Infant skin dryness - Dry skin in babies and newborns

Dry skin can affect us at every age. Infant skin is delicate and sensitive, making it particularly susceptible to dryness, especially in the early months of life. As parents, noticing infant skin dryness can be concerning, raising questions about what causes these symptoms and how to alleviate them.

Signs of infant skin dryness can vary, but they typically include the following: 

• Flakiness and peeling 
• Rough and scaly patches  
• Redness 
• Cracked skin
• Itchiness 

Dry skin in newborns is a common issue due to several factors related to transitioning from the womb to the outside world. Inside the womb, a baby's skin is protected by a waxy coating called vernix, which helps maintain moisture after birth. As this coating is washed away and the skin adjusts to a dryer environment, many newborns experience dry, flaky skin, especially in the first few weeks of life.

Additionally, the natural shedding of skin often occurs in the early days after birth, contributing to the appearance of dryness.

While newborn dry skin usually goes away on its own, more serious cases of newborn dry skin may benefit from special care. Eucerin AtoControl Balm is a product designed to provide relief for dry, itchy and irritated skin and is suitable for newborns, babies, children, and adults. This balm is specifically formulated to be gentle on sensitive skin, including that of newborns whose skin barriers are still developing and are prone to moisture loss and irritation. 

Eucerin AtoControl Calming Balm contains a combination of soothing and moisturising ingredients like Licochalcone A, a natural anti-inflammatory that helps calm the skin and Omega 6 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining skin hydration and restoring its natural protective barrier. These ingredients work together to replenish lost moisture, reduce dryness and offer long-lasting comfort to delicate newborn skin.  

The balm is also free from fragrances, dyes and parabens, which is crucial for minimising the risk of allergic reactions or irritation in newborns. Its gentle, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly, providing instant relief without leaving a sticky residue. This balm can help relieve newborn dry skin and support the development of a strong, healthy skin barrier. 

While newborn skin dryness is common, skin dryness can persist after your baby has grown out of the newborn stage. Dry skin in babies who are past the newborn stage is still relatively common, although the causes and management may differ slightly as they grow. As babies age, their skin matures and becomes better at retaining moisture, but they can still have dry patches on their skin due to various environmental and lifestyle factors: 

• Low humidity: Exposure to cold temperatures and drier air can reduce the moisture in the skin. 
• Chemicals: Chemicals in soaps and detergents, along with other chemicals such as chlorine from swimming pools, can irritate the skin and cause it to dry out. 
• Frequent bathing: As babies become more and more active, they may need more frequent baths which can strip the skin of its natural oils if hot water and harsh soaps are used 
• Eczema: If you have noticed dry patches on your baby’s skin, it may be eczema. This can be triggered or worsened by allergens or irritants. 

Dry skin on your baby’s face could be due to the factors listed above but could also be caused by cradle cap. Cradle cap is a harmless skin condition and although the cause is not clear, it cannot be caught from other babies. 

It typically looks like patches of scales on the scalp and face that form a crust of dry skin which might flake off. To treat cradle cap, lightly massage a moisturiser on your baby's scalp and face to help loosen the scales and gently brush your baby’s scalp and face with a soft brush. Then wash the dry skin on your baby’s face and scalp with a mild, baby-safe body wash or shampoo.

Moisturising is one of the most crucial steps in treating dry baby skin. Similarly to newborns, babies have delicate, thinner skin that loses moisture more easily than adult skin, making them more susceptible to dryness. By regularly applying a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser, you can replenish the skin's hydration, soothe any irritation and prevent further moisture loss. 

We recommend Eucerin AtoControl Body Care Lotion to care for your baby’s dry skin, because it is specifically formulated to provide long-lasting hydration and soothe sensitive, dry and atopic skin, meaning that your baby will receive the care their skin needs if their skin dryness does end up being atopic dermatitis. This lotion is suitable for adults, children, and babies over three months.

Regardless, all skin types can benefit from this gentle, fragrance-free lotion as it helps restore the skin's natural barrier and reduce the risk of inflammation and irritation.

Apart from moisturising, here are some additional tips you can follow to care for your baby's dry skin:

• Bathe your baby only two to three times a week and reduce your baby's bath time as spending too much time in water can strip the skin of its natural oils 
• Avoid chemicals and fragrances where possible, for example in bath products and laundry detergent 
• Protect their skin from the weather, whether it be the cold or the sun. Cold weather and sun damage can also contribute to dryness. 

If your baby's skin remains persistently dry, cracks, bleeds or develops red, itchy patches, it may be a sign of eczema or another underlying condition that requires medical attention. If a suitable skincare routine has not helped your baby’s dry skin, we recommend you get in touch with your doctor or health visitor as they can provide a personalised treatment plan to help manage this condition.