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How to Protect Your Child’s Skin in Winter

Updated on March 10, 2011

Playing outdoors during the cold snowy weather without proper protection can be harmful for your child’s delicate skin.

Winter may spell like a wonderful time for fun, play and adventure in the snow especially for kids and smaller children. However, playing outdoors and especially in the cold snowy weather may also spell harshness on your child’s delicate skin. Unlike those of adults, children’s skin are more sensitive and delicate. Their younger skins are thinner and don’t have enough natural skin oils for protection which older people or adults normally do. So if your child’s skin is left unprotected from winter’s low humidity and dry weather condition, it can easily result to skin damage causing it to become dry, itchy, irritated, and can bring both you and your child total discomfort.

Kids love to play in the snow.
Kids love to play in the snow.

Protecting Your Child's Delicate Skin

In order to protect your child from the harsh effects of cold winter weather without taking away the fun and excitement that awaits them to play in the snow, consider following these helpful tips and advice below:

  • Keep your child’s skin covered by wearing appropriate winter clothing that keeps him or her warm indoors. Likewise, a comfortable protective clothing such as coats, jackets as well as wearing scarves, warm socks, hats, gloves and waterproof boots are necessary for protecting your child’s skin when going out or playing in the cold outdoors.
  • Dress babies, infants and toddlers in several thin layers of winter clothing to keep them comfortably warm and dry. Turtle-neck shirts, pants, thermal undershirts, overalls, as well as sweaters, coats, warm socks, boots, mittens, and hats are all considered baby essentials.

  • Look for baby creams and body moisturizers with mild ingredients specifically formulated for babies, infants toddlers and young children to keep their skin moisturized.
  • If possible, look for baby or kid-specific skin care products that are dermatologically-tested and are proven effective to use for babies, infants, toddlers and kids. To do this, you have to read product labels carefully before buying.
  • Prefer buying handmade or homemade soaps that contain glycerine. These soaps retain more moisture in the skin for longer periods compared to ordinary commercially-made soaps.
  • Opt for natural and hypoallergenic products to use for your child. For babies and infants, it would be best to choose fragrance-free creams and lotions for their sensitive and delicate skin to avoid irritation.
  • To prevent your child’s lips from cracking and chapping, apply lip balms regularly. There are several child-safe lip balms available in the market these days to choose from. Lip balms formulated with beeswax, shea butter, and other natural ingredients are best for kids as they are non-toxic. They also contain emollients which help condition your child’s lips and prevent them from soreness.
  • Remember to apply sunscreen when your child plays outdoors to prevent sunburn. The sun’s rays during bright winter days are almost just a fierce as those of hot summer days. Look for a sunscreen with zinc oxide and has a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
  • Sunscreen is not allowed for use on babies under six months of age, therefore it is best to avoid taking them out under the sun.

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  • When playing in the snow, let your child to wear kids-safe sunglasses or snow googles to protect their face from sunburn and their eyes from the UV rays reflected by the snow. Wearing snow-proof hand gloves and mittens as well as warm fleecy hats with flaps while playing outdoors will also help protect their delicate hands and ears from the chill.
  • Use a humidifier inside your home. This prevents indoor air from becomming too dry caused by heating systems during winter. By using humidifiers, indoor air temperature can be regulated and can help a great deal in preventing your child’s skin from too much dryness which usually leads to itchiness and irritation.
  • Water-water-water! Always try to encourage your child to drink plenty of water everyday! The recommended eight glasses of water a day would do great to keep your child’s body and skin well-hydrated and healthy.

Finally, don’t forget to try a skin patch test everytime you choose a new skin care product for your child. This is to make sure that your baby or child is not allergic to it.

To do a simple skin patch test, just apply a small amount of lotion or cream to the iner part of your child’s arm. Leave it for a few minutes to observe signs of skin reaction or sensitivity.

If you notice any soreness or redness on your baby’s or child’s skin, immediately rinse the area with lukewarm water and discontinue usage. If severe burning or rashes develops, immediately contact your child’s dermatologist or pediatrician.

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