What do you look out for when choosing a baby wash? Did you know that some types of baby wash are actually harsh on your baby’s skin? It’s interesting to know that so much thought goes into something seemingly so simple. But you see, your baby’s skin is very gentle and it’s important that you take good care of it. Here’s what Dr. Jean Ho, consultant dermatologist from JEAN HO SKIN & LASER CLINIC, wants you to know about taking care of your baby’s delicate skin during bath time.
Baby Skin vs Adult Skin
Why is it so important to be gentle on your baby’s skin? Dr. Ho explains that infants’ skin barrier has not reached full maturity, thus resulting in increased susceptibility of their skin to irritants. The filaggrin and lipid content in infant skin are lower. As such, it is more difficult for their skin to retain moisture. Therefore, infants’ skin is more likely to become dry.
Soap Based vs Non-Soap Based Baby Wash
To begin with, did you know that there’s a significant difference between soap-based and non-soap based baby wash? Only certain baby washes are non-soap based, and these are more suitable for your baby’s delicate skin. Here’s why.
Soap is great for removing oils and dirt from the skin, but the problem lies with the fact that they are too good at it! Soaps are salts of fatty acids made by treating vegetable and animal fats with lye (sodium / potassium hydroxide). The detergent effect of soaps could remove too much of the natural oils from your baby’s skin that are required to maintain healthy skin moisture levels. Soaps are also alkaline, and frequent use can result in altered pH of baby’s skin. All these would lead to a weakened skin barrier and susceptibility to irritation and development of eczema. As such, it is damaging and harsh to your baby’s delicate skin. This is especially so for babies who have skin that is prone to dryness and irritation.
A soap-free baby wash on the other hand, is formulated with alternative compounds called syndets. These are a group of synthetic molecules which are designed to be more “skin-friendly” that permits washing without stripping away natural moisturisers. Dr. Ho says, “A non-soap based baby wash is a more pH-neutral cleanser that does not disrupt the integrity of babies’ skin.” Therefore, non-soap based baby wash is suitable especially for babies with sensitive skin and flaking or itchiness due to dry skin conditions.
Now that you know the difference, remember to look out for non-soap based baby wash instead of soap the next time you are shopping for baby products! Read on to find out how to go about choosing the right baby wash.
Key Considerations when Choosing a Baby Wash
Parents, you must remember that not all baby washes are created equal. When shopping for a baby wash, it might be tempting to reach out for the first one you see, the one with the best discount or even the best smelling one. However, it’s important that you consider some of these, as your baby’s delicate skin deserves the best care!
1. Ingredients
Always look for non-soap based baby wash. These could be labelled “Soap-Free”. Dr. Ho recommends looking out for additional functionalities such as moisturising or lipid-replenishing. Addition of ingredients such as glycerin and oils can improve hydration of the skin while giving baby a bath.
2. Formula
It’s best to go for a baby wash with a low eye and skin irritation potential formulation. This is best suited for your baby’s delicate and sensitive skin and eyes.
What to Avoid when Choosing a Baby Wash
Now that you know what to look out for, here’s what you should avoid when choosing a baby wash. Firstly, as much as we love the fragrance of baby wash, avoid choosing a baby wash that is fragranced as this can trigger allergic reactions in your baby. Dr. Ho cautions that sodium lauryl sulphate can cause dryness to delicate skin. These can be damaging and harsh to your baby’s delicate skin. Conversely Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate is a preferred soap-free alternative that is gentle on baby’s skin. Choose a baby wash that has 0% fragrance, colour, common irritants, Propylene glycol and lanolin.
Finally, try to avoid alcohol-based baby wash as alcohol is also known to causes dryness and irritation to your baby’s delicate skin²!
Our Recommended Baby Wash
Based on all these considerations, our recommended baby wash is one that is tried and tested by Singaporean mums! 9 out of 10 Singaporean mums*, paediatricians, and dermatologists recommend QV Baby Gentle Wash. True to its name, this baby wash uses a gentle formula that’s perfect for your baby’s delicate skin. QV Baby Gentle Wash helps to maintain hydration during cleansing so that your baby’s skin is left feeling soft, just the way it should be!
QV Baby Gentle Wash has a host of benefits that make it a great choice. First and foremost, it is soap-free, so it doesn’t strip away your baby’s natural oils and helps maintain the skin’s natural protective properties. Furthermore, it is pH balanced, with a low-irritant formulation. QV Baby Gentle Wash also has 0% colour, fragrance, propylene glycol and lanolin, making it safe to use from the day your baby is born!
Moreover, QV Baby Gentle Wash includes Vitamin E to help support the skin barrier. Vitamin E has moisturising and healing benefits and helps to strengthen the skin barrier function³. It replenishes the skin with hydration, calms redness and helps to rebuild and strengthen the lipid barrier⁴.
All of these make QV Baby Gentle Wash perfectly suited for babies with sensitive skin, flaking or itchiness caused by dry skin conditions. In fact, 10 out of 10# dermatologists in Singapore recommend QV for dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin and it is the number 1 brand in Singapore hospitals^!
QV Baby Gentle Wash also contains Glycerin, a moisturiser that draws and retains water to the skin. It helps in skin barrier recovery, skin hydration and skin elasticity among other things.
Last but not least, QV Baby Gentle Wash is non comedogenic. This means that it won’t block your baby’s pores!
Mums and dads, we hope that you now have a better idea of what to look out for when choosing a baby wash. Give your baby’s delicate skin the tender, loving care it needs in the form of QV Baby Gentle Wash, available on Shopee, Lazada, Watsons and Guardian!
*Try and Review Study 2019 – Sample size: 83 Singaporean mothers
^ QV’s calculation based in part on IQVIA National Sales Audit for D02 Emollients & Protective Material, Hospital channel, MAT Mar 2020 (Sales Values).
# Based on results of survey conducted by Ego Pharmaceuticals Singapore, Aug-Nov 2021, on 46 dermatologists in Singapore.
References
- https://www.qvskincare.com/sg/en/baby.html
- https://www.whattoexpect.com/baby-products/baby-care/best-baby-shampoos/
- https://www.allure.com/story/vitamin-e-skin-care
- https://www.harpersbazaar.com.sg/beauty/a-beginners-guide-to-vitamin-e/ & https://sg.theasianparent.com/best-baby-wash-sensitive-skin