The skin of a kid (4 years and above) is different from that of a baby and an adult. The skin of babies and kids is still growing and is not an effective barrier to the sun and harmful chemicals. On the other hand, adult skin is fully developed. That is why you will see that there are separate skincare products for different age categories.

The skin of a baby is soft and sensitive. As we grow up, our skin also changes. That is why the skin of a 4-year-old is not the same as an infant. As children step into their teens, the skin is impacted by the hormonal changes happening in the body.

The Anatomy of Skin

The skin is the largest sense organ covering our entire body. It has a three-layer structure consisting of the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous layer. Let us briefly understand its anatomy.

Epidermis - It is the visible part of the skin. Its top layer acts as a barrier. Almost 95% of its cells make new cells, which renew every two weeks, and the rest 5% produce melanin to give the skin its colour.

Dermis - It is the second layer under the epidermis. It has nerve endings that work alongside the brain and nervous system to give us sensory signals. It also has blood, vessels, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, collagen, and elastin.

Subcutaneous layer - It lies at the bottom, mainly has fat, and keeps the body warm. It is also the shock absorber. Roots of hair are situated here.

How Skin Grows Across Different Ages

We need to know more about our skin because the skincare and the products used will vary across ages. Our skincare needs and types of products change as we grow. While a baby product is mild and gentle, it won’t work effectively on the skin of a growing kid and a teenager.

The Skin of Babies

The skin of babies is in the nascent stage of development. The protective barriers are yet to be properly functional. Their skin is still being formed.
It has smaller cells and thinner epidermis
It loses moisture quickly
It absorbs chemicals deeper in the layers
Susceptible to infections

These factors make the toddler skin more prone to dermatitis, allergies, infections, and dryness. Their skin is more easily affected by skincare products. Therefore, all quality baby products are extremely gentle on the skin.

The Skin of Growing Kids

The skin of a kid is still quite sensitive. Even though some formation has happened, it is not yet fully formed like that of an adult.

• The protective barrier function has not fully developed. It is more permeable than adults.
• It gets dehydrated faster than teenagers and adults.
• It has greater exposure to the sun and outside environment.
• Vulnerable to harsh sun rays and infections

While babies and infants are under continuous care, kids aged four years and above are generally school-going. They are energy bunnies constantly moving around that may result in faster dehydration and a greater vulnerability to infections. They face more allergens, dust, and pollution with a complete disregard for the safety of their skin. The greater activity levels of kids may result in more dehydration. 

They are relatively unaware of skincare and lead a very active life. They need a skincare routine under the watchful eye of parents.

The three main skincare mantras for a kid should be:

• Use of natural products - Skincare products made for adults is aggressive on kids’ skin. Use age-appropriate and mild products that are free from harmful chemicals.
• Moisturizing daily - Kid skin loses moisture faster than adults. Apply kid-friendly moisturizer every day. You can try our Cocomo Moisturizer for kids, which has natural elements and is gentle on their skin.

Limited exposure to the sun - Kids should avoid the sun as their natural protection layers have not yet developed. In case they have to be out, make them wear suitable clothes and put on effective sunscreen.

The Skin of Teenagers

Teenagers indulge in outdoor activities more than kids. However, their skin is tougher compared to babies and kids. the difference occurs due to puberty and hormonal changes as soon as the child becomes a teenager.

• Teen skin is akin to adult skin in composition. 
• The oil production is more. The trapping of oil in the skin leads to acne.

Cosmetics and make-up under peer pressure are likely to cause greater skin sensitivity. It is mainly at this age that we start identifying skin as oily, dry, normal, or a combination. Their skincare needs are a bit different from adult skincare. These teens need a different regime for skincare to target the outbreak of acne and hormonal changes they experience at this stage.

The Skin of Adult

The adult skin is fully developed. The skin barrier function acts to prevent environmental attacks of dust, mites, and allergens. The skin hydration is lower. But since permeability is less, the skin is less prone to dryness. The toxin absorption is lesser than in other ages.

However, lifestyle, cosmetics, and pollution make the adult skin prone to diseases. Adults need products that can reverse the effects of ageing, lifestyle changes, and work pressure.

While the market has a lot of products for babies and adults (even the male and female products are different for adults), there is a scarcity of products for growing children and their still-developing skin.

At Cocomo, we take into account the specific skin needs of kids and teens. Cocomo products use natural products, that are gentle on the skin. Read here to know more about Cocomo and its suitability for your growing kids.