Health Habits: Top tips for keeping little skin pure

The body's largest organ, spanning the top of the scalp to the tips of the toes, the skin is our first line of defence against germs, bacteria and toxins. In adults, the epidermis varies in thickness, from just 0.5 mm thick at the eyelids to 4mm on the soles of the feet, but a child's skin tends to be thinner and therefore more delicate, meaning it needs extra care. Here are six ways to keep young skin baby soft and healthy... Read into it Never, ever apply a product to your baby's skin without reading and understanding the ingredients on the label first. The best advice for sensitive skin is to choose products with fewer than ten ingredients, in fact; the fewer ingredients a product contains, the better.

Shot of a happy mother playing with her daughter and toys

Avoid dyes and perfumes Wherever possible, choose products that are designed specifically with children in mind. These are less likely to contain drying perfumes and irritating detergents, which can cause a rash and sting the eyes. This is especially important when you're choosing products for daily use, such as shampoos and conditioners, shower wash, wipes or bath bubbles.

Don't go overboard Sensitive skin does best when it isn't overloaded with too many products. Choose a gentle wash, a high SPF and a moisture replenishing balm and use them regularly, but try not to switch brands too often.

Test it first When using a new cream or wash on your little one's sensitive skin, test a tiny drop of the product on the back of their hand and wait 24-hours before using it all over their body. This will show up any irritation or redness before you apply.

Never skimp on sun protection The immaturity of children's skin makes it very vulnerable to the sun. A scary 50 per cent of cellular damage in adults is linked to UV ray exposure that occurred before they turned 19. Therefore adults must be very vigilant and adopt crucial prevention habits. Experts recommend anti-UV sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, a tee-shirt and high protection sunscreen on exposed skin. And avoiding the sun entirely between 11am and 4pm.