What Are the Different Types of Personal Care for Children?

Different types of personal care for children include products for oral hygiene, grooming, and bath and body care. The distinctions between personal care for children and similar products intended for adults vary. In some cases, the primary difference between adult and children's products is the way the product is packaged and marketed. In other cases, such as with toothbrushes, the product may be reduced in size so as to make it easier for a child to use and maneuver. Other differences may include the use of kid-friendly fragrances or the elimination of fragrance altogether as well as formulations that reduce a child's exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals.

Oral hygiene personal care for children typically includes items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and even child-friendly mouthwash. As very young children may swallow mouthwash and toothpaste, some manufacturers formulate these products with safer ingredients that are unlikely to be toxic to a child. For example, mouthwash for children is typically alcohol-free. Some oral care manufacturers have also developed fluoride-free toothpastes intended for use by very young children. In addition, these products are often flavored differently than adult toothpastes and mouthwashes, with an emphasis on fruity flavors to encourage children to brush their teeth regularly.

Another significant area of personal care for children includes bath and body products. These products include soaps, shampoos, and body lotions. What distinguishes these products from adult formulations varies by product. In some cases, manufacturers make a point to use only very basic ingredients that are unlikely to irritate children's skin or pose a threat to a child's health. In other cases, the product differences may be more aesthetic, and the products may feature fragrances and product designs that appeal to children. For example, a line of bath products may incorporate common cartoon characters in its packaging.

Personal care products intended for children may also vary by age group. Babies and very young children, for example, may have very sensitive skin that requires the use of lotions and creams that have been formulated to minimize the risk of rashes or other allergic reactions. On the other hand, pre-adolescent and adolescent children have different needs, including the need for body odor control and facial and body hair removal. Some manufacturers have developed products specifically for these markets to encourage good grooming and personal hygiene. Like other types of personal care for children, these products typically feature more colorful packaging as well as fragrances that appeal to teenagers, even if their formulations aren't much different than products intended for adults.