Key takeaways: Most babies need only water, a mild fragrance-free cleanser, a fragrance-free moisturizer if skin is dry, a diaper barrier cream, and sunscreen after 6 months. Skip baby powder, fragranced products, and essential oils. Fewer products mean less chance of irritation.
Store shelves are full of baby lotions, washes, and powders. Babies’ skin is delicate, and simple is usually best.
What Most Babies Need
- Water for most daily cleaning.
- Mild, fragrance-free cleanser for bath time a few times a week.
- Fragrance-free moisturizer (cream or ointment) if skin is dry.
- Diaper barrier cream with zinc oxide or petroleum jelly.
- Sunscreen (mineral, SPF 30 or higher) for babies 6 months and older; small amounts on exposed skin for younger babies only when shade isn’t possible.
What to Skip
- Baby powder: talc and cornstarch powders can be inhaled and irritate the lungs.
- Fragranced products: fragrance is a common cause of skin irritation and allergies.
- Essential oils: can irritate skin and airways.
- Antibacterial soaps: not needed.
- Products with many ingredients you don’t need.
From the author
From First Breath to First Birthday is my month-by-month guide to your baby’s first year, written as a NICU and postpartum nurse. My book covers everyday newborn care month by month, plus the warning signs that mean it’s time to call the doctor.
Reading Labels
- “Fragrance-free” means no fragrance added. “Unscented” may still contain masking fragrances.
- “Natural” or “organic” doesn’t guarantee a product is gentle or allergy-free. Plant ingredients can cause reactions too.
- “Hypoallergenic” isn’t a regulated term.
Peeling Newborn Skin
Peeling in the first weeks is normal, especially in babies born after their due date. It doesn’t need lotion. If skin is cracked, a thin layer of petroleum jelly can help.
Eczema-Prone Skin
- Moisturize generously at least once or twice a day with a thick, fragrance-free cream or ointment.
- Use short, lukewarm baths.
- Talk to your doctor about a treatment plan for flares.
- Some research has looked at whether daily moisturizing from birth prevents eczema; results have been mixed, so ask your doctor if your baby is at high risk.
Patch Testing New Products
Apply a small amount to a small area and watch for redness or irritation for a day before using more widely.
Call your baby’s doctor if: your baby develops a rash that spreads, blisters, oozes, or comes with fever, or if eczema isn’t improving.
The Bottom Line
Keep baby skin care simple: water, a mild fragrance-free cleanser, moisturizer if needed, diaper cream, and sunscreen when appropriate. Skip powders and fragrances.
Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.
Related Articles
- Diaper Rash: Prevention, Treatment, and When It’s Yeast
- How to Bathe a Newborn Safely: Sponge Baths to Tub Time
- Baby Massage: Benefits and How to Start
Sources
- Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. Neonatal Skin Care: Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline. 4th ed. AWHONN; 2018.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Baby skin care; eczema in children. https://www.aad.org
- Council on Environmental Health and Section on Dermatology. Ultraviolet radiation: a hazard to children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2011;127(3):588-597.
- Kelleher MM, Phillips R, Brown SJ, et al. Skin care interventions in infants for preventing eczema and food allergy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022;11(11):CD013534.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
