When you think of skincare, what do you picture? Celebrities or beauty mavens at the local beauty store? How about a young boy riding his bike through a puddle or a girl playing with her dolls? Kids have unique needs for their skin, too! Read on to learn how to protect this delicate skin and, to provide kids with a foundation for a lifetime of healthy skin.

Keep clean

Sure, the typical kid's room might be disaster area, but their skin needn't be the same. Start with the basics: good head-to-toe hygiene is crucial to keep skin healthy and robust.

For very young children, skin may still be sensitive, so avoid harsh, drying soaps or heavily scented cleansers which may over-dry the skin or cause irritation. That being said, stock up on cleansers with enough power to wash away dirt and grime or anything else little ones get into!

• For gentle, soap-free cleansing from head to toe, try Mustela Stelatopia Cream Cleanser. This creamy formula foams up to cleanse and soften, and is safe for kids with sensitive skin or eczema.
• At the sink, teach youngsters to lather up and scrub thoroughly; 15 seconds is the ideal time, just about the amount of time it takes to sing one verse of 'Happy Birthday' — making washing up both fun and instructional. Be sure small hands are then rinsed thoroughly with warm water. Frequent hand washing eliminates germs on kids' hands, lessening their chances of getting sick.
• Don't let bath time become a forgotten memory for older children. Evening baths will not only wash away dirt and grime, but a night-time bath can also be a relaxing way to unwind before bed. If it's bubbles that make taking a bath bearable, try L'Occitane Honey Harvest Extra Foaming Bath. This foaming gel is fun for adults, too!

Things that go bump

Given their natural curiosity and willingness to try just about anything, bumps and bruises are a normal part of almost every child's life. While alarming to look at, these types of injuries are quite common.

A study in the journal Pediatrics reports that out of 1,467 children, "76.6% had at least one recent skin injury," with 17 percent of children having five or greater. Equal findings were seen in girls and boys. Not surprisingly, skin injuries are most common during summer months when kids are outside playing. Plus, summer clothing like T-shirts and shorts expose knees and elbows, increasing the risk of skin injury.

When the inevitable cut or bruise makes an appearance on tender young skin, keep the injured area clean and as bacteria-free as possible. Brave Soldier First Defense Antibacterial Spray will kill germs and promote healing, all in a sting-free spray formula. Stash a bottle for playground trips and keep a bottle in the medicine cabinet for at-home care.

Itch factor

Like adults, many factors can lead to allergic reactions or itchy skin in children, especially:

• Poisonous plants. Children like to explore, and unfortunately, this exploration may take them through patches of poison ivy, oak or sumac. Once the skin comes into contact with urushiol (the oil from these plants that causes an allergic reaction) symptoms such as redness, hives, swelling, itchiness or blisters may appear. A warm oatmeal bath can help relieve itchiness and calm skin, as well as the old stand-by, calamine lotion. Also, keep a tube of Peter Thomas Roth Aloe Cort Cream on hand to calm and soothe. Be alert: severe allergic reactions, facial swelling or difficulty breathing require emergency medical treatment.
• Bug bites. A plethora of pests can wreak havoc on skin, including: mosquitoes, tics, spiders, bees or hornets. Bites and stings typically show up as red, swollen bumps that are itchy, sore or painful. Stings from bees or hornets require specific care as the stinger must be removed from the skin before treatment can begin. Parents magazine recommends scraping the stinger off the stinger with a credit card or thumbnail, rather than using tweezers, which could accidentally squeeze more venom into the skin. Tics will also need to be removed and if possible, save the tic in alcohol so that it may be tested for Lyme's disease by a doctor. Keep bites and stings clean using soap and water and employ ice packs to relieve pain and soreness. For a natural approach, witch hazel or lavender and tea tree oil applied to bites can decrease itchiness.

Sun safety

You might think that sunburns are just a normal part of being a kid — no big deal. But sun exposure in children is dangerous, resulting in skin damage, discoloration or even cancer. WebMD warns, "several severe sunburns in a child younger than age 18 doubles the risk of melanoma later in life." Take steps now to prevent future damage:

• Use broad spectrum sunscreen with high SPF such as SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30 on children over six months old. With broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and moisture, it is safe for the entire family. Re-apply carefully after swimming or sweating, and be sure to cover all exposed areas, including ears!
• Stay inside during midday hours — 10am to 4pm — to avoid sun at its strongest. If kids are outside during that time, protective hats, clothing or sunglasses should be worn. Also, umbrellas or canopies offer shade from burning UV rays.
• To treat sunburn, try cool baths, aloe vera gel or moisturizing cream. Children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen can relieve pain, notes KidsHealth, but aspirin is inappropriate for children and teens.
• Sunburn with fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or fainting could mean heat exhaustion, heat stroke or dehydration. Get medical help for your child immediately.

Proper skincare will start young children into a lifetime of healthy skin so begin early!

See also:

Soft and Sweet: Skincare for Baby

How to Approach Skincare for Tweens

Pregnancy and Your Skin: Tips for Beauty and Safety!