PRODUCT REVIEW: MUSTELA SOOTHING SKINCARE FOR BABIES AND KIDS WITH VERY SENSITIVE SKIN

My two little boys are very blonde and fair, and have sadly both inherited their father’s dry and sensitive skin. But worst is our 3 year old. At one point he was admitted to the Children’s Hospital as he developed a bad rash all over his body. But thankfully it disappeared as quickly as it came, with no real explanation. We have however been told that his slightly rough and dry skin can be a result of his medical treatment, including all the chemo and steroids that he received in the lead up to his bone marrow transplant three years ago. And therefore, finding the correct skincare for both of them, but especially for the 3 year old is so important. We have tried a lot of different brands, and always make sure to select gentle, products, but what made a tremendous difference, was the day we started using the Mustela range for very sensitive skin. 

PRODUCT REVIEW: DU'IT BABY SKINCARE

PRODUCT REVIEW: LITTLE INNOSCENTS ORGANIC BABY SKINCARE

I've always been vary of what skincare products I use on my two boys skin. They are both very blonde and fair, and while they do not specifically suffer from dermatitis or any other skin concerns, they do seem to have very sensitive skin. So I was naturally excited when I was introduced to the Little Innoscents Organic Baby Skincare range.

 

The Little Innoscents Organic Baby Skincare range is an Australian made and owned range, and all the products contain nothing but effective natural ingredients.

Let's start with the Little Innoscents Baby Wipes. These wipes have been infused with aloe vera and vitamin E, and they are PH balanced and super gentle and suitable for even the most sensitive baby skin. I love that they are so thick that they can handle even a very 'messy' bum! I also love that they are free from chemicals so they are also safe to use to wipe down faces and sticky fingers. When our youngest was new born, he had a little bit of nappy rash, that flared up each time we used wipes, so eventually we resorted to using just water and cotton balls for a while, which was naturally difficult when we were out and about, so these wipes would have been so handy to have then as they would without a doubt have made a difference.

The Hair & Body Wash is an all-in-one product that is loaded with natural plant extracts including spearmint, sweet orange, and it has the most gorgeous fresh fruity scent. The gel is free from sulphates, yet it still foams up well, and gently cleanses both hair and body, and while I did intend for this to be used on my two little boys only, I have to admit to having used it too as a shower gel, as I simply couldn't resist it with the beautiful sent.

Then there's the Intensive Soothing Cream, which is an organic healing cream packed with shea butter, rosewood, lavender and avocado oils, and calendula extract, and since we've been using it on our little boys bottoms at every nappy change, they've not had one red bum, even the usual nasty teething periods that has always left both my boys with sore bottoms leaves, we've gotten over with a hitch, thanks to this cream. And I love that it can also be used on other rashes and dermatitis to help heal and soothe the skin.

The Winter Blues Balm, which is also called Baby Vapour Rub Balm, we got a the perfect time, as our 3.5 year old got hit with a bad cold, his first cold in about 1.5 years.

The balm contains medicinal essential oils including wintergreen and eucalyptus, as well as lemon, peppermint, and rosemary and beeswax, and it helps the baby breathe a little easier and avid nasal congestion and stuffy noses. And it is still so gentle, that it is even suitable to use on newborns! So when our boy was struggling to breathe at night, because he was so snotty, a little of this fresh and zesty smelling balm rubbed into his chest and feet, and it clearly helped him relax and breathe better in no time.

Finally, there's the Hair Fudge, and having a 3.5yo that is more or less refusing to leave the house unless his hair is waxed or gelled up, I was excited putting this one to the test - especially as he at times complains that his head is itch at the end of the day, after we've used certain gels or waxes in his hair. This hair fudge contains no alcohol, parabens or SLS, and with all its natural ingredients including rosewood and orange essential oils, it is also very gentle. It promises to give the hair a strong hold, but without any white flakes or residue on the hair or scalp, and it can be used in both wet or dry hair. Our little boy, being so blonde, also has very fine hair, and sadly, this fudge just didn't hold his hair in place, yes, it did tame it and control the flyaways, but unfortunately it just didn't have sufficient hold for his messy or 'spiky hair-do. But it works perfectly on little brother's baby hairs that are still a bit wild as they are still growing out, and again, I love that the fudge is so natural, that I can use this on him, without any concerns.

So there you go, a selection of Little Innoscents Organic Baby Skincare products. I've enjoyed using all on my little boys, and particularly fallen for the wipes, hair & body wash, the soothing cream and the sun lotion, and I'm very keen on putting other products from the range to the test too, including the Moisture Rich Body Lotion, the Paw Paw Balm, as well as some of the Himalayan Bath Salts and Home Cleaning Products.


Little Innoscents Baby Wipes - RRP: $6.50 / 80 wipes
Little Innoscents Hair & Body Wash - RRP: $12.95 / 250ml
Little Innoscents Intensive Soothing Cream - RRP: $10.99 / 75ml
Little Innoscents Winter Blues Balm - RRP: $10.99 / 75ml
Little Innoscents Sun Lotion SPF30 - $19.99 / 100ml
Little Innoscents Hair Fudge - RRP: $10.99 / 75ml

Available from select pharmacies, Baby Goods Stores, and health food stores.

Or for more information visit Little Innoscents Online

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


 

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PRODUCT REVIEW: QV KIDS SKINCARE - WASH, BALM AND MOISTURISING CREAM

Having two little blonde and very fair boys, both with sensitive and skin border-lining dry, caring for their skin is important to me. So when I was asked to try some of the QV Kids skincare products, I happily accepted.

The QV Kids Wash is a soap-free cleanser, that helps gently cleanse even the most dry and sensitive skim, without irritating it or drying it out any further by removing natural protective oils on the skin. The soap contains among others glycerin to moisturise the skin and a combination of gentle surfactants to cleanse the skin. I love that it also contains vitamin A and E to care for the skin, and especially our 3 year old loves that these come as blue microbeads, as it is a new level of fun when getting washed. I also find that the Wash is perfect to use as a bubble bath, as it froths up to a nice soft foam the boys love in the bath, although it can naturally also be used as a body wash in the shower, or even by the skin as a hand wash.

Then there's the QV Kids Balm which is an extremely emollient so it is perfect for kids (or adults) with extremely dry skin. The Balm contains no water, which is known to cause stinging when applied to inflamed skin, but rather it contains liquid paraffin and petroleum jelly to make it a gentle, yet every moisturising and soothing balm suitable also for those with sensitive skin, or even eczema. Because of its consistency, and the ingredients used, it does mean that it is a little greasy, and takes a while to absorb fully into the skin, but if you have extremely dry skin, it is well worth it. And I can here also say that especially my winter-dry nails and cuticles are also enjoying a little treatment as I am massaging this into our little boys dry skin. A little goes a very long way, so the tube will last you forever.

Finally, there's the QV Kids Cream, which is a thick and very concentrated cream, also suitable for very dry skin, including also those with sensitive, and itchy skin, as well as eczema. It also contains vitamin A and E to care for the skin, in the form of the tiny blue micro beads, which magically disappear on the skin, which our 3 year old finds hilarious (which does mean that I have to put it out of his reach, or he would otherwise help himself until the tube was empty ;-)

The cream does take a little while to absorb, but no where near as long as the Balm, and when it has, it leaves the skin soft and smooth and without any greasiness or stickiness. And I like that it keeps the skin soft and moisturised, and I don't have to keep moisturising my boys skin, with other moisturisers I've used on them, I've had to reapply, at least twice a day, sometimes more on their faces, but when using this, that is simply not necessary.


I also love that these products are free from both colours and fragrances, which means they do not have any scent, as I really don't find that necessary for kids products.

Overall, I am really enjoy using these QV Kids products on my boys skin, in particularly the Wash and the Cream, and can see myself purchasing them again and again. And as a bonus, they look rather cute in the kids bathroom with the adorable green octopus on the bottles, which my boys also like!


QV Kids Wash - RRP: $9.20 / 200ml, $15.30 / 375ml
QV Kids Balm - RRP: $8.15 / 100g, $25.45 / 450g
QV Kids Cream - RRP: $8.99 / 100g

Available from Priceline and Pharmacies

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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BRAND FOCUS: JOHNSON'S BABY CARE

Today on the blog I’d like to put focus on the baby care products from Johnson’s. 

Johnson's baby Bedtime Bath and Bedtime Lotion

This bath gel and moisturising lotion has been specifically been designed to use at night time. It contains a something Johnson’s calls ‘Naturalcalm’ essences, which is a unique blend of gentle ingredients and soothing aromas, including soothing lavender which is said to have been clinically proven to help calm your bay and make then sleep better.


I’ve been using the products on my toddler for quite a while, and have to admit that I’ve not noticed that he sleeps any better when we’ve used it in his nightly bath, but in saying that, he is a pretty good sleeper as it is. However, we’ve continued to use the products as they have such a lovely pleasant calming lavender scent that is gentle without being too overpowering.Both the Bath Gel and the Moisturising Lotion are very gentle, and my little boy loves that the bath gel gives him lots of bubbles to play with in the bath, which I love that it gently cleanses his skin without drying it out. As for the Moisturising Lotion, it absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave behind any greasy residue. RRP: $5.49 (200ml) each


Johnson's Baby Bath

According to the bottle, this Baby Bath is ‘as gentle to the skin as pure water’ which is what any mum wants to hear about the products used on her babies. The soap-free formula, has a tear-free formula that won’t irritate eyes, and will give your little one lots of soft bubbles to play with in the bath, all while gently cleansing the skin, without drying it out of irritating it. It has a very pleasant and gentle powdery scent. RRP: $5.49 (200ml) each 


Johnson’s Baby Top-To-Toe

This is another tear-free soap that again is claimed to be as ‘gentle as water on the skin’, so it is even suitable for use on a newborns sensitive skin. It has a lovely mild scent that is gentle and perfect for a baby. I also love that it is an all-in-one product that can be used both as a body wash and a shampoo, and combined with the convenient pump that comes with the large bottle, makes it so much easier and quicker to use at bath time. It gently cleanses skin and hair without drying it out, and irritating, and the soap also makes soft bubbles in the bath, so it truly is a multi-tasking product. RRP: $8.59 (500ml)


Johnson's Baby Cleansing Wipes

 

We’ve never had any issues using baby wipes on our 2.5 year old’s bum, but for some reason they irritated our little newborn, so we’ve had to resort to using cotton balls and water only, and in no time his irritated skin cleared up. Unfortunately that is a little cumbersome when you’re out and about, and that’s where I love the fact that these Baby Cleansing Wipes are water-based, and again, as ‘mild on the skin as pure water’. This also means that the wipes are also ideal for use on messy hands, faces, which most other baby wipes are not. So the thick and big wipes are also perfect to keep in the car and in the nappy bag to deal with any messy situation from dirty bottoms to grotty fingers and faces. RRP: $4.49 (80 wipes)


Johnson's baby Oil

This baby oil has designed to soothe and condition the skin and it is perfect to use for baby massages. The oil is very concentrated so just a few drops is all that is needed, and afterwards your baby’s skin is left soft and moisturised, yet without any greasiness. My boys don’t normally suffer from dry skin, but as most others, their skin does tend to become drier during winter – and that’s when I like to add just a few drops to the bath water, and it instantly leaves the skin super soft – so it is also perfect when you’ve got an older toddler who no longer wants to sit still while you moisturise his body! The baby oil is also doubles as the perfect eye makeup remover. It is not only cheap, but it also quickly and easily removes even long-wearing waterproof eye makeup, including mascara! RRP: $5.49 (200ml)


Johnson's baby Lotion

 

This is a good basic baby moisturiser, that is not only gentle so it is perfect for sensitive skin but also very effective at keeping the baby’s skin soft and moisturised, without making it feel sticky or greasy – for up to 24 hours!! And of course it is just as suitable for use by adults too, also because as with the rest of the Johnson’s baby products, this baby Lotion has a very gentle scent that quickly fades once the cream has absorbed into the skin. RRP: $5.49 (200ml)

Johnson's baby Powder

I’ve been using baby powder on my 2.5 year old boy after most nappy changes, as it helps absorb any moisture from the nappy area and hence help protect against any nappy rash or irritations. The powder is very gentle and has a soft gentle powdery scent, and a little goes a very long way, so while it may not look much in the bottle it will last you a very long time. It is also perfect to use in the skin folds of a young baby, again to avoid any skin irritations caused by excess moisture. And I also know of several adults that frequently use this powder, to not only absorb any moisture and sweat from the body, hands and feet, to prevent and soothe chaffing, or as a volume powder for the hair!! RRP: $2.79 (200g)

So there you go, a selection of Johnson’s baby care products, which are all great products available at bargain prices. On the negative side, I do wish that the products would be free from artificial fragrances, and that they would be free from harsh chemicals. I had to pick my favourite products of the bunch, it would no doubt have to be the Bedtime Bath and Bedtime Lotion, the Baby Bath and the Baby Cleansing Wipes!

All the Johnson’s Baby products are available from Priceline, supermarkets, variety stores and pharmacies. 

Have you ever used any of the Johnson’s Baby products? Any favourites?

*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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Product Review: Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash and Baby Oil

It is hard to believe, but our little baby boy is 9 months old today. How time has flown. He is always such a happy boy, and he is developing fast every day, and although he cannot quite crawl yet, he has mastered the art of commando’ing around, and he can get from one end of the room so quickly these days, that it leaves me with little rest, as I simply need to watch him all the time. And it is only a matter of time before he will crawl too! But it is such a joy seeing him explore the world and grow and develop every day.

And while I’ve heard the horror stories from the other mums in mothers group, we’ve been so lucky that our little boy so far has been spared from skin rash and irritations. But I also always make a conscious choice in the products that we use on him. Here are my thoughts on the *Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash and Baby Oil;

What They Say:

The Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash contains carefully selected formulation of beneficial ingredients including organic calendula extract t to gently cleanse delicate skin and make baby hair easy to comb. Precious almond oil helps to prevent dryness. Gentle on the eyes.

Weleda Baby Calendula Baby Oil contains carefully selected formulation of beneficial ingredients, this pure baby oil protects and gently cares for your baby’s skin. Fragrance free.

RRP: Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash (200ml) $16.95 and Baby Oil (200ml) $22.95

What I Say:

I have never previously tried any products from Weleda, but I like the fact that these baby products are certified Natural products free from synthetic preservatives, fragrance and colourants, and free from raw materials derived from mineral oil. In fact, Weleda strive to source only the finest natural ingredients from biodynamic, organic and wild crafted suppliers.  The products are also formulated to contain high organic levels, and the products contain fragrance of skin-friendly essential oils and anti-inflammatory properties that is perfectly suited to the delicate baby skin. In addition, the products are NATRUE Certified, which is an international non-profit association, where products must contain a minimum of 75% natural ingredients. I like the sound of that, as when it comes to my little boys skin, products just cannot be gentle and natural enough!

The Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash is an all-in-one soap designed to cleanser both hair and skin, which makes it so easy. The wash easily froths up to a soft lather, and as it is so concentrated I need to use only a tiny amount, less than half a teaspoon, to wash my little boy’s hair and body. The wash is to make the hair easy to comb, but as my little boy only still has very short hair, this is still not very relevant, but if you have a little girl with long hair, this will be absolutely perfect. But I do like that it is so gentle on his skin and hair, and that that it is so gentle on his eyes too.

It has a lovely yet very subtle fragrance, and as no artificial fragrance has been added, it comes from the natural ingredients of calendula and almond oil.

The newly launched Fragrance Free Baby Oil is made from 100 certified organic ingredients, and it is such a lovely change to look at an ingredients list and be able to understand what all the ingredients – even being able to read through it without tiring from all the long and difficult to understand words is so nice – I mean, how long are most skin ingredients list these days! Not the Weleda Baby Oil ingredients list. It is plain and simple, containing just two ingredients; sesame seed oil and calendula oil! WOW!

In spite of not containing any fragrance, this Baby Oil does have a slight floral scent, no doubt from the calendula, but as it is so subtle, and it quickly fades, I don’t mind, as it doesn’t disguise that beautiful natural scent of baby skin.

From very early days, I used to give our little boy a gentle massage after his shower or bath, something I believe that he really enjoys. And while he already has perfectly smooth and soft baby skin, Baby Oil gives his skin some needed moisture. The Baby oil is very concentrated, so just a few drops is all that is required to cover his little body, and it is quickly absorbed into the skin, without leaving it feeling greasy. 

What I Like:

• A 2-in1 product suitable for both skin and hair
• Super gentle on my little boy’s hair and skin
• Gentle on the eyes
• Made from organic ingredients
• Contain no synthetic preservatives, fragrance and colourants, or mineral oils
• Baby oil made from just two natural ingredients

What I Don’t Like:

• I really have no negatives to say about these products, but if I had to be picky, it would be lovely if the Shampoo and Body wash was also fragrance free

Overall, these are really lovely baby products, and even though they has been formulated with sensitive baby skin and hair in mind, there is absolutely no reason why adults with sensitive skin, or those who simply like super gentle products couldn’t use these as well. I will definitely be checking out the rest of the Weleda Baby range.

*These products were kindly provided for consideration, and have been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

Have you ever tried any of the Products from Weleda? Maybe the Weleda baby products? If you have a baby, which products do you swear by?

Our Must-Have Baby Skincare Products

I can’t believe it, but it has now been six weeks since we welcomed our little boy into this world. Six weeks. How time has flown. And I cannot believe how much he has grown already, already weighing over 5 kilos, and that was in spite of being sick with the jaundice as well as spending a night in hospital with an infection. He is now too big for his newborn clothes and has jumped up a clothes size!

Exploring skincare for babies has been a complete new ballgame for me. Where do you start with so many different things and brands to choose from, what do you need, and what is just not necessary! Here are some of the baby skincare products that we’ve enjoyed using for the past six weeks;

Gaia Natural Baby Starter Kit

This Gaia Baby Starter Kit contains absolutely everything you need, with a 50ml bottle of each of the Baby Bath & Body Wash, Baby Shampoo, Baby Moisturiser, Skin Soothing Lotion and Baby Massage Oil.

 

I brought this pack with me to hospital when he was born, knowing I then wouldn’t have to worry about anything else in terms of skincare for our little boy. (Maybe I’ve been living under a rock, but I am still so surprised that you have to bring your own baby skincare products, baby wipes and nappies for the few days you are in hospital after birth – even at a private hospital!!) But on the positive, at least I felt confident that only the best products were being used on our little boy.

The Gaia products are natural and organic and contain certified organic ingredients including wheat germ oil, evening primrose oil, shea butter, lavender, camomile, aloe vera leaf extract, calendula and avocado oil. The products are formulated especially for delicate baby skin, and are suitable for all skin types, including those with sensitivities and irritations, making them eczema friendly.

The products are free from all the chemical nasties such as artificial fragrances, soap, sulphates, petrochemicals, mineral oils, lanolin, paraben preservatives, propylene glycol or phthalates, which I really like as these ingredients can often trigger dryness and irritations in baby skin.

And due to all the natural ingredients the products smell absolutely amazing, yet so gentle and far from overpowering.

At $19.95 for the small pack, you may think that it is a little expensive for such small bottles –but we have been using nothing but these products for 6 weeks now, and you can hardly see that the products have been used, that’s how concentrated they are, so definitely worth the money. I will definitely be buying these in full sized products when we run out.

While we love all the products, we particularly love the massage oil, which has a nice calming lavender scent, and the Bath and Body Wash which has the most gorgeous scent of orange.

RRP: $19.95 (5 x 50ml) – Available from Priceline and select pharmacies, supermarkets and health stores.

 

WotNot Biodegradable Baby Wipes

These baby wipes are natural and organic and contain Australian certified organic aloe vera to soothe delicate baby skin, as well as vitamin E to help heal and protect. The wipes have a generous large size and has just the right amount of wetness, not too dry and not too wet, and they are slightly thicker than most other wipes too. They are unscented, so perfect for the sensitive baby skin, as well as they are free from chlorine, sulphates, petrochemicals, parabens, caustics, glycols and artificial fragrances. The wipes come in a plastic pack with a resealable lid to ensure the wipes do not dry out.

 

I love the fact that these wipes are so gentle on my little boy’s bottom, and that they are not filled with chemical nasties. They are a little more expensive than other baby wipes available, and considering how many nappy changes you do during a day with a newborn, you do go through a pack of wipes rather quickly. But while he is still so little and his skin so sensitive, they are worth every cent.

RRP: $7.95 (80 wipes) – available from Eco Direct, select health stores and pharmacies

Sudocrem

Being pregnant you get a so-called Bounty Bag which is full of samples, magazines and helpful brochures. And when you have given birth, you get a second one tailored to a new parent. Trying the samples in these bags is a great way of trying new products without having to buy them all. One of the samples in the Bounty Bags was a small tub of Sudocrem, which is a cream to help nappy rash. Being admitted to hospital and having antibiotics intravenously, and following having antibiotics at home three times a day, clearly affected our little boy’s tummy, but still he never developed nappy rash, and I am convinced that it is due to the Sudacrem, which simply creates an invisible layer on the skin protecting it. This thick white cream has next to no scent, and in spite of being so thick is actually quite easy to rub in. It is very concentrated so only a little is used. Ok, I was lucky to get a few of these tiny tubs, but we’ve only just started using the second tub, which proves just how concentrated it is. Definitely a must have on the change table. I’ve already put it on the shopping list, definitely don’t want to run out of this stuff!!

RRP: $4.95 (30g), $8.53 (125g), $18.15 (250g) – Available from pharmacies and supermarkets

 

So there you have it, these are the products that we are so far enjoying using.

What about you, have you tried any of these products? And can you recommend others worth trying?