As a baby and then throughout my childhood I suffered from eczema, I still have outbreaks now – especially if I’m stressed or try a new product that inevitably causes an allergic reaction (but I’m a beauty junkie, what’s a girl to do?!).
I was really really hoping that Mabel would inherit her father’s seemingly perfect and issue adverse epidermis. I swear he could wash his face in heavily scented shampoo and it would still be absolutely radiant and redness free. Unfortunately my daughter follows me in the sensitive skin stakes, even some recommended eczema specific products aggravate her existing flaky patches and makes her itch to the point of being so uncomfortable, she is unable to sleep.
I was concerned that due to her hyper sensitivity she would inevitably develop nappy rash but her bottom has always remained peachy and completely clear, I put this largely down to our vigilant use of Bepanthen cream. Not only did it seemingly prevent soreness but she hasn’t ever had a negative reaction to it, I kept a tube in her nursery, one in her travel bag and a back-up in the bathroom just in case we ever ran out!
As well as Bepanthen I found Diprobase ointment excellent for chapped hands and particularly dry areas, it is very emollient and stays on the skin until you choose to remove it. It terms of bathing, I use a warm flannel and a very small amount of Sanex 0% shower gel (no fragrance and no colorants). I also favour Boots own brand unperfumed wet wipes which ironically are only slightly damp – which I prefer, they remove any unwanted accidents without leaving too much residue.
I also found using certain detergents to wash Mabel’s clothes caused irritation and after trialling several brands I discovered Waitrose “Mini” non bio laundry liquid. It actually works at removing difficult stains whilst being super gentle on delicate skin.
Now that baby number two is on the way I’m confident that I know which products and bathing methods work so it will save me a great deal of trial and error frustration. We have created a 10 tips pin for this feature that I hope you will find useful – do let me know what are your recommended essentials for babies with dry and sensitive skin and any useful tips you’ve learnt in the comments box below.
{Pin The Tips}
This post is sponsored by Bepanthen but you know we would never recommend anything we didn’t love. #BepanthenTips
Firstly Congratulations on Baby number 2!! My skin is exactly the same as yours Charlotte, and sometimes I have flare ups from products I’ve used for years! Que a very ugly bruising rash from Amber Solaire suncream on our recent holidays! My little girl Edie is just the same and we too have even found the so called ‘Eczema Friendly’ products can cause her skin to flare up. We have some prescription cream from the doctor but try and only use this when absolutely necessary as excessive use can exacerbate the problem. We have found bathing in just water every day, and using a combination of Body Shop Hemp Products keeps Edie’s skin under control. I can’t rate the Hemp Body Butter Strongly enough! Takes charge of nasty flare ups super quick! The Lush Magic Cream is also lovely, smells amazing and more importantly doesn’t irritate!
Hi Danielle! Suncream is so difficult to get right isn’t it – we have tried loads. We also found some eczema specific creams to be an issue sometimes, they often contain well-know irritating essential oils and I have no idea why. I’m glad to hear you have found some excellent products that work x
We use reusable nappies and I swear this is the reason O has very little nappy rash. She’s only ever had 1 really bad bout where it broke the skin. Poor mite.
Non bio all the way for washing!
We also have bepantham in her room and in the change bag – as Baden-Powell said “be prepared!”
Ha ha exactly! We always put a spare small bag in the boot of the car for travelling emergencies (because even if we took a travel bag we always forgot something!) it was one of the best bits of organisation we did in terms of always having spare clothes, creams and wipes for accidents x
Love love love all the Childs Farm products and they smell gorgeous. Adults have reported improvements to their skin as well. It’s the only stuff I use for Zach and his occasional allergic reactions seem to benefit from their moisturiser
I have a friend who swears by Childs Farm as well Helen -I’ve never tried it but I’m tempted by their bath wash etc x
Have a look at some of the parents posts on their Facebook page of the difference from using the baby moisturiser on children’s skin with rashes. Really rate the 3 in 1 swim too
Ooh I will, thanks Helen.
Helen I also rate the Child’s Farm stuff – we have the 3 in 1 swim too for weekly swimming sessions and it gets rid of the horrible chlorine smell without being harsh on Elle’s hair and skin xxxx
As an adult I second hemp products. They are the only products that clear up my eczema
I’ve never tried them Claire, do you use the ones from the Body Shop?
It’s all such a minefield when they have sensitive skin, as so many of the products targeted at the issue can make it worse. The only products I will put near B’s skin in the bath etc. are Aveeno or Neal’s Yard now.
We had great results from Bepanthen on a very sore bottom, and top tip from my doctor was to pop a thin layer of vaseline over the top at night to stop it moving about. Worked a treat xx
Charlotte I tried Diprobase on your recommendation and it really helped clear Jenson’s cradle cap. And another vote here for Child’s Farm products too. But yes to Bepanthen in the nursery, the changing station downstairs, Lyra’s room and the changing bag! X
I was really lucky, I don’t remember the boys ever suffering sensitive skin. Perhaps it was too long ago to remember and I’ve blocked it out… Anabelle however suffered with eczema and was prescribed all sorts of lotions and potions by the Dr. which when used only made it worse. It wasn’t until I stopped using the prescribed products and changed a few of our habits you’ve mention in your pin it cleared. xxx
Alice had the worst eczema ever and was often so sore it would bleed. I had to be really careful what I used on her skin, especially her nanny rash. Cotton wool and water was the best followed by a thin layer of cream. The ointments prescribed by the doctor only seemed to aggravate it so I went back to basics. It’s so tough when they have poorly skin but everything you mention above is spot on x
I’ve recently discovered Bepanthen and it’s been amazing! Poor little one had really sore nappy rash and I had tried several creams but nothing seemed to wirk at all until a friend recommended Bepanthen. I’ve seen bought a huge tube as well as several little ones for nappy bag, car etc!
I also really like Child’s Farm range of products after receiving some as a gift – it all smells delicious!