The Best La Roche-Posay Products for Babies
La Roche-Posay is a premium French skincare brand with a reputation for formulating high quality and incredibly effective products for sensitive skin. Many of their products are gentle enough for use on delicate baby and infant skin.
This guide will explain how you should safely and effectively care for your baby’s skin, and introduce some of the best products from La Roche-Posay suitable for use on sensitive baby skin. This includes soothing balms and SPF lotions to protect your little one from the harmful effects of the suns UV rays.
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Caring for baby skin
A baby's skin is more delicate than that of an adult, which can make it more sensitive and susceptible to irritation. To prevent the skin from getting sore or inflamed, you should avoid cleansing your baby too often—three baths a week will do. Avoid using soaps or cleansers on the face as water is enough for this area. Do not use products that contain fragrance or dye as these often irritate a baby's skin.
Infant skin has a more neutral pH level than adult skin. For this reason, it's really important to use products that have been specifically designed for babies or are labelled as suitable for use on infants.
Babies are vulnerable to various rashes, such as eczema, nappy rash, heat rash, contact dermatitis, cradle cap and baby acne. Some of these problems do not require any treatment and will clear up on their own, while others, such as eczema, can be incredibly uncomfortable and lead to skin infections if left untreated. If a rash does not go away on its own after a few days or your baby is clearly uncomfortable, be sure to consult a doctor.
La Roche-Posay balms for babies
La Roche-Posay Baby Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Repairing Balm
This multipurpose balm contains 5% panthenol, which works to soothe sore skin and support the skin's natural repair process. It also has antibacterial properties to help prevent infection in broken skin. It's ideal for use on nappy rash, cradle cap, eczema, insect bites, and general scrapes, grazes, or areas of dryness and chapping. You could also apply it to the skin after each nappy change to protect against nappy rash.
Although formulated specifically for babies, Cicaplast Baume B5 is suitable for all ages from three months old and is ideal for children and adults with recurring eczema or very dry skin that is susceptible to cracking. It is fragrance and paraben-free and 100% hypoallergenic which makes it a gentle and safe product for all skin types.
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+M
Designed for very dry skin, the Lipikar Baume AP+M is suitable for babies from three months old. It contains aqua posae and microresyl which help to rebalance the skin's microbiome in order to gradually reduce the frequency of dryness and itchiness. Shea butter, glycerin, niacinamide and La Roche-Posay's signature Thermal Spring Water all help to soothe and restore the skin's natural barrier.
Lipikar Baume provides immediate relief from itchy sensations and offers up to 48 hours of hydration. This makes it a great product to apply after a baby's bath time to keep their dry skin nourished.
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Syndet AP+
Another product from the Lipikar range which is brilliant for babies is the Syndet AP+ wash cream. It's an incredibly gentle, soap-free cleanser which is suitable for newborn babies as well as anyone with very dry, eczema-prone or reactive skin. Enriched with glycerin, shea butter, niacinamide and Thermal Spring Water, it gently cleanses while locking in moisture to prevent skin from drying out at bath time.
The skin feels soft and supple after using this wash and it stays hydrated for up to 24 hours. The product is incredibly mild and hypoallergenic, and it has been tested extensively for suitability on very sensitive skin.
La Roche-Posay skincare for babies
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Kids Body Milk SPF50+
This nourishing body milk is designed for delicate skin that is prone to sun intolerance or heat rash. It offers incredibly high, broad UVA, UVB and infrared protection that is even stricter than European recommendations. It is also hypoallergenic and very water-resistant, which makes it a brilliant sunscreen for use when swimming. With a velvety texture that is not greasy or sticky, it leaves the skin feeling moisturised and supple during sun exposure.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dermo-Kids Lotion SPF50+
Like the Anthelios Kids Body Milk, this lotion provides exceptionally high protection against UVA, UVB and infrared rays and is suitable for very sensitive and delicate skin. It has a slightly thicker texture than the body milk, but is still non-sticky and leaves the skin feeling hydrated and comfortable.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dermo-Pediatrics Baby Lotion SPF50+
This sunscreen is suitable for babies aged six months and up. It has a light, non-greasy texture that soaks easily into the skin and is suitable for both the face and body. Like other Anthelios products, it offers very high, broad protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Plus, it is enriched with shea butter to nourish and protect the skin, making it particularly useful for babies with sensitive skin.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell if your baby has eczema?
Eczema in babies is characterised by patches of dry, scaly or cracked skin that may be sore, itchy, and crusting or oozing. In babies with light skin, these patches often appear red, and in babies with darker skin, the rashes may look grey, purple or brown.
Is La Roche-Posay safe for pregnancy?
Many La Roche-Posay products are suitable for use during pregnancy since almost all of them are designed with sensitive skin in mind, but it is important to check the ingredients on each individual skincare product before use. Products in the brand's Lipikar range are designed for very sensitive skin and have incredibly mild formulations which make them ideal for use during pregnancy.