7 Causes of Newborn Acne, It can be treated?

In the first month of life, infants often develop newborn acne, which looks like teenage acne. Young mothers may confuse infant acne with other skin diseases, such as an allergic reaction. It is important to see a doctor in a timely manner: he will make a diagnosis and prescribe a skin care plan for the baby. 

What is newborn acne?

Newborn acne, or newborn pustulosis, is a common skin condition in newborns that is not a disease and goes away on its own. The rash can appear as early as the second or third week of life, and some babies are born with a mild form of baby acne.

Infant acne appears as red bumps, papules and pustules (small pustules) on the forehead, cheeks, chin, less often on the neck and back and does not cause discomfort to the baby – unlike an allergic reaction, which can spread throughout the body and cause itching. Rashes on the face of a newborn can resemble atopic dermatitis at an early stage, because it also begins on the face, but much later – only in the 2-3 month of life, and instead of small rashes, “diathesis” is characterized by itching, large lesions and crusts, which then appear on other parts of the body.

It is important for parents to know why this condition occurs and up to what age it is considered normal.

Causes of Baby Acne

The main cause of acne in babies is the influence of the mother’s sex hormones, which are actively produced during pregnancy and affect the baby both during the period of intrauterine development and in the first months of life. Below are listed the factors that aggravate rashes on the face of a newborn. Try to avoid them for prevention purposes or when rashes do appear, so as not to worsen the condition of the baby’s skin:

• Contact of milk, formula and saliva with the skin;
• Baby’s tears;
• Friction of the skin against clothing, especially if the fabric is too rough or synthetic;
• Residues of washing powder or soap on clothes;
• Overheating and sweating.

Acne in newborns as a physiological feature does not require special treatment. If your baby has a rash, follow these rules:

• Do not puncture or squeeze the rash under any circumstances – contamination may get into the wound and lead to an inflammatory process;
• Do not rub the affected areas with a towel, gently pat dry;
• Avoid using cosmetics on your face if possible. If your baby has a rash, don’t put any lotion, cream or oil on it;
• Put special mittens on your baby to prevent him from scratching himself.

Acne in newborns, with the right approach, goes away without a trace on its own in a fairly short time – from several weeks to 3 months. At the same time, delicate baby skin requires daily care and adherence to basic hygiene principles:  

1. Bathe your baby as often as recommended by your pediatrician

Bathing too often can lead to dry skin, while bathing too rarely can lead to the accumulation of germs in the folds, which is critical, especially if acne is localized on the neck and back. Listening to your pediatrician’s recommendations is the surest way to determine how often you need to bathe your baby.

2. Use mild cleansers

You should bathe your baby with detergent no more than 1-2 times a week. We recommend choosing formulas that help gently cleanse delicate baby skin and remove impurities without overdrying. For example, Lipikar Oil AP+ lipid-replenishing softening bath and shower oil for children and adults contains the patented component aqua pose filiformis, which helps restore the skin microbiome. Shea butter in the composition helps strengthen the protective barrier, soothes, gives a feeling of comfort and keeps the skin moisturized for a long time.

For very sensitive skin, check out the CICAPLAST LAVANT B5 cleansing gel. The ultra-gentle* formula contains panthenol, which helps soothe dry and irritated areas, as well as a copper, zinc and manganese complex with antibacterial properties. Soap-free and fragrance-free.

3. Follow the bathing algorithm

The water temperature for bathing a baby is about 37°C. Use a thermometer to control it, since a difference of only 1-2 degrees can be critical for the baby’s delicate skin. The procedure itself should not last long, 10 minutes is enough.

First, clean the head and face, and lastly, the perineal area. After bathing, gently pat the skin dry with a towel, without rubbing. Avoid sudden temperature changes between the bathroom and the room, so that the baby does not freeze.

4. Moisturize the skin

Apply a special baby moisturizer to clean, dry skin, such as Lipikar Lait with Shea Butter, La Roche-Posay Thermal Water and Niacinamide. The hypoallergenic formula provides long-lasting comfort even for very dry, sensitive and delicate skin. Try different types of moisturizing products to find the one that suits your baby.

5. If necessary, use restorative products.

Soothing multi-restorative product for the skin of babies, children and adults CICAPLAST BALM B5 improves the skin restoration process and contains a mineral complex with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. The formula of the product will protect the skin from the proliferation of bacteria and the occurrence of inflammation.

6. Trim your nails regularly

Babies have very sharp nails that can easily damage areas affected by baby acne and slow down the healing process. You can start trimming your nails as early as 10-14 days after birth, and it’s easiest to do this after bathing, when they’re soft and steamed. Use baby scissors with rounded ends, pre-treated with alcohol. Trim fingernails in a semicircle and toenails in a straight line to prevent ingrown corners. Repeat every 5-7 days.

7. Practice air baths

Clothes, diapers and mittens can cause skin sweating, so it is important to give your baby air baths from time to time. Such procedures speed up adaptation to the environment after 9 months in the womb and strengthen the immune system, increasing resistance to pathogens, normalize metabolism and improve sleep. Start with 1-2 minutes every day and gradually increase the time to an hour in hot weather. Winter is not a reason to refuse air baths, it is enough to reduce the duration.

If you have discovered infant acne in your baby, you should not treat it yourself. You should consult a pediatrician who will help you develop a skin care strategy for your child.

When does newborn acne go away?

Normally, pimples disappear on their own by the age of four months without scarring, but it may take up to 6 months for the skin to clear of papules. The main thing is to stay calm and remember that this is only a cosmetic problem, and the rash is harmless to the baby. However, if they increase in size and appear on the chest or body in addition to the head, you should consult a doctor – he will tell you what is happening to the skin and how to treat it.