Dr Enderlin answers the questions of the Newspaper Blick , published on Tuesday, 24 January 2023
Facial care for toddlers? Yes, it really exists
They press, stroke, and knead – mothers present on TikTok how they want to improve their babies' skin. This can be damaging, says Valérie Enderlin. The dermatologist knows which products are truly necessary for baby skin.
Ice for swollen cheeks? The little girl seems very skeptical.
The mother cleanses her little daughter's face with a wet cotton pad. Then she takes so-called "ice globes" – ice-cold balls made of glass or plastic – and rolls them from the corners of her mouth over her cheeks to her ears. This is supposed to soothe and reduce swelling. But the skin is pulled in all directions, and the little girl looks anything but relaxed.
TikTok is brimming with videos in which mothers demonstrate step-by-step how to care for their babies' and toddlers' skin. The pressing, stroking, and pulling seem harsh and almost like torture. Valérie Enderlin, director of the Decamed skin and laser center in Zurich, also finds the treatments pointless. "Ice massage, in particular, is excessive," says the doctor. "Cold objects can soothe sore spots in the mouth during teething, but on the skin, they're too much of a good thing."
What the mothers may mean well is actually counterproductive: Since the skin of babies and children is much thinner than that of adults, intensive and excessive facial care can, according to the expert, even be harmful to the skin's protective barrier - this is the top layer of the epidermis, which acts as a natural protection against bad bacteria or allergens.
"Basically, healthy baby skin doesn't need any special treatment," says Enderlin. The face doesn't need to be cleaned with cotton pads or any other products.
The expert recommends a lukewarm bath with a little almond oil about every other day. Moisturizing isn't absolutely necessary, except for children who are prone to skin conditions like eczema. "In winter, it's also a good idea to protect your cheeks with a moisturizer before long walks in the cold air." She says creams with ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, zinc, or almond oil are well-tolerated.
Certain additives such as antibacterial substances or certain preservatives should be avoided, says the dermatologist. "Perfumed creams are also unnecessary and can irritate the skin or even trigger allergies." When it comes to caring for baby and children's skin, less is definitely more.
Jana Giger
