Some of the natural home remedies to get rid of baby acne include usage of coconut oil, application of cornstarch, breast milk for baby acne, vinegar treatment, avoidance chemical detergents, nursing mother to change diet, power of honey and lemon, avoiding moisturizing the infected area, namely.
- What is Baby Acne?
- Cause of Baby Acne
- How Long Does Baby Acne Last?
- Home Remedies for treating Baby Acne
What is Baby Acne?
Baby acne is also known as neonatal acne and it affects newborn babies, especially infants around 2 months old. It is not a serious problem and therefore not a cause for concern. It automatically subsides in due course. Around 20% infants are affected by baby acne, which breaks out as pimples and tiny, red and white bumps on the skin.
Baby acne occurs mainly on the face area and not on the legs, chest or arms. When a newborn baby gets a breakout, new mothers often get anxious and consult a doctor. Invariably, doctors prescribe some topical treatment. However, there is no need to get stressed about baby acne as it gets cured naturally.
But to give your little angel some relief, use a home remedy instead of a topical treatment. Remember newborn babies have very delicate skin and no mother wants her young one to get exposed to concentrated medications at such a tender age.
New mothers have to deal with a lot of issues when it comes to their babies. If sleepless nights and changing nappies are not enough, sometimes babies get acne due to transfer of hormones from the mother to the baby. This transfer occurs through placenta.
Hormones are indeed important for development of organs, but they are also responsible for increasing the oil content in the skin. When the sebum in the skin increases in your baby, it leads to neonatal acne. It takes almost four weeks for baby acne to appear on a newborn’s skin and it is at its peaks when the baby is about two months old.
Read More: 11 Home Remedies For Treating Scars In Kids
How Long Does Baby Acne Last?
Though baby acne does not cause any kind of problem to the baby and clears off on its own, most mothers are concerned about it and the time it takes to clear up. It takes only a few weeks or a couple of months for neonatal acne to subside. A baby can have this skin condition till the age of six months.
What does baby acne look like?
As in adults, baby acne appears as red bumps or pimples. Reddish skin may surround the bumps and white pustules or whiteheads may also develop. Most commonly, acne is developed on the cheeks and it might develop on any part of the face. Some babies may also have acne on their back.
9 Effective Home Remedies to Get Rid of Baby Acne
If your baby has this skin condition, you may want to try some of the following home remedies. These remedies are a much better and baby friendly choice than topical medication prescribed by the doctor. They have no side effects and use natural ingredients to soothe and clear up the skin.
1. Power of Coconut Oil to Heal Baby Acne
Nothing can beat the soothing effect that coconut oil has on a baby’s skin. It acts as a hydrating agent for the skin and provides great results in case of baby acne. Just ensure you buy organic coconut oil that is unrefined. This type of oil also is known as extra virgin coconut oil.
Just put a few drops on some cotton wool and apply four times a day on your baby’s skin. Since it is chemical-free and natural, you have nothing to worry about. And, you will see a difference in a couple of days.
Read More: Health Benefits of Coconut Oil for Babies and Nursing Mothers
2.Cornstarch with Natural Drying Properties
Every kitchen has cornstarch and you don’t have to go too far to find this home remedy for neonatal acne. Cornstarch can dry skin naturally. Just mix it with a little water and apply on the affected area. It will work wonders on your baby’s sebaceous glands. Ensure you apply only a thin layer and let it dry.
Keep it for almost an hour and wash with the help of warm water. Apply it once a day and you will see positive results in the next two to three days.
3. Breast Milk, the Natural Elixir, for Baby Acne
There is no substitute for breast milk. It is the nourishment that makes your baby strong and gives him or her ability to fight common ailments. Breast milk also works wonders with baby acne. Soak a cotton ball in some breast milk and apply on the affected area three to four times a day. Many mothers notice a difference immediately after application of the milk.
Read more: 31 Foods to Increase Breast Milk
4. Vinegar Treatment for Baby Acne
Vinegar is a great treatment to cure baby acne. It is supposed to kill the bacteria present on the skin and soak up unwanted oil. There are pre-made vinegars for baby acne available readily in the market. You can buy those or make your own solution at home. Since a baby’s skin is very delicate and sensitive, remember never to use concentrated vinegar. It will burn your baby’s skin. Mix one part vinegar in ten parts water and use a cotton ball to dab this solution on the affected area.
Don’t apply this solution on to the baby’s complete face right away. Instead first apply it on the inner part of the baby’s wrist to see whether your baby reacts adversely. If the skin turns red or inflamed, do not use this home remedy on your baby.
Read More: 11 Tips For Taking Care Of Your Kids Skin
5. The Power of Honey and Lemon
Lemon and honey both have an outstanding effect on the skin. In fact, they are considered the best treatment for delicate skin and what can be more delicate than your baby’s skin!
Mix honey and lemon juice in equal proportions and apply with cotton wool on the affected area of the skin. Let it rest for half an hour and then rinse using warm water.
6. Change in Diet of Nursing Mothers
To clear up your baby’s skin, you would have to make some sacrifices. Change your diet and stop drinking dandelion tea, cut down on dairy products, sugar and citrus fruits. These food items can have negative effects on a baby’s skin. Reduce your intake of anything too sweet or sour and you will find your baby’s acne automatically starts subsiding.
Read:7 Foods to Avoid While Breastfeeding Your Baby
7. Don’t Moisturize the Affected Area
Baby acne emerges mostly on the baby’s face, especially the forehead, chin and cheeks. Since the skin already has so much oil, it is counterproductive to apply an oil or oil-based moisturizer.
Instead, try and keep your baby’s skin clear of any oil by cleaning the face with cotton wool soaked in warm water. Give your baby a daily bath, as usual, but refrain from moisturizing the skin.
8. Don’t Use Chemical Detergents
Don’t use any fabric conditioner or chemical-laden detergents. Instead, clean your baby’s clothes with natural, organic detergent. Sometimes clothes also affect a baby’s skin and this can go unnoticed by mothers. Try doing this and you will definitely see changes in your baby’s skin condition.
9. Sandalwood heals tiny infected spots
An emulsion or paste of sandalwood is a cooling dressing in inflammatory and eruptive skin diseases such as acne. The sandalwood oil missed with twice its quantity of mustard oil is used for removing pimples. In summers, regular application of sandalwood paste on the body, especially for children, has a refreshing effect, which heals any tiny infected spots. ( Herbs that Heal, H.K. Bakhru)
Read More: 11 Amazing Benefits of Sandalwood Essential Oil for Kids
How to get rid of baby acne: Quick Tips
- Do not equate baby acne with adolescent acne. One should never prick, pinch or pop baby acne.
- Avoid using strong topical creams and solutions containing salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
- Never ever use astringents on baby skin.
- Don’t apply lotions that can clog the pores. Instead of using a moisturizing lotion, opt for an oil-free moisturizing baby wash till acne clears. If the baby has very dry skin, apply a very little amount of baby moisturizing lotion and that too on the body and not the face.
- It is important to keep drying baby’s face after drooling or spitting. If moisture stays for long around the mouth, it can worsen the acne on the chin. Make your child wear a bib always to clean the face frequently.
- Ensure your baby does not scratch her or his skin till baby acne is there. Even if the baby wears mittens and scratches the face, chances of serious skin infection increases.
- Mothers who are breastfeeding should avoid having too many fruits, especially fruits that are too sweet. Citrus fruits like oranges have a tendency to cause skin allergies in infants.
- Whenever using any home remedy on a baby’s skin, do a patch test for allergy first. If there is a sign of irritation, don’t use the remedy.
- Check for rashes and acne elsewhere on the baby’s body. Baby acne usually appears on the face, but if it appears elsewhere in the body, immediately consult your doctor. It can be cradle cap or eczema.
Follow these natural home remedies for baby acne and see how quickly they produce results and give back your baby her or his soft, smooth skin.
How to prevent Baby acne?
Baby acne has no specific cause and occurs spontaneously. So there are no recommended preventive measures to prevent. But still you can follow some guidelines to keep your baby’s skin soft and healthy.
- Have a regular bath routine for your baby.
- Use clean and comfortable clothes.
- Change diapers frequently.
- Keep the skin amply dry or moist.
- Avoid scratching or poking at any rash.
When to See a Doctor?
There is no particular treatment for baby acne. But if you are still worried about it, consult your pediatrician. A general checkup visit is the best time to ask your queries regarding baby acne and other things related to your baby’s health.
Sometimes, what you assume baby acne might be allergic reaction or eczema. If it is allergic reaction, doctor will review ways to remove the allergen. And eczema can be treated with over-the-counter products.
