Parents and especially for kids can feel like winter lasts for an eternity. Once
we’ve had our fill of the snow, holidays and cuddling by the fire, we longingly look out the window. We imagine warmer days when everyone can enjoy the sun and space to run free.
Even with all the anticipation and excitement, parents know the seasonal transition also comes with new challenges. Sun, dirt, sweat, pollens, and knee scrapes mean lots of preparation and care. To help ease you into a sunnier season, we’ve put together a Spring Skin Care Guide to protect you and yours.
Spring Skin Care Guide
Choose the Right Sunscreen
Before you run outside to soak in that Vitamin D, choose a mild sunscreen specifically designed for kids to protect your child’s skin from burning, drying or blistering. WebMD offers excellent advice on why it is so essential to choose sunscreen designed for kids: “The sensitive skin of babies and children is easily irritated by chemicals in adult sunscreens, so avoid sunscreens with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and benzophenones like dioxybenzone, oxybenzone, or sulisobenzone. Children’s sunscreens use ingredients less likely to irritate the skin, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Unlike chemical ingredients, these protect babies’ skin without being absorbed.”
Watch for Gardening-related Rashes
Kids can learn many lessons in the garden from watching seeds grow into delicious vegetables or beautiful plants. Unfortunately, pesky plants and microbes that cause rashes and breakouts also dwell in gardens. Kids and adults alike should always wear gloves and thoroughly cleanse hands, arms, and faces after gardening.
Shower After Fun in the Sandbox
There isn’t much you can do to make playtime in the sandbox a clean activity. In addition to the literal mess of gritty particles, sandboxes are truly filthy. Slate.com famously captured parents’ disdain for sandboxes in an article titled, “Sandboxes are Disgusting.” But kids are drawn to them, most parks and preschools have them, and telling your child not to go in them is like telling a fish not to swim.
So…to mitigate those disgusting germs, you should wipe down hands and feet with Wet Ones or similar wipes immediately after playing in a sandbox. Then haul your kid home for a bath. Use an effective cleanser like CLn BodyWash , which is tough on microbes, but gentle on skin. And since it can be used on babies 6+ months, it is the perfect after-sandbox cleanser to make the experience a little less gross for the whole family.
Be Prepared for Seasonal Skin Changes Such As…
Eczema Flares
If your child lives with eczema and seasonal allergies are a trigger, be prepared
with your toolkit when Spring arrives. As the flowers bloom and pollens blow in the wind, it’s time to utilize the eczema-safe skin products and doctor-prescribed protocol to keep flare-ups at bay. Keep an eye on pollen reports and make a note of significant triggers. Avoid exposure to triggers when at all possible. Shower after time outdoors to rinse away pollens and consider air conditioning instead of open windows on days when pollen counts are high. Also, washing all clothes after wearing (instead of re-wearing) can help reduce pollen exposure.
Sweat-induced Folliculitis
All of that open space to run and play is a relief to us all, but it also means we sweat a lot more. Of course, sweat, when combined with bacteria, can cause clogged pores resulting in an embarrassing breakout-like skin condition called folliculitis. So, get into the habit of instituting a proper cleansing routine as part of the evening wind-down. CLn BodyWash or SportWash are both suitable for kids and are designed for skin prone to irritation and folliculitis.
Increased Foot Odor
Even tiny feet can cause BIG foot odor when sweat and bacteria combine. Have your kids wear socks and wash their shoes frequently. Also, consider 1-2 minutes of cleansing feet with CLn to helps neutralize odor-causing bacteria.
Armed with a few quick tips, a healthy appetite for fun, and the right products to protect your skin, Spring is bound to be a fun and sunny season.
The post Ready to Head Outdoors? Your Guide for Spring Skin is Here. appeared first on CLn® Skin Care Blog.