I’ve been on a skincare kick lately. It started with my own skin care regime revamp after a trip to the dermatologist for a post-baby “mole patrol” visit. I’m one of the unlucky ones that gets those pesky brown spots during pregnancy and it always takes me awhile to do something about it. The whole experience got me thinking about healthy skin and questioning what I put on my own skin and my children’s bodies as well. The timing couldn’t have been better to start a product overhaul around the house since I was running low on just about everything and when I bumped into Dr. Lisa Kessler, the creator of baby skin care line BecomingBaby, at the recent Babes and Babies event it was just the motivation I needed to take action. She was nice enough to let me interview her so I could report back with some helpful baby skincare tips.
Project Nursery was first introduced to Becoming Baby last year at the ABC Kids Expo and after receiving some samples the product line became one of My Favorite Things this past holiday season. I promised then to bring you more information about the line and to let you know when the Becoming Baby product line was available to purchase and are happy to deliver on that promise! I talked with Lisa about how to go about finding good products for the family. There is so much conflicting information out there and I was in real need of some clarification.
PN: You created Becoming Baby because you couldn’t find anything on the market that as a doctor and mother you could get excited about using on your children. What was missing from current products on the market?
Dr. Lisa: When I had my daughter, I went looking for simple, natural products without a lot of unnecessary extra ingredients in them. Sounds obvious for a newborn, right? I was surprised how many baby products on the market were made almost entirely of petrochemicals, or contained preservatives such as parabens or formadehyde-donors. I didn’t want strong fragrances (overstimulating for babies) or colored dyes (Ever wonder what makes a certain baby lotion that familiar pink color? Red 33. Not something that sounds like it belongs on baby skin to me.) So I looked to the natural brands instead. The ingredients sounded better and more familiar, and many of them were organic too, but putting all those extra botanic extracts and essential oils on my new baby just didn’t make sense to me either. I learned that many of them aren’t at all beneficial for infant skin and some even cause irritation or allergic reactions. As a pediatrician and a mom, I thought I could come up with something better, gentler and safer – that’s how Becoming Baby began.
PN: Which products do you think are most important to splurge on for baby?
Dr. Lisa: Babies really don’t need all that much fancy stuff, but I do think it’s worthwhile to make the safest, healthiest choices you can afford for things like feeding, skin care and bedding. There are so many amazing natural products on the market now.
PN: I keep hearing about Parabens and how we should avoid them. Why and how do you check if they are in products?
Dr. Lisa: Parabens are a class of preservatives that have been used in the cosmetics industry for decades, in everything from shampoo to toothpaste. They became controversial when recent studies showed that parabens were showing up in some breast cancer tumors. Since they are also known to have estrogenic activity, scientists suggested that a relationship might exist between paraben exposure and breast cancer. The actual link is not known. If a product does contain parabens (and many still do) they will be listed in the ingredients – look for names like butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben or propylparaben. I especially avoid sunscreens with paraben preservatives, since there is research that suggests some parabens actually make skin cells more vulnerable to UV damage!
PN: What other ingredients should parents be conscious of when buying products for their children?
Dr. Lisa: If you visit www.becomingbabyskincare.com, there is a list of all the ingredients we chose to avoid in creating our products. There is also a page that lists and explains every single ingredient in our entire product line. We believe that parents have a right to know what they are putting on their babies, so they can make informed, responsible choices.
PN: How do you keep balanced as a mother, doctor and entrepreneur? We are always looking for tips!
Dr. Lisa: I’m still looking for the magic answer to this one! I guess my best strategy is to prioritize, or as we called it in the ER – triage. It helps me make sure that the most important and most urgent things get done first, but still keeps the whole “to do” list moving along.
What I love about the whole line of Becoming Baby products is the simple concept that extra ingredients in products isn’t necessary and therefore shouldn’t be added. That means fragrance, preservatives and coloring.
WIN IT: Becoming Baby is giving away TWO gift sets which include Baby Wash, Baby Lotion, Comfort Creme and Jelly Balm. Visit BecomingBabySkincare.com and then tell us what product you would be most excited to try and why. Contest ends February 18th, 2011 at 11:59 PST.
EXTRA ENTRIES –
1. Become a fan of Project Nursery on Facebook & comment.
2. Follow Project Nursery on Twitter & comment.
3. Subscribe or let us know you are a subscriber with a comment.
CONTEST CLOSED
Comments
Jeannine m
I am most exctied to try the baby nourishing BODY OIL
Jeannine m
I follow project nersey on twitter @mellanhead
Nicole
I would like to try the JELLY BALM. My son has dry skin and we’re trying to find something to help it.
Hanna
I would try the body oil!
Nicole
I am a subscriber!
Cassie
I’d love to try the Comfort Creme.
13cls13 at gmail dot com
Helena Parker
How could I possibly pick only one to try? I’d love to try all of them! If I really had to pick one I think I’d say the lotion. I have really dry skin and when my little my baby girl arrives in May I’m thinking she might have it too. (I’m subscribed to your blog in my google reader)
arely colin
i want to try the comfort creme
Jenn
The comfort cream, my son’s skin gets irriated very easy and I would love to try this.
Jhl2626@yahoo.com
Claudia Baskerville
I am a fan on Facebook already…..I’d love to try the comfort cream most of all, both my children have dry skin and we live in the desert!
Jenn
I FB follow
Jhil2626@yahoo.com
Brooke
The foaming body wash would be nice to try
Brooke
I follow PN on fb
Molly
The jelly balm would be fun to try–I like that it has multiple uses…seems like a great all around product for the diaper bag or changing table!
Molly
I’m a fan on FB
Molly
I follow PN on Twitter
Molly
I am a PN subscriber :)
Natalie A
I am a subscriber :)
Natalie A
Would love to try the comfort lotion. My daughter has very sensitive skin and I cant seem to find the perfect lotion.
Kelly
I’d love to try the lotion!
Kelly
I subscribe on my Google feed.
Tannis
I’d be most excited to try the body oil
Tannis
like PN on fb – Tannis W
Tannis
follow pn on twitter as @green_twiggy
Tannis
subscribe by email
lace
The Jelly Balm looks great.
Chels
I am a lovely subsriber. The jelly balm looks great!
Camille K
I am excited to try their gentle foaming BABY WASH! I love that it is made for sensitive skin!
camillekirch(at)gmail(dot)com
Camille K
I ama FB fan!
I am excited to try their gentle foaming BABY WASH! I love that it is made for sensitive skin!
camillekirch(at)gmail(dot)com
Camille K
I am a newsletter subscriber!
I am excited to try their gentle foaming BABY WASH! I love that it is made for sensitive skin!
camillekirch(at)gmail(dot)com
Veronica
I would love to try them all! My son has allergies/eczema, the body wash is soap free…so we can use it!!! He had cradle cap when he was younger, the oil would have been great for that. I am really excited after checking the ingredients…He could really get pampered using these products!
Veronica
I am a subscriber
AND
Posted a comment on FB about how excited I am to try Becoming Baby!!!!
Cari
I would like to try the baby lotion so I can bond with my baby by giving him a little lotion massage.
Catalina
Lovely products …
I am a follower on Facebook
Melissa B.
These products look great! I would most like to try the baby oil for my little girl’s super dry skin.
Melissa B.
Subscribe via google reader.
Melissa B.
Like on FB.
natalie
i would love to the jelly balm on my baby boy dry skin!
natalie
i subscribe to projecy nursery :)
casey
Like PN on Facebook, love this line…cant wait to use it!
Andrea
I’m most excited to try the gentle foaming baby wash because it will get baby clean without drying out her skin!
Andrea
I follow Project Nursery on Twitter! (@ampaetka)
Andrea
I’m a subscriber!
Paula C.
The Comfort Cream for the bottom, this would be great to try! My little one gets diaper rash and I would love to have this to soothe it.
Paula C.
I follow Project Nursery on twitter at sexyknickers68
Paula C.
I like Project Nursery on Facebook / Paula Caudill
Paula C.
I am a subscriber / Paula Caudill
Rachel N
I would love to try the baby wash because I have been on the lookout for something more natural for my son but have been hesitant about most natural products because they are not no tear formulas. This one is so I would love to try it out.
Rachel N
I follow project nursery on twitter @caedmen
Elle Sort
I’d like to try the gentle foaming wash – This is the most used product in my house so it’s the one I’d want to try the most.
Elle Sort
I’m a fan of PN on FB (as LS) Thanks!
Lindsey P
I’m most interested in the jelly balm, it seems so versatile in soothing many different issues.
Lindsey P
I’m a fan on FB and I’m a subscriber!
Jenn L
I would love to try the petroleum free jellu blam, as it has so many uses.
Marilyn Wons
I am most excited to try the Gentle Foaming Baby Wash since it would be so gentle on the baby.
Kim
i like the jelly balm cuz it has vitamin e
elyse
i would like to try the simple soothing BABY LOTION. I would like to try that because i like my skin to feel soft and smell good so i would like my baby Adelynn to feel smooth and smell good too and plus its good for her skin =)
i also did all the extra enters! =)
Shannon Baas
I would like to try the body lotion.
Margaret Norcott
Hi, Great product! I would be interested in the Oil for my 6 year old daughter who has very, very dry skin and/or the Soothing Lotion. It would be wonderful for my 3-1/2 year old as well…we all seem to have very dry skin! Thanks~ M
Margaret Norcott
I follow PN on FB.! :-)~Margaret
Margaret Norcott
I follow PN on Twitter ~ thanks for the great product share! ~Margaret
Heather
I would love to try the moisturizing lotion. My son’s skin is so sensitive, especially to perfumes, and it is so hard to find lotion that is perfume free!
kat terry ujczo
I’m a fan of both on twitter & fb!
Mo
Would love the gentle foaming BABY WASH!
Mo
I am also your latest fan on FB!
CaseyDeuce
I would like to try the diaper care cream for my son! I’d love to win this pack to gift to my bff due with her first baby in just 2 months!!
CaseyDeuce
I like PN on FB!
CaseyDeuce
I follow PN on Twitter!
Liz
The jelly balm sounds great!!
Liz
I am a fan on facebook!
Liz
I also subscribe!
Lisa
I love the idea of a natural diaper cream. I am a fan of both sites on FB and I am also a PN Subscriber!
valerie mabrey
diaper care COMFORT CREAM becaus eit is hard to a easy washable product
Lindsay
I’d love the baby lotion! My daughter is due any day now.. perfect!
Kathy Luman
I want to try the petroleum free JELLY BALM the most.
Kathy Luman
I became (Like) a fan of Project Nursery on Facebook.
Kathy Luman
I’m following Project Nursery on twitter.
April
I’d like to try the diaper care COMFORT CREAM.
Jessica
I would love to try the foaming wash because I love the simple ingredients and the foam dispenser seems like it would cut down on wasted product.
Jessica
I’m a Project Nursery facebook fan (Jessica Miller)
Jessica
I follow Project Nursery on twitter (@jjak2003)
Sarah Moske
I would like to try the gentle foaming wash.
Sarah Moske
I get your email newsletter :)
Sarah Moske
I am a fan of project Nursery on Facebook :)
Karen
I would want to try the diaper care comfort cream.
Emily H
I would love to try the jelly balm. Sounds like a great project!
Emily H
I would love to try the jelly balm. Sounds like a great product
Emily H
i am a PN subscriber
Emily H
i am a fan of PN on facebook too
Ingrid
Id probably like to most try the diaper cream.. Since every baby needs it at some stage, and I’m due with my first in a couple of months :)
Ingrid
I’m also a subscriber to your weekly emails
Ingrid
I also follow on twitter
Ingrid
And i like you guys on facebook!
McKim
I would like to try the gentle foaming BABY WASH. I like that it can be used on both the skin and hair so you only need one product.
kimkmc at yahoo.com
McKim
I “like” Project Nursery on Facebook.
kimkmc at yahoo.com
Angela
I’m a fan of project nursery on twitter and facebook as well as a subscriber! I would love to try the simple soothing BABY LOTION-so nice to see a product out there with all the yucky chemicals =)
Sara
Becoming Baby is wonderful! I have tried this product on my kids and it is great. Everyone should try it!!
Crystal Thiessen
I’d love to try the simple soothing BABY LOTION b/c our winters are so harsh on our skin, especially the babies. I’d like to see if the lotion could help keep my baby’s skin moisturized for a longer period of time.
Crystal Thiessen
I’m a fan of Project Nursery on Facebook!
Crystal Thiessen
I follow you on twitter as ct_designs.
Crystal Thiessen
I’m a subscriber of your newsletter/emails! I love hearing what’s going on!
Sarah
I’m most interested in the body wash because I think it would be great for my dry, sensitive skin.
msilba
would love to try the baby foaming wash!
msilba
i’m following Becoming Baby on twitter
@msilba
Kara
I am so excited for the Baby nourishing Body Oil because I plan to give my baby massage and rub it all over their baby skin. I also would love to use it on my dry skin after getting out of the shower! The sunflower and vitamin E oil is so good for you skin!
missdenise
I would love to try the gentle foaming baby wash. We all have sensitive skin in our house!
amber
I am a fan of project nursery on FB!
amber
I follow PN in twitter, my name is @amberstarr
amber
I am a subscriber to the emails!!
amber
I LOVE the jelly cream!
Emily Smith
I like Project Nursery on fb
Emily Smith
I am a subscriber
Emily Smith
following on twitter
Jen Harriman
i want to try the gentle foaming BABY WASH, it looks so great and it doesnt take the extra time to suds up, my baby hates being naked so the quicker i can get the soap on and off the better!
Jen Harriman
im a fan of project nursery on fb. jennifer harriman
Jen Harriman
im already a subscriber
shawna
I would like the gentle foaming baby wash.
pridelandmama
i am excited about the gentle foaming baby wash because I like things that are gentle on my baby’s skin for my newborn.
pridelandmama@hotmail.com
pridelandmama
I follow you on twitter @pridelandmama
pridelandmama@hotmail.com
Laura Benjamin
I would most like to try the Gentle Foaming Baby Wash. My daughter has such sensitive skin and I love how this wash is for those whose skin is extra sensitive.
Laura Benjamin
I subscribe.
Laura Benjamin
I am a fan on Facebook.
cass
simple soothing BABY LOTION because we use lotions in this house
amy h
I’d love to try the gentle foaming BABY WASH b/c it is “pH-balanced to support skin’s natural defenses against environmental stress.” Thanks for the chance.
amy h
I’m your fan on Facebook.
amy h
Following you on twitter: hillfam2005
amy h
I’m an email subscriber.
Erin Cook
I like the baby wash
Erin Cook
I like project nursery on facebook and left a comment Erin Cook
Erin Cook
I am following project nursery on twitter @cooks1978
Erin Cook
I have subscribed via google reader Erin Cook
rajee
love to try bodywash for or my dry, sensitive skin.
Happi Shopr
Baby nourishing Body Oil for massaging baby
Jessica
I’d love to try the gentle foaming baby wash- sulfate free!
rebecca
I would like to try the Baby Nourishing baby oil.
Cindy C @cin_20
The gentle foaming baby wash because it would be so gentle on babies delicate skin. Would hydrated instead of dry.
Cindy C @cin_20
I am a fan of Project Nursery on Facebook
Cindy C @cin_20
I Follow Project Nursery on Twitter
Cindy C @cin_20
I already Subscribe.
Cindy C @cin_20
Sorry just realized I am late!!
Susie B.
I like you on FB!