How to soothe infant acne?

Infant acne occurs in 20% of newborns and is more common in boys during the first month of life. It manifests itself through the eruption of red spots on the baby's face. They generally appear on the forehead, cheeks, and chin of the baby. The chest, shoulders, and upper part of the back are rarely affected. This is a transient form of acne that disappears without treatment a few months after its onset.

This phenomenon is due to a surge of androgenic hormones in pregnant women, particularly towards the end of pregnancy. Saturated with hormones, the baby's body reacts by overproducing sebum, making their skin oily and causing spots. The potential role of a bacterium is also discussed.

No specific treatment is anticipated. Theuse of a gentle cleanser suitable for newborns is sufficient. Indeed, infant acne typically disappears within one to three weeks without leaving any scars. Exercise patience and gentleness.

There are certain actions to avoid when your baby has acne:

• Popping or scratching spots.

  Touching acne spots with your hands can lead to a bacterial superinfection. Consequently, the healing time may be prolonged. Besides leaving scars, a superinfection can have serious consequences on a baby's skin. Similarly, avoid rubbing the spots when you clean them daily, as this action promotes irritation. The use of a cotton pad or a sterile compress is therefore recommended.

• Apply oily treatments to the spots.

  Oily skincare products (cream, lotion, liniment, soap, oil...) promote the production of sebum. Their application can, on the contrary, trigger the appearance of spots on the baby's skin.

• Use treatments specifically designed for teenage acne.

  The skin of an infant is still fragile and immature. Using skincare products designed for teenagers or adults may potentially cause skin irritations.

Important : Do not hesitate to consult your paediatrician.

• VIDAURRI-DE LA CRUZ H. & al. Acne in the newborn. Medical Bulletin of the Children's Hospital of Mexico (2021).