5 totally necessary things to consider for healthy toddler skin.
While most parents go wild outfitting their homes and diets with everything organic and super safe during the first year, toddler skin is actually just as gentle and delicate as younger babies. Toddlers are far more active than newborns, touching just about everything they can, making them especially vulnerable to skin irritations.
1. Consider your laundry soap. Did you know the harsh foaming agents found in most laundry detergents can cause rashes, irritation, and inflammation in young children– especially babies? Try a formula without intense chemicals, foaming agents, or weird additives for all children under 4 years old, and continue for anyone in your house with sensitive skin. This one by Shoosha is unscented, hypo-allergenic, and USDA certified organic. Available here.
2. Speak softly, and carry this little stick. OK, enough with the history jokes. If your little one has a history of dry cheeks from running around in cool, dry weather at the playground or dry, crackling winter knuckles this little Mustela wand is nearly magic. It’s small enough to fit in your purse, coat pocket, or just about anywhere else and the formula is rich enough to combat serious dry skin with a single swipe (it goes on the same way your deodorant does). I carry these the way most women carry lip balm– every purse and pocket. Available here.
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3. Eczema needs special attention. Did you know that up to 20% of all people develop Eczema before the age of 5? That’s a lot of toddler skin in need of extra TLC, and few OTC brands are designed to handle the eczema needs of babies and small children. My daughter has been suffering from eczema patches since around her first birthday, and our go-to solution for her skin is Aveeno Baby Eczema Moisturizing Therapy after bathtime each night. It’s a rich, creamy formula that works into the skin nicely, is steroid-free, fragrance-free, and uses the power of oatmeal to lock hydration in. Available here.
4. Humidifiers are your secret weapon. Keeping a humidifier on in baby’s room all night not only helps keep nasal passages and lungs in great shape, but adds just the right amount of moisture to the air to keep toddler skin safe from overdrying and cracking, especially if they’re already prone to eczema and irritations. There are a ton of models out there, but you’re more likely to use it regularly if you like the design and display it prominently in baby’s room. This one by Crane is easy on the eyes and has antimicrobial properties to keep the cool mist clean and free of mold.
5. Don’t forget the cloth you choose next to their skin. Healthy toddler skin doesn’t stop at creams and hydration– it’s about everything you put on their bodies from their towels after bathtime to their clothes. Try going for organic cotton towels in the bathroom the kids use, and make sure you wash those towels only in the gentle laundry detergents. Towels can last 5-7 years, so this is a particularly important investment in your child’s skin.
