Does your baby have what looks to be acne? Believe it or not, this is fairly common, especially as babies are prone to rashes and skin problems. In this blog, we’ll help you understand what causes baby acne and what baby acne treatments exist.

What is baby acne?

Baby acne (also known as neonatal acne) affects approximately 20 percent of newborns and develops at around two weeks of age (or at any time before six week of age). Baby acne is similar to adult acne in that it presents with breakouts of blemishes and pimples. Most breakouts appear on the face, neck, chest, and back and are believed to result from overactive oil glands and testosterone. Fortunately, most cases of baby acne tend to resolve without treatment within a matter of weeks or months.

If a baby develops acne after six weeks of age, parents should take him or her to the doctor. At that point in time, acne would be considered infantile acne, which usually lasts between six months and a year. In other cases, the acne can last until the child reaches the teenage years.

Baby acne treatments

The most important thing to recognize here when it comes to baby acne is that you just need to be patient. As we stated above, most baby acne resolves on its own and it goes without leaving any lasting marks or evidence that it was even there.

Below, find a few tips and baby acne treatments that might provide some relief until everything clears up:

• Just as with adult acne, do not squeeze, pick at, or scrub baby acne.
• Cleanse the affected area with warm water two or three times a day. Gently pat your baby’s skin dry.
• Do NOT use soap or lotion on baby acne, as these can irritate the issue or even dry the skin out.
• NEVER use adult acne treatments or skin care products on your baby.
• Try dabbing the affected area with breast milk to help speed the healing process.
• You can also ask your doctor about prescription or over-the-counter medication to safely treat baby acne.

Coconut oil for baby acne

Another baby acne treatment you might try at home (after speaking with your doctor) is near and dear to our hearts at Skinny & Co.: coconut oil. Coconut oil has been sued around the world as has been recommended by pediatricians as a natural treatment for baby acne.

The reason coconut oil is commonly recommended for treating acne (in both adults and babies) is because it contains anti-inflammatory properties that relieve redness and inflammation associated with acne. Coconut oil has also been said to fight acne causing bacteria due to its antibacterial properties, all while moisturizing the skin and lightening acne scars.

To use coconut oil to treat baby acne, simply apply a small amount to a cotton ball and gently apply it to the affected skin. And, if you’re unsure of what type of coconut oil would be best to use, we recommend Pure Baby, the purest coconut oil you can find on the market which was also designed with moms and babies in mind.

Final thoughts

Whether you choose to wait for your baby’s acne to clear up on its own or are willing to give some natural treatment options a try, just try not to stress yourself out too much, moms. And, again, keep your doctor updated if things appear to worsen or do not get better over time.