Home > Knowledge Zone > Blog > Can emollients for children be harmful?

Czy emolienty dla dzieci mogą szkodzić?

Can emollients for children be harmful?

Author : Natural Baby Care Team
Publication date:
April 12, 2024
Reading time: 5 minutes

Emollients are commonly used in children's skin care, but their safety is sometimes questioned. In this article, we'll take a closer look at this issue and answer the question of whether emollients for children can be harmful.

What are emollients?

Emollients are substances used to moisturize and soften the skin. They are often included in skincare products such as creams, balms, and ointments. They work by creating a protective layer on the skin's surface, preventing moisture loss and protecting it from harmful external factors.

What do emollients do?

Emollients work primarily by softening and moisturizing the skin. They create a protective layer that helps retain moisture and prevent excessive water loss. Additionally, emollients can soothe irritation and prevent skin dryness, making them an effective skincare option for babies.

Check out cosmetics for your baby's delicate skin

1 of 5

How often should you use emollients?

The frequency of emollient application depends on the individual needs of the child's skin and the doctor's recommendations. For dry or problematic skin, emollients can be applied several times a day, especially after bathing or before bed.

  • Emollients can also be used in a baby's bath to prevent skin from drying out during bathing. Adding emollients to bathwater can help maintain skin hydration and elasticity, especially in children with skin conditions.

Emollients or humectants?

Emollients differ from humectants, which attract water to the skin. Emollients work more by softening and protecting the skin than by moisturizing. Humectants, on the other hand, help retain water in the skin, improving its hydration.

Bath emollients

Adding emollients to your baby's bath can be especially beneficial for dry or atopic skin. Emollients in the form of bath lotions or oils can help maintain skin hydration during bathing, minimizing the risk of irritation and dry skin.

Emollients and atopic dermatitis

Emollients are commonly used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) because they help moisturize and soothe skin irritations. Regular use of emollients can provide relief from the symptoms of AD by reducing itching, dryness, and redness. They also act as a preventative measure, reducing the risk of flare-ups and maintaining healthy skin.

  • "Efficacy of emollients in preventing atopic dermatitis in infants


    Regular use of emollients from birth significantly reduces the risk of atopic dermatitis (AD) in infants, improving the condition of the skin and strengthening its protective barrier.

    Source: Simpson EL, Chalmers JR, Hanifin JM, et al. Emollient enhancement of the skin barrier from birth offers effective atopic dermatitis prevention. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014;134(4):818-823.

  • "Efficacy of emollients in the treatment of dry skin in newborns


    Regular use of emollients in newborns with dry skin can help restore normal epidermal barrier function, reducing the risk of developing symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

    Source: Cork MJ, Danby SG, Vasilopoulos Y, et al. Epidermal barrier dysfunction in atopic dermatitis. J Invest Dermatol. 2009;129(8):1892-1908.

  • "Effectiveness of emollients in alleviating the symptoms of atopic dermatitis in infants and young children"


    Regular use of emollients from birth can prevent the symptoms of atopic dermatitis in infants by reducing the risk of dry skin and providing protection against irritation.

    Source: Horimukai K, Morita K, Narita M, et al. Application of moisturizer to neonates prevents development of atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014;134(4):824-830.

1 of 3

Scientific studies confirm the effectiveness and safety of emollients in children, especially those with dry and sensitive skin. However, always follow your doctor's recommendations and use products appropriate for your child's individual skin needs.

Collapsible content

Czy emolienty mogą zaszkodzić?

Emolienty są ogólnie uważane za bezpieczne, ale mogą wystąpić reakcje alergiczne u osób uczulonych na którykolwiek składnik preparatu.

Kiedy emolienty na włosy?

Emolienty można stosować na włosy dzieci, zwłaszcza w przypadku suchej skóry głowy lub łupieżu.

Emolienty dla dzieci

Emolienty są często stosowane do pielęgnacji skóry dzieci, zwłaszcza w przypadku skóry suchej, atopowej lub podrażnionej.

Emolienty dla noworodka

Emolienty mogą być stosowane również u noworodków, szczególnie w celu zapobiegania wysuszeniu skóry delikatnej skóry dziecka.

Emolienty - czy uczulą?

Choć reakcje alergiczne na emolienty są rzadkie, mogą się zdarzyć. Warto więc zawsze przetestować nowy produkt na małej powierzchni skóry przed powszechnym użyciem.

Emolienty ile razy w tygodniu?

Częstotliwość stosowania emolientów zależy od indywidualnych potrzeb skóry dziecka oraz zaleceń lekarza, ale mogą być stosowane nawet kilka razy dziennie, w zależności od potrzeb skóry.

Emolienty a łuszczyca

Emolienty mogą być pomocne w łagodzeniu objawów łuszczycy u dzieci poprzez nawilżenie i zmiękczenie suchej skóry.

Emolienty z mocznikiem

Emolienty z mocznikiem mogą być stosowane w celu zmiękczenia i nawilżenia suchej skóry, ale należy ich używać.