“I’ve been using ordinary soap to wash my baby, but his skin is getting a little dry. Is ordinary soap too harsh for his skin? And if so, what should I use?”

DR CHANTELLE DOMAN, DERMATOLOGIST, SAYS…

This is a very important question. The skin has several functions; one of these is to form a barrier that protects against harmful bacteria and viruses. This barrier keeps moisture in the skin, and the first year of life is important t for barrier development. Using harsh products may hamper barrier formation. Products that contain soap have a high pH that may dry out the skin and cause irritation. So, it’s best to bath your babyy no more than once a day and use gentle soap-free cleansing liquids, such as Cetaphil Baby.