Children's cosmetics have become a major concern for many parents concerned about the health and well-being of their little ones. Indeed, children's skin is particularly fragile and their skin barrier is built up until adolescence, which makes it more permeable to external substances. It is therefore essential to choose suitable products and to know the ingredients to avoid in order to protect the delicate skin of our children.
We had the opportunity to talk about it live with the brand Teed * - find the interview here .
Ingredients to avoid in children's cosmetics
When looking for cosmetics for toddlers, pregnant women, and sensitive skin in general, it's important to avoid chemicals. Some of these substances can be irritating, allergenic, even carcinogenic, or be assimilated to endocrine disruptors. To ensure the safety of the products you choose, here is a list of ingredients to avoid:
- Parabens : these are preservatives frequently used in cosmetics, but they are recognized endocrine disruptors and can pose health risks to children.
- Sulfate derivatives: These are the foaming agents often found in personal care products. They can be irritating to the sensitive skin of children.
- Methylisothiazolinone (MI, MIT, MCI): These preservatives are known to cause allergic reactions.
- Alcohol : Although often used as a preservative, alcohol can be too irritating to children's skin.
- Petroleum derivatives like petroleum jelly and paraffin: These can form an occlusive barrier on the skin and interfere with its natural function.
- Cortisone treatments: These can be effective in treating certain skin conditions, but should be used with caution, for a short time and on the recommendation of a healthcare professional, as they can be addictive to the skin.
- Aluminum : This ingredient is often used in deodorants, but may be best avoided due to concerns about skin absorption. We think in particular of nursing mothers or adults in skin-to-skin contact with an infant – to simply avoid.
- Essential oils : Although natural, some essential oils may be too powerful for children's sensitive skin and should therefore be used with caution.
What to look for on the packaging of a children's product
In addition to avoiding certain ingredients, it is important to know how to decipher the list of ingredients on a children's cosmetic label. Avoid products with long ingredient lists, favor products with recognized labels, and check the origin of the product. Standards may vary by country, so it is recommended to be careful and question products purchased outside of Europe.The label of a cosmetic product for children should contain essential information to guarantee its safety. Look for mentions indicating that the product is specifically intended for children and check if labels or mentions such as "organic", "Cosmos Organic", "dermatologically proven on sensitive skin" and "compatible infant or pregnant woman" are present.
The advantages of "Organic" cosmetic products
You may be wondering if organic cosmetics are really gentler on the skin of children and babies. In general, organic cosmetic products guarantee the absence of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The charters governing organic products are also stricter, which means that the list of ingredients is restricted and that most of the ingredients harmful to health are not authorized, as well as for the packaging used.  
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It is also important to mention that labels and certifications can be a great help in choosing safe children's cosmetics. The mentions COSMOS ORGANIC or COSMEBIO, or even SLOW COSMETIQUE impose demanding specifications on manufacturers to obtain their label. These specifications often include the exclusion of GMOs, nanoparticles, parabens, silicones, synthetic fragrances and dyes, as well as ingredients from animals or petrochemicals. |
Until when to use specific care for children?
It is necessary to use specific cosmetic products for children throughout their growth . But all the recommendations here are also valid for adult products. A product for children is perfect for an adult. But beware, the opposite is not at all true!The frequency of use will depend on each person, but remember to always protect and take care of your little one's skin. In winter, when the skin is prone to dryness due to the cold, it is important to use suitable moisturizers . In summer, it is essential to apply sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF 50+) to protect children's skin when exposed to the sun. Best to avoid exposure .
The importance of a limited ingredient list
As for the number of ingredients, it is better to choose products with as short a list of ingredients as possible. However, it is important to note that certain substances are necessary to guarantee the preservation of the products. The INCI list (list of ingredients) ranks products from highest to lowest concentration. In general, water appears first for an aqueous product. The most important thing is to check that the main ingredient or the important assets noted on the packaging appear in the first 3 to 4 ingredients of the list.Use of "pure" ingredients
It is also possible to use pure oils of good quality, provided that they are not hydrogenated and that they are vegetable oils from the first cold pressing. However, do-it-yourself (DIY) cosmetics for children is not recommended, as this can lead to the risk of formulation errors.Recommendations for pregnant women
Expectant mothers, mothers and nursing mothers should follow the same recommendations. Use the most natural products possible, avoid chemicals, potential endocrine disruptors, irritants and essential oils.In case of doubt or uncertainty, it is best to move on and find other cosmetic treatments.
Pioupiou Cosmetics treatments
All our treatments are 100% natural, organic and vegan. We are certified and our products meet a charter and demanding specifications to guarantee healthy care for babies from birth, pregnant women, children and the whole family. We don't compromise, we only use the best.
In conclusion
Here are some simple tips and recommendations for choosing and using safe cosmetics for sensitive skin:- Avoid products with long ingredient lists and keep it simple.
- Pay attention to the products used during pregnancy.
- Avoid artificial fragrances and favor products with a natural, delicate fragrance that is present in very small quantities.
- Opt for reusable cotton wipes and water rather than pre-moistened disposable wipes.
- Rinse off so-called "leave-in" products to minimize children's contact with allergens or potential endocrine disruptors.
- Be careful of the products in contact with your baby (if you wear too strong a perfume, a deodorant containing aluminum salt, a potentially irritating cream, etc.).
- Do not use an adult product on a child! Always check compatibility for sensitive skin.
- Use mobile applications such as YUKA, INCI Beauty to scan product barcodes and get information about their composition.
*Teed is a friend of Pioupiou. They offer panties
learning: the playful and benevolent solution to go from diaper to panties. Find them on their website: https://teed-story.com/