There's nothing quite like new baby skin. It's beautifully soft, silky and - the part I love most - smells so fresh and brand new. But because it is so freshly minted, baby skin is more prone to becoming dry or blotchy or a little red for no reason you can see.
When my daughter was born, she was almost 10 pounds and seemed so robust for a newborn. So I was surprised when I started looking into how baby skin differs from ours. However strong and healthy your pēpi is, their skin is still being built. Research shows the skin barrier keeps developing for at least the first two years of life, and some measures don't reach adult levels until around age three or four.
If your baby's skin is a bit dry or patchy right now, that's usually normal. Plunket says most babies' skin settles by around three months. Of course, if you're at all concerned check with your midwife or other health professional.
Here's what I found, and what can help day-to-day.
1. Baby skin is thinner
The outer layer of skin, the stratum corneum, is the bit that keeps moisture in and irritants out. In studies comparing babies with adults, it measured around 30% thinner in the infants studied. The cells are smaller and more tightly packed too.
What this means is that things that wouldn't bother you could bother your wee one. A scratchy wool cardigan, a brisk towel rub, a strong cleanser or one with a fragrance. It might be obvious but instead of rubbing, pat dry, put soft cotton next to their skin, and go slowly when introducing any new products.
2. It handles moisture differently
Baby skin takes up and releases water differently from ours, and that keeps changing right through the first year. It's why skin that looks dewy straight after the bath can be dry again by the next nappy change. Heaters and being out in the wind don't help.
TIP: Keep baths short and warm, not hot. Plunket's tip is to test the water with the inside of your wrist. If you moisturise, do it while skin is still a little damp as this traps moisture to the skin. Keep it simple with no added fragrances, even natural ones.
After bathtime is where a lot of our mums reach for Kawakawa Balm. It soothes dry, itchy skin and is suitable for sensitive skin, with no water, fragrance, essential oils or almond oil. More than 856 five-star reviews later, it's still the one families tell us about most.
3. There's a lot of skin on a small body
Babies have a much higher ratio of skin surface area to body weight than we do. It's one reason I think products used on babies deserve a closer look.
That doesn't mean the shortest ingredient list always wins. It's about choosing what suits your baby. Read the full list, not just the front of the pack, and try one new product at a time so you can tell what's working.
4. A baby's acid mantle is still forming
Healthy adult skin is slightly acidic, around pH 5 to 5.5. That thin acidic layer is called the acid mantle, and it helps keep the skin barrier in good shape.
Newborns start out close to neutral. A 2025 review of newborn skin research found their skin becomes more acidic within the first few days and is close to the adult range by about one month.
For bath time, that means a gentle, soap-free wash made for babies. Plunket says to avoid antimicrobial cleansers and anything with chlorhexidine, as they're harsh on baby skin. I'd skip bubble baths and heavily fragranced products in the early months too.
Our Soothing Oat Bath Soak is a very fine organic oat and is a lovely option when baby is ready for bathing beyond just using water. Oats are naturally rich in beta-glucans, which help skin hold onto moisture and leave it feeling soft. They also contain saponins, natural soap-like compounds that cleanse gently without stripping.
5. They're more sensitive to the sun
Babies have less melanin in their skin, the pigment that gives skin some natural defence against UV. A 2011 review in the journal Pediatrics notes that UV changes in the skin may start as early as a baby's very first summer. With the UV we get here in Aotearoa, it's worth taking seriously from day one.
Under 6 months, Cancer Society NZ doesn't recommend sunscreen at all. Keep pēpi in the shade, in light clothing and a broad-brimmed hat. From 6 months, sunscreen can go on small areas of exposed skin, alongside shade and clothing, not instead of them. And remember that trees, umbrellas and buggy hoods still let some UV through.
You don't need a ten-step routine. Gentle, simple and consistent goes a long way. You'll find our favourites for little ones in the Mum & Bub collection.
Ngā mihi,
Georgina
Frequently asked questions
When does baby skin become like adult skin?
Gradually, over the first few years. Research shows the skin barrier is still developing through at least the first two years, and some measures don't reach adult levels until around age three or four.
Why is my baby's skin so dry?
The way baby skin holds and releases moisture is still developing through the first year and beyond. Plunket notes that most skin dryness clears up on its own. If you're worried, or the skin looks cracked, weepy or your baby seems unwell, talk to your GP or call PlunketLine on 0800 933 922.
How often should I bath my baby?
Plunket says you don't have to bath your baby every day. On some days, washing just the face, hands and bottom is enough.
What should I avoid on baby skin?
Plunket advises against talcum powder and antimicrobial or chlorhexidine cleansers. If you use a moisturiser, they suggest a simple one with no added perfumes. Even natural fragrances can be irritating for pēpi.
Can I use sunscreen on my newborn?
Cancer Society NZ doesn't recommend sunscreen for babies under six months. Keep them in the shade and use clothing and hats instead. From six months, sunscreen can be used on small areas of exposed skin, alongside other sun protection.
Sources
- Paller AS, et al. New insights about infant and toddler skin: implications for sun protection. Pediatrics. 2011;128(1):92-102. doi:10.1542/peds.2010-1079
- Nikolovski J, et al. Barrier function and water-holding and transport properties of infant stratum corneum are different from adult and continue to develop through the first year of life. J Invest Dermatol. 2008;128(7):1728-1736. doi:10.1038/sj.jid.5701239
- Walters RM, et al. Developmental changes in skin barrier and structure during the first 5 years of life. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2016;29(3):111-118. doi:10.1159/000444805
- Choi EH. Skin barrier function in neonates and infants. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2025;17(1):32-46. doi:10.4168/aair.2025.17.1.32
- Whānau Āwhina Plunket. Your baby's skin and Bathing.
- Cancer Society NZ. SunSmart.
