Real winter has finally arrived, bringing the first snow and the joys of childhood that come with it. However, winter also brings unfavorable weather conditions for our skin, especially for sensitive children’s skin.
Winter is a particularly demanding period for children’s skin. The skin’s condition is affected by dry, heated indoor air, cold outdoor air, sudden temperature changes, wind, snow, and reduced humidity. All of this can cause extreme skin dryness with a feeling of tightness, roughness, redness, and peeling, precisely due to damage to the skin’s hydrolipid layer.
We also know how important daily time spent outdoors in the fresh air is for health, as it strengthens the immune system. Rich yet gentle skin care is now needed more than ever to protect it. In the colder months, we lose moisture faster than we often notice, and the main reason is not just dry air, but a weakened skin barrier. Frequent transitions between cold outdoor air and warm, dry indoor air further exhaust the skin barrier. When the barrier weakens, the skin simply cannot retain water, no matter how many products we apply.
Since the outer layer of skin in babies is up to five times thinner and has fewer protective lipids (fats), their skin has a harder time retaining natural moisture. In winter, this is felt even more strongly, and the skin dries out faster, becoming rough and prone to redness, irritation, and damage. Irritants, allergens, and harmful substances penetrate such damaged skin more easily, which further worsens the skin’s condition and can lead to infections.
That is why winter care is not just “applying cream,” but a gentle, thoughtful routine that strengthens the skin barrier and helps the skin defend itself.
For skin prone to dermatitis, such as atopic dermatitis, the winter period is a time when such skin requires extra and increased attention, care, and cleansing, as worsening and the appearance of eczema, redness, itching, and skin damage can occur very quickly.
The most important part of our winter routine is therefore precisely the strengthening, care, and restoration of the skin barrier. The barrier is the foundation of healthy skin because it determines how the skin reacts, how resilient it is, and how long it stays hydrated. In winter, I especially emphasize products that replenish lipids, soothe the skin, and help it regenerate. When the barrier is strong, the skin becomes more resilient, balanced, and less prone to irritation.
The face, hands, and lips are particularly exposed in winter to unfavorable influences, so more attention should be paid to the intensive care of these parts.
Many of you ask me for a recommendation for a good, high-quality, and safe lip balm. My warm recommendation is Beessentials Honey Bee Rhapsody balm: it has an excellent formula and provides lovely care and protection for the lips in these winter months, and it is safe for children too.
Which ingredients are great to include in your winter skincare routine during these cold months?
Ceramides are an absolute staple of winter care for me. They are a natural part of our skin and act like the cement that holds the cells of the epidermis together. When they are lacking, the skin loses moisture, becomes sensitive, and is prone to irritation.
Ceramides are clinically proven to contribute to strengthening the lipid protective barrier and maintaining skin moisture. In our Skin Rescue cream, we have as many as seven types of ceramides.
Ectoin is one of the ingredients that perfectly suits winter conditions. It is a natural molecule that protects cells from extreme conditions such as cold, dry air, and temperature fluctuations. It is scientifically proven that ectoin excellently promotes skin hydration and regeneration. It strengthens the barrier, reduces sensitivity, and helps the skin recover faster. It is one of the main ingredients in Pipo Gentle Care cream.
Plant oils rich in essential fatty acids, such as cold-pressed hemp oil and evening primrose oil, help restore the skin’s lipid layer and prevent water evaporation. They create a protective layer on the skin and thus prevent the delicate skin of children from drying out.
Gotu kola plant extract (Centella asiatica) significantly reduces inflammation, has a major impact on skin hydration and epidermal barrier function, with a special emphasis on increasing its firmness. It has a clinically proven effect in the powerful and rapid regeneration of damaged skin. In Skin Rescue cream, the most potent gotu kola extract is present.
Among the most well-known skin protectors is dexpanthenol (provitamin B5), which relieves hypersensitivity and irritation, reduces redness, and prevents moisture loss from the skin.
How to care for and protect the sensitive skin of babies and children in winter?
Use warm or lukewarm water for bathing or showering, not hot. Increase skin care before going outside on exposed parts (face, neck, hands). After washing hands, apply a cream that will nourish the skin.
The fundamental goal is to strengthen the skin’s hydrolipid layer in winter, which weakens and becomes damaged due to external influences during the winter months. This makes the skin more resilient and less reactive. A weakening of the barrier leads to the loss of moisture and necessary fats from the skin.
PIPO winter routine
Gentle cleansing that doesn’t dry out the skin, and creams that strengthen the barrier, replenish lipids, and help the skin retain moisture.
- Using a gentle skin cleanser that preserves the hydrolipid barrier and protects against drying out. Pipo Ultra Gentle gel is exactly that—it will wash baby’s delicate skin without irritating it or drying it out further.
- Hydrating the skin with thermal water or toner (e.g., witch hazel). Use these before applying cream to hydrate the skin and prepare it for the cream. It can also be used during the day as separate care when additional hydration and skin soothing are needed.
- Restoring the lipid barrier and increasing hydration through skin care—if a child’s skin is dry, daily application of cream immediately after bathing or showering will help restore the lipid barrier, protect it from further drying, and deeply hydrate it. Pipo Gentle Care cream is excellent for this, formulated with the powerful moisturizer ectoin and plant oils that replenish lipids and soothe the skin. It is intended for the daily care of the face and body of babies, but also for the whole family.
- Treating acute conditions—redness, eczema, skin damage, red and dry little cheeks—by using Skin Rescue cream, which has natural active ingredients, such as Centella asiatica extract in high concentrations, with proven anti-inflammatory and restorative effects. It also contains seven types of ceramides which are a lifesaver for very dry skin. It is also ideal for applying to the face and hands every time before going out into the cold air. It can be applied freely several times a day, every day (there are no application limits).
NOTE: Always perform a patch test before the first use of any product, especially since children’s sensitive skin can react to any ingredient. A small amount of the product is applied to the inside of the forearm, and any potential reaction is monitored for 24 hours. If there is no reaction, you can freely continue using the cream.
A few more valuable tips that can help keep children’s skin protected during winter
- BATHING: If you can, always prioritize showering. However, if bathing is part of your evening routine and relaxation, keep it shorter than 10 minutes. For children with atopic dermatitis, limit it to just a few minutes, and the water temperature should be around 34°C (93°F). Water that is too hot further dries out the skin and can worsen redness and itching.
- WASHING PRODUCTS: Choose those that do not contain irritating soaps, but rather mild surfactants and ingredients that prevent skin dryness and protect the baby’s skin barrier.
- SKIN CARE: When drying, avoid aggressive rubbing with a towel. It is important to apply an emollient within three minutes of bathing so it can be best absorbed while the skin is still slightly damp (the “3-minute rule”).
- CLOTHING AND LAUNDRY DETERGENTS: It is very important to pay attention to which products you use for washing laundry. Artificial dyes, perfumes, and sulfates are common ingredients in detergents and can cause allergic reactions, rashes, redness, and itching. It is difficult to find a good, high-quality “hypoallergenic” detergent with a natural composition. Additional rinsing and a stronger spin cycle (over 1000 RPM) are recommended.
My recommendation for a safe and high-quality detergent suitable for the sensitive skin of babies and children with atopic dermatitis is Melli Aromatica.
The main ingredients of the Melli Eco line are natural biodegradable soaps—coconut and olive soap. For clothing, as well as bedding, choose 100% cotton and avoid synthetic materials, polyester, and wool.
Children’s skin is the most sensitive skin and requires exceptional and special care—it is up to five times thinner than adult skin, and everything applied to the skin can be absorbed and enter the bloodstream. That is why you should always choose high-quality, gentle products with a transparent composition, without perfumes, which will protect and nourish their delicate skin, thereby also affecting their overall health.
The skin remembers everything. Both the good and the bad, and it is up to us to give it what it needs in time. As a Master of Pharmacy, I have poured all my knowledge into Pipo products to provide the best for my children and yours. All Pipo products have undergone extensive dermatological testing and are safe for use on babies from the first day of life, but they are also great for the whole family. Many moms and dads have tried Pipo products on themselves and were pleasantly surprised by how beautifully they nourish and soothe the skin.
I am sharing with you the experiences of our users who have used Skin Rescue cream:
