We interviewed Dr. Dóra Halász, the founder of Shedo natural cosmetics and a specialist pharmacist – who is also a mother – to help Kifli parents navigate the sea of information.
 

What are the most common mistakes that enthusiastic and beginner parents make in baby care?

I find that over-care is the most common problem. Babies are bathed too often, too much diaper cream is used, and immediate effects are expected from cosmetics, leading to the choice of unnecessarily strong products.
Another issue is that due to a lack of reliable information, they do not choose the most ideal product for the sensitive skin of babies.
 

It's easy to get lost in the multitude of offerings, what do you recommend to parents if they only want to acquire a few basic products for their baby's skin care, what would those be and why?

After birth, the thick, sebum-like substance that protected the newborn's skin, the vernix, peels off, leaving their skin more vulnerable. At this stage, the baby's skin is still thin and fragile, with increased absorption through the skin. In the newborn period, generally only two types of cosmetics are needed: diaper cream and baby oil.

Since newborns are not yet dirty, bathing, which covers the entire body, is sufficient 2-3 times a week. Tap water can be used to wash the tiny baby body, but it dries the skin in the long run, so if a cozy massage and application with vegetable oil precedes the bath, soft, well-hydrated baby skin is guaranteed. Hands, face, and areas that touch or are under the diaper should be cleaned daily as needed.

Oil can also be used to clean folds, overlapping areas, remove cradle cap, and for massage. Initially, the area under the diaper requires the most careful cleaning. It is best to wash it with a wet washable cloth or under running water during diaper changes, and care for it with a natural diaper cream as needed. If the area under the diaper looks clean, it is not necessary to apply cream every time, but if signs of irritation are seen, it should be cared for immediately.
 

Later, when our child crawls, climbs, falls, and really gets their skin dirty, the use of a bath product becomes necessary. A gently cleansing bath product containing plant oils with a slightly acidic pH is appropriate. Depending on the season, the use of a body lotion may also become necessary. In winter, the skin requires a richer body lotion due to the cold and dry air. In summer, a lighter body lotion is usually sufficient. Summer body care should not be neglected because water, sand, sunscreen, and UV radiation also take a toll on the skin, requiring regeneration. Sunscreen use in summer is unavoidable. However, until six months of age, it is safest not to expose the child to the sun at all.

With the appearance of the first teeth, it is worth starting dental care so that the baby gets used to it and tooth brushing and oral care become natural later on. However, in my opinion, toothpaste should only be used after one year of age, and I prefer the fluoride-free version.

In the newborn period, if the baby has little hair, it is enough to wipe the scalp with clean water during baths to remove any dirt that may have accumulated during the day. Shampooing with shampoo is justified when the baby is more active, sweats, or gets their head and hair dirty while crawling or eating. Generally, washing the hair once a week is sufficient, but it can easily happen that 1-2 additional occasions need to be added.
 

Why is it important to care for children's skin with creams specifically developed for babies, and what should we pay attention to on the ingredient list (e.g., substances to avoid)?

For the care of babies' sensitive skin, natural cosmetics made from organic ingredients from chemical-free farming are the most suitable. It is important that the thin, sensitive, permeable baby skin comes into contact with clean, reliable source materials. The baby oil should contain only plant oils, and the diaper cream, body lotion, shampoo, and toothpaste should also all be natural, preferably pure and plant-based.
 

What ingredients should we avoid from afar?

Avoid products that contain mineral oils, paraffin, petroleum jelly, synthetic ingredients, borax, boric acid, parabens, SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), SLES (sodium laureth sulfate), and synthetic fragrances. These substances are foreign to the skin and therefore unsuitable for the care of delicate baby skin.

Mineral oil, paraffin, and petroleum jelly clog the skin's pores, preventing it from breathing. In the short term, it feels like our skin is well-hydrated because it completely covers the skin, preventing moisture from escaping, so it remains hydrated. In the long term, these substances, by not allowing the skin to breathe, adversely affect its condition.

Boric acid and borax are most commonly found in diaper creams: they are used for their mild disinfectant and antifungal effects. However, when used long-term, regularly, and in improperly high doses, they can have adverse effects on the reproductive organs.

Parabens are used to preserve creams. They are extremely irritating, outdated substances that often cause allergic reactions.

SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate) are cleansing agents known as surfactants. Their cleansing activity is high, and excessive use can disrupt the skin's normal flora and pH. Additionally, allergic reactions to them are very common.

Synthetic fragrances often cause irritation and are not good for babies' nervous systems. Solid soaps and natural soaps made from plant oils can shift the skin's normal – slightly acidic – pH due to their alkaline nature, affecting the skin's protective functions and natural flora.