I’m a mum of two beauty editor and these are the only skincare products I would use on my children

A big part of parenting-life that nobody warns you about is how much stuff children accumulate over the years. I knew it would be messy, but within a few weeks of my son being born, our house quickly began to look like a toy shop showroom. As well as plastic cars, large pieces of Duplo and endless stickers on most surfaces in my home, I’ve also had to clear out some of my beloved beauty products to make way for child-friendly skincare in my bathroom. I’m actually not too sad about this part of the invasion though, as over the last five years of being a mum I’ve tried and tested plenty of the skincare products that I’d bought for my kids, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how nice they are to use, and how effective they can be.

When I say children’s skincare, I’m not talking about the alarming rise of the ‘Sephora tweens’ — teenagers and pre-teens unnecessarily using highly active skincare products— I simply mean all the essentials like shampoo and body lotions. I have used plenty over the last few years and I have genuinely liked using them.

When my son was small, he really struggled with eczema. His wrists and back of his knees were prone to irritation and inflammation, and he very often had dry and painful breakouts that needed extra gentle care. Because of this, I spent a lot of time researching the very best products for sensitive skin and opted for brands that catered for extra dry and delicate complexions.. Five years later, and thankfully his eczema has subsided a little, but I still stick with these formulas to avoid any flare-ups.

There have been times too, when my winter skin has felt particularly parched and rough and I’ve been in need of something super gentle yet nourishing, when I reach for these products too.

Best skincare for children

1. Aveeno Baby Dermexa Emollient Cream