What is baby acne?
When we think about acne, we typically think back to our good ole teenage years, right?
But guess what, babies can get acne too!
Baby acne or neonatal acne is a common, usually temporary skin condition, that can develop on a newborn’s skin.
It can occur in about 20% of newborns in the first 2-4 weeks after birth and most commonly develops on their cheeks. But it can also appear on the baby’s nose, forehead and even neck or upper back and can result in tiny red or white bumps. Whiteheads or white pustules may also develop with red skin surrounding the bumps.
The good news is that almost all cases of neonatal acne resolve on their own without treatment and without any scarring! It usually lasts a couple of days or weeks, but sometimes it can take about 3-4 months for baby acne to clear up.
Some useful tips for caring for your baby’s skin include:
Keep your baby’s face clean. You can wash your baby’s face with warm water and some mild baby soap or a soap-free cleanser
Fragrance-free products all the way! They are least likely to irritate your baby’s skin.
Drying your baby’s face gently by patting their skin dry.
Don’t scrub! Scrubbing or pinching the skin could cause more irritation or lead to an infection.
Skip the lotions! Avoid using lotions or oils on your baby’s face because they could aggravate your baby’s skin and make the acne worse.
Lastly, be patient! Typically, baby acne is harmless and not painful for your little one. If you are worried about it or if it lingers for months, speak with your pediatrician.
Unlike infantile acne, which is a more severe, but uncommon type of skin condition, baby acne does not usually include open comedones, blackheads, cysts or nodules. Infantile acne is more worrisome and develops after 6 weeks of age. It may warrant seeing a pediatric dermatologist - something your pediatrician can determine and advise you on!
Don’t forget, you can always check out our Amazon Storefront for our top skincare recommendations for babies and toddlers!
Your PediPals