Having a baby opens up a heap of new conversations. Who'd've thought you’d care so much about baby powder?! Crazy. From organic baby powder to applying baby powder, we've got the low-down and need-to-know.
Aside from completely upending your life and creating general panic and chaos, having a baby about the place can be pretty fun.
From the cute little things they learn to do, to the first smiles they crack, there’s a lot to experience when there’s a new baby on the scene.
Now, before all this baby talk puts you in a complete tailspin, taking care of a little one means some serious shopping is ahead. Who doesn’t like a bit of necessary shopping? You’ve got cute cot decorations, nappy-bag essentials …
They may be small, but my word—babies and children come with a lot of stuff! Something you might not have taken too much time to consider is baby powder.
Baby powder is often used on a little one’s skin to prevent skin irritation. It’s not a magic formula, and it won’t cure anything. But powder will help you look after their skin and keep it healthy.
The best baby powder doesn’t contain any chemicals and helps babies stay clean and hygienic, which is no mean feat for a baby. Still, it’s not just kids who enjoy a good powder every now and again; women and men can enjoy the fine stuff too. Chub rub? Powder it. Runner’s nipple rash? Sprinkle it on.
Designed to ease skin friction and a touch of nappy rash, a good baby powder could come in handy for a number of reasons. If you’ve never used a baby powder before, we’ve done some digging and got to the bottom of your questions.
Plus, hop towards the end of the page to find some of our favourite products.
Is baby powder dangerous?
The quick answer: no, in general, baby powder isn’t dangerous. These days, baby powders are made conscientiously, so they’re safe for you and safe for your little one. As with any product you put on your baby’s skin, you want to make sure it's the safest, most appropriate option.
What can be potentially quite dangerous for babies is talc. You don’t want your babe to inhale too much talc, as some research on talc suggests that it could potentially be carcinogenic. So, this ingredient is a big no-no. Chuck that old-fashioned talc that dear Auntie Judith brought you and explore some of the newer, kinder, more natural baby powder options.
Rather than talc, you could pick up one of the natural, kind formulas we have listed below. Make sure you use a baby powder on bum and try not to put baby powder on face—they won’t enjoy inhaling the powder, even if it is a natural formula.
A Cornstarch-based product will work really well on your baby’s skin, and keep in mind that you don’t need to use loads to experience the moisture absorbing benefits. Rather than pour powder on your baby’s skin like you’re icing a doughnut (mmm, doughnuts), use a light dusting instead.
If you’re thinking about using baby powder to help with the dreaded chub rub chafing (seriously, it works), that’s totally fine. Just pick out products that use natural ingredients and take a shower at the end of your day.
Can you use baby powder on newborns?
Yes, you can use baby powder on newborns. But you might not need to use it every time they have an accident. Babies can be moist (anyone else hate that word?) little things. Combine that with their chubby little limbs, and they might start experiencing redness and a bit of irritation. Pat a light layer of natural, Cornstarch-based powder onto the baby to help soak up wet patches.
Baby powder and infants tend to work in harmony. Whether babies are experiencing a bit of prickly heat or they’re just constantly splashing about, a powder will help keep their skin safe and sound. When it comes to newborns, use powder only where they need it to help keep their skin baby-soft.
How much baby powder to use?
As tempting as it is to pour powder all over your baby to mop up after bath time, you don’t need to use so much. Babies often experience nappy rash. A good Cornstarch baby powder absorbs moisture and helps keep any skin-on-skin friction at bay.
Rather than dousing your little one in powder, choose an effective product instead. Cornstarch is a naturally absorbent ingredient that won’t harm your baby’s skin. Keep some in your baby bag so you can speed up the nappy-changing process when you’re out and about.
How to apply baby powder after shower?
You don't need to be a babe-in-arms to enjoy a good baby powder. Grown-ups can apply a baby powder after a shower to soak up excess moisture and help keep skin soft and smooth. Once you’ve towel-dried your skin, simply sprinkle the powder where moisture tends to lurk. Think your feet, between your legs, under your arms and boobs, that kind of thing. And if you just love the SMELL of baby powder, you can sprinkle it anywhere!
From between-the-leg chafing (the worst) to freshening up your dog’s stinky coat, baby powder is good for more than just babies and showers. Run out of your favourite dry shampoo? A sprinkle of baby powder will soak up grease and give you a bit more time before you need to wash your hair.
You can also use baby powder to keep your bed sheets cool and fresh on a steaming-hot night. If your shoes are a bit stinky, leave a heap of powder inside each one and let it sit overnight. Dump out the powder in the morning, and (fingers crossed) the smell will be gone.
If you’ve spilt grease or oil on your favourite top (nightmare), instead of chucking it straight in the washing machine, sprinkle a bit of powder on the stain first. It will soak up the grease and help lift the stain away. Pretty cool!
Baby powder helps keep your skin smooth and safe after you shower, but it’ll come in handy for a number of other things too. It’s just one of those essential household products.
Why baby powder is dangerous?
Baby powder can be dangerous when talc is on the ingredient list. Traditionally, talcum powder was used for everything. It was something your mum or nan probably always had in their bathroom! Some research has found that talcum powder is linked to ovarian cancer in women, though nothing’s been confirmed yet. These days, research shows that if you’re using a powder on your baby’s skin, you’re better off using Cornstarch.
So, what are the baby powder side effects? A powder can have very fine particles that can become dangerous if a baby inhales too much. Always apply a powder to your hands before you apply it to your baby’s skin, so you don’t use more than you need to. Let’s face it: if you have a newborn at home, you don’t want to take any unnecessary risks. Use an organic baby powder Australia rather than talc to help keep you and your baby as safe as can be. We’ve found our favourite natural baby powders and listed them below for you to check out.
Is baby powder good for dry skin?
Yep, a baby powder is good for dry skin, which might seem weird because powder is so … dry. If you have dry, rough patches on your elbows, ankles, or knees, a quick rub with some baby powder after you shower will help keep your skin nice and smooth.
If you haven’t had a pedicure in a while, baby powder will soothe cracked heels and make them feel just that little bit softer. And as plump as your baby’s skin is, irritating dry spots can appear. A little bit of powder after their bath will help their skin stay comfortable and soft, you so you can enjoy fewer tears.
