Children’s cosmetics: Gentle care for young skin

Children’s delicate skin deserves special attention – and this is exactly where children’s cosmetics come in. Unlike traditional skincare and make-up products, children’s cosmetics aim to effectively protect sensitive children’s skin without burdening it with harsh ingredients. However, parents who are concerned about this issue are often faced with a wide range of products, labels and colourful advertising promises. In this article, you will learn what to look for when choosing children’s cosmetics, which ingredients are taboo and how to establish a simple skincare routine that will make your child feel completely comfortable.

Why does my child need special cosmetics?

Children’s skin is around 20% thinner than adult skin, its protective barrier is not yet fully developed and its pH value is slightly higher. This makes it more sensitive to fragrances, preservatives and strong surfactants. Children’s cosmetics take these anatomical characteristics into account. They contain mild surfactants, reduce fragrances to a minimum and avoid colourants wherever possible. Good children’s cosmetics also moisturise to prevent dryness and small cracks through which bacteria could penetrate.

Ingredients that have no place in children’s cosmetics are

When choosing children’s cosmetics, you should therefore check the INCI list carefully. The following should be avoided in particular:

1. Parabens: These preservatives are suspected of having hormonal effects.
2. PEGs (polyethylene glycols): These can make the skin more permeable.
3. Sulphates such as sodium lauryl sulphate: These strong surfactants strip the skin of its natural oils.
4. Cheap preservatives: These pass very quickly through the skin barrier, for example phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol and chlorphenesin.
5. Acidic preservatives such as sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, sorbic acid, dehydroacetic acid and benzoic acid only work below a pH value of 5 and can irritate sensitive children’s skin.
6. Synthetic fragrances: Common triggers of contact allergies.

Instead, choose children’s cosmetics that contain plant oils (such as almond or jojoba oil) and, if necessary, are rounded off with skin-friendly, low-allergy fragrance compositions.

Skincare routine: Less is more with children’s cosmetics

A comprehensive routine can be covered with three basic products:

Gentle wash gel or oil bath

– Thoroughly cleanses delicate children’s skin without drying it out.

Light moisturising lotion

– Moisturises, binds water in the skin and strengthens the natural skin barrier at the same time.

Sunscreen with mineral filter

– Reliably reflects UVA and UVB rays. Thanks to mineral pigments, no nanoparticles penetrate the skin.

Important: Many children do not need a complete daily skincare routine.

Observe their skin: if it feels tight, flaky or red, use children’s cosmetics more often.

Otherwise, clear water is often sufficient.

Playful make-up? That’s healthy too.

Children love to dress up or have their faces painted for carnival. When buying make-up sets, make sure that they are explicitly labelled as children’s cosmetics. These sets use food colouring, mineral pigments and washable formulas.

In the evening, they can be removed with a mild cleansing wipe or a nourishing cleansing milk from the children’s cosmetics range.

Sustainability: small care, big difference.

More and more manufacturers of children’s cosmetics are focusing on recyclable packaging, climate-neutral production and refill systems. Show your child how to dispose of empty tubes properly and why solid shampoo bars cause less plastic waste. In this way, you will not only teach them about skin care, but also how to use resources consciously.

Conclusion

Children’s cosmetics are more than just colourful packaging – they make an important contribution to keeping children’s sensitive skin healthy. By choosing high-quality, mildly formulated children’s cosmetics, you are laying the foundation for healthy skin and teaching your child the value of conscious body care from an early age. Whether ready-made products from the natural cosmetics section or simple DIY recipes: with the right children’s cosmetics, skincare is fun, protects the skin from environmental influences and accompanies young explorers carefree through everyday life, on the playground and on their adventures.

We would be happy to advise you if you would like to have a new product or even a product line for children’s skin developed.

Literature:

Study on the clinical efficacy of soothing moisturizing repairing cream combined with desonide in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children.

Zhang Y, Chen Y, Li C.Medicine (Baltimore). 2025 Jan 17;104(3):e41277.

Urinary paraben concentrations among children from the northernmost of Thailand: Cross-sectional study for exposure and health risks.

Laor P, Limpanont Y, Phuanukoonnon S, Kho Y, Choi K, Kliengchuay W, Park S, Tantrakarnapa K.Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Apr 15;295:118172