A Parent's Guide to Choosing Baby Skincare

A newborn's skin is thinner and loses moisture faster than adult skin, and its natural protective barrier is still developing in the first months. That doesn't mean it needs a complicated routine — if anything, less is more for the first few months.

Look for products labeled fragrance-free rather than "unscented," since unscented products sometimes still contain masking fragrance to cover the smell of other ingredients. Fragrance is one of the most common causes of irritation in baby products, even in babies with no known sensitivities.

A short ingredient list is generally a good sign. You don't need a lotion with twenty ingredients when a simple, well-formulated one with a handful of gentle, proven ingredients does the job just as well — and gives you fewer things that could cause a reaction.

Bath time doesn't need to be a daily event for very young babies; two to three times a week is usually plenty, with a plain-water rinse in between if needed. Over-bathing can actually dry out a newborn's skin faster than under-bathing.

If a rash, redness, or persistent irritation shows up after introducing a new product, stop using it and give the skin a break before trying anything else. Most reactions resolve quickly once the trigger is removed, but check with a pediatrician if it doesn't clear up within a few days.