Ethical Business

Little Innoscents is part of the B Corporation global community of over 2,300 businesses in more than 50 countries across 130 industries that are striving to be the best FOR the world by using their business as a force for good.

“It is our chance as a business to become and have a higher purpose and a chance of solving society’s most challenging problems,” says Director Antonette Golikidis.

We’re proud to be a B Corporation.

Little Innoscents is here to make a change on many levels; we are here to be successful in business AND we are here to make a difference to the community by caring for the future of our children and the many families that we encourage around the world to switch to healthier options in skincare and household products. To be a B Corporation aligns with our vision, goals and our overall ethos. It means everything to us and gives our consumers the assurance that our products have been manufactured and handled according to strict guidelines. It is our chance as a business to become accountable and have a higher purpose and a chance to help solve some of the environmental impacts that we face on our planet today and for tomorrow.

As a Certified B Corporation, you can be assured that we’ve met verified higher levels of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability to the highest standards.

Our Beliefs

• We believe that we have an obligation to our consumers, suppliers, and distributors to create a great quality product range that is safe for both the community and for the planet.
• We believe children need to be nurtured and cared for by using products that minimise their exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
• We believe in being conscious of the environment when using personal care products.

“The B Corp movement is one of the most important of our lifetime, built on the simple fact that business impacts and serves more than just shareholders—it has an equal responsibility to the community and to the planet.” Rose Marcario, CEO of Patagonia

To find out more about other businesses like Little Innoscents, who are actively working to build a better world, go to www.bcorporation.com.au.

Absorbing Chemicals via the skin

Why should we be interested in natural skin care? Our skin works hard for us.

It’s the largest organ in our body and provides a number of essential functions including protection, the regulation of body temperature and the creation of Vitamin D from sunlight.

There are 3 layers to the skin – the epidermis, dermis and cutaneous layer. For many years it was believed that these skin layers did an admirable job of keeping nasty chemicals at bay, but some sections of the scientific community have started to understand that this is far from the case. Many now argue that when any chemical comes into contact with the skin it can be absorbed, with the exact effects dependant on a number of factors including the size of the molecules of a particular substance, duration of exposure, and health of the skin.

While the scientific debate continues, there’s no denying that at its most basic, chemical absorption can irritate, sensitise and destroy skin tissue. Irritation might take the form of  skin rashes.  Sensitising skin by frequently using harsh chemicals can make it much more prone to chemical irritation in the future. And destroying skin tissue prematurely ages skin.

Chemicals to look out for in skincare

The list of potentially toxic chemical ingredients found in some skincare products is longer than Paris Hilton’s shopping list, however a couple of the more common (and more easily pronounced) include parabens and mineral oil. Parabens are one of the most widely used preservatives worldwide, regularly found in skin care products, cosmetics, toothpaste, and shampoos. In various studies, they have been linked to everything from dermatitis to breast cancer.

Mineral oil is a by-product of petroleum and is a common ingredient in cosmetics, baby lotions and moisturisers. Suggested effects include disruption of the skin’s natural ability to rid itself of toxins, premature aging and damage to cell function.

The long and short of this is that if any skin care product contains an ingredient you don’t recognise, or can’t pronounce, it’s probably a synthetic additive, and you just can’t be sure how much of it you’re absorbing.

Our skin is designed to protect us from nature, not from chemicals and additives. Why take the risk? Choose natural skin care products like Little Innoscents and stop irritating your skin.

About the Author: Antonette Golikidis has studied Natural Health Science at the Australian College of Natural Medicine and is qualified in Remedial Massage Therapy and Aromatherapy. Currently, she lectures in Remedial Massage at a tertiary level.

*While the greatest effort has been invested to ensure the validity of this information, the advice therein is set as a ‘general’ guide only, and your individual needs may require a different method to the one shown. We encourage you to see your regular healthcare professional, should you be concerned for you or your baby’s wellbeing.

How to protect your baby’s skin this summer

It’s summer in Australia and that means more time outdoors paddling in the pool, swimming, building sandcastles at the beach or playing at the park. It’s all great fun, however, our hot Aussie sun can take a toll on your child’s skin. Baby skin is softer and finer than adult skin and it loses moisture at a much greater rate. We’ve listed our top summer skincare tips for babies to help you to protect their skin through the warmer months.

Choosing the best sun protection

Evidence suggests that childhood sun exposure contributes significantly to your lifetime risk of skin cancer. It’s important to take multiple approaches to protecting your child’s skin from sun damage.

• Choose a broad spectrum, SPF30 (or higher) natural sunscreen that contains zinc oxide as the active ingredient. The Little Innoscents SPF30 Natural Sun Lotion is a great choice for babies over 6 months of age. Apply to areas of exposed skin that are not covered by protective clothing, such as the face, ears, hands, neck and feet
• Avoid sunscreens that contain chemical UV blockers and other nasties such as parabens, octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), oxybenzone (benzophenone-3), octyl-dimethyl-PABA and octinoxate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC), padimate O (2-ethylhexyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate), tints or artificial fragrances
• Cover up with a hat that protects the baby’s face, neck and ears and appropriate outdoor clothing to protect the skin, such as a long-sleeved rashie swimsuit. We recommend fabrics that are tested and approved with an SPF 50+ sun safety rating such as those available in the Australian Rashoodz range of rashies and hats for babies and children
• A pair of wraparound sunglasses will help to protect your baby’s eyes
• Try to plan your day’s activities outside the middle of the day when UV levels are most intense. Limit the time you spend in the direct sun and seek shade where possible

Choose SPF50+ outdoor clothing and a hat like this example from Rashoodz

Keeping skin hydrated

Our Australian summers can be harsh on delicate baby skin, so keeping them hydrated is very important.

• First and foremost, always give plenty of fluids on warmer days spent outside. Breast milk is ideal, but if your baby or toddler has weaned, give them either formula or water and also fruit and vegetables with a high water content, such as watermelon are good choices for older babies who have started solid foods
• Moisturise once or twice a day with an Organic Baby Moisturiser to keep the skin hydrated from the outside. This is particularly important for those who suffer from sensitive skin or other dry skin conditions, as keeping the skin from drying out can be a useful preventative measure
• If the skin or lips do get too dry after a day outdoors, or a little too much sun exposure has occurred and caused sunburn, a quality, natural skin balm such as a Paw Paw Balm or an Intensive Soothing Baby Balm will go a long way to helping lock in and restore moisture and to heal and soothe it as quickly as possible

Preventing and Soothing insect bites

If you are in an area that is prone to lots of mosquitoes or biting insects, there are a few ways that you can tackle the problem.

• The best preventative measure is a toxic chemical free one. Dress in long sleeves and pants and if necessary, apply a natural or organic insect repellent to any exposed areas of skin (avoiding the eyes, mouth, hands or any areas of broken skin). Avoid products that contain DEET
• Ensure that you wash off any insect repellant that you have used on the skin once you head inside
• Use mosquito netting or a light muslin cloth over your pram
• If your child does get bitten, wash the area and apply a soothing balm such as Paw Paw Balm or an Intensive Soothing Lotion. If there are any signs of allergic reaction, such as swelling around the bite or hives, head to your doctor asap

It might all sound overwhelming, but once you have taken all the necessary precautions, make sure that you get out there and enjoy our beautiful Australian summer. I guarantee it will be worth it!

About the Author: Antonette Golikidis has studied Natural Health Science at the Australian College of Natural Medicine and is qualified in Remedial Massage Therapy and Aromatherapy. Currently, she lectures in Remedial Massage at a tertiary level.

*While the greatest effort has been invested to ensure the validity of this information, the advice therein is set as a ‘general’ guide only, and your individual needs may require a different method to the one shown. We encourage you to see your regular healthcare professional, should you be concerned for you or your baby’s wellbeing.

Baby Massage Techniques and Tips

Most mums see baby skin care is an important part of caring for baby’s health but did you know that baby massage can play an integral role in keeping your baby healthy and happy too?

Baby massage has been used in other cultures for centuries. It can be great for the parent and child bond, but that’s far from the only benefit.

It’s also believed to stimulate the immune system, improve circulation and digestion, aid the development of movement and coordination, reduce colic, promote better sleep and even stimulate growth in premature babies.

How do I massage?

As a mother, you can instinctively find your own natural abilities to massage your baby, making sure that baby is comfortable and enjoying the experience.

Making your baby feel cared for and caressed is only natural and is a wonderful way to make your little one feel loved and nurtured.

For those that would like to follow a specific technique, try using the baby massage sequence below.

To begin

Place the massage oil in the hands and rub vigorously to warm the liquid.

Start with your baby’s legs…..

Nurse the foot with one hand and gently “milk” the leg from ankle to thigh with the other.
Next, holding the foot with both hands, use a gentle squeezing and twisting action, moving upwards from foot to thigh.
To finish, stroke from foot to the top of the thigh. Repeat all techniques on the opposite leg.

Next, move onto the tummy…..

Using both hands, palms flat, in a hand-over-hand clockwise circular motion, from left to right.

To relieve a bloated stomach, using your fingertips ‘walk’ in a clockwise circular motion around the belly.=

To massage the chest, glide both hands outwards from the centre of the ribcage up to the shoulders and back again ‘Bicycling’ the legs after this massage can also relieve pain. Always stop if a child becomes distressed or uncomfortable.

For the arms and hands…..

Nurse the babies hand with one hand and gently “milk” the arm from wrist to shoulder with the opposite hand.

Next, holding the babies arm with both your hands, use a gentle squeezing and twisting action, moving upwards from wrist to shoulder.

To finish, stroke from wrist to the top of the shoulder. Repeat all techniques on the opposite arm.

Finally, the back…

Gently turn your baby onto his/her tummy for the back massage.
With your fingertips, gently massage little circles all over the back.
Lastly, use the waterfall stroke, which is palm of hand over hand moving from neck to feet continuously and slowly. At the end of this beautiful massage, it is lovely to give your baby a cuddle.

My top 10 expert baby massage tips:

• Massage after a bath when your baby is already undressed
• Giving a massage before bed is a great part of your bedtime routine, helping your baby to relax and settle for bed
• Make sure you’re in a warm room, with no drafts, bright lights, or excessive noise
• Have an organic oil or massage lotion ready in a plastic bowl beside you, so that you can dip into it without fiddling
•  Place baby on a thick towel or blanket
• Rub your hands vigorously to warm the massage oil or lotion before applying to the skin
• Keep your massage sequence short until you establish what parts your baby enjoys
• Be prepared for interruptions – a little baby may want to turn over. Just bear with them and continue with your technique where you left off.
• You can put baby on your lap, belly down, or resting on your shoulder if it’s easier
• Keep other children away from baby – give them their own doll to massage
• Always stop if the child shows signs of distress

In all aspects of the massage, be guided by your baby’s reaction. If they start to become upset, try softening the strokes (not so soft as to tickle) or try a different spot.

Being physically gentle is vital but it’s also important not to use a product that could irritate their beautiful skin, so choose a gentle, organic product which will not cause any harm when absorbed by the skin.

Get the ambiance right with a little soothing music and soft lighting, and you might find that baby massage is relaxing and beneficial for tired, stressed mums too!

Try the Little Innoscents Massage Oil to massage your baby.

About the Author: Antonette Golikidis has studied Natural Health Science at the Australian College of Natural Medicine and is qualified in Remedial Massage Therapy and Aromatherapy. She has lectured in Remedial Massage at a tertiary level. The greatest effort has gone into ensuring the information on this page is valid, however, if you are concerned about the health of your child, please visit your healthcare professional.

What is cradle cap?

Cradle cap is a skin condition (a type of seborrheic dermatitis) that commonly affects babies for the first few months of life. It sometimes lasts longer and occasionally even adults can get it. Unlike other forms of dermatitis, it’s not itchy.

How to recognise Cradle Cap

If your baby has a scalp which has yellow dry skin crusts or a flaky appearance and no other symptoms (i.e. fever) this would suggests cradle cap. Sometimes present with redness or a ‘greasy’ look, it could also appear on eyebrows and behind the ears.

What causes Cradle Cap?

Cradle cap is an oily rather than a dry skin problem. Glands in the scalp make a substance which oils and waterproofs the skin. Babies may have high levels of certain hormones in their bodies after birth, which react with the glands, making surplus oil. There may be a genetic element involved as babies who get cradle cap often have family members with various skin conditions.

Prevention and Treatment

Cradle cap usually clears by itself after a few months, but you can help treat it by using the Little Innoscents Massage Oil.

1. Apply the oil directly to the scalp and leave it for several hours or overnight.
2. Wipe the area with a washer when bathing, and then comb your baby’s head with a soft brush.
3. Repeat the process as needed and within a few applications the cradle cap will be gone.

The great news is that although cradle cap is unsightly it’s usually harmless. On a rare occasion however, it is possible for an infection to occur underneath cradle cap, which is indicated by very red skin and blisters, which may weep. Always see your healthcare practitioner if the cradle cap seems to worsen significantly and scaly patches spread to other parts of the body.

It’s interesting to note that a baby who develops cradle cap may be prone to other types of seborrheic dermatitis when they’re older, such as dandruff.

About the Author: Antonette Golikidis has studied Natural Health Science at the Australian College of Natural Medicine and is qualified in Remedial Massage Therapy and Aromatherapy. Currently she lectures in Remedial Massage at a tertiary level. The greatest effort has gone into ensuring the information on this page is valid, however if you are concerned about the health of your child; please visit your healthcare professional.