- Rising burden of atopic dermatitis in Indian children sparks urgent call for early intervention
- Kenvue India and IAP Bengaluru unite to spotlight science-backed skincare at ‘Oat Nature Lab’
- Experts highlight role of colloidal oatmeal & Triple Oat Complex in restoring skin barrier
- India-first Aveeno Baby innovation underscores shift toward gentle, soap-free cleansing
- Caregiver awareness, preventive routines key to improving long-term pediatric skin health outcomes
NE HEALTH BUREAU
BENGALURU, MAR 26
In a significant push to advance science-backed care for pediatric sensitive skin, Kenvue India, makers of Aveeno Baby, partnered with the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), Bengaluru Chapter to host the second edition of its global scientific immersion initiative, ‘Oat Nature Lab’. The event spotlighted emerging clinical evidence, best practices, and innovations in managing sensitive skin conditions among children.
Experts at the forum emphasized the growing prevalence of pediatric skin disorders, particularly Atopic Dermatitis, which affects children at significantly higher rates than adults. According to Indian expert consensus with inputs from IAP, the prevalence among children ranges between 20–39%, with urban factors such as pollution, allergens, and rapid urbanization—especially in cities like Bengaluru—further aggravating the condition.
Despite the rising burden, infant skincare continues to lack a preventive and structured approach. Addressing this gap, leading healthcare professionals deliberated on real-world challenges and evolving clinical strategies for managing conditions such as Atopic Dermatitis (AD), eczema, xerosis, and diaper dermatitis, with a strong focus on daily cleansing and moisturizing routines.
Through immersive experiential sessions, participants engaged with Kenvue’s scientific advancements and explored its latest India-first innovation—Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Cleansing Bar, a premium soap-free formulation powered by oats and designed specifically for newborn skin in consultation with pediatricians and dermatologists.
Delivering the keynote, Dr. A.R. Somashekar, Professor, Department of Pediatrics at Ramiah Medical College, Bengaluru, outlined the escalating burden of pediatric sensitive skin disorders and stressed the need for structured, evidence-based care.
Prof. Dr. R. Kishore Kumar, Consultant Neonatologist at Cloudnine Hospital, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, highlighted advancements in baby skin barrier science, emphasizing evidence-based cleansing practices.
Dr. Vivin Abraham, Consultant Pediatrician at Lisie Hospital, Kochi, provided clinical insights into eczema and related conditions, while Dr. Divya Sharma, Director, Dr Divya’s Skin & Hair Solutions, Bengaluru, underscored the importance of early intervention and consistent emollient therapy using nourishing ingredients to prevent flare-ups.
During a panel discussion, Dr. Jayakar Thomas, Director, Department of Dermatology at Chettinad Hospital & Research Institute, Chennai, stressed the need for continuous caregiver education at every clinical visit.
Dr. Sowmya Nagarajan, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Specialist, Bengaluru, pointed to a rising trend in allergic skin conditions, linking them to increased risks of associated gut and lung diseases. She noted that early skincare—particularly the use of colloidal oatmeal–based moisturizers—can significantly improve outcomes and enhance quality of life.
The discussions reinforced findings from Kenvue India’s standardized consensus recommendations, reviewed by IAP, on the role of colloidal oat-based skincare in managing pediatric sensitive skin.
Dr. Raghunath C N – President of , IAP Bengaluru Chapter (Bengaluru Pediatric Society-BPS), said, “In clinical practices, we are increasingly seeing incidents of sensitive skin conditions with significant proportion of pediatric outpatient visits involving dermatological concerns despite hygiene best practices followed. This reinforces the need for early intervention coupled with consistent use of emollients with lipids, ceramides and colloidal oatmeal in improving the damaged skin barrier function. Within this, cleansing as part of overall regime plays a critical role with parents often overbathing their babies due to lack of understanding of skincare best practices and need for specialised cleansing solutions like non-soap bars. We are delighted to complement Kenvue for its continued efforts to enhance science and educational initiatives to improve awareness about skin health in children.”
Dr. Dilip Tripathi, Regional Head, Baby & Women’s Health Research & Development, Kenvue, said, “For generations, we have been advancing the science around sensitive skin conditions supported by extensive clinical studies around the benefits of colloidal oatmeal to address the unique needs of sensitive skin especially in children. Unlike many ingredients that primarily offer surface-level moisturization, there is growing clinical evidence on the powerful role of colloidal oatmeal provides relief from dryness and irritation, helps restore the skin barrier, maintain moisture balance. With Aveeno Baby, a product anchored in science, recommended by healthcare professionals, leading India-first innovations and initiatives like ‘Oat Nature Lab’, we are committed to take science closer to parents and caregivers, enabling them more informed choices to manage daily skincare routines for children.”
The event also saw participation from leading mommy influencers and parents, including Priya Malik, Tanvi Choradia Jain, and Gunjan Prehar, who shared real-life experiences of managing children with sensitive skin. Their discussions highlighted the need for greater awareness, simplified skincare routines, and the effectiveness of gentle, oat-based solutions.
With initiatives like ‘Oat Nature Lab’, Aveeno Baby continues to build on its oat-based scientific legacy, bridging the gap between clinical science and everyday caregiving—ultimately supporting better skin health outcomes for children.
