If your kids are anything like mine, you've spent countless hours trying to soothe their dry or rashy skin and either trying to figure out what's causing it or going to great lengths to avoid the products that are. We have to use a special laundry detergent and I've spent over two years finding soaps that work for my older son. Here are the conclusions I've come to:
- Some of the more readily available "natural" soaps work okay: Burts Bees is a success in our house and Method baby also works for us. If your kid's skin is EXTREMELY sensitive, you may not be able to use these. They both contain synthetic fragrances. We use a lot of Burts Bees products, and their use of fragrance is the only drawback I've found. (note: not all Burts Bees products contain synthetic fragrances....the bottles that list "100% natural" do not).
- California Baby is a great brand for sensitive skin but is expensive. They make great baby wash and baby lotion using many organic ingredients and no frangrances. If you've tried all else to no avail, it's worth a shot.
- There are great, inexpensive alternatives to store-bought products. I like to use pure organic olive oil instead of lotion on my kids. It does smell like olive oil (which really doesn't bother me), but you can add a few drops of essential oils (I use lavender) to add a pleasant frangrance. I use about a drop per ounce. It permeates the olive oil best if you store it in a dark place (like a cupboard) and gently shake it a few times over several days. I barely notice the olive oil scent when I do this. (note: if your kid has very sensitive skin I would use essential oils with caution).
- I love to use Dr. Bronners castile soap for many things, including body wash for myself. However, I would not use it on my kids for two reasons:
1. It can be drying if you use it too often (I'm willing to risk it on myself but not on my kids)
2. It can be an eye irritant
* My older son often develops a hive-type rash when we visit relatives (I assume because of the laundry detergent they use on their clothes and bedding), and to remedy this you can use hydrocortisone cream. But another great alternative is an oatmeal bath which is soothing to itchy skin. And I often make a paste of baking soda and water and put it on his "bumps" to make the itch go away. It's an inexpenzive and safe alternative to store-bought remedies, and trust me, I've tried everything.
