A concerned reader queries Doctor Vikatan: "I have been seeing something called '100 times washed ghee' trending on social media lately. Many people even say that they make it at home. Can it be used on a baby's skin as it is made from ghee and is organic?"
Ayurveda refers to 100 times-washed ghee as Shata Dhauta Ghrita, where "Shata" means "hundred," "Dhauta" means "washed," and "Ghrita" means "Ghee."
Dr. Poornima, a well-known Chennai-based cosmetologist and dermatologist, has shared her insights about this '100 times washed ghee'.
"What you heard is true... recently, '100 times washed ghee' and '100 times washed ghee cream' have become very trendy.
We see that a lot of women have started using turmeric along with this cream as a moisturizer for babies. Since it is just made out of pure ghee, many people have the question of whether it is entirely good for the skin.
In dermatology, there is a word called 'non-comedogenic'. This means that any cosmetics we use should not clog the oil-secreting pores in the skin. If the object we use clogs those pores, bacteria can accumulate in it and cause infection.
As a result, pimples and dark spots may appear on the face when those comedogenic products clog our pores. Infants naturally have less immunity; as they grow older, their immunity power will increase.
So, Is It Safe For The Babies?
Hence, it is commonly advised to use coconut oil and other oils on babies to massage and then bathe them in a few hours. It is also prescribed to use a moisturizer after bathing them to restore moisture and bring balance to the skin barrier.
Dr. Poornima is a Dermatologist,Cosmetologist and Hair Transplant Surgeon and has an experience of 8 years in these fields. She completed MBBS from SRM University in 2013 and MD - Dermatology , Venereology & Leprosy from Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai in 2016.
She is a member of Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venerologists & Leprologists.