When your baby arrives, you’ll usually spend a few days in hospital before heading home, and in that short window there’s a lot to take in — feeding, sleeping, bathing, and everything in between. Skincare advice, in particular, can feel confusing and contradictory. Here are two of the biggest myths new parents hear about caring for their baby’s skin, and what a consultant dermatologist actually recommends.
Research from sensitive skincare expert La Roche-Posay found that only 1 in 10 parents of children under 12 said they’d started a skincare routine for their child from day one. Yet expert advice suggests that a nourishing skincare routine from birth can genuinely help protect skin health later on. Here’s where the confusion tends to creep in.
Myth 1: Baby Skincare Isn’t Necessary from Birth
It’s a common assumption that newborn skin doesn’t need any particular care in the early days. In fact, studies show that babies begin to lose moisture through their skin (known as transepidermal water loss) very soon after birth, which is why many dermatologists recommend starting a simple emollient routine from day one — applying a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser daily.
For babies with a family history of eczema or atopic dermatitis, an early routine won’t necessarily prevent the condition altogether, but it may help reduce its severity if it does develop.
Myth 2: Babies Don’t Need Bathing from Birth
Many parents are told to bathe their newborn only once a week using a mild soap or baby shampoo. In practice, daily bathing for just a couple of minutes is often recommended from birth, gradually increasing to around 5–7 minutes as your baby grows, and no more than 10 minutes for an older child.
A few simple habits to keep in mind:
- Avoid fragranced bath products — stick to fragrance-free, gentle emollients instead.
- After bathing, apply a layer of emollient all over the skin before dressing your baby in soft cotton clothing.
- If your baby has eczema, or comes from a family with a history of it, emollient may be applied at every nappy change too.
You might also enjoy reading The Truth About Eczema: One in Five Kids Suffer in Silence.
Tips for Managing Dry Skin and Eczema from Infancy
#1. Start from birth
Because skin begins losing moisture soon after birth, introducing a gentle emollient routine from day one means your baby simply grows up with it as part of everyday care. For babies with a genetic predisposition to eczema, this early habit may help reduce how severe symptoms become.
#2. Apply emollient at nappy change time
In infancy, applying emollient with each nappy change is a simple way to build the habit into your existing routine.
#3. Increase applications as your baby grows into a toddler
As children get older, emollient is often applied more frequently — around 3–4 times a day for toddlers and young children.
#4. Warm the emollient if it’s cold
Some emollients are easier to apply if softened slightly beforehand, especially if they’ve been stored somewhere cool.
#5. Follow the direction of hair growth
Apply emollient in smooth, long, downward strokes, following the direction of hair growth. This helps avoid folliculitis — small, spot-like inflammation of the hair follicles.
#6. Encourage your child to apply their own emollient as they grow
Letting older children take part in their own skincare builds independence and helps them take ownership of the routine over time.
As with any ongoing skin condition, it’s worth checking in with your GP, public health nurse or dermatologist for advice tailored to your child.
You might also enjoy reading New Suncare Technologies Help Families Stay Sun Smart.
What Parents Say About Baby Skin Care
A 2018 study carried out for La Roche-Posay found that more than half (58%) of parents of children under 12 said their child had experienced a dry or sensitive skin condition. Just over half (53%) said the condition appeared within the first three months after birth, and almost 8 in 10 (77%) said it developed within the first year.
The most commonly reported conditions were dry skin (56%), nappy rash (48%), cradle cap (45%) and eczema (44%). Over 2 in 5 (44%) of parents whose child had experienced a skin condition said it caused them stress, anxiety or guilt.
Research was conducted by Empathy Research among a sample of 1,005 adults aged 18+, including 293 parents of children under 12. Fieldwork was carried out from 9–16 March 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I start a skincare routine for my baby from birth?
Yes — many dermatologists recommend a simple, fragrance-free emollient routine from day one, since babies begin losing skin moisture shortly after birth.
How often should I bathe my newborn?
Daily bathing for a couple of minutes is often recommended from birth, gradually increasing to 5–7 minutes as your baby grows, and no more than 10 minutes for an older child.
What products are safe to use on newborn skin?
Fragrance-free, gentle emollients and mild cleansers are generally recommended over fragranced soaps or bath products.
When does eczema or dry skin typically appear in babies?
Many parents notice symptoms within the first three months, and most cases appear within the first year, though this varies from child to child.
Tell Us Your Experience
Did you start a skincare routine for your baby from day one, or bathe them daily from birth? We’d love to hear how it went for your family — share your experience in the comments below.
Related Reads
- The Truth About Eczema: One in Five Kids Suffer in Silence
- New Suncare Technologies Help Families Stay Sun Smart
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