Baby acne explained

Before your baby arrived, you probably didn’t give too much thought to baby skin problems, but things might be different now they are here. It’s not unusual for new babies to have spots, marks and blemishes, and most are nothing to worry about. One common – but harmless – baby skin condition is baby acne. While there is little you can do to treat it, using mild baby skin care products, such as Baby Dove, will provide moisture and nourishment.

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 mom 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 mom’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 mom of three, Bindu. “Baby Dove mild baby skin care products are safe and suitable to use on the spots.” In fact, both Baby Dove Fragrance Free Moisture Hypoallergenic Wash and Baby Dove Fragrance Free Moisture Hypoallergenic Lotion are made with 100% skin natural nutrients, identical to those found in skin. They go beyond mildness to moisturize 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 pediatrician, especially if your baby seems to be uncomfortable or if you’re not quite sure what their baby skin rash is.