Newborn Skin Care: A Simple Guide for UK Parents

7 min read

Quick answer: Newborn skin needs very little: use plain water only for at least the first month, with no soap or bath products, and avoid lotions, oils and emollients in the first month unless a healthcare professional advises otherwise. Bath your baby 2–3 times a week and top and tail in between. Peeling, milia and baby acne are normal and clear on their own.

What parents need to know

Newborn skin may look perfect, but it's going through a huge transition in the first weeks of life. Before birth, your baby was surrounded by amniotic fluid; now they're exposed to air, clothing, and temperature changes. Understanding what's normal — and what your newborn's skin actually needs — can save you a lot of worry and unnecessary product purchases.

What's normal on newborn skin?

You may notice several things on your newborn's skin that look unusual but are normal:

Vernix: The white, waxy coating some babies are born with. It's protective, and the NHS says it should always be left on the skin.
Peeling: Almost all newborn skin peels in the first 1–2 weeks. This is normal and doesn't require treatment.
Newborn spots (milia): Tiny white bumps, usually on the nose and cheeks. Common and self-resolving.
Baby acne: Pimple-like spots that can appear at 2–6 weeks due to maternal hormones. Usually clears on its own within weeks.
Stork marks / salmon patches: Pink patches on the neck, eyelids, or forehead. Usually fade over time.
Mongolian blue spots: Bluish patches on the lower back or buttocks, common in babies with darker skin. Benign and usually fade.
Erythema toxicum: A blotchy rash with yellow-white spots that affects up to half of newborns in the first few days. Looks alarming but is harmless.

NHS guidance on newborn skincare

The NHS explains that over the first month, or longer for premature babies, your baby's skin matures and develops its own natural protective barrier. The key points:

Use plain water only for at least the first month, with no soap and no bath products.
Avoid all skin products including baby lotion, oils, and emollients in the first month unless advised by a healthcare professional.
This includes olive oil and sunflower oil, which were previously recommended but have now been found to potentially damage the skin barrier in some newborns.
If you want to use moisturiser after the newborn period, choose unfragranced, baby-specific products.

Baby bathing with soap on head in red tub

Bathing your newborn

Your baby doesn't need a bath every day. 2–3 times a week is plenty. The rest of the time, "topping and tailing" (cleaning the face, neck folds, hands, and nappy area with plain warm water) is sufficient.

When you do give a full bath:

The Crib

When you give your newborn a full bath

2–3 baths a week is plenty, with topping and tailing in between

Use a small baby bath or sink with warm (not hot) water — test the temperature with your elbow

Never leave your baby unattended in water, even for a second

Keep baths short (around 5 minutes) in the early weeks

Pat the skin dry gently rather than rubbing, paying attention to skin folds

Sources: NICE, NHS, NCT. General information, not medical advice.

Nappy area care

Change nappies frequently, at every feed in the early weeks. At each change:

Clean the area with warm water and cotton wool (or alcohol-free, fragrance-free baby wipes)
Allow the skin to dry completely before putting on a fresh nappy
A barrier cream (zinc oxide-based) can help prevent nappy rash if your baby is prone to it

When to choose baby skincare products

Once past the newborn stage (4–6 weeks+), if you want to use products, choose those that are:

Fragrance-free
Formulated specifically for babies
Minimal ingredients
Free from known irritants (parabens, SLS, artificial colour)

Infatot’s range includes teething, feeding and sensory-play products. Check each item’s material details and care instructions; for advice about a skin concern, speak to your health visitor, pharmacist or GP.

When to get help

Call 999 or go to A&E if your baby:

has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it
has pale, blue, grey or blotchy skin, lips or tongue (on brown or black skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet)
is having difficulty breathing (grunting noises, their tummy sucking in under the ribs, or breathing very fast)
has sudden swelling of their lips, mouth, throat or tongue
is difficult to wake, or is not responding like they usually do
has a rash and a stiff neck, or is bothered by light
has a very high temperature: 38°C or higher if they are under 3 months old, or 39°C or higher if they are 3 to 6 months old
has a very low temperature (less than 36°C), or feels cold to touch or is shivery
has skin that feels cold or damp (clammy) to touch

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if your baby:

has a rash that has become worse, or skin around a rash that looks red, swollen or feels hot to touch (possible infection)
has blistered skin, when it is not chickenpox or sunburn
has a rash as well as a high temperature
does not want to feed, or is not their usual self and you are worried
has yellow skin or yellow whites of the eyes (jaundice) and is over 24 hours old

Call 999 or go to A&E if your baby has jaundice and is less than 24 hours old, is sleepier than normal or difficult to wake, is not feeding, is floppy or stiff, has a temperature of 38°C or more or 36°C or less, has not had any wet nappies, or has difficulty breathing.

See your GP or health visitor if your baby's skin is excessively dry, inflamed or itchy (possible eczema).

Frequently asked questions

How often should I bath my newborn?

Two to three times a week is plenty. In between, topping and tailing (cleaning the face, neck folds, hands and nappy area with plain warm water) is enough. Keep early baths short, around five minutes.

Is it normal for a newborn's skin to peel?

Yes. Almost all newborn skin peels in the first one to two weeks. It's normal and doesn't require treatment.

When should I see a GP about my baby's skin?

Call 999 or go to A&E if your baby has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it, their skin, lips or tongue look pale, blue, grey or blotchy, they are having difficulty breathing, or they have a temperature of 38°C or higher and are under 3 months old, or 39°C or higher and are 3 to 6 months old. Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if a rash is getting worse or the skin around it looks red, swollen or feels hot, their skin is blistered, they have a rash with a high temperature, or they look yellow (jaundice) and are over 24 hours old. See your GP or health visitor if the skin is excessively dry, inflamed or itchy.

Sources & further reading

General information, not individual medical advice. Speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor about your baby’s needs.