The special nature of baby skin
1.
The developing skin microbiome of babies and toddlers is much more sensitive than that of adults. The stratum corneum, acid mantle and the function of the skin's protective barrier are still developing in the first few years of life and only gradually offer increasing protection against external influences. Therefore, proper baby skin care is particularly important.
2.
The stratum corneum forms the outermost layer of the epidermis. As long as sufficient amounts of skin lipids are not produced to ensure the cohesion of the horny cells in the stratum corneum, the skin is more permeable and is less able to bind water.
3.
The functions of the acid mantle and the sweat and sebaceous glands are still being developed. The hydrolipid film, a natural, skin-based emulsion of water and fat that covers and protects the skin surface, is still weakly developed. This can lead to increased moisture loss and severe dryness of the baby's skin.
Who or what protects baby skin?
The microbiome takes on the important task of the skin’s protective barrier.
Many skin functions are stimulated by the microbiome. As a living protective layer, it takes on the role of a protector for the skin. It strengthens the immune system, regulates the pH value of the skin, stabilizes the skin barrier and ensures an optimal moisture balance.
The skin, in turn, supplies the microbes with dead skin cells, sebum, sweat and skin fats and helps maintain the function of the microbiome.
Baby skin and its special microbiome
The baby's skin already has a unique defense mechanism , which, however, still needs to develop further and whose development should be supported. With only a fifth of the thickness of an adult's skin, baby skin is not as resilient. Therefore, it absorbs externally applied active ingredients more quickly and reacts particularly sensitively to microbial, chemical or physical influences.
Likewise, the skin functions are not yet established. The moisture balance in particular takes a long time and the skin microbiome only develops gradually. Baby skin is particularly in need of protection and therefore requires special baby skin care.
