By Amy Williams
Our children are born with
flawless skin, but with age and the elements, skin can become irritated and
damaged. With the start of summer vacation only days away, parents need to
stock up on skincare products to ensure happy and healthy summer skin. Because
once Memorial weekend hits, our kids will be busy running outside, swimming,
and playing sports.
According to Kidshealth.org, much of the sun exposure our skin receives happens before age 18. Protecting skin at an early age helps ensure
that skin receives the minimal amount of damage from the sun’s damaging UVA and
UVB rays. And don’t be fooled by overcast summer skies, those sneaky UVA/UVB
rays can break past the clouds.
But children’s skin is going to
be prone beyond damage from the sun. Bug bites, poison ivy, eczema and even
drying soaps can cause irritation and sensitivity. While parents can’t protect
their child from every pesky mosquito or rash, there are products that help
heal red, itchy, irritated or damaged skin. Make sure your medicine cabinets
are stocked with these must-have summer skin remedies to keep your child’s skin
healthy and happy!
OTC Anti-Itch Creams or Colloidal Oatmeal
The summer is the time when
most kids will have a brush with Poison Ivy or Poison Oak. Parents will notice
an itchy rash that might begin to ooze. To soothe itchy rashes, have a child
soak in a lukewarm bath with colloidal oatmeal. Or you may also use an
anti-itch cream like Cortizone to keep scratching at bay. However, always check
with your child’s pediatrician before using any medication for your child. And
if poison ivy rashes seem unmanageable—either in size or irritation—call the doctor!
Parents of older
kids—especially preteens and teens—should stock up on products for shaving irritation. Summer is the prime
shaving time, and ingrown hairs can be especially irritating…especially on the
face or in areas where sweat accumulates.
Sunscreen
You cannot go through summer
without sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology urges that consumers look
for three things in a sunscreen: one that provides a Sun Protection
Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, is water resistant and that protects against both
UVA and UVB rays. Infants older than six months of age need to use sunscreen
with “an SPF of at least 15,” according to the Mayo Clinic. Parents should not
use sunscreen on babies under age six months and need to keep their skin
protected in other ways. Parents also should keep infants from being out when
the sun is at its most intense—typically, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
And, yes, sunscreen should be
reapplied after getting wet, toweling off or sweating…or per the instructions
on the bottle (no sunscreen lasts all day!).
Moisturizers and Essential Oils
Kid’s skin loses moisture just
like ours does. Keep that delicate skin baby soft with a good moisturizer. Look
for unscented products formulated for children or babies….but be sure to skip
any moisturizers that contain a form of alcohol called ethanol which can dry out the skin.
Some parents love essential
oils. Argan oil and coconut oils are great for keeping skin moisturized and
soft. Be careful using coconut oil, however, as it may clog pores. With oils, a
little goes a long way so don’t slather it on heavily. According to an article on Babble.com, coconut oil also may be
used to treat diaper rash. Opt for organic unrefined cold-pressed oils.
Be cautious when buying
moisturizers or skin products like lotions and soaps that claim to be natural. According to an American Academy of Dermatology press
release that addressed the misinformation of the safety of
children’s skin products, labels like organic or natural don’t equate to better
quality. The release included a Q&A format featuring Dermatologist Renee
Howard, M.D. and associate clinical professor of dermatology, University of
California, San Francisco, who addressed
common concerns about children’s skincare.
“Natural products aren’t
necessarily safer, and many have had very limited testing,” said Dr. Howard in
the press release. “Some of these products may not be as effective as
traditional skin care products.”
Antibiotic Ointment & Gauze
Kids will fall down and scrape
their knees and elbows. Accidents happen, but parents need to treat cuts
properly to prevent infection. If the cut is bleeding, apply pressure to the
area. Once the bleeding stops, clean the wound, apply an antibiotic ointment
and use a bandage. And don’t let kids pick their scabs! While parents can’t
always prevent scarring, keeping cuts cared for will help skin heal faster. For
serious injuries, dial 911!
Aloe
Sunburns happen even when
parents are meticulous with sunscreen application. Keep burned skin cool by
applying an aloe gel to the affected area. Parents also may invest in an aloe
plant for the home. Break off a leaf and apply the healing gel inside to the
burn.
A child’s unblemished skin
should be properly protected during the hot summer months, when kids are at
their most active. Cuts, sunburns and rashes are a part of childhood, but the
right skincare products will help keep skin from grow up bearing the scars from
summer mishaps.
Amy Williams is a free-lance journalist based in Southern California and mother of two. As a parent, she enjoys spreading the word on positive parenting techniques in the digital age and raising awareness on issues like cyberbullying and online safety.
