Protect Baby with Baby Silk Daily UV Shield

Author: Kyle McCarthy 31 Mar 2011 - 18:22

Baby Silk was developed by MD Moms, two California pediatricians concerned with the safety of products used on the very young. From their experience, they knew there was a need for a powerful yet gentle shield against harmful UV rays, a sunblock that would be safe for daily use.

Baby Silk is a light, silky smooth cream that's easy to apply and leaves barely a hint of that deathly pallor that comes from zinc oxide, its primary ingredient. According to the label, other ingredients include Titanium Dioxide (white pigment derived from minerals) , vitamins E and B5 (for skin care), Marine Silk (hydrolized silk, collagen and elastin), soothing aloe from the cactus plant, and grapeseed and avocado oils.

BabySilk, rated at SPF30, is free of paraben and fragrance; waterproof, sweat-proof and hypoallergenic -- important when trying new lotions on baby's sensitive skin.

To determine this product's effectiveness, we used two testers for a week-long period. The first was a fussy 9-month-old out on the streets of Manhattan in a stroller, the second was a fussy mom out on the slopes of Utah on skis. Both reported good results from Baby Silk. The infant displayed no skin rashes or ill effects from having the sample applied once per day to her face and hands. The mom used it twice per day on her face and neck while skiing, and reported that it was very effective at minimizing the sun's harmful rays despite hours of exposure at high altitude.

When it comes to the earliest age to start your children on sunblock, the MD Moms suggest 6 months. (Before that age, they recommend that parents speak to their doctors before trying it on infants.) While this is standard for other sun care products without PABA, Baby Silk is distinguished by its intended use as a daily block and moisturizer, even on infant skin.

As Dr. Diane, one of the MD Moms, warns parents: "The damage that leads to adult skin cancer starts in early childhood." Dr. JJ, her partner mom, reminds us, "Daily application of a moisturizer will keep skin soft and maintain skin's integrity."

Even though our testing is by no means scientific, and the labeling cautions parents to do an allergy test on infants before widespread use, we still love the idea of this product. At $24 per 2.7 oz tube (small enough for carry-on luggage), it's not the cheapest children's sunblock but it is certainly one of the smoothest and easiest to apply that we've tried.