Babies’ skin is five times more sensitive than adults’, with a much lower resistance to outside factors like temperature and water. There’s a whole host of advice out there about what’s best for your baby’s skin – so here is all you need to know about looking after baby’s delicate skin and the best baby skincare to use.
We spoke to RM BSc Mother & Baby Consultant and midwife Sharon Trotter who gave her advice on choosing the best skincare for your baby.
All You Need to Know About Baby Skincare
Looking After a Newborn Baby’s Skin
“At birth, the top layer of your baby’s skin is very thin and absorbent,” says Sharon. “This means it is more sensitive to damage from germs, chemicals and water loss.
“Over the first month (longer in premature infants) your baby’s skin matures and develops its own natural protective barrier. Skin conditions may develop if this natural barrier is damaged.”
Remember that anything placed on, in or around your baby has the potential to harm.
To give your baby the best start in life, Sharon’s key recommendations include:
- Wash your hands before and after carrying out any baby care
- Use water only for baby skincare for the first month of life – read the labels and avoid products containing sulphates (SLS and SLES), parabens, phthalates, artificial colours and perfumes
- Breastfeeding your baby will strengthen their immune system
- Don’t overload your washing machine – this will help prevent washing powder chemical residues on clothing (cloth nappies are as efficient as disposables and do not present a higher risk of napkin rash)
- Use a thin layer of barrier cream on the napkin area to help protect against the development of napkin rash – this cream should ideally be free from preservatives, colours, perfumes, antiseptics, and clinically proven to be effective in the treatment of nappy rash
- Massage oils should be vegetable based and free from mineral oils, perfume and colours – if there is a history of nut allergies in your family you should also avoid nut-based oils.
How to Deal with Cradle Cap
Cradle cap (sometimes called infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis) is an oily or scaly rash usually confined to the scalp. It is thought to be caused by an over activity of the sebaceous glands due to increased circulating hormones from the mother or overuse of harsh skincare products in the early weeks of life. Be sure to not make water too hot when giving baby a bath – a bath thermometer is worth looking into.
“This condition can be treated with an application of baby or vegetable oil (which should be left overnight) followed by gentle combing of the loosened skin flakes,” says Sharon.
“Strong shampoos aimed at the treatment of cradle cap should be avoided. These products may contain harsh detergents that could aggravate the condition further.”
“Make sure any shampoo you use is free from sulphates (SLS and SLES) parabens, phthalates, artificial colours and perfumes.”
Baby Skincare During Winter
During the winter months it is easy for your baby’s skin to become dry and dehydrated. There are a few simple ways to avoid the onset of dry skin conditions and products that will help to protect your little one’s delicate skin.
Weleda Baby Calendula Skin Protection Balm, £9.75
This cream is made with 100% natural ingredients, protects baby’s skin from the effects of cold, wind and harsh weather and is suitable from birth onwards.
Baby Skincare During Summer
Baby’s delicate skin can be easily irritated in summer with increased sweating, air conditioning and humid nights. This can leave baby’s skin rough and dehydrated so be sure to use extra moisture like a moisturising bath wash, massage oils and natural body creams post-bath.
Mum & You Mums Touch Massage Oil for Calm Days, £12.99
The natural sunflower, jojoba and camomile oils in Mum & You Mums Touch Massage Oil for Calm Days offers gentle nourishment for baby’s summer skin, leaving it soft and supple. Remember to keep baby well hydrated and out of the sun to ensure comfort and safety during the longer days.
Baby Skin Types & Best Baby Skincare
Babies With Dry Skin
Salcura’s Bioskin Junior Outbreak Rescue Cream, £9.99
Salcura’s Bioskin Junior Outbreak Rescue Cream is perfect for soothing rashes, detoxifying allergies and binding moisture in your little one’s skin.
Infused with olive, jojoba and castor oil, this buttery cream is nurturing on young skin and works to prevent moisture loss overall. Suitable from three months upwards.
Weleda White Mallow Baby Face Cream, £11.50
A gentle, natural face cream with no added fragrance is important if your baby has dry skin and Weleda’s White Mallow range contains organic white mallow extract provides a protective coating for highly sensitive and dry skin and relieves the itching that can come from dryness.
Babies with Nappy Rash
Kit & Kin Magic Salve, £7.99
A blend of naturally nourishing oils and botanical extracts, this hypoallergenic baby cream moisturises, calms and protects delicate skin from further irritation.
Great for treating nappy rash or any dry spots, the creamy salve will help soothe sore inflamed skin and form a protective barrier to stop any irritants coming into contact with the skin. Approved by dermatologists and made with 100% natural ingredients.
Dr Barbara Sturm Baby & Kids Baby Bum Cream, £20
Nappy rash is one of the most common rashes on a baby’s skin caused by dampness in a baby’s nappy. To help prevent nappy rash, apply cult skincare hero Dr Barbara Sturm’s specially-designed Baby Bum Cream when changing nappies.
It comes in an ointment formulated to protect, soothe and nourish delicate skin with marigold extract that boosts the natural skin barrier function, calming redness and irritation.
Little Butterfly Soft as Moonlight Nappy Change Cream, £25.50
Super-effective yet beautifully gentle, this five-star rated organic-certified and 100% natural nappy change cream supports healing and protects baby’s bottom from excess moisture and is generously formulated with 18 nourishing, softening and soothing ingredients, melting into the skin to help heal and repair dry, cracked or irritated patches.
Babies with Very Sensitive Skin
Organic Babies Softening Baby Lotion, £12
If you notice any skin changes or reactions during or after regular activities that involve contact with things like detergent, dye, soap, or fragrance, these could be signs that your baby has very sensitive skin. Keeping things mild and fragrance-free is key, like Green People’s scent-free organic baby lotion for ultra-sensitive skin.
It’s nourishing and moisturising to calm dry skin and rich in Omega-6 fatty acids to soothe irritated skin. It can also be used to cleanse nappy area and is a favourite amongst expectant mums who can’t tolerate fragrance!
Aveeno’s Baby Daily Care Gentle Bath & Wash, £5.67
If your baby has baby acne – tiny red or white bumps appear on the baby’s cheeks, nose, and forehead – it’s important to wash baby’s skin very gently with a mild wash such as Aveeno’s Baby Daily Care Gentle Bath & Wash.
Formulated with colloidal oatmeal, this wash gently cleanses and leaves your baby’s skin feeling moisturised. It also contains aloe and chamomile, and is suitable from the first few weeks of a baby’s life, as well as being pH-balanced, tear-free and free from sulphates, soap and dyes.
Babies with Atopic or Ezcema-prone Skin
Childs Farm OatDerma Body Wash, £4.33
Perfect for even the driest and most sensitive of baby skin, Childs Farm’s products are a saviour for any dry skin or eczema-sufferers when their skin is struggling most. The colloidal oatmeal is sustainably grown in Finland and ensures a superior quality of oats with high levels of beta-glucan. Suitable from newborn.
Mustela Stelatopia Emollient Cream, £11.95
The five-star rated Mustela Stelatopia Emollient Cream moisturises, replenishes and soothes sensations of itchy skin, restoring atopic-prone skin and strengthening skin’s natural defences – suitable from newborn.
Little Butterfly Floating on Clouds Bedtime Bath Milk, £25.50
Cocooning and calming, this luxurious, organic-certified bath milk is formulated with a moisture-replenishing blend of healing bio-actives and nourishing pure oils and butters. Designed to deeply nurture, it gently cleanses and hydrates, leaving little one’s skin petal-soft, calm and balanced and is specifically formulated and dermatologist-approved for sensitive, eczema-prone or reactive skin.
Babies With Mottled Skin or a Rash
Mottled skin can be nothing of concern (particularly in premature babies) but if you notice your baby has mottled skin call 111 or your GP for medical help and advice.
Most rashes are nothing to worry about, but if your baby has any other symptoms alongside the rash, or if you notice a blotchy red rash that doesn’t fade when you roll a glass over it, call 999 or take your baby to hospital as it can be a sign of something more serious.
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