Newborn skin: soft, squishy, and oh-so-kissable. But behind that perfect glow is something many new parents don’t know — a baby’s skin barrier is still a work in progress, and it needs a very different kind of care from ours.
“People assume baby skin is just miniature adult skin — but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” says Karen Van Resnburg, brand manager at Sanosan South Africa. “It’s thinner, more sensitive, and far more vulnerable to damage.”
Understanding how baby skin functions is the first step to protecting it — and when it comes to keeping it healthy, the golden rule is simple: less is more.
At birth, a baby’s skin is still adjusting to life outside the womb. For nine months, they’ve been cocooned in a perfectly warm, moist environment. Once exposed to air, their skin must start regulating temperature, absorbing moisture, and defending against germs — all on its own.
Here’s what makes baby skin so different:
- It’s up to 30% thinner than adult skin, which means irritants can penetrate more easily.
- The acid mantle — a thin, protective layer on the surface — is still forming, making babies more prone to dryness and infection.
- Baby skin loses moisture twice as fast as adult skin, which is why it can become flaky or red after birth.
Newborns don’t get dirty the way adults do. They’re not running around, sweating, or exposed to pollution. Yet many parents instinctively reach for soaps, bubble baths, and wipes multiple times a day — thinking more cleaning equals better care.
“The truth is, over-washing can strip a baby’s skin of natural oils and disrupt the protective barrier,” explains Karen. “This can lead to dryness, irritation, and in some cases, conditions like eczema.”
Moisturising can be helpful — especially if the skin is dry or flaky — but it’s easy to overdo it. Slathering on thick lotions too often can clog tiny pores or interfere with the skin’s natural development.
“Unless your baby’s skin is visibly dry or a healthcare professional has advised it, daily moisturising isn’t always necessary,” says Karen. “The key is to be gentle, responsive, and not overly reactive to every change in your baby’s skin.”
How to support the skin barrier — simply and safely
- Limit baths to 2–3 times per week in the early weeks. Use lukewarm water and avoid products with fragrance or harsh foaming agents.
- Choose mild, pH-balanced cleansers designed specifically for babies such as Sanosan Baby Care Soap — and only use them where needed (like the nappy area), and be sure to rinse thoroughly.
- Pat skin dry, don’t rub, and apply a gentle, baby-safe moisturiser only if needed — ideally one that supports the natural lipid layer. Sanosan’s Baby Care Lotion is a moisturising formula with natural milk protein, panthenol and chamomile that soothes the skin. The amino acid chain in milk protein forms a protective layer on baby skin; this considerably reduces moisture loss.
- Stick to cotton clothing and wash baby clothes in fragrance-free detergent to avoid irritation.
- Avoid adult skincare products, even if they’re “gentle” or “natural.” Baby skin needs specially formulated care.
Most importantly, parents should know that a little goes a long way. Newborn skin is designed to adapt and strengthen over time. In many cases, it simply needs space to do what it’s naturally built to do.
“So much of early parenting is driven by love and a desire to protect,” says Karen. “But when it comes to your baby’s skin, protection sometimes means stepping back — and letting nature take the lead.”
Newborn skin care doesn’t need to be complicated. With a bit of knowledge and a less-is-more approach, you can help your baby develop strong, healthy skin — one gentle step at a time.
