Massage forms an essential and integral part of an infant's health care and grooming routine and helps in the baby's growth, so it is imperative that we use a massage oil that is not just enriched with healthy ingredients, but is also devoid of parabens and paraffins. These days we get many cosmetic and childcare products that claim to be parabens and paraffins free. Here's why the tag paraben and paraffin-free matters -
- Parabens are chemical preservatives used to increase the shelf life of cosmetic products.
- Recent research says parabens may be linked to breast cancer and fertility issues.
- In some studies, skin problems such as dermatitis, and skin allergic reactions have been linked to parabens.
- Paraffin oils are petroleum by-products obtained from petroleum refining process.
- Lately there have been studies and reports that say paraffins might be carcinogenic, and since they easily penetrate the skin, one can imagine the kind of risk it poses.
- Refined petrochemicals are generally regarded as unhealthy so it's an unnecessary risk to regularly use therm on your skin.
Massage is also a great way to bond with the baby, and while the way you massage your baby is important, with what you massage your baby is equally important. In India, elders across the country stress on the use of natural oils for massaging babies. And rightly so. It is important to apply good quality natural oil on baby's skin to keep it moisturised and healthy. Here are some natural oils that make for good massage oil option for babies -
Olive Oil - Oilive oil does wonders for baby's skin and works as great massage oil. Research shows that olive oil not only nourishes the skin, application of olive oil on scalp strengthens hair roots and also softens frizzy hair.
Jajoba Oil - Jajoba oil protects and nurtures delicate skin and helps heal skin irritation and nappy rashes. Research shows that jojoba oil closely resembles the skin's own natural sebum (oily secretions which lubricate and waterproof the skin) and makes an effective moisturiser for baby's soft skin.
Tea Tree Oil - Tea tree oil has high antiseptic properties and is used for treating many skin allergies. The oil softens baby's skin and gives a relaxed feeling.
Almond Oil - Almond oil is a common ingredient in many massage oils. Many parents prefer massaging new-borns with almond oil as it is an excellent source of Vitamin E. Pure almond oil provides superior nourishment to baby's skin.
Chamomile Oil - This oil is recommended for newborns as it is good for sensitive skin. Chamomile oil is also useful for treating rashes and other skin breakouts. This oil is specially good for babies who suffer from colic and helps them to put them to sleep.
All these natural oils work their own different magic on a baby's delicate skin. While many working parents find putting together a concoction of all these oils at home a messy and time consuming task, trusted brands like Dabur have brought products like Dabur Baby Oil with Olive and Almond to make their task easier.
The new Dabur Baby Oil is specially formulated for babies and is enriched with olive oil and almond oil and is parabens and paraffins free. Moreover, it does not contain any artificial colours and is dermatologically tested to ensure skin safety. So if you are looking for the goodness of olive oil and almond oil in a baby massage oil and that too without the harmful effects of harsh chemicals, then Dabur Baby Oil is the product to pick up.
I come from a Punjabi household - so desi ghee ke paraanthe for breakfast, oil dripping veggies for lunch and tadke waali daal for dinner - more often than not, this comprises the standard food menu in my house. If you have ever been to a punjabi dhaba (I am sure you have!) you can very well imagine what my kitchen or for that matter my house must smell like. If your faculty of smell (and memory) refuses to oblige, let me tell what it smells of - it smells of desi ghee. All the time.
The smell of desi ghee and tadkas has permeated every single corner of the house. No amount of air fresheners, room perfumes or fancy fragrant oils seem effective against this headache inducing desi ghee aroma. All they do is counter the smell for an hour or two and then after a while it's back to square one. The smell comes back with a vengeance, stronger than ever, thanks to the fresh cooking session under-way in the kitchen.
Given my exasperation with the smelly situation, Ambi Pur Air Effects' new advertisement featuring Boman Irani was something that got my curiosity piqued. In the advertisement, he is shown tackling a smelly kitchen, plagued with similar problem of tadka smells overflowing to other parts of the house. And what takes care of the smell and makes the house smelling all fresh and flowery? Ambi Pur Air Effects, of course!
Of course I had to check this smell fighter messiah out!
(15 Days Later)
Okay, so cutting back to present, I have been using the Blossom & Breeze variant of Ambi Pur Air Effects for more than two weeks now, and I can vouch for its handiness. A few quick sprays of this fragrance across the house and all smell of desi ghee and onion and spices is blown away and the house keeps smelling of flowers all day long. Ambi Pur Air Effects' claims about 'eliminating odours and freshening the air' are bang on target and it does precisely that.
While the fragrance of Ambi Pur Air Effects is pleasant, I like the design of the spray can too. Unlike many other aerosol sprays where the if the nozzle breaks or distorts, the product goes waste, this one is very well designed and has an innovative natural Nitrogen-based propellent within an easy-to-use trigger system, delivering a perfect arc of pure fragrant mist.
Ambi Pur Air Effects' is being marketed by The Procter & Gamble Home Products Limited, a name quite trusted in India, though it is manufactured in Thailand and imported from there.
Price: Rs 250 for 275g spray can.
Well the price is not exactly a steal, but given the fact it's been 15 days that I have been using the spray and it does not look anywhere close to running out any-time soon, so I would not mind spending money on it again.
I am blogging for #SmellytoSmiley activity at Blogadda.com in association with Ambi Pur.
