Anyone who has had a baby of their own knows how wonderful baby skin is. It is so soft and smooth that you feel a little bit of green envy creeping in as you look toward your own skin.

Because a baby's skin is so soft and smooth it does require some special care. But what in the world are you to do with all those products that came in the "welcome baby" basket that is sitting on the new changing table. There is baby oil and talcum powder, diaper cream, baby shampoo and baby wipes. Where to start?

The first thing to remember is that a baby's skin is very sensitive. You should try to keep things a simple and natural as possible when it comes to the products you use on baby skin. There are many products out there that have been specifically developed for a baby's skin and so are often very mild formulations.

Some babies are so sensitive that even those regular mild formulations can be too strong. If the baby reacts to a product by breaking out in a rash you should discontinue that product and try something else. Don't try to build up the baby's tolerance to the product because it could turn into a full blown allergy or make the baby sick. You will certainly save yourself a lot of sleepless nights by taking the easy road on this one.

Considering the lengths we go to as adults in our skin care efforts and the multitude of products we use, a baby's skin care is very basic. They need to be clean and this can be done with a very mild baby soap or simple natural soap in the bath. Their hair (or lack of) can also be washed with the same soap at this point and there is no need for baby shampoo if you don't want to use it. For that matter if you prefer to deal with a liquid at bath time that baby shampoo can be used for both hair and body in place of soap. Just make sure you only use a little and that you do your utmost to keep soap or shampoo out of the baby's eyes. Not only does it hurt their eyes but the noise they are most likely going to make will definitely hurt your ears.

After bath time you may choose to rub a little baby oil over the baby's body or you may not. If it is wintertime and the furnace is on and the air inside is dry you may make the baby a little more comfortable with oil or some baby lotion (just like you are with body lotion).

That is pretty much it. Cleanliness is the biggest requirement for the baby's skin right now and there are very few products required for that. Of course there are other circumstances which will require some other products. One of these is diaper rash for which you will find several formulations of diaper rash cream and will have to go through the same process you did with the soap. If one of them causes distress, try another one.

Other products you may consider are baby wipes for cleaning the baby's bottom when changing. Some people really feel they cannot do without pre-packaged baby wipes while others feel that an old fashioned warm wash cloth does the job just fine and certainly costs less. This is more up to parent than the baby although (once again) if one brand of baby wipe causes rash or discomfort try a different one!

Although a baby's needs are great, their skin care needs are very simple and should be kept as simple and mild as possible which should be a relief for most over worked, tired parents.