Home > Acne Products > Baby Acne Treatment

Baby Acne

Baby Acne is usually found on the cheeks, forehead or crown (scalp acne) area. Baby acne is very common, and usually appears about 3-4 weeks after birth. Although your baby can be born with acne (very rare), the presence of tiny bumps on the face of your baby right after birth is usually an unrelated skin condition called milia, which is harmless and will disappear in a few days.

What causes Baby Acne?

It is yet unclear what exactly causes baby acne, just as it is not completely clear what causes teen acne. However, most doctors agree that excess hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands, causing them produce more sebum (oil), which then is secreted onto the skin. The oil, mixed with debris and dead skin cells, clogs pores and causes acne. For teens, the hormones are the result of puberty. For babies, the hormones are actually produced by the mother, which are then passed on the baby through the placenta. Only once the baby is born does the excess oil production start to mix with debris and clog the pores, which is why acne can be seen approx 3-4 weeks after birth. Baby acne usually appears on the face and scalp, but in rarer cases can show up as blackheads or back acne.

Baby Acne Treatment

It is important to understand that baby acne is perfectly natural and will usually go away on it own after a couple of weeks or months. The acne is also not dangerous; there is no need to worry. If however, you feel the need to treat your baby’s acne, you can take steps by using cleansing techniques. Here are some tips:

Using very mild soap, preferably baby soap, gently cleanse your baby’s skin in the morning and before bed

Do not scrub your baby’s skin when cleansing – this will cause further irritation and more acne (and remember, acne is not caused by dirt, so scrubbing won’t help!)

Always ‘pat dry’ using a soft towel – do not rub dry.

DO NOT use over the counter acne medicine on your baby

DO NOT put creams or oils on the baby’s skin specifically to treat baby acne

Other Baby Acne Triggers

Although baby acne is probably the result of hormones produced by the mother while the baby is in utero, there are other ways in which baby acne can be triggered. Certain fabrics and ‘head dresses’ can irritate the skin and add to a baby acne problem. Spit up or milk left on the baby’s skin can also irritate the skin, resulting in acne. Even the fussiness of a baby can cause more acne – when the baby fusses, or is extremely hot, blood flow is increased in order to cool the body down. When blood flow is increased, more sebum (oil) is produced and secreted onto the skin, thereby possibly causing acne.

It is important to remember that baby acne is perfectly normal. If the acne is not bothering your baby, it may be best to simply let it run its course!