Everything you need to know about baby skin

06/03/2025

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Camille A.

Soft, delicate, and naturally scented, your baby's skin evokes tenderness and purity. But did you know that your baby's skin is much more fragile than that of an adult? Because it is still developing, it deserves special attention, as well as appropriate care.

At birth, your newborn's skin does not have all the weapons it needs to be protected and face the aggressions of the external environment. With a weak barrier effect, a fine structure and a developing microbiome, baby's skin is naturally prone to dehydration, irritation and redness.

In this article, you will discover the specificities of infant skin, as well as our best advice for taking care of it and taking care of your little one.

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Baby skin: what are the differences with adult skin?

Although, like adult skin, infant skin is made up of three layers (epidermis, dermis, hypodermis), it is distinguished by several aspects, making it more fragile and more reactive¹.

Thinner skin

With an epidermis approximately 30% thinner than that of adults and smaller cells, the skin barrier of newborns is weaker than that of adults, making infant skin generally more fragile and vulnerable.

An immature skin system

In infants and babies, the skin system is not yet fully developed:

The sebaceous glands produce very few protective lipids, reducing the effectiveness of the barrier function and the hydration of the skin.
The hydrolipidic film is still non-existent. In adult skin, it helps regulate natural hydration and protect the skin. In newborns, the absence of a hydrolipidic film promotes dehydration and makes the skin more vulnerable to external substances and aggressions.
Infants' sweat glands are naturally underactive, so the baby's skin does not yet really regulate body temperature.
Melanin production is also greatly reduced, making infant skin extremely vulnerable to UV radiation.
The pH of baby skin (just below 7) is slightly less acidic than adult skin (5.5), increasing its permeability².
The newborn's cutaneous immune system is immature but functional. Considered the body's first line of defense, the skin has its own immune defenses, allowing it to fight infections and play its protective role in the body. At birth, the immune system, and in particular that of the skin, is not fully operational. All cutaneous immune cells (Langerhans cells, macrophages, epidermal T cells, etc.) must still acquire their immunological skills².

Thus, due to its immaturity, the baby's skin is generally very vulnerable to its environment.

The environment of babies' skin

Still developing, the infant's skin is strongly impacted by its environment. So taking care of your baby means taking into consideration different external factors that are specific to him.

The mode of birth

Composed of various microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts, fungi, etc.), the skin microbiome plays a major role in our health and that of our skin. In utero, the skin of the fetus is sterile. At birth, colonization begins. Caesarean section or vaginal delivery influence the formation of the newborn's skin microbiome³.

After birth, this ecosystem gradually develops, while the baby's skin passes from a soft, liquid and protected environment to the external environment which exposes it to all kinds of substances (pollution, care products, laundry, clothing and textiles, hygiene, etc.) and climatic variations (temperature changes, dry air, heating, air conditioning, etc.).

So, your newborn's skin has to adapt considerably, with sometimes some reactions. The vernix caseosa, this oily film on the surface of the skin, is eliminated when the infant is washed, depriving it of moisturizing and anti-infectious protection. In addition, we also observe significant natural desquamation, characteristic of the first days of life, which weakens the epidermis⁴.

Wearing diapers

Prolonged diaper wear creates a moist, occlusive environment, which weakens the skin barrier and promotes irritation, maceration and infections, such as diaper rash.
In addition, your baby is restless and moving! Their movements, often uncontrolled, cause friction between the diaper and the skin. This friction promotes redness and skin irritation.

Clothing can also be responsible for unpleasant friction for your child. Synthetic textiles do not allow good breathability, and increase your baby's perspiration, promoting redness and irritation. Natural materials such as cotton are preferable. And it is advisable to avoid tight clothing, as it particularly increases friction at the level of skin folds.

Feeding the newborn

This is a major factor in your baby's life. Breastfeeding or formula? Each feeding method has its own characteristics. Breast milk provides your child with antibodies and anti-inflammatory factors that help protect their skin. Studies show that breastfed babies have skin that is less prone to irritation⁵.
In the case of infant formula feeding, skin reactions may occur, especially if the baby has an intolerance to cow's milk proteins (CMP). Redness, dry patches or atopic eczema may indicate an intolerance.

Then, when food diversification begins, skin reactions may appear due to food sensitivities with:

Hives or redness around the mouth. Especially after eating allergenic foods (eggs, peanuts, exotic fruits, etc.).
A worsening of eczema that is already present, accentuated by the consumption of certain foods (milk, wheat, citrus fruits, etc.).
Contact dermatitis. Generally observed with acidic foods (tomatoes, citrus fruits) that irritate the baby's skin.

Hygiene products

Bathing and products associated with your newborn's hygiene can cause skin problems. Harsh or perfumed soaps can damage the delicate skin barrier and dry out the skin. Some products and wipes may contain irritating substances (alcohol, perfumes, preservatives). Or, bathing too frequently (every day or more than once a day) can make the skin more dry.

How to take care of your baby's skin?

To take care of your baby's skin, it is important to choose products specifically designed and adapted to their physiology and vulnerability.

Here are some criteria to take into consideration when choosing your baby products:

Moisturizing and nourishing formulas
A proper balance between hydration and nutrition is necessary to give baby's still immature skin the ability to protect itself effectively against daily aggressions. Choosing skincare products that provide this balance allows you to:
- Prevent dehydration: Well-hydrated skin is better equipped to fight external aggressions, such as cold, wind or friction from clothing. It will also be more comfortable for baby. Choose formulas rich in dermatological moisturizing agents such as glycerin or urea.
- Strengthen the skin barrier: baby's skin lacks a hydrolipidic film, which makes it more vulnerable. The use of moisturizing creams or balms rich in lipid-replenishing agents (beeswax, vegetable oils, shea butter) helps to compensate for this deficit. In addition, skincare products containing active ingredients that strengthen the cohesion of the skin barrier, such as chestnut for example, should be favored.
Formulas specifically developed for babies
- Formulas with optimal tolerance tested under dermatological and pediatric control to minimize the risk of allergies and guarantee perfect safety.
- Formulas without irritant agents (alcohol, highly concentrated perfume) which can irritate babies' skin.
- Gentle and minimalist formulations: a reduced list of ingredients limits the risk of reactions. Opt for formulas with gentle ingredients that are familiar to the skin, such as glycerin, beeswax, aloe vera, gentle vegetable oils (sweet almond, sunflower), etc.
- Formulas that respect the pH of babies' skin: to suit infant skin, care products must respect its neutral pH (around 7) or slightly acidic (<7).
A short skincare routine
Healthy infant skin requires only an essential skincare routine, formulated to respect its delicate balance. No need to multiply products, a minimalist approach is enough to preserve the softness and natural protection of your skin:
- A gentle cleanser: opt for a cleansing gel, syndet or superfatted liquid soap, suitable for the body and hair. Avoid formulas that are too aggressive or too perfumed, and opt for products specifically developed for the sensitive skin of little ones.
- A moisturizing treatment: baby skin, even without marked dryness, needs daily hydration. A fluid milk, easy to apply, helps maintain skin suppleness and comfort.
- A diaper care, if necessary: in case of irritation or redness, or even as a preventative measure, a protective diaper cream helps to soothe and strengthen the skin barrier of this sensitive area;
- For on-the-go diaper changes, gentle, fragrance-free wipes with minimal ingredients offer a convenient solution while respecting your baby's delicate skin.
Other actions to take
In addition to specific baby care, it is recommended to:
- Limit baths that are too frequent, too long and too hot, which dry out the child's skin. It is not necessary to bathe your baby every day; a cat wash every other day is enough.
- To soften the bath water, you can add a few drops of vegetable oils.
- Dry the skin carefully after each bath, dabbing it gently: especially in skin folds (neck, armpits, thighs, inside of knees, buttocks).
- Protect the skin against UV rays: especially by avoiding exposing your child, but also with suitable clothing and protection (covering clothing, hat). Never expose a baby to the sun without protection.

For your baby, we have designed the BABY skincare range , dermatological care specifically adapted to infant skin, for a moment of well-being and soothing. At Topicrem, our expertise in sensitive skin for over 30 years allows us to formulate safe, gentle and highly tolerant products.

Because your little one's skin deserves the best, our care products are developed with the highest standards to protect, moisturize and soothe with complete confidence. Parents can count on formulas tested under pediatric and dermatological control, to take care of baby with complete peace of mind.

Finally, if your baby's skin is prone to eczema, it is important to choose suitable skin care products, which a pediatrician can recommend.

When to switch from baby products to children's products?

The transition from baby products to children's products should follow the evolution of the skin over the first years of life, which gradually becomes more resistant.
At this age, the skin barrier strengthens: the epidermis thickens, the microbiome becomes more stable and sebum production regulates, making the skin less reactive and prone to irritation.

On the other hand, even after 3 years, care must remain adapted to the skin sensitivity of children. It is preferable to opt for gentle formulas, without aggressive ingredients, and to favor care specially designed for sensitive skin. Finally, suitable sun protection remains essential to protect their skin from external aggressions.

TOPICREM formulas have all been designed to provide protective hydration and preserve the skin barrier of sensitive skin for the whole family.

To do this, the laboratory relies on its expertise derived from pharmaceutical excellence:

Selection of high tolerance ingredients with proven effectiveness,
Development of formulas clinically tested on sensitive skin,
Effectiveness proven by science and approved by consumers.

Through the comfort and emotional well-being they provide, our treatments help you feel confident in your skin and in yourself, to better reveal yourself to others, and thus to fully enjoy every moment of life.

Bibliographic references:

¹Telofski LS, Morello AP 3rd, Mack Correa MC, Stamatas GN. The infant skin barrier: can we preserve, protect, and enhance the barrier? Dermatol Res Pract. 2012;2012:198789. doi:10.1155/2012/198789. Epub 2012 Sep 4. PMID: 22988452; PMCID: PMC3439947.
²Oranges T, Dini V, Romanelli M. Skin Physiology of the Neonate and Infant: Clinical Implications. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2015 Oct 1;4(10):587-595. doi:10.1089/wound.2015.0642. PMID: 26487977; PMCID: PMC4593874.
³Schoch JJ, Monir RL, Satcher KG, Harris J, Triplett E, Neu J. The infantile cutaneous microbiome: A review. Pediatr Dermatol. 2019 Sep;36(5):574-580. doi:10.1111/pde.13870. Epub 2019 Jul 23. PMID: 31332846.
⁴Blume-Peytavi U, Hauser M, Stamatas GN, Pathirana D, Garcia Bartels N. Skin care practices for newborns and infants: review of the clinical evidence for best practices. Pediatr Dermatol. 2012 Jan-Feb;29(1):1-14. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2011.01594.x. Epub 2011 Oct 20. PMID: 22011065.
⁵Davisse-Paturet C, Adel-Patient K, Forhan A, Lioret S, Annesi-Maesano I, Heude B, Charles MA, de Lauzon-Guillain B. Breastfeeding initiation or duration and longitudinal patterns of infections up to 2 years and skin rash and respiratory symptoms up to 8 years in the EDEN mother-child cohort. Maternal Child Nutr. 2020 Jul;16(3):e12935. doi:10.1111/mcn.12935. Epub 2020 Jan 22. PMID: 31970921; PMCID: PMC7296801.