Your baby’s skin is extra-sensitive, so choosing a gentle and nourishing baby oil is essential. There are many products on the market, and this simple guide will help you pick a healthy option for a happy baby.
Ditch Petroleum-based Products
Most over-the-counter oils are made from mineral oils such as petroleum jelly, a by-product of crude oil that is made suitable for human skin by removing carcinogens. Such products work by creating a seal between the skin and the environment outside, a bit like saran-wrap. Products like Vaseline give the impression of well-hydrated skin, but their sheen is simply the appearance of oil sitting on top of the skin. Mineral oils are water-resistant and can be challenging to cleanse, and dermatologists warn that we should use them sparingly.
Use Natural Alternatives
Luckily, natural alternatives to mineral oils are readily available and are used in moisturizers, diaper creams and baby oils. Coconut oil is scientifically proven to work effectively as a moisturizer and, as a natural product, it’s healthy and kind to your baby’s skin. Jojoba oil is a proven anti-inflammatory and soothes sunburn and eczema. Even oils more familiar from the kitchen can be used in skin-care products. The benefits of olive oil for the skin are well-known, and sunflower oil is also a healthy and natural alternative. Some of the products will be absorbed, so it’s just as important to use clean, non-toxic products on your baby’s skin as in their diet.
Shopping for Baby Oil
At Living Life Natural, we recommend Nature’s Baby Organics Mandarin Coconut Baby Oil. Made from a blend of nourishing oils – Coconut, Olive, Orange Peel, Tamanu Seed, Jojoba and Sunflower – it’s completely vegan and cruelty-free with 95% certified organic ingredients. Add it to your baby’s bath for extra softness! Nature’s Baby Organics also offers a fragrance-free Face and Body Moisturizer with soothing coconut and shea butter extracts for sensitive or dry skin.
Baby oil can be used for all kinds of things. Try it as a massage oil or gentle make-up remover; it can be used as an after-shave balm on legs or underarms, and if you get hold of some a few months early, it can be used to treat and prevent stretch-marks during pregnancy.
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[1] Agero AL, Verallo-Rowell VM (September 2004). “A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis.” Dermatitis 15 (3): 109–16. doi:10.2310/6620.2004.04006.
