Baby Oil
Most of us see the need to use baby oil on our skin and on our baby’s skin. But even if we have grown up having baby oil at our disposal, science has taken a closer and longer look at this familiar household product, and began seeing its evil head. Does baby oil really play an important role in baby’s skin care, or is this simply a misconstrued belief?
Granny may have opened our eyes to the wonders that baby oil brings. However, we are now faced with contradicting ideas. What we know as baby oil may merely be a mislabeled paraffin oil or liquid petrolatum. This means that rubbing baby oil on the baby’s skin is like coating the skin with petroleum by-product.
Well, granny may have used a totally different kind of baby oil in the past, but choosing the safer one these days can be rather daunting. Most products scream mineral oil on their labels. But if people will do their research on it, mineral oil is nothing but a mixture of hydrocarbons, formed as by-product of petroleum distillation. Thus, baby oil ingredients are simply mineral oil plus certain fragrances.
Further, some experts have put out warnings regarding the proper use and storage of these products. They said that certain baby oils can be detrimental when aspirated by children because the oil will coat their lungs. When this happens, oxygen is hindered from ensuring appropriate respiration, which may eventually cause chemical pneumonia.
Because there has been too much controversy on the safety of baby oils, it has been mandated that childproof caps be implemented on every baby oil bottle sold in the market. Moreover, other household products such as automotive items, which are known to have liquid hydrocarbons in their ingredients, are best kept away from children.
All that chemical talk may sound like plain gibberish to some. However, it does not really eliminate the importance of moisturizing the baby’s skin. Although some may not require all that “extra” oil, there are babies who are born with a drier skin type. Eczema usually stems from overly dry skin. Even if this condition usually disappears over time, there are some people who need lifelong medication to address this problem. And because this is an upsetting and uncomfortable issue, moisturizing the skin is a giant step to preventing its occurrence.
To prevent or treat dry skin, a baby oil massage twice a day is an effective technique. This do not only moisturize baby’s skin, it also makes improves parent-child bond. Baby oil is also recommended for scalp use. Habitual brushing baby’s hair and scalp with oil will prevent cradle cap from developing. However, make sure that brushing is done in the most gentle fashion to avoid hurting the baby.
Emollients, such as baby oil is also used as a first treatment option for eczema. Due to the fact that baby oil has become the center of so much controversy, it is highly important to know what baby oil to choose. Choosing those made from natural oils will give the most benefits to the baby. Such oils are those which are sourced out from sesame seeds, or other plant extracts like jojoba or soy. Not only are these all-natural, they are known to have therapeutic properties as well.
Most parents are guilty of thrusting various products to their babies for the sake of love and affection. But, giving them these products does not really guarantee that we are providing them due care. With too many scheming marketing techniques nowadays, love and affection should be finding the best and safest product from among all those available in the market.