Babies are born with soft, delicate, and sensitive skin that requires consistent moisturizing and nourishments. The use of oils to get massages by grandmothers and mothers is an age-old tradition that has been carried forward through generations. In India, the concept of massage is popularly known as “Tel Malish,” helping create a stronger psychological bond between you and your infant.
However, narrowing down your search to that one perfect product can be hard. As there are so many products out there in the market, having a varied list of ingredients. Luckily, we have curated a buying guide to help you with your search. We have listed the ingredients that will work best for your baby, with information on organic oils and tips for battling sensitive and eczema-prone skin. Read below to know more.
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Delicate and helpless, your baby’s skin requires proper care and consideration to remain hydrated. There are several products marketed as baby safe. However, can they be truly trusted? Find our detailed guide below to understand the ingredients to look for while selecting a baby oil.
Parents unknowingly use commercial baby care products that are marketed to appear gentle or natural. Instead, these products contain harmful petrochemical by-products and essential oils that can damage your baby’s skin precious skin. Moreover, babies might try to swallow whatever you try to apply to their skin.
Most fragrant baby products contain essential oils, concentrated plant extracts that retain the natural smell and flavor, or essence of their source. They are extracted from different plant parts - root, resin, bark, flower, seed, fruit, etc. They are obtained as strong and concentrated oils through chemical extraction processes like cold pressing and steam distillation.
Using products having these powerful oils can cause phototoxicity (chemical-induced skin irritation), causing rashes, burns, and breathing issues to your baby’s soft and sensitive skin. Moreover, experts say that consuming small amounts of these oils can lead to poisoning.
Instead, you can buy products that are termed certified organic essential oils, extracted from fresh botanicals grown in soil free of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and herbicide residues, like extra virgin organic coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil. The sweet, natural smell from these natural, organic oils can be pleasing for both you and your baby.
Mineral oil is a by-product derived from refining crude oil, used to make petroleum-based products and gasoline. An essential ingredient in baby products, it is transparent and odorless. Often in labels, mineral oil is listed as ‘paraffinum liquidum.’
Mineral oils cause toxin build-up. The Baby’s skin is soft and sensitive, so it requires adequate moisture and ventilation. However, mineral oils act as a skin barrier by clogging the pores. It does not allow the proper removal of dirt. The accumulated dirt may later transform into toxins that can harm the baby’s body.
In addition, mineral oils have been known to toughen the skin. This can lead to dryness and enhance moisture-related skin conditions like eczema.
Cold-pressed oils result from pressing fruit, seed, or herbs mechanically without the use of heat. These oils are rich in beneficial ingredients such as vitamin E, A, B1, Be, and calcium that can be easily absorbed by the baby’s skin and ensure proper ventilation.
Babies tend to put everything in their mouths. Since these oils are easily absorbed by the skin and do not pose harm to mistakenly ingesting them. In addition, they are grease-free and prevent the accumulation of dirt and the formation of toxins.
Babies come with a natural smell, so using a fragrance-free product among them is normal. This allows you to experience their true natural smell and create a mutual attachment between the baby and you, the primary caregiver.
Natural edible oils are extracted from various plant parts like fruits and seeds. The selected parts are collected and smashed to extract the oil by hand. Popular massage oils used in India are coconut oil, ghee, and olive oil.
Coconut oil is derived from the white flesh of the coconut fruit, one of the most popular oils used in India, because it is easily available, economical, and packed with essential nutrients. It contains antioxidants, lauric acid, and caprylic acid, improving the baby’s immunity and strengthening the bones.
Because of its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, it helps to safeguard your baby from future infections. Additionally, it is light and skin-friendly, allowing the skin to absorb it readily, without clogging the pores. Ideal for babies having dry, sensitive skin conditions like eczema, rashes, or dermatitis. Highly recommended by medical professionals for babies suffering from diaper rash.
Ghee is obtained by separating the fat from milk solids. This natural extraction process is responsible for its nutrient contents, like healthy fatty acids and essential Vitamins, A, D, and E. Having antifungal, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties, it can boost immunity, eyesight, digestion, and improve the overall health of your baby.
Ghee acts as a great substitute for massage oils. Most families use ghee during the winter months to rub the back of a newborn kid. If massaged well, it can help protect the infant’s body from cold and improve their immunity to fight infections.
Another popular choice by Indian mothers, olive oil, is packed with loads of antioxidants and healthy fats. It helps in nourishing the baby’s skin and keeping it soft and supple. There is a pleasant fragrance to this oil.
Experts say that massaging the baby’s stomach with olive oil can help relieve issues like colic, a condition where a healthy infant cries for prolonged periods of time, constipation, and gassiness. Olive oil, although a terrific choice, is not recommended for babies with sensitive skin or dry skin, as it can cause aggravation of skin conditions like rashes and eczema.
Loaded with the goodness of extra virgin olive, calendula, lavender, and sweet almond oil, La Flora organics brings to you a unique blend of bath and body massage oil. This product guarantees to provide optimum health development for your baby. Hand blended and created for multipurpose (bath and massage) usage, it nourishes the skin gently without causing side effects.
Certified organic, the product carries a soft aroma from the lavender and calendula oils that do not diffuse the baby’s natural sweet smell. It still gives you ample opportunity to experience the closeness between you and your baby through the sense of smell. The olive oil relaxes and promotes better sleep for your baby after a bath.
The light texture of the product, skin-loving, and non-greasy formula prevent the accumulation of toxins. It does not contain any mineral oil or petroleum-based derivatives that are known to clog pores or cause an unhealthy skin regime.
Kama Ayurveda brings to you this 100 percent organic, cold-pressed, extra virgin coconut oil that is free from synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Coconut oil is known to naturally condition and nourish the skin, acting as a moisturizer for the baby’s soft and sensitive skin and keeping it smooth and even textured.
One of the best products in the market, this oil is ideal for massaging babies suffering from dry skin conditions like rashes or eczema. Created by the brand with a light, non-sticky, easily absorbable formula, it has a slight non-toxic natural smell from the goodness of the coconut fruit's flesh.
Bio bloom brings to you this unique blend of cold-pressed almond, olive, and organic vegetable oil that is ideal for nourishing and moisturizing your baby’s skin. Certified 100 percent natural, it is free from the harmful petrochemical derivatives known to dry the skin. Being rich in Vitamin E, this product enhances your baby’s skin texture and overall health.
Once again, a product with multiple usages can be used on both, the infant’s hair and skin. Being rich in olive oil, it can be used to relieve babies suffering from constipation. Take a good amount of this product and massage the sensitive stomach area to relieve him of colic. Ideal for infants aged 3 months and older.
Containing a natural blend of sesame, olive, sweet almond, and jojoba oil, this product by the brand Mamaearth is a strong repellent against incessant bugs like flies and mosquitoes. Enriched with the goodness of essential natural aromatics like citronella, peppermint, and lemon eucalyptus, this product has healing and immune building properties.
Having a mild natural fragrance, this product, however, contains no harmful petrochemicals. The almond oil in the list of ingredients provides this oil with hypoallergenic properties, making it ideal for soft, sensitive, rash-prone skin. The Vitamin E in the almond oil makes this product an effective antioxidant.
Additionally, the jojoba oil ensures that your baby is supplied with all the essential Vitamins like E and B complex, and minerals like zinc, copper, selenium, chromium, and iodine. Ideal to be used on infants between the age of 0 to 5 years.
Containing natural and organic ingredients like ghee, coconut milk, shankhpushpi, and almond oil. This unique product by the brand Blue Nectar is rich in calcium, vitamin A, C, D, and E, which ensures a healthy body, well-nourished skin, and calm mind for your baby. Now, you can take a breather and expect your baby to have a restful night.
The ingredient ghee is what makes the product unusual. Ghee, a by-product of milk, is essential during the early years for your kid's healthy development, as it ensures proper metabolism and brain development. It also contains 13 Ayurvedic herbs like shankhpushpi, and more known to help strengthen the bones and muscles.
Carefully crafted to be light, non-greasy, and fast-absorbing, it is ideal for a natural bonding time with your kid. Suitable for all skin types, the product is free of harmful sulfates, paraben, and mineral oil. Moreover, it does contain a mild, soothing fragrance from the ayurvedic herbs that does not irritate the baby.
Carefully crafted by Forest Essentials, taking the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic rituals, from over 5000 years ago, this serum contains precious, carefully selected goodies like Jivanti (prevents skin infection). It also contains Kumud, and Liquorice (keeps the skin soft and smooth, imparting a healthy baby glow). This product can soften or nourish the baby’s skin and strengthen the muscles.
Cow’s milk used in the formula is known to restore skin firmness and increase collagen (bone protein) production. Other ingredients like coconut oil moisturize, heal, and soothe inflamed skin, and black sesame oil deeply nourishes and keeps the baby’s skin soft, supple, and toned.
Another unique ingredient, turmeric helps brighten the complexion and keep your baby free of skin infections. Ideal to be used after bath for a fresh, lightly fragrant skin.
Omved Baby Massage Oil is completely free of chemicals and made using only selected Ayurvedic herbs like ashwagandha, manjishtha, and ushira (vetiver roots) in a base of extra-virgin, unrefined coconut oil.
It is 100 percent natural and organic, having the goodness of Vitamin E and medicinal herbs, which are known to toughen the body’s immunity against diseases like the common cold and cough.
Providing comfort from gassiness, colic, constipation, this oil improves the baby’s blood circulation and elevates weight gain. Soon after using this product, you will be seeing positive visible changes in your baby’s sleep patterns. Ideal to be used on growing babies, it helps in brain development and alleviates skin ailments like eczema and rashes.
The Ayurveda healers of Kerala have been using Dasapushpam traditionally to make oils to fight skin diseases, especially in infants. Most of the herbs in this group have strong proven anti-microbial activity and can prevent an array of skin diseases. The oil made out of Dasapushpam is a good solution to day to day skin problems like dry skin and help to achieve a lustrous complexion.
Therefore, Dasapushpam oil was used to massage the newborn daily before a herbal bath. This practice ensured proper build-up of immunity in the newborn and adequate skincare. Nature's Veda lineage is 3 generations of Ayurvedic physicians from Kerala.
This ensures that the formulation of this skin immunity oil is authentic and has stood the test of time. This product contains virgin coconut oil that nourishes and heal the infant’s skin. Virgin coconut oil is naturally antibacterial & antifungal, and it is also found to be effective in increasing hydration and reducing water loss in seriously dry skin.
Rich in essential ingredients like sesame oil, ratanjyot, shankhpushpi, camphor, and urad. This product from the well-known household brand Dabur protects the baby from skin infections and other general weaknesses like rashes and the common cold.
Additionally, massaging with this oil improves blood circulation and nourishes the bones and the muscles, thereby preventing the formation of rickets, a condition that causes the softening and weakening of bones in children.
Johnson and Johnson, the popular baby care brand, brings this oil enriched in Vitamin E that enhances the body’s immunity against future infections. Made with an easy to spread formula, it is non-sticky, thereby preventing the accumulation of dirt and harmful toxins. Often recommended by doctors, it is dermatologically tested for allergies.
The price point is the defining feature of this product, making it cheaper as compared to other baby oil products in the market, without compromising on the quality. Having passed the 5-level safety assurance process, it is the most popular and successful baby care product in the market today.
Although it contains no sulfates, parabens, or dyes, it has a slight natural aroma, which does not conflict with the baby’s natural sweet smell. However, care should be taken to keep out of reach of children to avoid accidental consumption or inhalation, as it can cause serious injury.
The infant's skin is fragile, soft, and thin. Over the many weeks of gestation, it develops and hardens, like cream over milk, inheriting an overwhelming maternal disposition. This makes it supple and delicate, and extremely sensitive to the surroundings. Hence, using effective baby oil with proven skin rejuvenation capabilities helps protect the baby’s skin and nourishes it.
Read below on the benefits of baby oil massage -
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Baby massage is an intimate way of bonding with your precious oil and making memories that he/she will remember for life. A baby’s skin is extremely sensitive to environmental factors like the sun, wind, and rain. So, selecting a product that can be best suited for your infant’s needs is important.
It is ideal to choose a product that contains only natural ingredients. Subjecting them to harmful chemicals and toxins can be deleterious to their health and overall growth progressions. We hope this article has helped you find the right product to use when spending quality time together.
Author: Aishwariya Sarkar
No. 1: La Flora Organics | Baby's Bath and Body Massage Oil
No. 2: Kama Ayurveda | Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil
No. 3: Biobloom | Baby Massage Oil - Almond & Olive Oil
No. 4: Mamaearth | Soothing Massage Oil for Babies
No. 5: Blue Nectar | Ayurvedic Baby Massage Oil with Organic Ghee, Almond Oil & Vitamin E
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The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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