Most mothers are accustomed to using two different skin care products when it comes to diaper changes. There are sprays and solutions and wipes cubes for cleaning and then creams or ointments to prevent rash or irritation. Les produits de MaYa’s linament is different because it can do both. In fact, it’s a very old and traditional way to cleanse and soothe a baby’s bottom. I received samples in exchange for sharing my honest review with you.

Marie and Yannick hail from Canada and are parents to two young children. Their names put together (MaYa) are the inspiration behind the product labeling. Les produits de MaYa was a natural extension of their love for organic and natural products. Marie and Yannick wanted to do their part in promoting good stewardship of the earth, and they are big supporters of local and family-owned businesses.

This natural formulation, which Marie calls an oleo-calcareous liniment, is a pale yellow liquid with the consistency of a thin lotion. The ingredients are easy to rattle off – and understand: olive oil, cocoa butter, shea butter and limewater. Using natural oils to cleanse is very traditional; in many other countries, mothers don’t use “baby wipes” at all.

Here’s a bit about the components in this cleansing lotion:

Olive Oil: Les produits de MaYa is made with top quality cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. The hydrating and protective qualities of pure olive oil are well established.

Shea Butter: Shea butter is beneficial to dry skin and naturally contains vitamins A, D, E and F.

Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is well-tolerated by most skin types and helps to nourish and soothe the skin. It even has anti-oxidant properties.

Limewater: As the name denotes, this is a solution of lime and water. Limewater has natural antifungal and antiseptic. It’s added to the liniment to fight acidity in urine and balance the skin’s pH levels. I tend to think of lime (i.e. quicklime) as a harsh substance and asked Marie about its use in a product made for the skin. She explained it this way “When you mix lime and water to make limewater, this mix is caustic for the skin. Limewater is caustic because the pH is very high, around 12. But when you mix limewater and olive oil, the result is beneficial for the skin. The pH decreases. The chemical reaction is called saponification.” It’s very similar to the way caustic lye is used to make homemade soap.

The ingredients in Les produits de MaYa are cloth-friendly and will rinse easily from your diapers in the hot water cycle.

Here’s how I’ve used the Les produits de MaYa liniment on Ingrid. I moisten a wipe with a bit of water, squeeze it out and then pump a small amount of the liniment onto it. After cleaning the skin, I’ll use another cloth wipe to apply a small amount of the liniment as a preventative measure. Unlike thick or sticky creams and ointments, Les produits de MaYa is much easier to apply because you simply wipe it on. You don’t get anything on your hands or have to dip your fingers into a jar. The liniment stays on the skin as a thin, sheer layer. The only fragrance is a very faint (and pleasant) olive oil smell.

As a cleanser, Les produits de MaYa is very effective. In fact, I’ve quit buying and using “diaper sprays” completely. What makes this cleansing lotion so effective is the oil. The slippery quality of the olive oil removes even dry, stuck-on messes super quick. Nothing I’ve ever tried in 12 years of diaper changes (baby wipes, plain water, wipe sprays, etc.) has ever worked so well! Thanks to using this lotion on a regular basis, Ingrid’s skin is softer, and also less prone to redness and rash. The thin layer of olive oil and coconut helps provide a semi-occlusive barrier. It’s important to note that Les Produits des MaYa is not meant to treat a really bad diaper rash, even though the liniment/cleanser does have skin soothing properties.

I like products that multi-task, and this one certainly does. It softens and soothes my skin all day long if applied after shaving. Les produits de MaYa also gently removes my eye make-up (even waterproof mascara) while it nourishes the skin.

Here are some more ideas:

• Remove cradle cap (cap) on the head of toddlers
• Cleansing
• After-sun lotion
• Calm the skin after waxing
• Cream aftershave for men and women
• Relieve superficial burns
• Natural polish/moisturizer for wood