Benefits and Risks of Vitamin E for Your Baby's Health

Benefits and risks of Vitamin E for your baby's health

Baby’s health is every parent’s first priority. Conscious parents today are ready to go that extra mile to give their baby the best nutrition, whether that means buying organic fruits and vegetables or planning their baby’s meals meticulously! Our bodies need vitamins to perform vital functions such as converting our food into energy and keeping our bones, eyes, brain, and skin healthy. Though needed in small amounts, they are essential to your well-being, and your baby’s.

Vitamin E has come to be known widely for its health benefits today. Skin, heart, hair – Vitamin E seems to help improve each! If you are wondering whether Vitamin E is safe for babies’ skin or how to use it for your baby’s skin and hair, keep reading the article.

What is Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble micronutrient essential for your baby’s overall health. It is an antioxidant – it helps to protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals. It helps to boost your baby’s immunity system and fights germs. It also keeps blood vessels open so that blood flows freely and prevents clotting.

Vitamin E benefits for skin

Apart from the nutritional benefits, Vitamin E is essential to keep your baby’s skin looking great and healthy from within. Vitamin E helps to lock in moisture and reduce dryness in your baby’s skin. It protects the skin from cell damage and softens skin. It is especially useful in extremely dry and rough patches of skin.

Vitamin E also has anti-inflammatory properties. It can help to soothe inflamed skin and reduce the redness and swelling of your baby’s skin. Though more studies are needed, Vitamin E may also help in reducing sun damage caused by harsh UV rays. This is why Vitamin E is an important ingredient when it comes to your baby’s skincare products. Our Moisturizing Balm for Babies & Kids and Massage Oil contain Vitamin E to ensure your baby’s and kids’ skin stays soft, supple, and nourished naturally.

Vitamin E benefits for hair

Vitamin E’s moisturizing and nourishing nature can help keep your baby’s and kid’s hair soft and promote growth. Babies’ scalp is delicate, much like their skin. It needs more nourishment and gentle care. For babies and toddlers, massage oil that contains Vitamin E is a great way to get its wonderful benefits for hair.

Vitamin E foods

Like many other vitamins, our bodies can’t produce Vitamin E. To ensure that your baby gets enough Vitamin E, you need to ensure that his/her diet includes food that is rich in Vitamin E. This includes vegetables like sweet potato, carrot, tomato, broccoli and greens, nuts and seeds like almonds, minimally processed vegetable oils, unprocessed cereals and wholegrains, meats, and egg yolks.

When your baby is old enough to start solids, which is usually at the six-month mark, you can start giving her these foods to ensure that her daily requirement for this micronutrient is met adequately. Children need less Vitamin E than adults, and mostly their requirement can be fulfilled through diet itself. You should only give your baby or kid Vitamin E supplements at your paediatrician’s prescription. Also, remember to consult your pediatrician before starting with any solids for your little one.

Dosage Recommendations for Vitamin E

The ideal daily dosage of Vitamin E varies according to age. According to the National Institute of Health babies under 6 months of age need 4mg of Vitamin E in their diet while 7-12 months old babies need 5 mg. Toddlers need 6 mg of Vitamin E daily. As your child grows, her nutritional needs will also increase accordingly.

However, with Vitamin E, you need not worry obsessively about a deficiency. Vitamin E deficiency is very rare. Mostly, the needed amount can be obtained through a balanced diet. As such, try as much as you can to eat healthy and unprocessed or minimally processed foods to get maximum nutrition.

Risks of Vitamin E for Your Baby's Health

While Vitamin E is essential for your baby’s health just like any other nutrient, there are certain precautions you must follow. Feeding your baby Vitamin E-rich food is totally healthy, but you need to be careful when it comes to oral supplements. Do not go for the supplements without consulting your pediatrician. Excessive Vitamin E can interfere with blood clotting when it is necessary. It can also interfere with your kid’s other medications. If your little one experiences frequent skin breakouts or has pores that clog easily, the topical application of Vitamin E can aggravate these symptoms.

While you may be taking great care of your baby’s nutritional needs, remember not to neglect their skincare. After all, the skin is the largest organ of our bodies! Vitamin E is helpful for your baby’s overall health, but also the health of his/her skin and hair. We hope that with this article, you will be able to understand the benefits and risks of Vitamin E for your baby.

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

  • The Delicate Balance of Children's Skin: Why Ad...

    Are you using your shampoo for your kids as well? Is it safe for your kids? Are you a parent struggling to find the right skincare products for your kids...

    Read more

    The Delicate Balance of Children's Skin: Why Adult Skincare Isn't Suitable

    Are you using your shampoo for your kids as well? Is it safe for your kids? Are you a parent struggling to find the right skincare products for your kids and teens? Many parents even switch to using adult products once their kids reach 6 years old due to this confusion. As parents, our children's well-being is paramount, and understanding the unique needs of their developing skin and hair is crucial. Their skin and hair differ significantly from adults, and using adult products can have adverse effects. Dr. Prajakta Bhokre, a seasoned pediatrician and neonatologist in Pune, emphasizes, “Children's skin and hair are delicate and require special care. Adult skincare and hair care products can disrupt the delicate balance and harm their developing systems." Kids' Skin: A Delicate Canvas To comprehend the importance of specialized care for children's skin, we must recognize the structural differences between their skin and adults'. A child's skin is thinner, more delicate, and has a higher surface area to body weight ratio than adults. Their skin's natural protective barrier, composed of lipids, is not fully developed, which means their skin is not as efficient at retaining moisture and is more susceptible to dehydration, irritation, and damage from environmental factors such as UV radiation and pollutants. Even the pH level of a child's skin is more acidic, which helps to ward off harmful bacteria and makes it more sensitive to changes and potential damage. Their hair is finer and less oily, resulting in a greater tendency for tangles and breakage. Why It's Unsafe for Kids to Use Adult Products? Adult skincare and hair care products often contain potent ingredients like parabens, sulphates, silicones, talc, and phthalates that may be too harsh for a child's delicate skin and hair. Ingredients like retinoids, salicylic acid, and strong fragrances can strip away natural oils, disrupt the skin's pH balance, and cause allergies, rashes, or even chemical burns in children. Moreover, many adult products are formulated to address age-specific concerns, such as wrinkles or acne, which are not relevant to children. Ideal Ingredients for Kids' Skincare and Hair Care For kids aged 5-10, it's important to choose products with gentle, natural ingredients. Ingredients like almond oil, olive oil, basil oil, rice protein, aloe vera, coconut oil, shea butter, turmeric oil, and oats are not only nourishing but also gentle on young skin and hair. “These ingredients hydrate, protect, soothe, and help maintain the skin's natural moisture barrier, promoting healthy growth and making them perfect for nurturing young skin and hair,” says Dr. Bhokre The Importance of Age-Appropriate Products (0-10 years) It's essential to select age-appropriate products for kids. Dr. Bhokre further states that “Children aged 5-10 years should use products specifically designed for their age group, such as baby products ranging from 0-10 years. These products are formulated with the unique needs of growing children's skin and hair in mind, providing gentle care without harsh chemicals.” They contain milder ingredients, ensuring that kids' skin remains protected and nourished. pH Levels: A Precarious Balance A child's skin is more prone to pH level changes than an adult's. Their skin's pH is naturally more acidic at around 5.5, which acts as a barrier against harmful bacteria. Adult products can disrupt this delicate balance, leaving their skin vulnerable, further leading to dryness, itchiness,  infections, or even eczema. Structural Differences in Hair In addition to skin, a child's hair is structurally different from an adult's. Children's hair is finer, more fragile, less porous and lacks the oil-producing capabilities of adult hair. Adult hair products may strip their hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle. Ingredients to Avoid in Kids' Products “When selecting skincare and hair care products for kids, it's essential to avoid harsh chemicals like sulfates, talc, asbestos, silicones, mineral oils, parabens, and strong fragrances. These ingredients can irritate the skin and harm their overall health”, says Dr. Bhokre. Opt for products that are free from harmful additives to keep the child’s skin healthy while keeping them safe from the detrimental effects of these harmful chemicals. At CITTA we focus on using the highest quality natural ingredients while keeping harsh chemicals at bay. Our products are carefully formulated to cater to the unique needs of children's skin and hair. CITTA prioritizes safety and nourishment for kids' skin and our commitment to natural ingredients ensures that children can enjoy healthy, glowing skin without the risk of adverse reactions. While it may be tempting to use adult skincare and hair care products on your children, it's essential to consider their unique skin and hair needs. Opt for products specifically designed for kids, enriched with natural ingredients, and free from harsh chemicals. Our products promote healthy skin for children while emphasizing the importance of nourishment and safety in children's skincare routines. After all, our children deserve the very best, and that begins with caring for their delicate skin and hair with the utmost attention and care.

    Read More

  • Baby's Delicate Skin Deserves the Best: Choose ...

    Dr Jagadish Dhekne (MD) is a distinguished Consulting Pediatrician in Pune. With an impressive track record, he served as Former President of the Maharashtra State Academy of Pediatrics in 2010...

    Read more

    Baby's Delicate Skin Deserves the Best: Choose the Perfect Skincare for your Bundle of Joy

    Dr Jagadish Dhekne (MD) is a distinguished Consulting Pediatrician in Pune. With an impressive track record, he served as Former President of the Maharashtra State Academy of Pediatrics in 2010 and Former President of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics Pune Branch from 2008 to 2009. He's also the Director of Unique Hospital for Children and Kartik Group of Hospitals in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune. Dr Dhekne is recognized as a Master Trainer for both the "Asthma Training Module" and "Problem-Solving in Paediatric Infectious Diseases (PSPID)" by IAP.  As you embark on this new adventure called parenting, keeping your bundle of joy cosy and well-fed becomes your top-most priority. You’d move mountains to ensure they’re showered with all the TLC in the world; you would go to any lengths to protect them. Apart from ensuring the right nutrition and shielding them from heat and cold, even delicate matters like choosing the right skincare for your ‘mini-me’ can become an uphill task. Their sensitive and delicate skin requires the utmost care. If you’re unsure about how to choose the best skincare products for your little munchkins, we’ve got you covered! Dr Jagadish Dhekne (MD), who is among the distinguished consulting pediatricians from Pune, is here to drop some wisdom on pampering that adorable epidermis and the dos and don'ts of skincare for babies. He also gives us a low-down on how to pick the safest baby skincare brands: Allergen-free formulations:  Opt for products that are free from harsh chemicals, strong fragrances, and dyes. Allergen-free formulations are designed to minimise the risk of adverse reactions and are gentler on your baby's skin. Avoid harmful ingredients:  “Avoid products that contain parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and artificial preservatives, as these chemicals can cause skin irritations and potential long-term health risks. Instead, choose products with natural Indian ingredients such as aloe vera, coconut oil, turmeric oil, and almond oil, known for their soothing properties,” says Dr Dhekne. Moisturisation is key: Babies are prone to dry skin, especially in certain weather conditions. Choose moisturising products specifically formulated for babies to keep their skin soft and hydrated. Read labels thoroughly: Take the time to read product labels carefully and pay attention to certifications such as ‘paediatrician-tested’ and ‘dermatologist-approved.’ These endorsements offer added assurance about the product's safety and efficacy. Minimalistic approach: Stick to the essentials for baby skincare, such as a gentle baby wash and moisturiser. Avoid overwhelming your baby’s skin with too many products. Consult a paediatric dermatologist: When in doubt, seek professional advice. Paediatricians can assess your baby’s skin type and recommend suitable products based on their needs. A dermatologist can also provide personalised guidance if your child has specific skin conditions like eczema or cradle cap. “The natural ingredients in babycare products help soothe and protect the delicate baby skin, leaving it soft, supple and healthy. Parents can witness improved skin conditions, reduced irritation and a noticeable difference in their baby's overall skin health after using natural and organic products,” adds Dr Dhekne. When it comes to baby skincare, it’s always better to exercise caution. You can embrace the benefits of natural care through CITTA’s dermatologist-approved and ‘conscious’ baby skincare products. The brand is committed to crafting products with natural ingredients while maintaining the highest safety and efficacy standards. CITTA’s baby skincare range comprises gentle and nourishing formulations enriched with plant extracts, essential oils, and botanical goodness.

    Read More