Baby acne explained

You may have imagined your baby’s skin would be soft and smooth when he or she came along, but that’s often not the case. As a parent, you’ll notice all kinds of spots on your baby, but many are very common and no need for concern – like newborn acne. This condition usually appears within the first month as red spots across the nose, cheeks and forehead. “You can’t stop it,” says Tracey, children’s nurse and mum of two. “The main worry is that the spots look unsightly, but there’s really not a lot you can do about it – lots of babies get it.” 

It’s important to remember that baby acne is not the result of anything you’ve done. No one is completely sure what causes it, but it’s thought to be linked to the mum’s pregnancy hormones still in your little one’s body after birth. If your baby develops baby acne, it’s ok to carry on with your usual skin care routine. “It clears up on its own without scarring, so I would just apply some gentle lotion,” says Baby Dove Research and Development expert and mum of three, Bindu. “Baby Dove mild baby skin care products are safe and suitable to use on the spots.”

In fact, both Baby Dove Sensitive Moisture Head to Toe Wash and Baby Dove Sensitive Moisture Lotion are made with 100% skin natural nutrients, identical to those found in skin. They go beyond mildness to moisturise and replenish these nutrients after bathing. 

Although baby acne may get worse before it gets better, it shouldn’t cause any discomfort, unlike baby eczema or a newborn rash. “By the time they are two months, it probably will have gone,” says Tracey. But it is always a good idea to consult your paediatrician, especially if your baby seems to be uncomfortable or if you’re not quite sure what their baby skin rash is.