Maxalli Blog | Natural ingredients, science, and routines
A baby's skin is different. It is thinner, more delicate, and more prone to irritation. That's why many pediatricians and specialists recommend protecting it with ointments or petroleum jelly.
But there's a problem: most baby petroleum jellies are made with petrolatum, a petroleum derivative that, while creating a protective barrier, doesn't provide any nutrients and can contain impurities if not well-refined.
Many people look for petroleum jelly to protect their skin, but few stop to read what it actually contains. Most commercial petroleum jellies are made with petrolatum or paraffin (petroleum derivatives) and, to disguise their original smell, they add artificial fragrances.
If you have sensitive skin, you probably already know it: anything can irritate it. The weather, the sun, chemicals, and even products that are supposedly designed to “hydrate” it. One of the most problematic ingredients —although many don’t know it— is fragrance.
In Mexico, the word "pomada" is often associated with pharmaceutical products that smell strong, contain medications or are made with petroleum derivatives. Many of these ointments contain petrolatum, mineral oil, menthol, camphor, corticosteroids or antibiotics, and although some have therapeutic functions, not all are suitable for daily cosmetic use.
Have you ever read the label of a traditional body cream? Water, alcohol, silicones, synthetic fragrances, questionable preservatives and an endless list of ingredients you don't understand. Many promise to moisturize, but in reality they only cover the skin without nourishing it. And if you have sensitive skin or simply want to avoid toxins, these formulas can be more harmful than helpful.
