When you think of French Pharmacy skincare, what springs to mind? Set aside the fanciful visions of micellar waters and masks dancing through your mind for a second, because there’s a really interesting section of the pharmacy’s aisles that you could be missing out on, particularly if you have babies and children. For me French pharmacy is all about problem-solving skincare, and that doesn’t stop with adults. There’re products that solve the concerns of everyone in the family… including its very littlest members!

If there’s a common ailment affecting the well-being of your little one, take a look at this guide to French Pharmacy for babies. From cradle cap to restless sleep, we’ve got products that will restore some much-needed calm…

Cradle Cap

What is it?
Cradle cap is a type of seborrhoeic dermatitis caused by the excessive production of sebum on the scalp. This triggers the appearance of flaky, scaly patches on baby’s head that can sometimes come away from the scalp and make skin look red and a little bit sore. Not to worry though, even though it can be a little unsightly and distressing for mum, cradle cap isn’t painful for baby. In fact, it’s very common and pretty easily managed!

What can I do?
There’s no real way to prevent cradle cap, and it isn’t caused by bad hygiene or an infection. The good news is, once it appears you can start treating it straight away with a simple routine.

We recommend
Specialist baby skincare brand Mustela have a brilliant duo specifically tailored for babies with cradle cap. The Mustela Foam Shampoo for Newborns has keratin regulating action plus a little salicylic acid to provide a very mild exfoliating effect on the scalp. Follow this up with Stelaker Cradle Cap, a light and creamy lotion that provides intense comfort for your little one’s scalp thanks to a blend of avocado and aloe vera. Simply massage it in and leave it on overnight, and rinse away any residue with the Foam Shampoo in the morning.

Nappy Rash

What is it?
Nappy rash is an irritation of the skin most commonly caused by a wet or dirty nappy that has been left on baby for a little too long. It’s very common, and some babies are more susceptible to it than others, but it’s very important to catch it as soon as possible because your baby’s skin can become red, swollen and sore.

What can I do?
The very best thing you can do for your little one is allow their skin to get some air for a little while every day. It’s also important to change your baby’s nappy often, and keep the area as dry as possible throughout. To repair their red, sore skin, a simple skincare routine will help to bring some calm.

We recommend
Avene is well-known for its soothing thermal spring water, which has been helping those with skin complains for centuries (and is present in every single one of its products!). For babies, we love the canned Avene Thermal Spring Water spray, which gently cleanses the nappy area with a repairing and hygienic touch. Pat dry and then apply a layer of Avene Cicalfate cream, which has a copper-zinc complex for optimal skin repair. Each of the products are fragrance-free, preservative-free, colourant-free and hypoallergenic.

Very Dry and Atopic Skin

What is it?
Dry skin appears when skin is lacking in moisture, and can come and go due to changes in environment, diet or product intolerance. Atopic dermatitis is a long-term condition characterised by intense dryness, itchiness, rashes and discomfort. When your baby has either of these conditions it can become very distressing, particularly if they’re scratching their skin and causing further discomfort.

What can I do?
There are lots of things that can make symptoms worse, including using products that are too harsh for the skin, or wearing materials that scratch and irritate.  As well as learning more about the sorts of things that trigger your little one’s flare ups, establishing a set skincare routine will help to bring them some comfort.

We recommend
There are three things that you want to achieve from your skincare product when your baby has very dry or atopic skin: firstly, you want it to immediately relieve the hot, itchy and uncomfortable sensation that the skin conditions can bring; secondly, you want it to infuse the skin with intense moisture and care so that the dryness decreases; and thirdly, you want to create an effective barrier on the skin so that irritants can’t get in, and little fingers can’t scratch away at sore spots. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+ excels at all three, helping to break the cycle of irritation with a 20% concentration of nourishing shea butter and a high dose of niacinamide to restore the cutaneous barrier. Plus, the generous 200ml tube will last you a good amount of time – it’s a big thumbs up from me!

Their First Sniffles

What is it?
Blocked nose, sneezing and irritability… oh dear, your baby has their first cold! Although it may seem as though their still-developing immune system isn’t well enough equipped to deal with illness, try not to worry too much  – colds usually pass in a week or two. Keep a close eye on them, though. If their cold lasts for longer than that, or their symptoms develop, it’s time to call the doctor to rule out things like ear infections. Check out the NHS website for more information about when you should see a doctor.

What can I do?
Aside from making your baby as comfortable as possible and giving lots of love and hugs, there’s an amazing product from Mustela to introduce into their routine that’ll ease their tight chest.

We recommend
Suitable from birth, the Mustela Soothing Comfort Balm is a moisturising chest rub infused with the scent of pine and rosemary, which encourages a clearer nose and easier breathing. The relaxing massage application method helps baby to feel better comforted, and eases them into a restful slumber.

Sore Skin Folds

What is it?
Like the nappy area, the folds of your growing baby’s skin are prone to rashes. Moisture, heat and rubbing can cause the skin of these folds to become inflamed and irritated, and if left, they can become infected. Teething babies tend to dribble quite a bit, making the fold of the neck prone a prime spot for soreness.

What can I do?
Keep the area as dry and clean as possible! When you bathe your little one, moisturise their skin to keep it hydrated and healthy, but ensure that it is fully absorbed into the skin to prevent a build-up in skin folds. If baby is teething, regularly pat the area under their neck dry to help them stay fresher and free from soreness.

We recommend
If the problem has already developed and you’re looking for a product to calm and repair the skin, look no further than the Bioderma Cicabio Soothing Repairing Cream. This multi-purpose product is almost like a liquid plaster, helping to restore the tolerance of the area with a copper-zinc complex, whilst the innovative Antalgicine® Complex reduces the urge to scratch.

Trouble Sleeping

What is it?
Sleeping troubles can affect all babies. There’s just so much to see and do! But if it’s becoming an ongoing concern and your baby really struggles to ease into a restful sleep, there are some things you can do to help.

What can I do?
Building a routine is not only good for baby, it’s also a wonderful experience for you. Turning their bedtime into a ritual means that getting them off to sleep is less stressful, and it becomes valuable bonding time for you and your little one. Wind them down slowly with a bath and bed routine that leaves them relaxed, calm and ready for a good night’s (or more realistically, a couple of hours’) sleep.

We recommend
Transform their nightly bath with Mustela Multi Sensory Bath, an azure-coloured liquid that produces silky bubbles and a gentle powdery scent. The calming combination of scent and colour paired with the mild warmth of their bath water will help them to truly relax. Once baby is clean and you’ve dried them thoroughly, introduce the Mustela Massage Oil into their regime. This 99% natural sunflower, pomegranate and avocado oil aids soothing massage and creates a lovely moment between you and your child, as well as having the added benefits of pampering their skin and aiding better digestion.

Over to you!

Need some help finding the right French Pharmacy skincare for your baby? Comment below or Tweet us @Escentual!