Kids are the ones who often struggle most with their skin, especially as they start reaching adolescence and notice breakouts, excess oils, or dryness. So why are adults often the only ones with a skincare routine?
Social media is beginning to entice young children and tweens into wanting their own skincare routines, and while this can be beneficial, the problem is that they are often marketed the wrong products, which could damage their sensitive skin in the long run.
We want to change this, so we want parents to have all the information they need to create the perfect and most effective skincare routine for kids. This starts with ensuring you have the safest skincare products for them to use, helping them maintain healthy skin from now until adulthood.
So, let's get started!
What skincare products should children use?
The type of skin care products you use will be different from what your kid uses. It does often depend on their age, but if they're anything younger than a teenager, your child can generally use:
Face wash
No matter your age, you should always want to keep your skin clean, especially on your face. That's why you should consider a face wash specially designed for younger skin. You can always contact a pediatric dermatology specialist who knows which face wash products are best for young and delicate skin, or you can shop with a trusted retailer like Popsicle Beauty Club.
Cleanser
A gentle cleanser is essential for any skin care routine, whether you're a kid, tween, teenager, or adult. It's perfect for hydrating the skin, giving it a refresh, unclogging any pores, and removing any impurities that the face wash has missed. It's always best to go for a natural skincare cleanser like the Moon Jelly Gel Cleanser Mask by Caley Cosmetics.
Moisturizer
While some adults might move to an exfoliator in their skincare routine, this is often too harsh for a child's skin, which is why we recommend skipping straight to a moisturizer. It's perfect for children or tweens struggling with dry skin or imperfections and want to balance out their overall complexion. Our favorite is Balancing Moisturizer by MEBEME.
Sunscreen
Before you send your child out for the day, whether it's to school or to the park, it's essential to add a layer of sunscreen. A young kid's skin is delicate and needs to be protected from the sun's rays as much as possible. Opt for a high SPF and soothing sunscreen that will keep your child's skin safe and comfortable every day.
Guide to finding safe skincare for your kids
While we've given you a few recommendations of skin care products for kids, we want you to have all the information you need to find the right one for your child. Here are some of the tips you should follow when finding non-toxic and safe skincare for children:
Look at the ingredients list
Reviews and recommendations are always a good start when shopping for skincare for your kids, but one of the main things you need to do is look at the ingredients list. Ensure you understand what each ingredient means. For example, some ingredients, like retinoids and salicylic acid, are okay for adults but may be harmful to children.
Identify any allergens or harmful ingredients
If your kid suffers from any allergies, ensure that the product doesn't include that allergen in its formula. If you're unsure, you should always do a patch test on your child before they start using the product properly. You should also avoid ingredients lists that have toxic chemicals like parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, and sulfates.
Choose products free from harsh chemicals
Unfortunately, too many skincare products nowadays are full of chemicals that can actually break down the natural skin barrier on your child and cause irritation. That's why it's best to stick to more organic, vegan, and natural skincare items that haven't been made using any preservatives, synthetic fragrances, and dyes.
Opt for fragrance-free products
We've already briefly mentioned this, but fragrances in skincare products can actually cause more harm than anything to a child's skin. While it might be exciting for them to have a moisturizer that smells like strawberries, it might cause allergies. Therefore, look for fragrance-free products rather than those with a scent.
Safest skincare product ingredients
While you now know most of the ingredients to avoid in your child's skincare, here are some of the safest, most natural, and nourishing product ingredients to look out for:
- Aloe vera - Coming from the natural plant, aloe vera offers healing properties while nourishing the skin at the same time.
- Shea butter - Shea butter is one of the best ingredients for moisturizing skin as it is a rich emollient with anti-inflammatory properties.
- Calendula - Calendula comes from marigold flowers, offering soothing and anti-inflammatory properties for various skin conditions.
- Coconut oil - Like many other essential oils, coconut oil has many moisturizing properties and can act as a strong skin barrier.
- Muesli - Muesli is not just for breakfast; it can also soothe irritated skin and is ideal for those who suffer from eczema or other forms of inflammation.
Conclusion
Clean beauty and skincare are important for the younger generation, especially because we want to ensure they feel comfortable and vibrant now and throughout their adult years. There are many things parents should look out for when determining the right skincare for their kids, but at Popsicle Beauty Club, we make it easy. Browse through our list of only natural, organic, and safe skincare products to find the perfect one for your child.