Newborn skin care: what to use and what to avoid

Newborn · Care · Reviewed 20 June 2026 · All articles

A newborn's skin is remarkably different from adult skin, and the first weeks of life are a critical window during which it adjusts to the outside world. Understanding what helps - and what hinders - that adjustment can spare your baby unnecessary irritation and reduce anxiety for you. The good news is that the evidence consistently points toward doing less rather than more.

How newborn skin is different

At birth, a baby's skin is thinner and more permeable than adult skin. The outermost layer, called the stratum corneum, is still establishing its barrier function over the first few weeks of life. This means that substances applied to the skin - whether water, chemicals, or fragrance - can penetrate more readily than they would in older children or adults.

Newborn skin also has a higher surface-area-to-body-weight ratio, which amplifies absorption of anything applied topically. For this reason, guidance from paediatric dermatology societies in several countries consistently advises a "less is more" approach during the newborn period. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) notes that newborn skin care practices have a significant impact on the development of the skin barrier, and recommends minimal product use in the first month. The NHS similarly advises plain water for the first few weeks, adding that soaps and fragranced products can remove natural oils and disrupt pH balance.

Paediatric dermatology guidance emphasises that newborn skin is not simply a smaller version of adult skin - it has distinct biology that warrants specific care choices.

Vernix caseosa: leave it alone

Vernix caseosa is the white, waxy coating present on many newborns at birth. It forms in the womb from around 20 weeks and consists of shed skin cells (corneocytes), water, and lipids. For years it was routinely wiped off in delivery rooms, but the evidence has shifted substantially on this practice.

Research now shows that vernix provides measurable benefits if left on the skin. It acts as a natural moisturiser, slowing water loss from the skin during the transition to the dry air environment. It also has antimicrobial properties, containing proteins such as lysozyme that may protect against certain bacteria and fungi in the early hours after birth.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends delaying the first bath by at least 24 hours after birth, partly to preserve vernix and support thermoregulation. Many hospitals and birthing centres now follow this recommendation. If your baby arrives with vernix, a gentle massage to help it absorb naturally is preferred over wiping it away. It will be gone within a day or two on its own.

How often to bathe a newborn

Bathing a newborn more than a few times a week is not necessary and can actually be counterproductive. The NHS recommends two to three baths per week in the early weeks, and this is echoed by the AAP and by paediatric guidelines from the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Kinder- und Jugendmedizin (DGKJ).

More frequent washing with water - even plain water - can strip away natural skin oils and worsen the skin's moisture balance. For everyday cleaning, "top and tail" washing is sufficient: using a soft cloth with lukewarm water to clean the face, neck folds, hands, and nappy area. Pay particular attention to skin creases where milk or moisture can accumulate.

When you do bathe your baby, keep the water comfortably warm (around 37-38 degrees Celsius, similar to body temperature). Keep baths short - five to ten minutes is plenty. Pat the skin dry gently with a soft towel rather than rubbing, and pay attention to drying the folds under the chin, behind the ears, and in the groin.

Avoid adding anything to the bath water in the newborn period. Bath products designed for babies, even those labelled "gentle" or "natural", are not recommended for the first four to six weeks unless your midwife or paediatrician has advised otherwise.

Products to avoid in the first weeks

The range of baby skin care products on the market is vast, and many are marketed specifically for newborns. However, the evidence base for using these products in the first weeks of life is limited, and several ingredients are associated with increased risk of allergy or skin irritation in the newborn period.

Fragranced products. Fragrance is one of the most common causes of contact skin reactions in babies. Even products labelled "hypoallergenic" may contain fragrance compounds. Avoid fragranced wipes, lotions, oils, and wash products in the newborn period.

Soaps and detergents. Soap raises the pH of the skin surface. Newborn skin has a slightly acidic pH that helps it resist bacteria; soap disrupts this. Plain water or a soap-free wash is preferable if cleansing beyond plain water is needed.

Olive oil and vegetable oils. A widely cited randomised trial found that applying olive oil to newborn skin actually disrupted the skin barrier compared with no oil or sunflower oil. Despite a long tradition of using olive oil for baby massage, current evidence does not support it for babies with a family history of eczema or dry skin. If you wish to use an oil for massage, seek advice from your health visitor or paediatric dermatologist first.

Talcum powder. Talcum powder is not recommended for babies. It can be inhaled, poses a respiratory risk, and provides no benefit over simply drying the skin thoroughly.

What is generally considered safe for the nappy area: plain water for cleaning, and a thin layer of barrier cream (such as a zinc oxide-based product) if redness or nappy rash develops. Apply sparingly and follow the product guidance.

Normal skin changes to expect

Many newborn skin changes look alarming but are completely normal and resolve without any treatment. Knowing what is normal reduces unnecessary worry.

Peeling and flaking. Most newborns experience some degree of skin peeling in the first one to two weeks as the outer layer of skin adjusts to air. This is most noticeable on the hands, feet, and ankles, and is not a sign of dryness that needs moisturising. No treatment is needed.

Milia. Tiny white spots on the nose, cheeks, or forehead (milia) are blocked pores and are present in up to half of all newborns. They resolve on their own within a few weeks. Do not squeeze them.

Erythema toxicum neonatorum. Despite its alarming name, this blotchy rash with yellowish spots affects up to half of term newborns. It typically appears in the first two to three days and disappears within a week. It requires no treatment.

Stork marks (salmon patches). Flat, pink patches at the nape of the neck, eyelids, or forehead are dilated capillaries that are visible through thin skin. Most fade significantly within the first two years, though neck patches may persist longer.

If you notice a rash that is spreading rapidly, blisters, yellow or green crusting, skin that looks infected, or if your baby has a fever alongside a skin change, contact your healthcare provider promptly.

Eczema risk and early skin barrier protection

Atopic eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) affects a significant proportion of infants, and there is growing evidence that disruption to the skin barrier in the newborn period may be an early step in the development of eczema and food allergy. This is sometimes called the "outside-in" hypothesis.

If your family has a history of eczema, asthma, hay fever, or food allergy, maintaining a healthy skin barrier from birth may be especially important. Some research has explored whether daily emollient application from birth can reduce eczema risk, but findings from large trials (including the BEEP trial in the UK) have been mixed and do not currently support routine emollient application in all newborns as a prevention strategy.

For babies who do develop eczema, early involvement of a paediatrician or dermatologist is recommended. Paediatric dermatology guidance advises using fragrance-free emollients regularly for established eczema, and prescribing topical steroids only when needed and at the appropriate potency for an infant's skin.

The key takeaway for all families: keeping skin care minimal and fragrance-free in the newborn period is consistent with both avoiding eczema triggers and protecting the developing barrier.