How to care for children’s skin

Caring for children’s skin doesn’t need to be complicated; the key is gentle, consistent routines. With the right approach, you can help prevent dryness and reduce flare-ups of common conditions like dry skin or eczema.

Bathing and washing

• Keep baths short (5–10 minutes) and use lukewarm water
• Avoid soaps or bubble baths with SLS, fragrances or colours
• Add a suitable emollient wash or use an emollient as a soap substitute

Moisturising effectively

• Apply an emollient immediately after bathing: this locks in moisture.
• It is recommended that 250–500g of emollient be applied every week
• Reapply frequently, especially after washing hands or swimming
• Choose a plain emollient without fragrance indicated for use on children's skin

Preventing irritation

• Dress children in soft, breathable fabrics like cotton
• Avoid wool and synthetic fibres next to the skin
• Rinse laundry thoroughly to remove detergent residue
• Keep fingernails short to reduce damage caused by scratching

Establishing habits

• Make moisturising part of your child's daily routine, morning and bedtime
• Teach older children to apply emollient themselves
• Praise and encourage consistency to make it feel normal, not medical

Learn more about Common Skin Conditions and how Doublebase can help protect your child’s skin every day.