Baby Acne: How to treat baby acne naturally

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Baby acne is quite a common occurrence. When your precious baby is around four weeks old, their beautiful face may – to your dismay – break out with red bumps. This usually comes as a complete surprise. It can also be confusing because they may seem to come and go at different times – they may be more visible more when your baby is overheated, fussy or upset, and be practically unnoticeable at other times.  Acne can also appear worse if baby’s skin comes into contact with cloth washed in harsh detergents, or becomes wet from saliva or milk.

You may be concerned about how these pimples look and about their significance.  Although the appearance of baby acne may be troubling to you, it is a very common condition that is completely harmless and usually takes disappears without a trace within a few weeks or months.

Doctors agree that baby acne is a direct result of the mother’s hormone levels when she is giving birth. In other words, they are a fleeting reminder of your past bodily connection between yourself and your baby. Just before birth, mother’s hormones cross the placenta and enter the baby’s bloodstream. What you may not know, this stimulated vital, last-minute physical development of the baby’s vital organs, such as increasing the size of the lungs in order to prepare them for breathing air. It just so happens that the same hormones also stimulate oil production in the baby’s skin, in many cases causing the pimples to appear on your son’s or daughter’s face.

Fleshy or red pimples can be present at birth, but typically appear at 3 to 4 weeks of age. They occur predominately on the cheeks, but are also quite common on the forehead and chin. Whiteheads are sometimes present. This condition tends to come and go until the baby is between 4 and 6 months old.

It’s best to let the acne run its course. You may gently cleanse your baby’s face once a day with water, and perhaps a mild baby soap. Do not use lotions or oils, as they can make the condition worse. The oil glands will disappear, and you won’t see the acne again until you precious baby becomes a teenager. This time, however, their own hormones will be responsible for the acne onset.

If baby acne does become severe or it lasts for more than six months, you may  consult a pediatrician. The pediatrician will assess the severity of your baby’s acne and offer a gentle medication to assist with healing or they will recommend that you allow it to run its course.

Read more about Acne Skin Care: Acne Removal using natural methods.