A guide from Dr Tim Clayton

Why the right moisturiser matters.

Consultant Paediatric Dermatologist. Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. 20+ years treating children's skin conditions.

Children's skin is not the same as adult skin.

A newborn's skin is thinner than an adult's, with a less developed outer layer. It loses moisture faster, is more permeable to environmental irritants, and has lower natural moisturising factors. For children with eczema-prone or sensitive skin, the wrong product can cause real harm — irritation, reactions, and a worsening of the skin barrier that makes everything harder.

Choosing the right moisturiser isn't about marketing claims. It's about understanding what's in the formula, why — and what shouldn't be there at all.

What to avoid

The ingredients Dr Tim recommends leaving behind.

Paraffin — Despite its moisturising effects, paraffin creates a surface barrier that prevents adequate moisture exchange. Dr Tim's patients consistently disliked paraffin-based products, and greasy ointments are associated with a higher rate of skin infections.

Perfume — Fragrances are one of the most common causes of contact allergy in children. Any product listing "parfum" should be avoided on sensitive or reactive skin.

Parabens — Linked to skin irritation, allergies and dermatitis in some cases. Choosing paraben-free products reduces the risk of adverse reactions in children's delicate skin.

Olive oil — Often praised for its properties, olive oil can actually disrupt the skin barrier, leading to dryness and irritation. Not recommended for infant skincare.

What to look for

The ingredients that work — and why.

Thick creams and balms — Dr Tim recommends thicker textured creams with ingredients like shea butter. They create a protective film that provides longer-lasting hydration than lightweight lotions.

Sunflower oil — Multiple peer-reviewed studies confirm sunflower oil is highly effective for children with atopic eczema. It increases epidermal lipid synthesis, reduces inflammation, and has a steroid-sparing effect.

Colloidal oatmeal — A well-established ingredient in paediatric dermatology with documented calming and anti-inflammatory properties for dry and eczema-prone skin.

Shea butter — Deeply moisturising, rich in fatty acids, non-greasy. Creates a protective layer without the drawbacks of paraffin.

Glycerin — Attracts moisture to the skin and prevents water loss. Particularly valuable after bathing, when the skin barrier is temporarily weakened.

Paediatric dermatologist-tested — Always look for products developed by or with a paediatric dermatologist specifically. Not just a general one.

The science

Why some children are more affected — and what the research says.

Dr Tim was part of a research team that confirmed mutations in the filaggrin gene as one of the primary causes of eczema. Filaggrin is a protein that acts like the "glue" holding skin cells together — keeping the skin waterproof, retaining moisture, and keeping allergens and infections out.

When filaggrin is disrupted, the skin barrier weakens. This is why children with eczema are more susceptible to irritants, more prone to dryness, and why the choice of moisturiser is a clinical decision — not just a personal preference. It also explains why a formula free from known irritants isn't a "nice to have". It's essential.

Our ingredients

The formula built on this thinking.

Ovée's Baby & Child Moisturising Cream and Adult Lipid Cream were developed with every one of these principles at their core. No paraffin, no perfume, no parabens — and every active ingredient backed by clinical evidence.

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