At La Petite Crème, we believe in building a supportive community for parents and babies, and that starts with having trusted experts to guide the way. We are thrilled to introduce you to our in-house pediatrician, Dr. Varisa Perlman, who shares our passion for gentle, effective, and natural baby care.
Dr. Varisa isn’t just an incredible pediatrician—she’s part of the La Petite Crème family. With her unique upbringing, professional expertise, and heartfelt connection to parenting, she’s here to offer invaluable insight and advice to our community.
Let’s get to know her!
What inspired you to become a pediatrician, and what do you find most rewarding about working with babies and young families?
My parents are pediatricians from Thailand. Watching them raise multiple generations of families helped me realize how meaningful a pediatrician can be in peoples' lives.
The most rewarding part of pediatrics, besides of course the adorable kids, is being able to be a part of the journey all parents take raising their children.
As a pediatrician, I have the wonderful opportunity to guide and witness the courage it takes to raise children. There is a saying, that "Children are born the way they are to heal the family." It's been a privilege to watch parents as they rise to the challenge to grow into their best self, completely inspired by the process of doing their best to parent their children.
What initially drew you to La Petite Crème, and what do you appreciate most about our approach to baby skincare?
As the pediatrician for the founders, Cecile and Fanny, I was initially drawn to La Petite Creme by the founders themselves. Cecile and Fanny sincerely care for parents in the US.
When they realized that they had the opportunity to help parents simplify their routine and heal their babies naturally, they couldn't wait to share their French recipe and wisdom!
La Petite Creme allows parents to return skincare to a traditional time when we believed less is more. Organic, simple and transparent ingredients remind us how important it is to pay attention to what we put on our skin.
As a pediatrician, what are the key ingredients or qualities you look for in safe and effective baby products?
For the skin, I would often tell parents "don't put anything on your skin (or your baby's skin) that you wouldn't eat".
While this principle is not easy to follow all the time, it reinforces the concept that your skin absorbs what is placed on it.
La Petite Creme uses a recipe for the french lotion liniment which can be made in one's kitchen. Many cultures also base their skin care on ingredients from the kitchen, ie coconut oil, shea butter.
La Petite Creme is the french version with olive oil and beeswax. It should feel reassuring for parents to use a product that has been used by generations of french families!
What is one piece of advice you wish all new parents knew when it comes to caring for their baby’s sensitive skin?
It's important to understand that because your skin is your body's largest and most important immune defense organ, it too needs to be cared for and protected.
A rash signifies that there is a disturbance at that skin barrier. Maintaining that skin integrity is crucial. In our modern day world, we are constantly trained to pay attention only when a rash appears. However, in traditional cultures, work to protect the skin happens everyday, all day!
This is why using a natural barrier like La Petite Creme gives parents an advantage by protecting the skin and preventing a rash versus only reacting to a rash!
Applying La Petite Creme to high traffic areas before closing a diaper ensures that a baby's bum isn't constantly being irritated by waste products, sweat and diaper abrasion.
Why do you believe natural, gentle skincare is essential for newborns, and how does it align with your philosophy as a pediatrician?
As a pediatrician, I always believe that it is better to be "ahead of a rash instead of behind it".
This philosophy is consistent with my belief in the power of prevention -- "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound in cure".
Having parents from Thailand grew a love in me for traditional methods of healing. Even though my parents were pediatricians trained in the US, when we were sick they would go to the kitchen before they went to the medicine cabinet.
I believe all traditional cultures have beautiful wisdom -- like the elegant recipe of La Petite Creme brought to us by Cecile and Fanny! Despite all the technology and pharmaceuticals, we can't "throw out the baby with the bath water". The true experts of prevention came from a simpler time before all the "bells and whistles".
I encourage families with new babies to embrace a "less is more" philosophy -- that is the true power of preventative medicine!
Petites pensées
Dr. Varisa is more than just an expert—she’s a mom-at-heart who believes in empowering families to care for their babies with simplicity and intention. We’re so lucky to have her as part of the La Petite Crème community, helping us champion the beauty of preventative care and natural baby products.
Catch Dr. Varisa on our Instagram page and live sessions, where she regularly shares practical tips for new parents.
You don’t want to miss her wisdom, humor, and heartfelt advice!