It’s amazing what you see in elementary schools these days.
For instance, the other day my second grader and I watched in stunned silence as a mom slathered Desitin all over her kindergartener’s face and lips before heading out to the parking lot on an exceptionally cold day.
Desitin, as in the stuff you put on your baby’s butt to soothe and relieve diaper rash.
The boy wriggled, squirmed and moaned, but the mom was not deterred. She continued to apply the white cream on his upper lip, cheeks and chin like a seasoned cosmetologist.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only parent drawn to the mom’s winter ritual because before she deposited the tube of cream you apply on baby’s butt in her purse, she turned to the small crowd that had gathered near her hallway workspace and proudly announced: “Desitin is a dry skin cure-all and it’s better than Chapstick!”
Really.
Really?
After some sleuthing on the Internet, I discovered that Desitin is used to treat severely chapped skin. Its mixture of lanolin, cod liver oil, petroleum jelly, parabens, mineral oil, and wax helps alleviate itching, burning and irritation that accompanies extreme cases of dry skin.
Of course, there’s still the issue of having your kid’s face smell like a baby’s butt, but I digress.
Before you go gaga over Desitin’s magical effects on cracked lips and dry skin you should know that there is a growing section of the parental population that frowns upon petroleum jelly-based products, especially as it relates to kids’ skin.
Since petroleum comes from the same place as gasoline, many eco-friendly moms and dads are not so keen about applying it to their children’s skin.
So what of Vaseline?
The panacea of winter skin problems is classified by some ecologists as a by-product of the oil industry. In other words, the petroleum used in the popular skin elixir, is derived from leftover residue created as crude oil is refined.
In regards to your kids’ skin, some health experts note that petroleum jelly forms a seal which interferes with the elimination of toxins through the pores. What’s more, experts maintain that Vaseline can cause a false sense of hydration. While the jelly-like substance may feel as though it is restoring the skin’s natural moisture, it’s not.
After sharing those finds with my sister-in-law, I scored a huge victory in the winter skin department. My brother’s wife suggested I use Evolution of Smooth (EOS) Organic Lip Balm Sphere on my daughter’s chapped lips. The organic lip protector is 100% organic, made from vitamin E, Shea butter, and jojoba oil. No parabens or petrolatum in this balm. Moreover, it comes in a cool, kid-friendly container shaped like an egg and is available in Honeysuckle Honeydew, Sweet Mint, Summer Fruit, and Lemon Drop. And the best part: My kid will actually use it without screaming bloody murder.
Lip, lip HOORAY!