If I told you to imagine a moment of relaxation par excellence, surely in that image there is an immense bathtub, hot water and a lot of enveloping foam, right? Well, to take care of your skin you should remove the foam from that stamp. We tell you why.
For a soap to produce foam it must contain sulfates. What are these chemical elements? They are salts of sulfuric acid and are very present in most cosmetic products on the market.
Sulfates are very effective at removing dirt (for example, oil from hair), but also very aggressive for the skin, especially sensitive skin. That horrible itch when soap gets into your eyes is caused by sulfates.
How do you know if a product contains sulfates? In addition to the product label, you will quickly identify them because they have great foaming power.
However, do not be alarmist beyond a certain point. They are not dangerous or toxic to health, although they are negative for the natural lipids of our skin. Sulfates dissolve the hydrolipidic film, a layer formed by a mixture of sweat and fat that serves as a barrier. As soon as it begins to disappear, the first signs of skin sensitivity appear.
Adult shampoos must contain sulfates, although not too much (and therefore will make a lot less foam), so that our hair is clean of grease. However, dermatologists recommend that children's shampoos and soaps are sulfate-free, as their skin is more delicate.
Children's skin is thinner and has less protection than that of an adult. For example, it is also more vulnerable to solar radiation and dehydrates more easily. This makes it more sensitive and there are even typical childhood skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis or cradle cap on the scalp.
By using a sulfate-free gel with the little ones in the house, we will be making sure that we protect the natural barriers of their skin. The perfect soap for children has a neutral pH and is skin-protective. You will be helping to maintain the balance of their skin and avoid redness, irritation, dryness of the dermis, etc.
And, always, always, if you have any questions about the care of your skin or your children, consult your dermatologist or pediatrician. They will know what is the most appropriate for each specific case.