to bathe their children more frequently than necessary, especially in hot climates or after playing outside. This practice can disrupt the skin’s moisture balance, leaving it vulnerable to rashes and dryness.
What to do instead: Limit baths to once a day or every other day, depending on your child's activity level. Use lukewarm water and gentle, sulfate-free cleansers designed for children’s sensitive skin.
2. Using Harsh Soaps
Many soaps and body washes available for children contain harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, or dyes that can irritate their sensitive skin. These ingredients can cause allergic reactions, disrupt the skin’s natural pH balance, and worsen conditions like eczema.
Also read: When Is Bedwetting In Children A Concern For Parents?
What to do instead: Choose mild, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic cleansers that are specifically formulated for children. Always read the labels carefully and avoid products with alcohol, parabens, or sulfates.
3. Skipping Moisturiser
Some parents skip moisturizing their child’s skin, especially in warmer months, believing that it’s not necessary. However, children’s skin can dry out easily due to environmental factors such as heat, wind, or even air conditioning. This can lead to flaky, irritated skin.
What to do instead: Moisturize your child’s skin daily, even if it doesn’t appear dry. Choose a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer and apply it after baths when the skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture.
4. Using Adult Skincare Products
It may seem convenient to use your own skincare products on your child, but adult skincare formulations are often too harsh for children. Adult products may contain strong active ingredients such as retinoids, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide, which can irritate a child’s delicate skin, causing redness, dryness, or even chemical burns.
What to do instead: Always use products that are specially formulated for children. These products are designed with gentler ingredients and in appropriate concentrations for their sensitive skin.
5. Not Applying Sunscreen Daily
Many parents only apply sunscreen during sunny or summer days, neglecting to use it on overcast days or during other seasons. However, UV rays can penetrate clouds and cause skin damage year-round, leading to sunburns or increasing the risk of skin cancer later in life.
What to do instead: Make sunscreen a daily habit. Apply a broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, mineral-based sunscreen to your child’s exposed skin, even on cloudy days. For added protection, opt for hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing when outdoors.
Also read: Why Are Children More Prone To Conjunctivitis During Monsoon
6. Over-Exfoliating
Exfoliation is a common practice in adult skincare routines, but over-exfoliating a child’s skin can lead to irritation, redness, and even damage to the skin barrier. Children’s skin is much more sensitive and regenerates faster than adult skin, so there’s no need for regular exfoliation.
What to do instead: Avoid exfoliating your child’s skin altogether. If necessary, a gentle washcloth is sufficient to remove dirt and dead skin cells. Stick to mild cleansing and moisturizing routines without abrasive scrubs or tools.
7. Using Talcum Powder
Many parents use talcum powder on their children to prevent rashes and keep skin dry. However, talcum powder can be harmful when inhaled, and it may contribute to respiratory issues. Some studies have even linked long-term talcum powder use to certain cancers, making it a questionable product to use regularly.
What to do instead: Instead of talcum powder, opt for cornstarch-based baby powders or simply ensure that your child’s skin is clean and dry. Using gentle, breathable fabrics can also help prevent chafing and rashes.
Conclusion
Protecting your child’s skin requires gentle, thoughtful care. By avoiding common harmful skincare habits like over-washing, using harsh products, or skipping sunscreen, you can help maintain your child’s skin health and prevent future skin issues. Always opt for child-friendly, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic products that nurture rather than damage their delicate skin. Establishing these healthy skincare habits early on will set your child up for a lifetime of good skin health.