In Singapore’s tropical weather, managing dry and sensitive skin can be a real struggle. This is especially true when it comes to caring for the thin, delicate, and extra sensitive skin of newborns and babies. According to a study, 1 in 5 babies in Singapore struggle with Eczema.
Another study suggests that atopic eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is the most common skin condition affecting adults and children, including babies. It affects up to 20 percent of school-aged children in Singapore. And for most patients, symptoms begin during the first year of their lives.
This is where skincare products, especially a good gentle cleanser for dry skin and sensitive skin can step in.
Such cleansers get rid of pollutants and dead skin, whilst maintaining the natural oils and moisture in the skin.
However, in a sea of products all claiming to be “gentle and nourishing,” how do you choose what’s best for your child’s sensitive skin?
In this article, we take you through some of the fundamentals of what makes an ideal skincare product. This way you can make an informed decision.
What Does Science Say About Gentle Cleansers For Dry Skin?
Gone are the days when conventional cleansers performed the only core function of helping clean the skin. Today, a gentle cleanser for dry and sensitive skin not only cleans but also provides moisturisation and hydration benefits, thus keeping the skin healthy.
However, it is important to note that not all cleansers can do that.
In fact, according to a paper published by Dermatologic Therapy, some products use harsh surfactants in the blind pursuit of providing “maximum deep cleaning” that can cause damage to skin proteins and lipids, leading to after-wash tightness, dryness, barrier damage, irritation, and itching.
Ingredients like Parabens (a class of widely-used preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products), colourants, and fragrances can also damage sensitive skin.
Research suggests that only cleansers that not only minimise surfactant damage to skin proteins and lipids but also deposit and deliver beneficial agents such as occlusives, skin lipids, and humectants under wash conditions are able to provide skincare benefits like better hydration, as well as mechanical and visual properties.
Findings of another extensive research suggest that surfactants that cause significant skin irritation interact strongly with skin proteins. Because of this, several surfactants and surfactant mixtures have been identified as “less irritating” mild surfactants because of their diminished interactions with skin proteins.
Another important thing to bear in mind when looking for an ideal gentle cleanser for dry skin is the pH of the cleanser.
High pH (pH 10) solutions, even in the absence of surfactants, can increase stratum corneum or SC (this is basically the outer layer of the skin, also known as the epidermis) swelling and alter lipid rigidity.
This suggests that cleansers with neutral or acidic pH, close to SC-normal pH 5.5, maybe potentially less damaging to the skin.
So, the next time you are on the lookout for an ideal gentle cleanser, remember to look for a product that is free of Parabens, colourant and fragrance, and has balanced pH value.
Ceramide-based Cleanser Cleanses Gently And Replenishes Skin With Moisture
Another important factor to consider when choosing the ideal mild cleanser for your bundle of joy is its base ingredient. Thanks to the past two decades of advances in this field, now there is deeper understanding of the roles of SC proteins and lipids in their interaction with cleanser surfactants.
It is found that this interaction leads to skin dryness, irritation, and erythema. Well, that’s a lot of science talk, isn’t it? But it’s also important to know.
Allow us to explain.
Today, skin cleansing technology has evolved from basic soap to syndet bars (synthetic detergent-based bars). These bars contain key moisturising ingredients, such as lipids and emollients. These offer skincare benefits beyond cleansing and are mostly neutral or acidic (pH 7 or less), and thus less harmful.
This, as compared to traditional soap-based cleansers that are more alkaline in nature (pH 10).
Furthermore, emollients, which are a cosmetic preparation used for protecting, moisturising, and lubricating the skin, replenish the fatty acids and sterols lost during the wash process.
They also minimised the depletion of skin lipids on a newborn or toddler’s sensitive skin. Even doctors recommend gentle cleansers with emollients, especially for children with eczema-prone, dry and sensitive skin.
“A gentle cleanser with emollients is important in children with eczema-prone skin to restore healthy skin barrier function. This together with emollient creams will reduce episodes of acute exacerbation,” says Dr Ong Eng Keow, Paediatrician from International Child & Adolescent Clinic.
Ceramide-dominant Lipid-based Formulation Rebuilds Protective Skin Barrier
Last but definitely not the least, is the IT ingredient that is a must for healthy, moisturised skin–ceramide.
In an interview, Dr Mary L. Stevenson, M.D., assistant professor in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Langone Health, shared that our skin already makes ceramides. He added that they are a crucial part of the outer protective layer of skin.
She further explained that ceramides are basically lipids that keep hydration in. They also protect against anything that might irritate our skin, she added.
Another specialist, Dr Rajani Katta, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Houston advocates that applying more ceramides on our face actually helps fight dryness and flaking, and even eczema.
Additionally, ceramides are proven to be the key to fighting skin ageing, and are more potent than other more commonly known ingredients, such as retinol, niacinamide, and peptides.
Ceramide is the cement that holds the skin barrier together. Insufficient ceramide means that the skin barrier is unable to function properly.
With its unique 3:1:1 ceramide-dominant lipid-based formulation, Ceradan range of products repair the compromised skin barrier.
They do so by incorporating ceramide into skin cells and creating an accelerated restoration of a healthier skin barrier.
Ceradan: A Gentle Cleanser For Dry Skin That Offers More
It is based on these findings that most modern parents prefer Ceradan. The product is a gentle, non-foaming, face and body cleanser. It not only hydrates and soothes, but also rebuilds the skin barrier as it cleans and refreshes.
This ceramide-based hydrous gel texture is ideal to cleanse gently and replenish skin with moisture. It is pH-balanced and can be used with/without water. Ceradan Gentle Cleanser is hypoallergenic, free from SLS/SLES, Paraben, colourant and fragrance to remove potential irritants.
Ceradan is clinically proven to replenish the lost ceramides and physiological lipids that form the skin’s natural protective barrier. The cleanser works by restoring skin’s protective barrier from external pathogens, allergens and irritants.
Other conventional shower gel or cleansers in the market may contain SLS, SLES, Parabens, colourant and fragrances. These ingredients are not recommended for sensitive skin. That is because they are known irritants and can further worsen your sensitive skin conditions.
In fact, it’s ideal for kids with eczema-prone skin, as they have a compromised skin barrier. This leads to penetration of allergens, pathogens and irritants that worsen eczema-prone, dry and sensitive skin conditions.
As such, Ceradan range of products are formulated with ceramide-dominant in 3:1:1 ratio of ceramide, cholesterol and fatty acids. This supports accelerated optimal skin barrier restoration and makes it the top choice of gentle cleansers for newborns and kids.
Although the good news is that this cleanser is suitable for all ages. So, mummas don’t have to splurge on separate cleansers for themselves and for their young ones. With Ceradan Gentle Cleanser, the same gentle cleanser for dry skin will work wonders for both you and your little one!
Ceradan Gentle Cleanser 500ml retails for S$26.00 at Guardian, Watsons, Unity as well as online at Ceradan Official Store Shopee and Lazada.
