Winter Skincare Essentials for Babies | Hello Bello

Wouldn’t you agree that velvety, sweet-scented baby skin is one of the most cherished delights of early parenthood? There’s a reason for it! Research shows that this early skin-to-skin contact triggers oxytocin and dopamine release to enhance bonding. So, of course, we want to be extra mindful that we’re keeping our baby’s skin healthy and protected from the harsh elements of winter.

To help you do that, we’ve developed some of the top personal care tips and winter skincare essentials to get you and your little human through even the worst of the winter season.

Bath Time Do’s and Don'ts

Babies have thinner skin than adults, which makes them more easily susceptible to their skin drying out from preservatives and fragrance chemicals often found in bath products. The best way to avoid this is to choose a gentle, soap-free, fragrance-free cleanser for your child’s skin. For example, Hello Bello Bubble Bath soothes and nourishes sensitive skin with all-natural Aloe Vera, Calendula, Cucumber, Avocado extracts, Sunflower, and Jojoba Seed Extract – while omitting parabens, phthalates, artificial chemicals, and allergens.

Along with choosing the right products, there are other methods you can incorporate into your bath time routine to protect your baby’s skin. For example:

Aim for shorter baths. We can all admit we’ve had the urge to pamper our babies with a little “spa day.” Still, we should limit bath time to less than 10 minutes and three days a week, as the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends.
Keep it on the cooler side. Lukewarm water (90-95 degrees) minimizes skin sensitivity and helps avoid excessive dryness. And, often, you only need to do a quick, regional diaper area soak.

Pat dry with cotton. Be mindful of the fabric of the towel you use when drying off your baby. The best is soft, absorbent cotton. Also, gently pat the skin dry instead of rigorously rubbing water off their body – doing so can strip essential oils from the skin’s surface and cause irritation.

Keep it Comfy in the House

For the dry winter season, you need a high-quality, head-to-toe deep moisturizer with baby-safe ingredients. Lather it on your little human in the morning, at night, or within three minutes of bathing them. We recommend using Hello Bello’s Baby Lotion with Jojoba Seed Oil, Shea Butter, and botanical extracts like Calendula and Cucumber. It glides on smoothly to support moisture retention and overall skin health.

After getting them all lotioned up, don’t forget to dress them with soft, cotton-based clothing to seal in the moisture and keep their skin feeling comfortable. Here are a few other ways you can keep baby’s skin feeling good:

Choose gentle laundry products. “Free and clear” laundry detergents designed for sensitive skin best protect your baby from harsh chemicals and allergens that could trigger eczema. Skip the chemical-laden dryer sheets and try using wool dryer balls instead.
Soft fabrics are best. Synthetic fabrics like rayon or spandex can trap heat, causing sweating and irritation (and we all know what it’s like to feel trapped and hot in your clothes). The best fabrics for your baby’s skin are cotton and bamboo.

Stay hydrated with liquids and nutrients. While babies exclusively consume breast milk or formula until six months of age, older babies can drink water and eat nutritious foods like salmon and avocado that help promote skin health.
Be mindful of the climate in your house. Babies are most comfortable when the home is 68 to 72 degrees. If you’ve got the furnace blasting, you’ll want to add hydration to the air. A cool-mist humidifier can keep the nursery and main living area around 40% humidity.

Braving the Great Outdoors

Bundle them up appropriately. Mittens, hats, scarves, and gloves keep the cold out and the toasty warm in. If you dress them in layers, you can easily adjust their clothing indoors and outdoors so they stay at a comfy temperature. Also, choose clothes with breathable natural fabrics to avoid your baby overheating. Be careful of items like wool hats, which can be scratchy when placed against the scalp. Add lotion to any exposed areas – like those cute lil cheeks.

Remember to put on sunscreen. Even in the winter, baby skin is sensitive to UV rays, so regular sunscreen applications are super important! Like any other product, you want to be sure you’re using baby-safe products. Our Hello Bello SPF 55+ Baby Prebiotic Mineral Sunscreen is specially formulated to provide broad-spectrum protection using gentle, natural ingredients like Chamomile, Non-Nano Zinc Oxide, and Cocoa Seed Butter. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you head out!

Get the Winter Skincare Essentials You Need with Hello Bello

Taking care of your baby's skin in the chilly, dry wintertime involves a combination of gentle bathing, using the right products, indoor comfort measures, and appropriate clothing choices. With Hello Bello's baby skincare products, you can rest assured your little one's skin will be nourished and protected throughout the harsher months.

Get your winter skincare essentials today while you’re thinking about it, and spend the rest of the season with peace of mind, knowing your baby is feeling comfy and happy in their skin.