Almost every mother has on hand such an irreplaceable thing as baby powder. It has many advantages, the main of which is protecting the baby’s skin from irritation, various germs and bacteria.
The powder easily absorbs the resulting moisture and dries the baby's skin. It prevents the development of diaper rash and a common disease - “diaper rash”. After its use, itching, many irritations, redness, and inflammation of the skin disappear. And for older children, baby powder helps against acne, as it has a drying effect. It is worth noting that it is highly not recommended to use it for purulent inflammations.
Many pediatricians advise using powders only after the baby is 1 month old. Until this time, it is better to treat the child’s skin with baby cream after each bath. Starting from the second month of life, you can use liquid talc or powder.
Powder powder
The powder is designed to remove emerging moisture and reduce irritation in the diaper area. In the high price category it is produced with a cooling effect. Powder is the most common baby powder, reviews of which are very flattering from both mothers and pediatricians.
It has a good deodorizing and antiseptic effect, but many parents complain that when treating the baby’s skin, he can sometimes inhale small particles of powder.
Liquid talc
This cosmetic product is somewhat similar to a cream, but when applied to a child’s skin, it turns into a powder mass, perfectly absorbing excess moisture, and continues to act like regular baby powder.
Reviews of liquid talc are also very varied. But the main advantages that mothers and doctors note are the absence of any lumps in the skin folds and the presence of additional protection in the form of a thin film on the baby’s skin. The packaging is quite economical, the product does not spill out of it, and is very convenient to use.
The only drawback that parents note is the price when compared with powder.
What to look for when purchasing
Always carefully and scrupulously read all the information on the packaging, because we are talking about the health of your child. Any baby powder whose ingredients are written with grammatical errors, or which has an unclear expiration date, should be immediately excluded.
A mandatory requirement for powders is the presence on the label of complete information about the composition and manufacturer of the product, indicating a clear address and telephone number. If you do not see all the information described above, then most likely you are looking at either a fake or a low-quality product that could easily contain harmful substances.
For example, Johnson baby powder contains on its label, in addition to basic data, hotline numbers for mothers, email where you can send your wishes, and even Skype.
The main composition requirements that authorities impose on baby powders are a base of completely natural products, the absence of strong odors and lumps (the powder must be homogeneous).
A strong-smelling baby powder indicates that the manufacturer has gone overboard with the ingredients. Even if they are natural, there must be moderation in everything, otherwise the baby may experience headaches or develop allergies.
There is no point in buying powder for future use. You will most likely use it only in the summer months, when the heat is intense. The rest of the time, due to high humidity, climate changes or improper storage, it may simply deteriorate.
If on the packaging you see an inscription like “Baby powder, talc + fragrance, identical to natural,” you should not buy such a product. Artificial dyes or scent substitutes are not the best product for baby's skin care.
Also, you should not purchase any children's cosmetics that contain the following abbreviations: BBP, CDC, DBP, CMR, DEHP, DHP and DIDP. They are all united by one group of substances – phthalates. They are extremely harmful for both children and adults. Some unscrupulous manufacturers may add these substances to their powders, so be careful and read the label.
Criteria for choosing powder for children:
- Hypoallergenic properties;
- Natural composition (herbal additives are acceptable);
- Whole package with information about the manufacturer, composition and expiration date;
- Trusted manufacturer;
When studying the composition of a cosmetic product, as a rule, special attention is paid to components such as parabens and sulfates. These are the ones I want to dwell on, a little about parabens and sulfates in baby powder.
In fact, parabens are not as scary as they are made out to be. They are recognized for extending the shelf life of cosmetics, as they prevent the growth of bacteria.
Sulfates are surfactants that are dangerous to the health of the child (and in general to all living things), they destroy the immune system and can lead to the most irreversible diseases. In reaction with other elements, carcinogens and nitrates are formed that penetrate the baby’s blood. This is very important information; there should be no sulfates in children's cosmetics! Typically sulfates are marked as follows: SLS and SLES.
Baby powder: application
Powder is needed to absorb moisture and protect the baby’s skin, and if it contains zinc oxide, then, in addition to its main functions, it will have an antiseptic and drying effect.
The most moisture accumulates in the places where the body comes into contact with the diaper, so baby powder is simply irreplaceable when treating these particular areas of the skin. Otherwise, diaper rash and other dermatological problems may appear.
The main trouble is that too much moisture accumulates under the diapers, and the powder very quickly exhausts its reserve and begins to clump, causing injury to the baby. Therefore, it is so important to change the diaper on time, while simultaneously treating the skin with a new portion of baby powder.
Outside the diaper area there is much less moisture: on the knees and elbows, under the arms and on the neck. However, sweat from the folds in these places takes a very long time to evaporate and without proper care can cause inflammation of the skin. This is especially true for well-fed children. Baby powders are just perfect for preventing diaper rash in these areas.
Rating of the most popular powders for newborns
Having understood the main signs of high-quality powder, we can also note brands that are popular among parents:
- Bubchen is a German company specializing in the production of children's cosmetics. Bübchen powder does not contain any chemical compounds; it is based on mineral talc. This product is fragrance-free and completely hypoallergenic.
- Johnson's baby (Johnsons Baby) is an American brand with a rich history that dates back to the mid-19th century. It was talc that became one of the first products of the company to gain high popularity. Over the years, the product has been improved, and now Johnson's Baby offers a whole series to choose from. Unscented powder with the addition of chamomile, lavender or menthol. The product does not cause allergies and provides good skin glide.
- Sanosan (Sanosan) is another manufacturer from Germany. The composition of this product is rich in components, all of which are beneficial for the skin of babies. Sanosan powder contains: mineral talc, avocado oil and olive oil, allantoin, zinc oxide and fragrance. The presence of oils in the composition helps the skin not to dry out and remain sufficiently hydrated. The presence of natural ingredients and the absence of allergens allow the powder to be used even in case of dermatitis or minor damage. A component such as allantoin promotes regeneration and healing of the skin.
- “Our Mother” is a product made in Russia. The powder is made using natural ingredients, in particular mineral talc, with the addition of chamomile extract. The powder is specially designed for the most delicate and sensitive skin.
- "My Sun" is also a Russian brand of children's cosmetics. All products are quality controlled by GOST. The company has been developing cosmetics for children for more than 15 years, having its own laboratories. A careful approach to quality allows this product to be used for the youngest children from the first day of life. Talc spreads easily over the skin, lasts a long time and does not roll off.
- “Mom and Baby” is a Belarusian cosmetic product. The composition contains only natural ingredients. The product is hypoallergenic and copes well with its basic functions.
- “Karapuz” is a product of Ukrainian production. It has the most delicate texture and does not cause allergies. It is produced in a whole line with differences in composition. You can choose a product without fragrance, containing five herbs, chamomile, or a product for particularly sensitive skin.
For babies in the first month of life, it is best to use diaper creams and baby skin cream.
Precautionary measures
Try to protect the baby's respiratory organs, eyes, or damaged skin from getting the powder and keep it away from the baby.
As soon as the baby begins to make his first involuntary movements, make sure that the space around him is as safe as possible. And there are no guarantees that you won’t accidentally knock over the powder at night. Try to ensure that the trajectory of movement of the packaging with powder from the place of use to the place of storage passes as far as possible from the child’s head.
Applying baby powder
The powder should only be applied to clean and dry skin. Do not pour it directly onto the baby's body. First, apply the powder to a cotton pad or palm, and then gently spread it with powdering movements on skin folds or other problem areas. Hand movements should be light and in no case be of a massage nature.
It is unacceptable to use both cream and baby powder on the same area of skin, because these cosmetics have the exact opposite effect.
How to use baby powder
According to pediatricians, talc is safe for small children until the child inhales it. If microscopic particles enter the respiratory tract, an allergy develops. Certainly small amounts do not cause long-term problems.
Obviously, this danger can be easily avoided...how?
Apply the powder only if necessary, in small quantities, excluding the face area, paying attention to storing the packaging out of the reach of children.
Opponents of baby powder believe that a decent quality terry towel has the same absorption capacity.
The truth is in the middle. If you use the powder wisely, there is no harm. In addition, cream consistencies have appeared on sale.
Summarizing
Let us outline the main points that you need to pay attention to when using baby powder:
- Avoid getting powder on the baby’s face;
- keep the packaging as far away from the crib as possible;
- do not sprinkle powder directly on the child’s body;
- treat only clean, dry skin;
- When choosing a powder, carefully study the packaging and be sure to smell it.
Some mothers can do without baby powders, treating problem areas with a rich cream to prevent and treat diaper rash. But there are children for whom it is extremely difficult to care for without using powder. For some babies, especially those with an abundance of folds and overly delicate skin, this remedy helps them grow healthy and cheerful.
The best powders
When choosing the best powders, experts were guided by the criteria listed above, as well as user reviews and price-quality ratio.
Chicco Baby moments
This is a good baby powder with rice starch. Talc with a protective effect does not contain various dyes, flavors and other synthetic substances. Thanks to its natural composition, the powder can be used every time you change a diaper. The active ingredient is zinc oxide, which does not dry the skin, but has a calming effect and protects the baby's skin from waste products. The powder does not clog pores, which means the skin continues to breathe and retains its natural softness and velvety.
Characteristic | Meaning |
Volume | 150 ml |
Manufacturer | Italy |
pros
- soft consistency;
- does not form lumps on the baby’s bottom;
- distributed evenly over the skin;
- The material is quite heavy and does not fly apart during processing;
- large volume – 150 ml;
- faint, pleasant aroma.
Minuses
- high cost of powder;
- not always on sale.
Review: “I really liked it due to the pleasant smell. After using it, the skin is soft and has significantly less irritation. I can advise everyone."
our mother
This is a high-quality product made in Russia, consisting of natural elements: zinc oxide, talc, starch. An auxiliary element is chamomile extract, which promotes wound healing and has an antiseptic effect. It contains no fragrances, dyes or other dubious substances, so the powder is suitable for particularly sensitive skin. It provides comfort for the baby even when wearing a diaper for a long time and guarantees comprehensive care for the baby’s bottom. It is a hypoallergenic drug.
Characteristic | Meaning |
Volume | 100 g |
Manufacturer | Russia |
pros
- effective prevention and treatment of diaper rash;
- consists of natural ingredients;
- spreads well over the surface;
- low price;
- anti-inflammatory effect;
- hypoallergenic composition.
Minuses
- a lot of powder spills out of the packaging;
- doesn't help everyone.
Review: “I tried both inexpensive and advertised powders, none of them helped. After using this powder, diaper rash actually disappears, but the skin is not tender.”
Johnson's Baby
A well-known manufacturer of baby supplies from the USA with a rich history produces consistently high-quality products, including powder. This is a natural remedy without any harmful additives. The peculiarity of the composition is that after use a feeling of freshness appears. Now the manufacturer produces many varieties: with a neutral aroma, with menthol, with the addition of chamomile or lavender. Each type has a hypoallergenic composition and an easy-to-apply consistency. The powder effectively removes diaper rash, absorbs moisture well, and prevents chafing.
Characteristic | Meaning |
Volume | 100 g |
Manufacturer | USA |
pros
- convenient and inexpensive packaging;
- lasts a long time;
- pleasant aroma;
- soft consistency that spreads well over the skin and does not roll off;
- affordable price.
Minuses
- not suitable for all babies;
- Some users don't like the scent (there is an unscented version).
Review: “An excellent powder with a pleasant aroma that copes with the tasks assigned to it. Can be used as dry shampoo."
BUBCHEN
A time-tested German drug based on talc, silicon dioxide and other substances that are safe for children. It contains no fragrances, which means the aroma is neutral, suitable for almost every child. Thanks to high-quality mineral talc, the product absorbs moisture well and eliminates the manifestations of prickly heat. The finely dispersed composition prevents the appearance of lumps, acts gently, and does not block natural air exchange. The special design of the bottle helps to release the right amount of powder.
Characteristic | Meaning |
Volume | 100 g |
Manufacturer | Germany |
pros
- a reliable lid that prevents spillage even if dropped;
- neutral smell;
- quality confirmed by dermatologists;
- helps most children remove irritation;
- no lumps.
Minuses
- high cost of the product;
- not everyone is happy with the result.
Review: “The baby and I were pleased with the powder, it eliminated diaper rash, does not contain fragrance, the aroma is gentle and quite pleasant.”
The world of childhood
A domestically produced product in the form of a creamy powder, which pediatricians recommend for skin care. It contains auxiliary beneficial substances in the form of D-panthenol, vitamin E and aloe. There are no harmful or synthetic substances. It is distributed in the form of a tube, which allows you to carefully squeeze out the required amount. True, the liquid consistency requires dexterity to quickly distribute the composition over the skin, otherwise it is easy to stain the laundry. Most users note the high effectiveness of the powder for the protection and treatment of diaper rash.
Characteristic | Meaning |
Volume | 100 g |
Manufacturer | Russia |
pros
- creates a protective film;
- is a reliable prevention of diaper rash;
- reasonable price;
- available in the form of a tube and a regular jar of talcum powder - both products help;
- natural composition;
- neutral smell.
Minuses
- rolls off a little if the powder has not been changed for a long time;
- slightly large holes in the jar, causing a lot of talc to spill out.
Review: “It helps a lot. I buy it because of the convenient packaging, thanks to which I can use the powder on the go.”
SANOSAN
Powdered powder with zinc oxide and talc, as well as beneficial additives in the form of avocado and olive oils that soften the skin. The product provides high-quality care, because it contains only natural substances. They reliably absorb moisture, prevent skin dryness and protect against irritation, inflammation and similar undesirable manifestations. The powder does not harm even with minor skin damage and dermatitis.
Characteristic | Meaning |
Volume | 100 g |
Manufacturer | Germany |
pros
- hypoallergenic composition;
- does not dry the skin;
- does not form lumps;
- delicate, light texture;
- acts as a prevention and treatment for redness and irritation;
- moderately expressive aroma.
Minuses
- non-adjustable holes;
- presence of fragrance.
Review: “Removes all redness and irritation. True, there is a fragrance, but it is soft and unobtrusive. It’s a small thing, but I didn’t like the packaging; you can’t adjust the size of the holes in it.”
BabyLine Nature
A German-made product at a relatively affordable price, which is developed using only natural ingredients. The base uses many additional beneficial substances: mint oil to soothe the skin, aloe and chamomile extract to heal wounds, menthol for refreshment, etc. The powder helps the child recover quickly and cope with inflammation. It can be used even in hot weather, as the product is a reliable prevention of diaper rash.
Characteristic | Meaning |
Volume | 100 g |
Manufacturer | Germany |
pros
- quickly absorbs moisture;
- 1-2 times significantly improves the condition of the skin during diaper rash and irritation;
- actively dries the skin;
- convenient to use;
- soft, pleasant aroma.
Minuses
- powder constantly spills out of the jar, even when closed;
- Not everyone likes the smell.
Review: “Allows you to cope with diaper rash anywhere on the skin in a couple of days. Even severe irritation goes away completely within 5 days. The only thing I didn’t like was the strong smell, otherwise everything was ok.”
Helan Soft Rice
Natural powder originally from Italy, which is intended for gentle care of the sensitive skin of newborns and older children. The proprietary composition includes not only the original scent, but also fruit and plant extracts that provide a feeling of cleanliness and freshness throughout the day. The basis is rice starch, which softens the skin. Oatmeal promotes dry skin and fights diaper rash. Aloe vera, walnut and olive oils have a moisturizing effect.
Characteristic | Meaning |
Volume | 100 g |
Manufacturer | Germany |
pros
- after use the skin is silky;
- fatty acids in the composition ensure compliance with the hydrolipid balance;
- suitable for newborns;
- light citrus scent;
- quickly removes irritation and diaper rash.
Minuses
- very expensive powder, costs more than 1000 rubles;
- extremely rare.
Review: “This is a high-quality powder that removes diaper rash in just 1-2 applications. I also liked the vintage packaging, but it was too expensive.”
Synthesis
This is an inexpensive domestic powder that can effectively dry and soothe problem areas of children's skin. Can be used to treat rashes and diaper dermatitis. Starch and talc are used as adsorbents. To effectively combat irritation and dry skin, the composition contains zinc oxide, which absorbs excess moisture. The powder consists entirely of powdery ingredients without lumps, so it will be easy to distribute the product over the skin.
Characteristic | Meaning |
Volume | 40 g |
Manufacturer | Russia |
pros
- low cost (the most budgetary in the ranking);
- dries well;
- suitable for summer;
- helps with irritation and diaper rash;
- absorbs moisture.
Minuses
- inconvenient packaging without a cap, the powder crumbles if it is knocked over;
- the powder scatters throughout the room.
Review: “This is one of the few cases when quality is higher than price. I use it myself, it helps a lot after depilation.”
KODOMO Extra Mild
High-quality powder from Japan for children and newborns, which combines only natural ingredients: vitamin E, tapioca, chitosan and aloe. It almost never causes irritation, absorbs moisture efficiently, and allows you to protect against diaper rash when wearing a diaper regularly, even in summer. It has a uniform, light consistency and pronounced aroma. The product does not clump or accumulate in folds, and is well distributed over the skin.
Characteristic | Meaning |
Volume | 50 g |
Manufacturer | Japan |
pros
- suitable for hypersensitive skin;
- low price;
- natural composition;
- convenient consistency for uniform application and distribution over the skin;
- most users like the scent;
- the skin becomes silky.
Minuses
- small jar volume – 50 g;
- You may get more sleep than you need.
Review: “It’s a good powder, but it has too much fragrance. Yes, the smell is pleasant, but there is too much of it, the whole room is saturated with this aroma.”
How to use powder?
The principle of use for all powders is the same - treat the baby’s skin with talcum powder. It is important to apply the composition to the cleaned area, which must be periodically moistened (if necessary) with a special cream.
Brief instructions:
- Shake the bottle to mix all ingredients.
- Sprinkle a little product onto your palm.
- Apply to baby's skin.
- Close the package and put in a cool place.
The powders listed above are recommended to be purchased by most pediatricians in Russia, since they have a minimal risk of allergic reactions, high absorbency and contain useful additives.