When my sister’s daughter, who was barely 6 months old, was diagnosed with paediatric eczema. The first few months were really harrowing...
It was only when a dermatologist recommended us to go back to our roots and use single ingredient products on the little one, like just Virgin Coconut Oil or Pure Aloe Vera Gel that we saw the power of nature at work.
We made a lot of small changes and started using only natural and edible skincare products that we prepared in the kitchen to manage her eczema better. It took about 2 months to start seeing the difference in her skin. But after that, there really was no looking back!
If you would like to understand what those changes were, I have written a blog here that has step-by-step process of how we managed my niece's eczema
We started making these products from our kitchen and as the word spread, we had a repeat set of buyers (mostly friends, family, neighbours). We launched our brand with commercial operations only after almost 5 years of research, feedback and product trials.
Today, we are proud to be India’s first and probably the world’s first edible skin care baby brand
Now…you may ask why edible baby skincare?
At the time we launched our brand, we took a conscious decision to make only 100% natural and edible skin care products for babies because we felt that it should be safe if absorbed through skin or ingested (you know, babies love sucking on their toes and fingers!). But we also found published research by doctors that corroborates our assumption and it made it even more important that edible skincare for newborn babies should become a norm.
So, honestly the real question should be why not edible baby skincare ?
An Important Research By Indian Pediatricians
In 2005, a team of pediatricians led by Dr. Kriti Solanki conducted a study that would change how we think about baby skincare. Published in Indian Pediatrics, their research involved 120 newborns and asked a simple but crucial question: Do babies actually absorb the oils we massage them with?
The answer was a resounding yes.
What The Study Revealed
The researchers divided babies into three groups:
- 40 babies massaged with safflower oil (rich in essential fatty acids)
- 40 babies massaged with coconut oil (rich in saturated fats)
- 40 babies with no oil massage (control group)
Each baby received 5ml of their designated oil, massaged four times daily for five days. Before and after the massage period, the researchers took blood samples to analyze fatty acid profiles.
The results were remarkable: Not only did the massaged babies show significantly higher triglyceride levels in their blood, but their fatty acid profiles actually changed to reflect the specific oils they were massaged with.
Babies massaged with safflower oil showed increased levels of linolenic and arachidonic acids in their bloodstream. Those massaged with coconut oil showed higher saturated fat levels. The control group? Minimal changes.
What This Means for Your Baby
This isn't just academic research - it has real implications for every parent choosing skincare products.
Your baby's skin isn't a barrier, it's a pathway.
Whatever you apply gets absorbed into their bloodstream and becomes part of their nutrition. The study concluded that topically applied oils are "probably available for nutritional purposes."
Think about that for a moment. The lotion or oil you're rubbing on your baby's delicate skin? It's not just sitting on the surface - it's being absorbed and circulating through their tiny body.
Why This Makes Edible-Grade Essential
This is exactly why we made the decision early on to formulate only edible-grade baby skincare at Prakrta. If babies are absorbing what we put on their skin, shouldn't those ingredients be safe enough to eat?
Our Tender Skin Baby Oil uses centrifuge-extracted virgin coconut oil - the same quality you'd cook with - combined with cold-pressed avocado oil and natural vitamin E (mixed tocopherols). Every single ingredient is food-grade because we know it's not just nourishing your baby's skin, it's nourishing your baby.
The Coconut Oil Advantage
The study's findings about coconut oil are particularly exciting for us. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid - the same beneficial fatty acid found in breast milk. When absorbed through baby's skin, it provides antimicrobial protection and essential nutrition.
There is a reason we chose to use centrifuge extracted Virgin coconut oil from the coconut milk, preserving all the natural vitamin E, lauric acid, and caprylic acid that make it so beneficial. It's not just moisturizing, it's actively supporting your baby's skin immunity and overall health.. If you would like to understand more about which Coconut oil is best for babies, then you can read my blog on Virgin Coconut Oil for babies.
Beyond Just "Natural"
This research highlights why "natural" isn't enough when it comes to baby skincare. Because many natural ingredients aren't necessarily safe for absorption. Essential oils, for instance, can be natural but potentially harmful if absorbed in significant quantities by a developing baby.
At Prakrta, we go beyond natural to edible-grade because we understand the science. We know that:
- Babies absorb up to 64% more through their skin than adults
- Their liver and kidneys are still developing, making detoxification challenging
- What goes on their skin becomes part of their internal environment
The Bigger Picture
This study was just the beginning. Since 2005, more research has emerged supporting the concept of transcutaneous absorption in babies. The Indian Academy of Paediatrics now includes guidelines acknowledging that topically applied substances can be absorbed systemically in infants.
As parents, we have more power than we realize. Every product choice we make is also a nutritional choice. Every massage is an opportunity to nourish, not just soothe.
Making Informed Choices
So next time you're shopping for baby skincare, ask yourself:
- Would I be comfortable if my baby ingested this?
- Are the ingredients food-grade quality?
- Does this product support my baby's health beyond just their skin?
Remember our grandmother's instinct about pure coconut oil? Well, It wasn't just tradition - it was wisdom backed by science. Sometimes the old ways, when understood through modern research, reveal themselves to be the most advanced approaches of all.
Because when it comes to our babies, just saying no compromises, or toxin-free or just natural is not good enough. It needs to be Edible only, especially for the oil based products like Baby oil, baby massage oil and/or Baby Lotion or baby butter.
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This article combines research from peer-reviewed studies with personal experience creating India's first edible skincare brand, Prakrta, after witnessing my niece's struggle with paediatric eczema. While the information provided is thoroughly researched and referenced, always consult with your paediatrician about your baby's specific skin care needs.
Related Articles that you may like to read...
- Nurture your newborn baby’s skin. Real and researched insights for first time moms. Click to read.
- Virgin Coconut Oil – Mother nature’s unique creation for your precious little bundle. Click to read.
- How we managed my niece's paediatric eczema naturally. Small changes for a big transformation. Click to read.
Prakrta Edible Baby Skincare Products you can explore
-
Prakrta Tender Skin Baby Oil – Virgin Coconut Oil – 100% natural & edible. Explore Product
2. Prakrta Tender Skin Baby Butter – with infused calendula– 100% natural & edible. Explore Now
References
- Solanki K, et al. "Newborn absorption of oils during massage and influence on fatty acid profiles." Indian Pediatric Research. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16269830/