Infant’s skin and care needs with special consideration to formulation additives

Abstract

Infancy is the time of adaptation from intrauterine life to the rather dry and cold, environment. Infant skin is more sensitive due to the immature immune system, hence, effortlessly prone to complications. Children from different age groups face diverse skin problems such as cradle cap, infant eczema, diaper rash, prickly heat, and many more. During early infancy, the products such as mild cleansers and lotions are used, and later, massage oils, creams, lotions, soaps, bubble bath, and other products are utilized for another few years, as a part of routine care. The preterm infants are more prone to skin damage and percutaneous toxicity from topically applied products. The ingredients incorporated in infant care products require special attention while choosing a product for them. Topical application of any such product requires thorough screening for potentially harmful ingredients before its exposure to the infant’s skin. Products used for infants should be safe and restricted of fragrance, coloring agents, parabens, plant oils, extracts, and other obnoxious ingredients. The literature is flooded with the list of safer excipients that can be utilized for the development of skin care products for infants and children.