It is true that Mustela does not communicate much about everything that is done for the safety of its products. But that does not mean that nothing is done, quite the contrary! As part of its risk anticipation policy, Mustela systematically evaluates its toxicological ingredients and products to detect potential endocrine effects and to remove dangerous substances.
Mustela is committed to ensuring the safety of its products for 65 years. If you want to know more, we invite you to consult the heading "A proven safety and efficiency" in "Our commitments"
A complete list of ingredients is available on the packaging of every Mustela product, as well as on each product page on this site by clicking on the "Ingredients & Naturalness" thumbnail.
Petrolatum (also known as paraffinum liquidum or mineral oil) is the international cosmetic name for paraffin. This ingredient is sometimes questioned because it can contain harmful impurities if its manufacture is poorly controlled.
Mustela has chosen to keep it only in Stelatopia cares dedicated to atopic skin because of its emollient properties and "barrier effect" unmatched until now by any other ingredient. We only select pharmaceutical quality paraffin that guarantees the purity and safety of this ingredient.
Fragrances are sometimes questioned because they can contain allergenic substances for 1 to 2% of the population.
Mustela has chosen a fragrance formulated to minimize the risk of allergic reactions. Out of 40 million Mustela products sold worldwide each year, no case of allergy to Mustela fragrance has been recorded for more than 60 years.
Nevertheless, if you want to use products without fragrance, you can choose to use Mustela Very Sensitive Skin products
Our formulation charter excludes aluminum salts.
To find out more about our ingredients selection criteria and our commitments, we invite you to consult the "Ingredients" section in "Our commitments".
No, we don't use this ingredient in our products.
PEG (or PolyEthylene Glycol) is used to ensure the stability of the formula. They are sometimes questioned because they can contain harmful impurities and in particular 1-4 dioxane, if its manufacture is poorly mastered.
Mustela selects PEGs whose purity, evaluated by dosing up to the trace level (less than 1 ppm), guarantees a safe use.
Despite the security of the PEGs we use, we are committed to removing them from our formulas whenever possible to reassure parents.
Cyclopentasiloxane is used in Stelatopia balm and emollient cream products to ensure their effectiveness and rapid relief of babies and children with atopic skin. This ingredient is sometimes questioned because it can contain, under certain conditions of manufacture, traces of cyclotetrasiloxane, an ingredient with harmful effects for men and the environment.
Mustela guarantees the use of cyclopentasiloxane of controlled quality.
No, we do not have carcinogenic substance in Mustela products. There is a classification of ingredients that carry a carcinogenic risk established under the control of the health authorities and Mustela prohibits the use of these ingredients in all its products.
Fragrances help make our products smell nice. Mustela® pays special attention to developing sensorial textures and delicate fragrances that enrich skincare routines without skimping on safety, so as to create moments of well-being, stimulation, pleasure and deep feeling.
The safety of Mustela products has been our top priority for over 65 years.
Mustela products are not made with essential oils.
We chose to exclude alcohol (or ethanol) from our formulas because it is very harsh on the hydrolipidic film which protects the skin and may lead to skin dryness.
While it may be used in some cosmetic products, it is not suitable for the sensitive skin of babies and pregnant women.
"Bio" label is one of the ways to guarantee a high naturalness in products, the presence of ingredients from organic farming, traceability of ingredients and respect for the environment, evaluated by an accredited third party .
At Mustela we have made the choice to give priority to natural ingredients that have proven their tolerance and effectiveness (95% natural ingredients on average in our Baby / Child ranges*). We have also made the choice to source for our own active ingredients from responsible plant supply chains under the control of UEBT (Union for Ethical BioTrade). UEBT periodically assesses ethical sourcing practices for plant-based active ingredients that we produce.
* Excluding seasonal references
All of Mustela products for babies are formulated whithout phthalates, both in terms of the actual skin care product itself as well as its packaging.
In the same way, all the promotional objects made of plastic that Mustela gives to its customers (toilet bags, small toys for children, etc.) are free from phthalates.
We have 3 main criteria to select our ingredients: safety, efficiency and pleasure of use.We have a specific formulation charter that goes beyond the European cosmetic regulation:
- rigorous selection of each ingredient under the supervision of a panel of scientific experts and validated by an independent toxicologist expert (origin, purity, safety)
- priority to ingredients of natural origin
- red list of ingredients that we forbid
A product is called hypoallergenic when it has been formulated to minimize the risk of allergic reactions: this means it does not contain any known allergen or any irritating substance
But above all, it must have been tested according to a standardized protocol in order to verify its high tolerance.
All Mustela products are hypoallergenic.
Preservatives play a vital role in cosmetic products: they prevent all microbial growth. Specifically, cosmetic products for babies are usually used in bathrooms and this warm, damp environment encourages bacterial and fungal growth.
If they contaminate the skincare product, these germs could cause severe infection in the user, especially if that user is a baby.
Mustela selects its preservatives carefully to ensure they are effective and well-tolerated.
No, we don't use this ingredient in our products.
The conservation system we use for our products takes into account the combination of ingredients that creates an unfavorable environment for microbial growth (e.g. glycerin, sugar derivatives, citric acid, antioxidants) and a choice of packaging that limits the product's contact with ambient air while preventing contamination (e.g. airless packaging).
The preservatives paraben, phenoxyethanol, triclosan or MIT/MCIT are not used in any Mustela formulas. Before it comes on the market, the product is tested to make sure there is no contamination and that it conserves properly without losing its properties.
The safety of Mustela products has been our top priority for over 65 years.
For more information, go to the "Proven safety and efficacy" section in "Our Commitments".
Non opened, Mustela products are most effective between 24 and 36 months from their date of manufacture. After the opening we advise you to use our products before the expiration date shown on each product's packaging by this logo (period-after-opening labelling) (see the pictogram).
To ensure that your Mustela skin care products last we recommend that you close them properly after use and not to transfer them to any other container
Nanoparticles are ultra-fine particles (about 100,000 times smaller than the thickness of a hair). They are defined by the cosmetic regulations *. We have chosen not to use them in our products.
* defined in the cosmetic regulation 1223/2009 / CE explained by the professional recommendation of the European Association of Cosmetic Industries.
To ensure maximum safety, efficiency and pleasure of use, we use synthetic ingredients that have no natural equivalent as safe and effective.
Since the beginning, we have been giving priority to ingredients of natural origin and we are bringing to the heart of the plant most of the active ingredients and ingredients that make our Mustela products.
However, some ingredients essential to the good conservation, the stability or the sensory qualities of our cares do not have their equivalent in the nature. Some natural ingredients may not be compatible with our high demands for efficacy, safety, or pleasure of use. In these cases, we use synthetic ingredients evaluated by health authorities, approved by the regulatory authorities and which have proven their effectiveness and safety for the most sensitive skin.
The remaining% is therefore ingredients that have no natural equivalent to guarantee the quality, safety and efficiency that we claim on our products.
To find out more, we invite you to consult the dedicated section.
You can use every Mustela Baby - Child products from the moment your baby is born (even if they have been born prematurely). Their safety and efficacy are verified before launch in the market by an independant toxicologist expert : combining efficacy, safety and unique sensory pleasure, they have been specifically designed to meet the everyday needs of the skin of newborns, babies and children and respect its extremely delicate nature.
Mustela products are designed to protect a baby's delicate and fragile skin. You can even continue to take advantage of the gentleness of Mustela products throughout childhood and even beyond, without risk.
As a leading French brand in the European market for children's products, we are committed to ensuring our products meet the toughest requirements in terms of quality, safety and efficacy.
All the ingredients that go into our products undergo a rigorous selection process that guarantees the tolerance and safety of each one of our products. Tolerance is systematically assessed in the laboratory using reconstructed skin models, then in adults, and finally in children in actual usage conditions under dermatological supervision.
The safety of Mustela products has been our top priority for 65 years.
For more information, go to the "Proven safety and efficacy" section in "Our Commitments".
In order to guarantee optimum safety for users, cosmetic products have been rigorously governed for over 40 years by specific regulation that applies to the entire European Union. It is regularly updated to take account of scientific and technological advances. This regulation notably defines the lists of banned substances (of which there are over 1300), restricted substances, and the steps that must be taken before a product can be marketed. It also provides a framework for guaranteeing product safety, and defines the responsibilities of manufacturers.
Once the cosmetic products are on the market, they are monitored the entire time they are available in order to ensure they are tolerated. Cosmetovigilance is the collection and analysis of any adverse effects that are observed.
Mustela is regularly subjected to these checks, and works closely with the authorities each time one is required.
Outside of Europe, other countries have their own specific regulations pertaining to cosmetic products (safety, marketing, product monitoring).
The safety of our products is an absolute priority.
To guarantee complete safety, more than 450 measurements and tests are performed on each product before it is marketed, to ensure its quality, safety and efficacy.
We voluntarily submit the security assessment to independent toxicology experts to evaluate product safety with regard to the product’s use on infants and pregnant women, which may require numerous precautions and restrictions. Those experts may oppose the product’s introduction on the market at any time.
We carry out a unique, customized assessment process that includes 11 evaluation steps primarily conducted by authorized, independent institutions. It assesses skin, eye and neuro-sensory tolerance in adults, as well as tolerance when applied to a reconstructed infant epidermis and under actual use conditions on infants and babies.
Finally, the efficacy of our products is proven for pregnant women and babies from birth onward under independent medical supervision (dermatologist, pediatrician, gynecologist or ophthalmologist, depending on the product).
Whether it is intended for babies, pregnant women or new mothers, all our products are hypoallergenic. This means that they have been formulated to minimise the risks of allergic reactions
Ingredients have been selected so as not to introduce the risk of allergic reaction, and all of our products have been tested by independent laboratories that have proved their tolerance.
This approach, fully in line with all current regulations, has enabled us to guarantee safe and effective products for parents and their children for over 65 years.
As a leading French brand in the European market for children's products, we are committed to ensuring our products meet the toughest requirements in terms of quality, safety and efficacy. To this end, each product in the Mustela brand from Laboratoires Expanscience is subjected to a demanding and responsible process, governed by a commitment charter that tackles the key quality and safety challenges:
- A strict, rigorous ingredient selection process that emphasizes products of natural origin and eschews controversial ingredients
.
- A toxicological evaluation of each ingredient, based on advanced expertise in the specific characteristics of infant skin from birth on.
- Tolerance and allergen testing on each finished products. - A key point is taking into account the specificities and needs and the baby's skin, with which we paid additional safety factors such as the risk of ingestion and penetration.
- Final safety assessment of the finished product with independent toxicological experts taking into account its use on children specifically: specific tests performed on skin models, additional safety factors such as the risk of ingestion and penetration.
This approach, fully in line with all current regulations, has enabled us to guarantee safe and effective products from birth for parents and their children for over 65 years.
Information on the Mustela brand’s commitment is available on the Mustela website under "Our Commitments.”
All tests performed by our laboratory on all of our products before commercialization market are guaranteed without animal testing.
As part of our innovation and continuous improvement process, and because safety is our top priority, our researchers have developed a unique patented model using reconstructed infant epidermis (Stelaskin) that allows the tolerance and the effectiveness of Mustela products to be tested in a laboratory without the need for animal testing.
Our responsible sourcing channels aim to best control the traceability of our plant-based active ingredients (avocado perseose, schizandra and sunflower oil distillate), as part of an approach involving a partnership with all players in the supply chain (farmers, local authorities, agronomists, etc.), from cultivation and picking to processing and incorporation into our products.
Regarding, Avocado Perseose, the flagship ingredient of Mustela baby-children ranges, we source from 2 supply chains located in South Africa (our historical supply chain), and peru, a more recent supply chain that we are developing based on 3 essentials commitments :
- Respect for the evironment and biodiversity
- Respect for the local populations,
- Creation of local economic value
Since the beginning, we have been giving priority to ingredients of natural origin and we are bringing to the heart of the plant most of the active ingredients and ingredients that make our Mustela products.
However, some ingredients essential to the good conservation, the stability or the sensory qualities of our cares do not have their equivalent in the nature. Some natural ingredients may not be compatible with our high demands for efficacy, safety, or pleasure of use. In these cases, we use synthetic ingredients evaluated by health authorities, approved by the regulatory authorities and which have proven their effectiveness and safety for the most sensitive skin.
The remaining% is therefore ingredients that have no natural equivalent to guarantee the quality, safety and efficiency that we claim on our products.
To find out more, we invite you to consult the dedicated section.
The percentage of naturalness represents the proportion of ingredients of natural origin in our products.
To learn more about our commitments to naturalness, go to the dedicated section on our website.
Our research has revealed that a baby’s skin contains a precious wealth of original cells at birth. Unique to every individual, these cells last a lifetime, but are extremely vulnerable. After this fundamental discovery, we selected Avocado perseose® to use in our new Mustela Bébé formulations because it meets the specific needs of a baby’s skin starting at birth and as it matures. It helps develop the skin’s barrier function and preserves its precious wealth of cells by acting as a protective shield against daily stress factors. Avocado perseose® is also part of a new generation of biomimetic active ingredients. Perfectly suited for the delicate skin of babies, it combines proven effectiveness with a high tolerance factor.
Avocado perseose®’s effectiveness and high tolerance factor has been clinically tested and scientifically proven. Avocado perseose® is an exclusive and patented active ingredient and only Mustela products offer its unique benefits.
To learn more about Avocado perseose, please check our special section.
An active ingredient is biomimetic if it complies with the principle of biomimetism, that is, it has an advanced capacity to resemble nature, and to mimic its structure or functioning mechanisms.
More specifically in dermo-cosmetic terms, an ingredient is considered to be biomimetic if it naturally has a perfect affinity with the skin and a high tolerance factor. This means it is capable of strengthening the skin's function when it has been weakened and helps it mature and develop without disruption.
Avocado perseose, a unifying active ingredient used in new Mustela Bébé formulations, is a biomimetic active ingredient. It has the same effect on the skin as in its original environment, where it helps fruit grow and ripen.
To learn more, visit the Mustela and natural products page or download the definition of natural products applied to Laboratoires Expanscience’s dermo-cosmetic products
We only use carefully-selected substances in our products to guarantee the safest ingredients for you and your baby, while protecting the environment.
All of our product are manufactured with no alcohol, essential oils, parabens, phenoxyethanol, phthalates, GMO plant extracts, aluminum chlorohydrate, ingredients of animal origin (except beehives, purified lanolin and milk products), terpenes (camphor, menthol and eucalyptus) and triclosan.
To learn more, visit the Mustela and natural products page or download the definition of natural products applied to Laboratoires Expanscience’s dermo-cosmetic products.
A formula is said to be biodegradable if after use, it can be decomposed (digested) naturally by living organisms (micro-organisms).
Biodegradability is an important parameter for characterizing the environmental impact of products released in the wastewater. It depends in part on its ability to be degraded and on the other hand to its rate of digestion in the biological environment.
Our washing formulas (washing gels and shampoos) are biodegradable according to the OECD 302B standard. This standardized international standard stipulates that at least 60% of the product is biodegraded in 28 days.
At every stage of development begnning with sourcing raw plant materials, product design and development, production, marketing and end of product life, we do everything possible to limit the impact on the environment. We have applied this strategy as part of our continuous improvement process for several years. For example, all Mustela bottles are recyclable, our cartons are made from paper sourced from sustainably-managed forests, and Mustela Bébé foam formulations are biodegradable.
If you’d like to know more about our commitment to sustainable development, take a look at the Mustela product lifecycle.
To develop the safest and most effective products for your baby, our researchers need to know the specific characteristics and needs of your baby’s skin. By reconstituting the epidermis of a baby and young child in our laboratories, our teams gain an in-depth knowledge of the skin, its cells and genes, to better understand its physiology and development. This is the world’s first patented epidermis of its kind and only Laboratoires Expanscience’s Mustela researchers are able to perform these experiments. We also use reconstituted epidermises to test the effectiveness and tolerance factor of our products with a high level of precision and reliability.
Thinner than adults’ skin, baby’s skin is in constant development: the skin barrier is incomplete at birth, and does not reach its first stage of maturity until the age of two. Between the ages of 0 and 2 years, the skin is unable to maintain a good level of hydration which is key for its cells to be able to work properly.
As a result, your baby’s skin cannot act as a fully protective barrier, and is highly vulnerable to everyday stressors. Mustela’s researchers have also revealed that the skin of a newborn has a surprising source of strength: a unique, lifelong cellular reserve that is at its maximum at birth, yet remains vulnerable during the first few years of life. These original cells play a major role for the skin: they ensure that the skin is able to regenerate and are responsible for maintaining its overall balance against everyday stressors. To preserve this unique cellular richness and to support its development, baby’s skin absolutely needs to be reinforced and protected on a daily basis by using appropriate skin care products.
If you would like to learn more about the specific characteristics of your baby’s skin, read our advice section.
Because these original cells help to regenerate the skin and maintain its overall balance throughout life, they have a vital role to play. The skin’s wealth of original cells peaks at birth, but it is still extremely vulnerable during the first two years of a child’s life. During this critical period, the skin barrier is still developing and the skin is extremely vulnerable to daily stress factors. That’s why it’s so important to protect and strengthen the skin to preserve its precious wealth of original cells.
If you’d like to know more, please read About Mustela Bébé's new care products
Our research has revealed that a baby’s skin contains a precious wealth of original cells at birth. Unique to every individual, these cells last a lifetime. It’s important to protect the “integrity” of these original cells because they play an important role in keeping a person’s skin healthy throughout their life. They help to regenerate the skin, maintain its overall balance and protect it from daily stress factors.
To learn more, please read About Mustela Bébé’s new care products
Some babies and children have naturally dry skin, which requires specific care all year round. During the winter, the skin is constantly under attack from the cold, wind and central heating: it tends to dry out more easily.
This phenomenon is particularly intense in babies and children, whose epidermis is more fragile and still immature.
During this period, it is thus necessary to moisturize and nourish their skin regularly, especially after cleansing and bathing, and to use specific cleansing and bathing products.
If you would like to find out more about the specific characteristics of your baby’s skin, read our advice section.
Thinner than adults’ skin, baby’s skin is in constant development: the skin barrier is incomplete at birth, and does not reach its first stage of maturity until the age of two. Between the ages of 0 and 2 years, the skin is unable to maintain a good level of hydration which is key for its cells to be able to work properly. As a result, your baby’s skin cannot act as a fully protective barrier, and is highly vulnerable to everyday stressors.
Mustela’s researchers have also revealed that the skin of a newborn has a surprising source of strength: a unique, lifelong cellular reserve that is at its maximum at birth, yet remains vulnerable during the first few years of life. These original cells play a major role for the skin: they ensure that the skin is able to regenerate and are responsible for maintaining its overall balance against everyday stressors.
To preserve this unique cellular richness and to support its development, baby’s skin absolutely needs to be reinforced and protected on a daily basis by using appropriate skin care products.
If you would like to learn more about the specific characteristics of your baby’s skin, read our advice section.
Our fundamental research studies, conducted over the past ten years and the subject of patents and publications in internationally-respected journals, have demonstrated that your baby's skin is immature from birth until the age of 2 years: it has not yet acquired the resistance and qualities of adult skin. The skin barrier is therefore less effective, and more vulnerable and sensitive to external stresses (such as cold, wind, sun, rubbing, etc.). (The surface area to weight ratio in babies is 3 times higher than that of an adult, therefore requiring the use of different ingredients at different concentrations).
Furthermore, depending on their skin type, your baby will have specific needs that Mustela can meet through its various product ranges.
Each of these products undergoes a specific safety and efficacy assessment to ensure they meet the strict requirements needed for babies' skin.
All of our formulas are associated with a toxicological evaluation based on the characteristics of babies’ and children's skin, as well as allergen and tolerance testing of the finished product. Our products meet the safety guarantees needed for the most fragile skins.
Mustela Foam Shampoo for Newborns has been specifically designed to prevent the appearance of cradle cap and encourage its elimination by limiting bacterial proliferation, which is its root cause.
If your baby’s’ head presents these little whitish and yellowish crusts, we recommend that you use this skin care product.
-On the other hand, if their scalp is healthy, Mustela Gentle Shampoo will be perfectly suitable: enriched in chamomile extracts and coconut oil derivatives, it gently cleanses the hair and prevents the formation of tangles.
If you would like to find out more about cradle cap, please consult our advice section.
Water is not enough to remove the dirty marks that may be found on your baby’s skin (regurgitations, milk, etc.).It is therefore recommended that you use a specific cleansing product, such as the No-rinse cleansing water for normal Skin, the Cleansing Milk for dry skin or the No rinse soothing cleansing water for very sensitive skin
These skin care products specifically formulated to remain gentle on babies' delicate skin will leave their skin perfectly clean without drying it out or irritating it.
If you would like to find out more about hygiene for your baby, please consult our advice section
This depends on the product that you use to cleanse your baby’s face or bottom:
- If you choose the velvety feel and softness of Mustela Bébé Cleansing Milk to simultaneously cleanse and moisturise your baby's dry skin, you are recommended to rinse it in order to limit the risks of maceration in diapers, for example.
- If you prefer fresh and delicate skin care, use the No-rinse cleansing water for Normal Skin or the No rinse soothing cleansing water for very sensitive skin, which leaves the skin clean and clear in a single step and does not require any rinsing.
If you would like to find out more about hygiene for your baby, please consult our advice section.
Mustela Facial cleansing cloths have been specially developed to clean gently cleanse your baby’s face, including around the eyes where little secretions are often deposited. They will leave their delicate skin clean, moisturised and soothed.
If you would like to find out more about hygiene for your baby, please consult our advice section.
Products for adults are not tailored to the extremely delicate nature of babies’ skin: they are too acidic and too astringent.
For cleansing your baby, it is therefore important to use specific products that are gentle on their immature skin and do not irritate it.
From birth and during the first two years, your baby’s skin is immature; it doesn’t have yet the strength and the qualities of an adult’s skin. At the same time, it is rich in a unique capital of original cells but extremely vulnerable. It is therefore essential to use specific hygiene products and skin care to respect its balance.
Babies also frequently have their own minor skin problems: irritated areas, cradle crap, diaper rash, atopic or hypersensitive skin are frequent in the first years of life.
For each of these conditions Mustela provides you with safe, efficient and respectful skin care ranges, that perfectly adapt to baby’s fragile skin.
It is recommended you use sun protection products with a high factor, given the vulnerability of children's skin to the sun.
Products that are SPF 50 or 50+ are recommended.
For optimum safety, try to choose hypoallergenic formulas that are free from fragrances, colorant and alcohol, based on mineral or organic-mineral screens.
If you would like to know more about the sun and your child's skin, read our expert report on the topic.
The solar filters we use are a combination of mineral and organic filters. They have been rigorously selected, with proven safety and efficacy.
For more than 65 years, the safety of our products and their users has been our top priority. All of our formulas are associated with a toxicological evaluation based on the characteristics of babies’ and children's skin, as well as allergen and tolerance testing of the finished product.
To learn more, visit the "Our Commitments" section of the website.
Our sun protection products contains mineral filters (titanium dioxide or zinc oxide). We have opted to combine these with other organic solar filters to make the products easier to apply while still guaranteeing an appropriate level of sun protection for the fragile skin of young children. Our products have proven their tolerance and efficacy in all skin types, including atopic-prone or intolerant skin.
The safety of Mustela products has been our top priority for over 65 years.
For more information on the Mustela brand’s commitment, go to the "Our Commitments" section on the Mustela website.
Our sun care products can be used risk-free from birth onwards. The safety of Mustela products is our top priority. Like the rest of our products, our sun care products are subjected to a rigorous ingredient selection process and systematic testing to prove their tolerance and efficacy in all skin types, including atopic-prone or intolerant skin.
The WHO recommends keeping young children out of the sun, staying in the shade, and always wearing a hat, T-shirt and sunglasses. However, since exposure to the sun is often unavoidable, we recommend that a suitable sun protection product is also used.
UVA and UVB are ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun. They enable the skin to tan but are also very harmful.
They differ in intensity and wavelengths:
•UVB rays have medium wavelengths and act on the skin’s surface. They are responsible for sunburn and burning.
•UVA rays have higher wavelengths and penetrate the skin in depth; they lead to accelerated aging and reduce the skin’s elasticity.
In the long term, UVA and UVB rays may be responsible for a range of skin cancers.
It is therefore indispensable to use dual sun protection (against UVA and UVB rays), in particular for children.
No, sun products for adults are not suitable for babies’ immature skin: often perfumed or based on chemical filters, they also usually have an insufficient sun protection index.
For infants’ skin it is therefore essential to use special sun protection, with a very high protection index.
Mustela Sun Protection skincares respect your child’s skin and guarantee optimal protection and safety against the harmful effects of the sun. Designed for children, they are water and perspiration resistant and visible on application.
If you would like to know more about sun protection, please consult our advice section on this subject.
Yes, sunburn represents a real danger, in particular for children whose skin is more fragile.
Excessive sun exposure may indeed lead to actual cutaneous burns but also, in the longer term, to an increase in the number of moles and the risk of harmful melanoma, accelerated skin aging and skin cancers.
It is therefore essential to use high index sun protection, especially for children (SPF 50+ index) and to take the following precautions:
• Do not expose children aged under 3 years to the sun.
• Avoid any direct exposure to the sun, especially between 11h and 16h.
• Apply the sun protection in a thick layer before any exposure and renew the application at least every 2 hours and after each bathe.
• Protect your child with a hat, T-shirt and sunglasses.
• Keep your child properly hydrated even if he does not ask for a drink.
If you would like to know more about the sun and children’s skin, please consult our expert’s file on this subject.
Sun products protect the skin against UVA and UVB rays by means of filters and / or screens.
• Chemical filters act by absorbing the energy transmitted by luminous radiations.
They are not always photostable and as they can be absorbed by the epidermis, there is a risk of phototoxicity and allergy.
• Mineral screens reflect and diffuse UV rays.
They are inert, photostable and form a film on the skin’s surface which limits any risk of penetration.
• Organo-mineral screens absorb and reflect UV rays.
They are photostable and have good staying power on the skin’s surface.
If you would like to know more about sun protection, please consult our advice section on this subject.
Sweet almond oil is useful for loosening cradle cap from your baby's scalp, but it does not tackle the cause behind the condition. That is why it is recommended you use a specific skincare product that works on both the cause and symptom of the problem.
Mustela's cradle cap formula regulates sebum secretion, softens the skin and limits the reappearance of crusty skin.
Like all Mustela products it is hypoallergenic, which means it has been formulated to minimize the risks of an allergic reaction - it contains no known allergens or other irritants. In particular, it has been tested in line with a standards-based protocol to verify its high tolerance.
Sweet almond oil may allow you to remove cradle cap from your baby’s scalp or face by softening the crusts. However, it will not act on its causes and cradle cap may thus reappear.
For more effective action, we recommend that you use a specific skin care product for cradle cap.
By regulating sebum secretion and purifying the skin, this skin care product will allow you to eliminate cradle cap that is already present and limit its reappearance.
If you would like to find out more about cradle cap, please consult our advice section.
No, hygiene is not a factor in the appearance of cradle cap.
It is due to the excessive secretion of sebum and sweat and to the proliferation of a microscopic fungus on the surface of the skin (symptoms linked to the transfer of maternal hormones to the baby at the end of pregnancy).
If your baby has cradle cap, we advise you to wash their hair with a specific shampoo such as Mustela Bébé Foam Shampoo for Newborns and apply a suitable product to their scalp, such as Cradle Cap Cream : this skin care product encourages the elimination of cradle cap and limits its reappearance by acting directly on its causes.
If you would like to find out more about cradle cap, please consult our advice section.
Atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema affects 1 in 5 children1. It is a disorder of the skin barrier disorder that can appear from the age of 2 months, and subsides until disappearing completely usually around the age of 5-6 years.
It manifests as extreme skin dryness on the body and the face, and alternates between eczema flare-ups with localized red patches, and periods of respite.In childre, this translates as (occasionally severe) itching sensations that impact on quality of life and sleep in particular. . If these signs appear, consult a doctor for a thorough diagnosis.
Mustela® proposes its new generation of care Stelatopia®: a range of 4 products of hygiene and care, specifically designed to soothe and replenish atopic-prone skin of babies and children. It guarantees clinically proven efficacy and high tolerance from birth2, tested under dermatological and pediatric control.
1 Watson 2011, Isaac 1998
2 Including newborns out of the NICU
The patches of eczema that can appear on your child’s body are the most visible symptom of atopic dermatitis, but in reality, their skin as a whole has been weakened: it is therefore necessary to take care of their whole body with suitable dermocosmetic products, such as the Stelatopia range. To improve the comfort of your child’s skin, these skin care products must be used every day even if the red patches disappear.
If necessary, your doctor will also be able to prescribe you a medicated treatment, especially during flare-ups.
If you would like to find out more about atopic-prone skin, please consult our advice section
Yes, it’s indispensable: products designed for normal skin could be poorly tolerated by dry skin with an atopic tendency.
On the other hand, tailored dermocosmetic skin care products will make it possible to improve the comfort of your child’s skin and limit the risks of complications and recourse to medication.
- For their everyday hygiene, we advise you to use a soap-free cleansing base such as Stelatopia Cleansing Cream. You can also use Stelatopia No-Rinse Cleansing Water every day, which gently cleanses your child's face, body and diaper area in a single step.
- During flare-ups, we recommend that you use Stelatopia Milky Bath Oil, which cleanses the skin without irritating it.
- Then carefully apply a skin care product such as Stelatopia Emollient Cream, which will make it possible to rapidly soothe sensations of irritation and naturally relaunch the synthesis of lipids that are lacking thanks to Sunflower Oil Distillate.
Consult your doctor in the case of infection or intense itching: they will prescribe you a suitable treatment.
If you would like to find out more about dry skin with an atopic tendency, please consult our advice section.
Redness in the diaper area is a frequent and generally benign occurrence in babies.
It is due to prolonged contact with feces and urine, and appears most especially in the case of diarrhea, antibiotic treatments or during teething.
- To prevent its appearance, we recommend that you change your baby's diaper regularly, as soon as possible after it becomes soiled.
- Cleanse their bottom thoroughly with a suitable product (such as Cleansing Milk for dry skin, No-rinse cleansing water for normal Skin, Mustela Liniment or Dermo-soothing wipes), and then dry completely, not forgetting the folds.
- As a preventive measure, with each diaper change apply a specific cream such as Vitamin Barrier Cream, which will isolate baby’s skin from harsh factors thanks to the protective action of zinc oxide.
If you would like to find out more about redness in the diaper area, please consult our advice section
Persistent redness in the diaper area is a common occurrence, even if you scrupulously follow the rules of hygiene (regular diaper changes, gentle and careful cleansing and drying, application of a barrier cream, etc.).
In this case, we recommend that you apply a specific product to take care of diaper rash on your baby's bottom, such as Vitamin Barrier Cream : by neutralising the enzymes responsible for redness in the diaper area, this product will reduce its intensity and favour its disappearance.
If the redness does not fade away after a few days or if it is weeping or infected, we recommend that you consult your doctor.
If you would like to find out more about redness in the diaper area, please consult our advice section..
All of the products in the Mustela Maternité range were specially designed for pregnant women or young mothers, including when they are nursing. They have undergone tests and assessments aimed at ensuring the absence of any risk for the foetus during pregnancy and for the baby during breast-feeding. You can therefore use them safely during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
Yes, because the earlier and more regularly you use these products the more effective they will be.
We therefore recommend that you apply a preventive skincare such as Mustela Maternité Stretch Marks Prevention Cream skincare from the first month of pregnancy.
It will strengthen the elasticity and suppleness of your skin and help to resist more intense stretching.
If you would like to know more on this subject, please consult our expert’s file on stretch marks
Yes: formulated without alcohol and without caffeine, based on natural active ingredients, Mustela Maternité Bust Firming Serum skincare is compatible with breastfeeding*.
However, you should follow your usual hygiene routine, such as taking a shower every day.
*Rules of hygiene should be followed before breastfeeding: on a clean nipple.
Stretch marks may appear during pregnancy, but also after the birth due to the major hormone rebalancing which takes place at that time.
To prevent the appearance of stretch marks as much as possible, it is therefore recommended that you continue the application of your skincare for one month after the birth
If you would like to know more about this subject, please consult our expert’s file on stretch marks.
I am pregnant and I have the sensation of having heavy or tired legs. Is this normal? What can I do?
During pregnancy, a sensation of heaviness in the legs is very common: more than one in three women suffer from this.
This phenomenon is particularly frequent towards the pregnancy and during very hot weather.
It is caused by the slowing of the blood circulation and increased blood pressure in the veins of the legs.
To relieve this problem we advise you to massage your legs with Mustela Maternité Light Legs Gel: you will immediately regain a sensation of freshness and an immediate relaxing effect thanks to the unique combination of Avocado Peptides and menthol extract.
If you would like to know more on this subject, please consult our expert’s file on the feeling of tired legs.
In spite of all the care that goes into manufacturing our products and the numerous tests we carry out before they go on sale, if you notice the slightest reaction we would recommend you stop using the product, and contact your doctor if necessary. We also advise you to keep the product in question and contact us so we can investigate the situation. You can call us on +33 (0)1 43 34 75 21 or by email at: consomustela@expanscience.com.
The safety of Mustela products has been our top priority for over 65 years.
Each of our products is intended for a specific skin type or a particular situation (pregnancy, breastfeeding, skin problem, etc.). We, therefore prefer not to send samples to our users, because they might not be suited to their needs.
If you would like to discover our products, we invite you to go to a Mustela partner pharmacy or parapharmacy: they will give you personalized advice and possibly some samples. Many maternity hospitals as well as some paediatricians and dermatologists also offer new mothers trial doses of our skincare products.
If the packaging or wrapping of your Mustela product is damaged, we suggest you contact our consumer service department.
The purpose of this site is to allow you to discover Mustela products and the brand’s universe, but it does not allow you to order our skincare products on line.
If you would like to buy our products, we recommend that you go to a Mustela partner pharmacy or parapharmacy, where you will be given personalised advice and be advised of the most suitable products for your needs, depending on your Bébé’s or your skin type.