Toddlers are from the age group of 1 to 5. Skin care routine for them differs from those for babies. At this stage you need to take care of their skin from infections and skin disorders, for providing nutrition to strengthen skin layers and for enhancing skin health & beauty.
You may choose natural skin care products for toddlers or prepare your own recipe at home. In any case you need to ensure presence of the following ingredients in them.
It is recommended that you avoid any chemical or synthetic based ingredients. Natural minerals like calcium and zinc can be added to the skin care ingredients after consultation with your child specialist.
- Identification of skin allergens to your toddler skin is the first step towards total skin care. In many cases you may not be aware of the substances except a few which you might have observed since babyhood. So you need to constantly observe the negative reactions of your toddler’s skin to substances and objects. In case you are able to identify them you need to avoid such elements.
- Watch out for skin infections from dust, heat & humidity, molds at home, woollen and synthetic fabric, food and others.
- Skin infections can be mild, acute or severe. It is recommended that you identify them when they are in mild stages and act to get your toddler’s skin cured. Since infections can become complex due to injuries, burns and wounds you need to avoid such situations. When your toddler sustains cuts or wounds apply first aid medications and consult your doctor for anti tetanus lotions or pills.
- Ensure vaccinations to your toddler on time. Follow the list of vaccinations given by your doctor and get her inoculated.
Toddler Skin Care During Winter
Dry and scaling skin is the most common causes of worry during winter. It can be caused due to lack of water and essential fluid content in the skin.
Ensure your kid consumes plenty of pure water and fruit juices. Apple, water melon and pomegranate juices can be helpful in protection from common skin infections. Vitamin C, E and B6 need to be present in the foods.
It would be better if you can make a chart of foods, skin are remedies and food supplements based on age. Paste this list at some prominent place in your kitchen so that you keep reading from it every day.
- Warm and protective clothing is a must, but take care not to over stuff your kid. Allow free flow of air to the skin region while she is at home. Keep your room heater at moderate temperature. Overheating your room can result in skin dryness and swelling.
- Use skin moisturizer optimally to make your toddler’s skin retain fluid content. It is easy to prepare homemade skin moisturizer. Take one teaspoon of honey, rose essential oil (this oil is suitable for all types of skin), coconut oil, oat milk and Aloe Vera in a bowl. Mix them well and apply on our toddler skin.
- It is recommended that you keep your toddler away from any sort of makeup kits until the age of 5. Since her skin is still tender and sensitive she may develop allergic reactions and pick up skin disorders from the chemicals and synthetic ingredients in them.
- Feed your toddler with plenty of fiber food, fruits, beans and nuts. Once she is more than one year old you can start feeding her foods containing calcium, magnesium and iron.
- Consult your skin specialist regularly and get your toddler’s skin examined for any infections or allergic reactions.
Simple Tips on How to Care for a Child’s Skin
- Avoid exposing her skin to excess of heat and humidity. Whenever you take her out in the sun, ensure she is wearing skin moisturizer and sun screen. Protect her scalp and face with a cap. Cotton clothes are recommended for summer seasons. Even during winter you can make her wear an inner lining of cotton fabric over which she can have cold protection clothes. It makes her skin feel comfortable and keeps it free from sweat.
- Sun screen can be prepared at home by adding a combination of 1 teaspoon of Shea butter, Aloe vera gel, essential oil, coconut oil and lemon syrup. Add ½ cup of toned milk and heat the ingredients to moderate temperature until the ingredients mix properly. Cool it to room temperature and apply on your toddler’s skin which gets exposed to sun. It can be done few minutes before your take her out.
- Common skin infections like rashes, pimples and acne can appear due to dryness or excess oil secretion. Use vitamin C and E oil to massage her skin regularly.
- Taking out the dead skin layer is very important. Take one teaspoon of lemon syrup and 3 teaspoons of water in a bowl. Add one teaspoon of honey and Aloe Vera gel. You can add 1/4th teaspoon of vinegar if her skin is not allergic to or sensitive to it. Mix the ingredients well and apply onto skin areas. Use a gentle scrubber in circular motion and massage her skin with it. You can wash her skin with warm water and apply a natural skin moisturizer.
Toddler Dry Skin Care
Your toddler may acquire dry skin due to external, internal or genetic reasons.
- External reasons can be heat, UV radiation, pollution and harsh climatic conditions.
- Internal reasons can be lack of water and fluid consumption, infections and skin disorders.
- Genetic reason is not exactly named as dry skin but as scaled skin.
It is the inability to of the body to get rid of old and dead skin when new skin is growing. It often results in thick layer of dead skin in the top.
Apply essential oils in combination with coconut oil and Aloe vera. You can add a few drops of apple cider vinegar after diluting it with equal volume of water.
Follow the procedure for about 10 to 15 days to get rid of dead skin layers to considerable extent. If your toddler is experiencing any sort of negative skin reaction you need to consult your skin specialist.