Your toddler’s skin may be super soft (and oh-so-kissable) most of the time, but it’s bound to get dry now and again. And for some tots, dry may be their complexion’s default setting — they’re just naturally predisposed to dry skin or other skin conditions. But there are plenty of other culprits that might contribute to your toddler’s dry skin, like sitting too long in the tub or splashing too long in the pool, being outside in cold weather and inside in dry heat, as well as sensitivity to chemicals and fragrances in some soaps and lotions. Toddler teething-induced drool and irritating foods that end up smeared across those apple cheeks can also trigger a rough patch. Don't know what to do about dry skin? Fortunately, there are lots of simple toddler grooming strategies that’ll help restore the smooth, silky skin little kids are famous for. Start with these:
Keep baths short and sweet. Even though water is…well…wet, too much time in the tub can actually be drying, so skip those hour-long soaks. To heal already-dry skin, abbreviate bath time even more or skip it altogether if your tot’s not majorly messy. (A quick wipe-up with a washcloth may be enough for non-bath days.)
Get soap-smart. It’s hard to resist the temptation of sweet-smelling soaps or the promise of a cleaner clean, but a cleanser that’s soap-free and fragrance-free is best to retain moisture in your toddler’s dry skin. You don’t need gobs to get the job done — a little goes a long way. And remember not to scrub kids clean, but to wash gently and pat (not rub) dry with a soft towel.
Hydrate on the inside (drink water!). Though sitting in water will make a toddler’s dry skin worse, drinking it has the opposite effect, so be sure your tot takes in plenty of H2O. It’s especially important — for dry skin and otherwise — to load the little one up on water when it’s hot out, if your child’s been ill, or if she’s just been weaned. And don’t forget that a nutritious diet full of healthy meals is also important for a good complexion (for tots and grown-ups), especially one that includes some healthy fats like avocados and salmon.
Hydrate on the outside (moisturize!). Moisturizers can be enormously helpful in preventing and treating your toddler’s dry skin. For kids with very dry or sensitive skin, stick to products that contain both water and oils but not fragrances or too many chemical additives. Brands like Eucerin, Aquaphor, Cetaphil, Lubriderm, Aveeno, Moisturel, and Neutrogena tend to work well, but just as with your own moisturizing regimen, what you use depends on how well each individual’s skin responds, so be prepared to change it up if necessary. For the best results, apply moisturizer after the bath when your child’s skin is still slightly damp, and slather it on again as needed. (Can't figure out what to do about dry skin with particularly rough patches or hard-to heal cases? Use a super-emollient ointment instead of lotion or cream.)
Don’t overheat the house. Winter weather is public-enemy number one for parched skin because of the big dip in temperatures (low temps lead to chapped skin) and the chilly winds a-blowing (ditto on the wind). To combat the cold, you may be tempted to make your house super toasty with a turbo-blast of heat, but it's not what to do about dry skin. Overheated air can dry out skin even more. Keep the house comfy but cool enough that your child will want to bundle up a bit for sleep, and her skin (and yours too, for that matter) will thank you.
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