Baby wipes are wet wipes drenched with solutions from gentle cleansing ingredients to alcohol-based cleaners. The origin of baby wipes most likely came in the mid-1950s as more people were travelling and needed a means to clean up on the spot. Nice-Pak was one of the first companies to produce baby wipes. The first wet-wipe products specifically advertised as baby wipes appeared on the market scene in 1990.
Infants are young beings with very sensitive skins that are susceptible to environmental scums if not neatly handled. This has encouraged the need to be cleansed with a soft wet material.
The skin around a baby’s diaper area has more crinkles than other areas, thus, making thorough cleaning difficult. These creases are major reasons why most babies experience at least one case of diaper rash.
To effectively prevent and treat diaper rash, frequent changings and cleansing to remove urine and fecal enzymes from the skin is required as the skin around a baby’s diaper area is often exposed to wetness, urine, and poop.
Baby Wipes can remove irritants around the baby’s “often wet” area and help in restoring the skin's natural, healthy pH balance.
While some parents have argued that water and washcloth are good standard for cleansing, it is important to note that water can't remove oily substances from the skin easily, and water alone doesn't provide pH-defending action. More so, often used washcloths or sponges can create friction against a baby's skin and cause skin impurities.