Imagine rubbing petroleum distillation on your baby's skin. That's exactly what you do every time you use baby oil. Baby oil is mineral oil with added fragrance. Baby oil and mineral oil are composites of petroleum distillation byproducts. Although refined to meet specifications for use in cosmetics, medicinal, and indeed food, mineral oil and baby oil are hydrocarbon mixtures made out from petrochemicals.
Is Mineral Oil Used in Baby Oil Safe?
Cosmetic-grade mineral oil is generally considered safe for the skin, but it's derived from petrochemicals, which means it's not environmentally friendly. Mineral oil isn't safe for infants and kids. Whether you are using mineral oil for infants' hair or for their body, it is hazardous. Mineral oil may lead to tightening of skin that may additionally lead to dryness. Skin requires space for breathing. It does that with the help of pores on the skin. And, when the skin's surface is covered with a layer of mineral oil, the skin dirt will in general settle down. Such a circumstance isn't at all ideal in case of babies as the dirt might be changed into the poison that may hurt the baby later.
Side Effects of Mineral Oils
Mineral oil has various side effects when concern with baby health some of them are;
- When mineral oil is used on the baby’s body, the skin develops a layer that obstructs the dirt which cause skin pore clogging.
- Babies have a tendency to put anything in the mouth. Be its hands or the feet; babies put them in the mouth. If you recently massaged their hands and feet, mineral oil is likely to get into mouth which leads to indigestion.
- Mineral oils resist the moisture absorption from around the air, thus, a negative impact on normal cell development.
- In case, you apply mineral oil to baby’s skin that is lower in weight there are chances that they may develop yeast infection.
- In rare cases, mineral oil could cause allergic reactions in sensitive babies. Red, itchy rashes and swelling are common symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Looking into how mineral oil can hurt your baby, take more secure options, for example, the essential oils, like sunflower oil, Tea tree oil, Almond oil or Olive oil. Furthermore, in case that you notice any of the above side effects in your little one, make sure to contact dermatologist.
Why Essential Oils are essential
If mineral oils are the little devil on your shoulder, essential oils are on the contrary side, dressed in a little halo. Essential oils are natural, absorbed by the skin, and provide enormous benefits to the body.
Essential oils have been utilized for thousands of years, and the most well-known types include olive oil, sunflower oil, chamomile oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, almond oil and lemongrass oil. Forget those destructive mineral oils, when there are such countless natural oils available that won't hurt your skin, however will really give you magnificent health and cosmetic advantages! Enjoy a breakdown of my best 5.
1. Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is a famous choice for an essential oil. The vegetable oil is high in linoleic acid, which makes it an excellent choice for a baby with sensitive skin. Many babies have sensitive skin and may develop eczema. Sunflower oil improved skin hydration.
It nullifies the free radicals and prevents the damage of healthy cells. It enhances the glow in the skin, heals scars and wounds quickly. Due to this, many even massage pre-term newborns with the sunflower oil as it prevents infection of the skin and protects it.
2. Chamomile Oil
Chamomile is a common home remedy for insomnia in adults, and may also help infants. It also has natural soothing effects. Chamomile, along with lavender, can relieve symptoms of colic. Chamomile has also been shown to help anxiety and depression, and can uplift a fussy baby's spirits.
Some people find that adding a few drops of chamomile oil to a warm bath or diffuser can have a calming, sedative effect.
3. Almond Oil
Almond oil is one of my favorite essential oils due to the fact it blends well with a different types of essential oils. The almond oil is rich in Vitamin E and K. This makes it really great for treating the hair and skin. Using a blend of almond oil, eucalyptus oil, and evening primrose oil can treat dry and damaged skin or hair more efficiently than most conventional products and keep your hair healthy and nourished at the same time.
4. Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil is especially great for treating hair and skin infections such as lice or other bacterial/fungal infections. It has a really strong natural scent that helps to keep annoying insects and mosquitoes at bay and is really great at detoxifying the blood. It works great as a shampoo-starring ingredient, too.
5. Avocado Oil
Avocados are wonderful. They are not only delicious and nutritious, but they also make for an unbelievable skin care ingredient. Avocado oil for skin is presently one of the major trends in the skin care world because there are so many skin benefits. And since avocado oil is an all-natural product, it’s safe for both you and your baby.
Infants are also susceptible to newborn peeling skin. Avocado oil for skin can help to provide the hydration your skin needs to heal itself, while also providing a protective layer to help prevent more damage from occurring.
Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E Oil has relieving and calming properties, speeding up the healing system of the skin irritation, burns or rashes. It gives viable help from skin irritations on baby's soft skin, easing redness and discomfort.
Potential Benefits of Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil's potential advantages derived from two key highlights: its antioxidant properties, which could fight inflammation and slow the impacts of free radicals, and its moisturizing properties.
- Moisturizing Skin—Vitamin E oil may be used as a moisturizer to prevent or treat dry, flaking skin.
- Reducing Skin Itching—Vitamin E cannot treat allergic reactions but it may offer temporary relief from itching caused by dry skin.
- Eczema—Vitamin E may alleviate the dryness, itching and flaking associated with eczema, or atopic dermatitis.
- Wound Healing—Some research suggests that topical vitamin oil might offer wound healing benefits.
Inner Glow Life offers Vitamin E rich essential oils, you can get it from here. It is all natural product find out their ingredient list here.