Baby Acne Skincare Products

Affecting about 30% of newborns, baby acne is just like acne teenagers and adults experience.

The acne appears as red, raised bumps surrounded by inflamed skin and is usually seen on a baby's cheeks and back. Baby acne can also form white pustules or whiteheads.

The condition usually becomes visible within the first four weeks after birth and can last anywhere from a few days to a few months.

Doctors aren't sure what causes baby acne. Some believe it's the result of exposure to maternal hormones, either from the womb or breastfeeding.

Others think baby acne is caused by a topical reaction to formula. If your formula spills or baby spits up, an ingredient in the milk could be what causes it, as a newborn's skin is extremely sensitive.

Other possible reasons your baby is breaking out include the Malassezia species of yeast, a probiotic imbalance, or a reaction to medication.

Your pediatrician may prescribe a medicated cream or ointment to treat the condition. Also, to help your baby's acne heal faster and keep it from worsening, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Always clean your baby's skin daily with gentle, fragrance-free products, and avoid any oily lotions. At bath time, be sure to use only tepid water and pat them dry afterward. Do not rub your little one's skin as this can irritate it further.

Of course, never pick at or squeeze the acne bumps (and don't let your baby do that either).

Although this is not proven, some suggest that dabbing breastmilk on the irritated skin can help, as breastmilk has antimicrobial properties.

Beyond that, just be patient. After a few weeks to a month, baby's acne should clear up. However, if the condition gets worse or the acne looks infected, contact your pediatrician right away.

While you may not be able to completely prevent baby acne, you can help minimize the chances of it occurring by keeping your little one's skin clean and using gentle skincare products formulated for delicate infant skin.

Baby acne can look like several different skin conditions, including eczema and a rash, but there are some easy-to-spot differences.

Eczema causes dry, flaky skin that's not typically bumpy. Acne, on the other hand, shows up as hard red bumps and is oily rather than dry.

Distinguishing acne from a rash is all about placement and timing. A heat rash occurs when it's hot, right where your little one feels the heat most: their armpits, feet, wrists, and neck. A diaper rash will occur in the diaper area. Acne, however, is mostly seen on a baby's face and back.

Typically, rashes caused by an allergic reaction will happen within ten minutes of exposure to an allergenic substance. If you are using a new cream or feeding your baby a new food and a rash appears soon after, it's probably an allergic reaction.

Mustela's gentle cleansers like our No Rinse Cleansing Water, No Rinse Soothing Cleansing Water, or Organic Micellar Water with Olive Oil and Aloe are ideal for helping keep your baby's skin clean.

These formulas dissolve dirt without stripping your little one's skin of its essential oils. Each cleanser uses plant-based ingredients, including Avocado Perseose®, aloe, and olive oil, to protect and hydrate their skin, leaving it smoother and healthier-looking.