Why parents shouldn’t use adult skincare products on babies – Dermatologists
Dermatologists have warned that applying adult skincare products and alcohol-based creams on babies puts them at risk of skin allergies and dry skin.
They noted that babies have soft skin and a developing immune system, therefore, applying adult creams containing harsh ingredients could affect their skin and hormones.
In separate interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, the skin experts advised parents to use mild, alcohol-free creams specifically formulated for babies to protect and nourish their delicate skin.
They recommended using creams with baby-friendly ingredients that contain glycerin, ceramide, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and coconut oil.
According to a health blog, Medical News Today, babies often have dry skin on their faces, legs and arms because their skin is more sensitive than adults.
Dry skin could be caused by overexposure to water, dehydration, alcohol-based lotions, and genetic factors.
Speaking with PUNCH Healthwise, a Consultant Physician and Dermatologist at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, Dr Olufolakemi Cole-Adeife, stated that babies’ skin was delicate, sensitive and still developing, therefore adult skincare products were not recommended for them.
She added that using these products on babies increased their risk of skin irritation and allergies, such as eczema.
“The skin of babies is thinner, and this makes it more permeable to ingredients and agents in skincare products. So in most cases, we don’t recommend adult products for babies because the concentration of certain ingredients or products may be too high for a child. So they have specifically formulated skincare products for babies.
“Also, the concentration in adult products is usually higher and of active ingredients, and this can be a bit overwhelming for baby-sensitive skin. Babies are more prone to developing allergic reactions to some of the ingredients that are commonly used in adult products.
“So they can be at risk of skin irritation, allergic dermatitis. It can trigger or worsen atopic dermatitis if the child has atopic dermatitis. And then they can even have skin infections, particularly for skincare products that are not well formulated,” the dermatologist noted.
Cole-Adeife also warned that poorly formulated adult skincare products containing contaminants increased the risk of skin infections in children.
She further emphasised that alcohol-based skincare products could cause skin dryness in children.
“If the skincare product contains alcohol, there are some skincare products that may be alcohol-based or may have alcohol as one of the major components. So alcohol is drying to the skin, if the skincare product has some alcohol in it, it can cause some skin dryness,” the physician said.
The member of the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists also noted that some ingredients in adult products, such as lavender, could affect the hormones of babies, leading to endocrine disruption in babies and children.
“We should be very cautious with the kind of creams that we put on children. Most adult-formulated creams are not suitable for babies or for children,” Cole-Adeife added.
The dermatologist advised parents and caregivers of babies with skin infections and allergies caused by adult skincare products to immediately discontinue their use.
She stated that if the offending agent was stopped, the baby’s skin could repair or heal itself, however, the prolonged use of such products could cause irreversible damage.
“But most of the effects of the use of such creams in children can be reversed by using the right skincare products and having appropriate skincare practices. If the child has had some damage, using some plain, gentle soaps or cleansers and moisturizers usually will take care of the problem. And once that child is well-fed, the skin will gradually heal and get back to its normal state.
“We usually recommend fragrance-free products for babies, gentle fragrance-free and hypoallergenic products. Hypoallergenic means that most of the common allergens that cause skin irritation have been removed or reduced to a minimal level. Also, they want to use skincare products that have minimal additives and then have more natural or gentle ingredients,” the dermatologist said.
She cautioned mothers against mixing steroids, such as Funbact A into their baby’s creams, advising them to take the child to a dermatologist for review and treatment if they noticed any skin irritation or problems.
Cole-Adeife advised parents and children caregivers to apply moisturizers on babies after bathing them and wear light clothing during the hot weather to prevent heat rash.
“And then make sure their diapers are changed regularly because one of the common rashes babies have is diaper rash. Then baby-friendly ingredients include glycerin, ceramide, hyaluronic acid, shea butter and coconut oil. These are generally good products for baby skin and skincare products that have these ingredients as part of their formulation.
“And then, if there’s any serious skin issue, please take the baby to a hospital to see a paediatrician or a dermatologist and don’t self-medicate. Don’t try to treat that infant or child at home,” the dermatologist warned.
Also, a paediatric dermatologist, Dr Hauwa Makarfi, stated that using adult creams on babies could cause dry skin, bruises, and eczema.
She further noted that families with children who use the same cream should ensure that the products are mild for the skin.
Makarfi, who is the Secretary of NAD, advised, “There are products that are designed for babies and we have our natural products. Some people use coconut oil and shea butter, these are natural products that don’t have any additives and a significant number of them are good.
“But when you begin to add other things that are not supposed to be in those products, that’s where we have problems with them because it can cause allergic reactions in children.
“So, natural products are good and then we have a lot of baby products in the market that are specially formulated for babies. Also, there are a lot of communities that have real natural shea butter, coconut oil and olive oil. These are all-natural and good for the skin but without additives. So, don’t get shea butter, cocoa butter or other natural products that have all sorts of additives in them. As much as possible, we don’t want bleaching creams for babies. I’m specifically mentioning babies because their skins are sensitive.”
