The Perfumed Baby: Popular, Natural and Designer Aromas

by: Gina Cardenas

Colognes and perfumes designed for babies are often used as part of daily care in Spanish-speaking and Latin American communities around the world. The affectionshown to the new family member includes use of scent to ensure a clean and well-groomed presentation.

Popular Colognes

A popular brand that never fails in terms of hygiene and baby care is Johnson & Johnson, used almost religiously in many international Spanish-speakingcommunities. The selection of products for perfuming babies is more extensive in Latin American countries and between them are several colognes with names veryworthy of a prince or princess such as Besitos (Little Kisses) and Gotas de Estrella(Star Drops). Besitos contains citrus and herbal notes. Star Drops contains herbal andsweet notes. Both colognes were launched in 2015.

In the United States, the preferred cologne in the communities of Caribbean descent is Violetas Francesas (French Violets), a fragrance that has been used for a long time in the grooming of both babies and adults. It is distinguished by its sweet, floral scent somewhat reminiscent of sweet talc and violets.

"The fragrance has remained the same since it was created 37 years ago ..." says Tania Alfonso, owner of the company that produces AFFACorp French Violets. She also reports that her grandfatherbrought the fragrance to Miami fromCuba and contains a flower essenceof true violets. She suggests that the use of the fragrance is mainly used to calm babies.

Spain has its preferred colognes for babies and these tend to feature citrus aromas.Among the most popular are Nenuco Baby Cologne/Agua de Colonia and it is distinguished by its refreshing and light notes. Another scent is from Denenes, a recognized brand that offers Colonia Para Bebés Muy Suave (Very Soft Baby Cologne) and its aroma is created with the note of orange blossom.

Colognes Free of Alcohol and Other Harmful Chemicals

Lately, several chemicals have been named as harmful or too strong for the skin of the child. The ingredients on the blacklist include alcohol, paraben, phthalate and phenoxyethanol. In case the perfume contains alcohol, it is recommended to not put itdirectly on the skin of the child.

For moms who choose natural products without alcohol or strong chemicals there are several brands to choose from for perfuming their babies.

Musti Eau de Soin is found in several markets within the Spanish-speaking world though it originates in France. Musti can be used from infancy and it is free of parabens, alcohol, phthalate and phenoxyethanol.

Musti is distinguished by its fruity notes and natural linden and cornflower extracts. Linden extracts are recognized as very soothing for the baby. The cornflower is an anti-inflammatory and natural antibiotic.

Mennen Baby Magic Colonia Para Bebé has existed for the past 60 years and its use inbaby grooming is very popular with Hispanic communities in the United States and several Latin American countries. It has a floral and fresh scent. The cologne is now formulated without alcohol, paraben and phthalate.

Perfumes from Designer Houses

And for mothers who prefer perfumes for their babies that are more exclusive than typical online brands with conventional fragrances, there are several options.

Burberry offers Baby Touch, available with or without alcohol. The scent includes citrus, sweet vanilla, floral, aromatic and green notes. It is considered a Citrus Gourmand and was released in 2002. Michel Girard is the perfumer.

Bvlgari offers Petits y Mamans, a scent that includes talc, herbal, floral, and vanilla notes, a pleasure for both the baby and mother. Tea is the main ingredient in the fragrance which is widely recognized for its soothing and relaxing properties; a cup of tea can calm a busy mind and soul as can a spray of it in a fragrance. Petits y Mamans was created in 1997 by Nathalie Lorson.

There fragrances for all tastes and budgets when it comes to perfuming your baby. What kind of fragrance do you like best for a little one? Is there a fragrance that has been usedas a family tradition from generation to generation?

Write your answer for a chance to win a bottle of FrenchViolets for your baby!