Baby Skincare Isn’t Just Adult Skincare in a Cute Bottle
Reading time: 8–10 minutes
1. What I've been learning as I get ready to become a Nana for the first time.
2. Why does baby skin need such gentle care?
3. Little Roary Baby Oil.
4. Little Joey Baby Washing Milk.
5. Little Emy Nappy Cream.
6. A couple of other useful products for Mum.
7. So, yes, I may have become that wierd Nana.
1. What I've been learning as I get ready to become a Nana for the first time
September is going to be a rather special month in our family.
My eldest son Ethan and his girlfriend Ellie are expecting their first baby. Our first grandchild. And our first granddaughter.
Which means I’m about to become a Nana.
And apparently, I’m going to be that Nana.
You know the one.
The slightly weird one who turns up with products, reads ingredient labels and seems to be on a one-woman mission to save the world, one bathroom cabinet at a time.
I’m OK with that. I’m wearing the badge with pride.
Because the more I’ve learned about the ingredients in the products we use every day, the more interested I’ve become in making thoughtful choices about what I use on my own skin and bring into my home.
So when we found out Ellie was pregnant, I went into full Nana mode rather quickly.
I put together a basket for her containing some of the more natural alternatives I'd chosen, skincare and bodycare, deodorant, haircare, cleaning products and even products for washing their clothes.
Did she perhaps think, “Here she goes again…”?
Almost certainly.
But she was grateful. And, more importantly, she uses them!
I'm realistic about it, though. More natural alternatives can sometimes be more expensive, and I don't expect Ethan and Ellie to make exactly the same choices I would or use everything I've bought them all of the time.
If I can contribute to some of those choices, some of the time, that's enough for me.
Small changes still count.
Then I started looking properly at baby skincare
I've obviously known about Tropic's Little Tropic range for some time.
But there's quite a difference between knowing a baby range exists and looking at those little bottles while thinking:
That's going to be used on my granddaughter.
At Ellie's baby shower earlier this month, I gave her the complete Little Heroes collection: Little Joey Baby Washing Milk, Little Roary Baby Oil and Little Emy Nappy Cream.
And as I've learned more about the products, I've also learned more about baby skin itself.
Because baby skincare really isn't simply adult skincare put into a bottle with a cute kangaroo on the front.
Although, admittedly, the kangaroo is very cute.
2. Why does baby skin need such gentle care?
One thing that really stood out to me was that it takes around two years for a baby's skin barrier to fully mature and resemble an adult's.
That developing barrier means a baby's skin can be less resistant to irritants and more susceptible to reactions, irritation and conditions such as eczema.
So for me, choosing baby skincare isn't about building some elaborate routine.
Quite the opposite.
It's about keeping things gentle and simple.
The three Little Tropic products are 100% naturally derived, paediatrician tested and dermatologically assessed and approved.
And each has a slightly different job.
3. Little Roary Baby Oil
This is the one that can be used from birth.
Little Roary contains golden jojoba oil, tiger grass and vitamin E and is designed to soothe and hydrate delicate skin.
Golden jojoba oil is particularly interesting because its structure closely mimics the skin's natural sebum, while tiger grass helps calm irritation and support the skin barrier.
It can be used after bathing to help lock in moisture or as a baby massage oil.
And I do rather like the idea of those future post-bath baby massages.
I'm fairly certain Nana will volunteer.
4. Little Joey Baby Washing Milk
From two weeks old, Little Joey can be introduced at bath time.
It's a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free washing milk containing kangaroo paw extract, rice milk and white tea extract.
You can add half to one capful to the bath water, or use it directly as a gentle wash and shampoo.
Again, it's the simplicity I like.
A baby doesn't need a bathroom shelf containing 14 different products.
Frankly, most of us don't.
5. Little Emy Nappy Cream
Also suitable from two weeks, Little Emy is designed to help protect against nappy rash and calm delicate skin.
It contains emu apple extract, tamanu oil and zinc oxide.
The zinc oxide creates a barrier over the skin to help protect against further irritation, while tamanu oil is used for its soothing properties.
It's simply patted onto clean skin as part of changing.
So that's the little trio currently waiting for our even littler new arrival.
But here's where my research became rather more interesting.
They're called baby products. That doesn't mean the baby gets all of them.
This is one of my favourite things about learning more about products.
Sometimes you discover that the name on the bottle only tells you half the story.
Little Roary, for example, can also be used by adults as a nourishing makeup remover or silky massage oil.
Little Emy isn't confined to the changing bag either. Tropic also recommends it for adults experiencing irritated or chafed skin, soreness or post-shaving redness.
And Little Joey can be used by anyone looking for a gentle, soap-free wash for eczema flare-ups, irritation or intimate areas.
Which means you don't actually need a baby in the house to find some useful little multitaskers here.
And there are two other products I've been looking at as part of the wider pregnancy, new-mum and sensitive-skin conversation too.
6. A couple of useful extras for Mum
Rinse and Retreat Sensitive Body Wash is fragrance-free and pH-balanced and is designed for sensitive, eczema-prone and intimate areas.
Tropic specifically highlights it during pregnancy because hormonal changes can affect intimate pH and contribute to sensitivity and irritation.
Then there's Tamanu Cream, which is designed for sensitive or reactive skin and can be particularly useful for pregnancy and postpartum skin, including stretched or sensitised areas such as the stomach, breasts and thighs.
It's also suitable for children and babies from two weeks after birth.
And that's really what I've enjoyed discovering.
It isn't about having a special product for every square inch of every member of the family.
It's about understanding skin a little better and choosing products that actually have a reason to be there.
8. So yes, I may have become the weird Nana!
Our granddaughter isn't even here yet and I've already supplied products for her bathroom.
I can only imagine what I'll be like when she actually arrives.
But I'm also not interested in frightening people into thinking they're getting everything wrong.
Ethan and Ellie will make their own decisions for their daughter.
I'm not expecting them to replace every product in their house because Nana has been reading ingredient lists again.
I'll share what I've learned. I'll help where I can. I'll buy some of the things I'd love them to have when I can.
And then I'll respect that they're her parents.
Because I don't think making different choices has to be all or nothing.
Maybe one bottle changes.
Maybe you find one product that works particularly well for sensitive skin.
Maybe Grandma or Nana buys the slightly more expensive option as a treat.
Some of the time is still better than none of the time.
So perhaps I am becoming the slightly weird Nana who's trying to save the world one bathroom cabinet at a time.
But if I can't start with my own growing family, what chance have I got of making a difference anywhere else?
I'll wear that badge with pride.
And now we just need our granddaughter to arrive.
Nana's waiting. ❤️
Whether you're shopping for a new baby, dealing with sensitive skin yourself or simply trying to make sense of which products you actually need, I'm always happy to help.
Send me a message and tell me who you're shopping for.
I'll listen before I recommend.
Let's keep the conversation going
If you're a woman over 50 navigating changing skin, I'd love to support you.
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Before you go....
Your body has been with you through every chapter of your life.
It deserves more than being an afterthought.
Perhaps tomorrow morning, instead of rushing straight into the day, you could spend just five minutes looking after yourself.
Because healthy skin has never been about perfection.
It's about creating small rituals that remind us we matter too. 💚
Take care of yourself.
You deserve it.
Natalie x
Hi, I'm Natalie, a Tropic Ambassador
Supporting midlife women with natural skin care and simple routines, so you can feel confident in your skin, prioritise yourself, and create flexible income - all on your own terms.
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