What Is Good for Baby Acne? Gentle Care for Newborn Skin

Pregnancy and postpartum hormones might be doing a number on your normally-clear complexion - but you might also notice pesky red bumps and blotches all over your new baby’s face and even other parts of his body! Although it can be frustrating to see, baby acne is very common and harmless, and usually clears up all on its own. Don’t fret - your adorable newborn will be picture-perfect again within a matter of months. 

What is good for baby acne?

Mostly, gentle washing and time. Baby acne usually needs no treatment, rarely scars and fades on its own over a few weeks to a few months. Until then:

• Wash your baby's face once a day with lukewarm water. Mayo Clinic suggests plain water one day and water with a mild, moisturizing soap the next.
• Pat the skin dry. Don't scrub.
• Wipe away milk, spit-up and drool soon after feeds.
• Don't pinch, squeeze or pick at the bumps.
• Skip lotions, ointments and oils, including baby oil and coconut oil. They can make baby acne worse.
• Don't use acne medicine or acne washes unless your pediatrician or a dermatologist recommends them.
• Products made for teen and adult acne are not for babies.

About 1 in 5 newborns get baby acne, usually around 2 weeks of age. Baby acne is most likely caused by hormonal fluctuations in your baby after delivery. The mother’s hormones might play a role in stimulating her baby’s oil glands, but those little bumps can also be a sort of inflammatory reaction on your baby’s skin. At the end of pregnancy, a mother’s hormones cross the placenta into your baby’s system and might cause baby’s oil glands to become overactive. In addition, yeast might play a part in your newborn pesky breakouts, causing inflammation on the skin. Thankfully, aside from showing up in your newborn pictures, baby acne doesn’t signal any lifelong health issues and usually clears up on its own within weeks to a few months.

Getting rid of baby acne can be tricky. Your baby’s skin is extra-sensitive to fragrances, dyes, and temperature, so use caution when treating newborn breakouts. Since baby acne doesn’t hurt or itch, you might as well choose to leave it alone and let it resolve as your baby grows and matures. 

However, if your baby’s acne really bothers you, here are a few things you can try:

1. Be gentle. 

Don’t scrub your baby‘s sensitive skin. Use a soft wash cloth or just gently pour water over your baby’s face and body during bath time. Avoid using your nails to harshly pick at your baby’s tiny pimples, as this might make it worse and open your baby up to infection. 

2. Keep it clean, not greasy.

Gently wipe away milk, sweat, drool and spit-up during the day, and leave lotion off the acne. Lotions, ointments and oily or greasy products can clog pores and make baby acne worse.

3. Skip the home remedies.

Oils, including coconut oil, can make baby acne worse, and home remedies can irritate delicate newborn skin. Check with your pediatrician before you try any new product on your baby's skin, including over-the-counter acne treatments.

When you wash your baby’s face, be sure to use the KeaBabies Baby Bamboo Washcloths. We know your sweet baby’s skin is delicate and deserves only the best quality materials to prevent irritation and dryness. Made from luxurious bamboo fibers, these washcloths are super soft to the touch and gentle on your little one’s sensitive skin. The bamboo fabric is thick and sturdy, unlike regular cotton or muslin washcloths, so they won’t fall apart or fray over time. A soft washcloth makes it easy to clean gently without scrubbing.

Baby acne is most likely caused by hormones your baby was exposed to before birth. Hormones in breast milk may also play a role, but Cleveland Clinic says this is no reason to change how you feed your baby.

Newborn acne usually shows up around 2 weeks of age, sometimes right at birth, and fades over the following weeks to months. There's little you can do to prevent it. If your routine is gentle and the spots stick around for a while, that's normal.

When to call your pediatrician about baby acne

Baby acne is harmless for most babies. Call your pediatrician if

• The acne isn't improving after a few weeks, or it's getting worse
• Your baby also has blisters, peeling skin, a fever, unusual fussiness or trouble feeding
• Acne first appears after about 6 weeks of age. This may be infantile acne, which can leave scars and is worth having checked by a pediatrician or pediatric dermatologist

Other skin problems can look like acne, including milia (tiny white bumps that clear in a few weeks), eczema and skin infections. Your pediatrician can tell them apart, and only a doctor should decide whether a baby needs acne medicine.

Caring for your newborn’s skin doesn’t have to be complicated. Remember, always use pure, gentle products like unscented soap and the ultra-soft KeaBabies Washcloths on your little one’s sensitive skin!

Do remember to follow us on Instagram @keababies and join our loving and supportive KeaCommunity Facebook Group!

Parenting is awesome. Sleep is overrated. Every day is an adventure.