In the previous post, “ #70 Baby Skin Problems”, we discussed skin issues that can affect babies.
In this article, we’ll discuss what kind of skincare routine you should follow to address this issue.

Prevent Skin Problems in 3 StepsThe Basics of Skincare

Baby skincare is very simple.
By following these 3 steps — “cleanse, moisturize, and protect” — you can prevent skin problems.
Since a newborn’s skin is so clear right after birth, it’s easy to think, “My baby doesn’t have any skin problems, so I don’t need to do anything,” once you’re discharged from the hospital. However, it has been proven that applying moisturizer starting in the neonatal period reduces the risk of developing atopic dermatitis.
One of the characteristics of a baby’s skin is that it is very thin—about half as thick as an adult’s—and its ability to retain moisture and its barrier function, which protects the skin from external irritants and dryness, are still underdeveloped, making it very delicate and prone to skin problems.
Therefore, it is important to moisturize your skin as part of your daily skincare routine and keep its barrier function healthy.

Skin Problems in BabiesTreatment and Prevention

○ Tips for Dealing with Dry Skin It's important to keep the room humid, so use a humidifier to prevent it from getting too dry.
It's also important to keep your baby's skin clean.
〈 Treatment 〉 Wash gently with lukewarm water to avoid damaging the delicate skin. Use a mildly acidic body wash, soap, or baby soap (Betta Baby Soap) that is as gentle as possible on the skin, and wash gently. Using a sponge or towel may irritate the skin, so wash with soft gauze or the palm of your hand. Apply moisturizing cream after washing.
〈 Prevention 〉 To prevent dry skin, make it a daily habit to apply a generous amount of moisturizing baby lotion (Betta Baby First Gel Lotion) or cream all over your body to keep your skin consistently hydrated.
Use a humidifier regularly to maintain proper indoor humidity, and avoid long baths and hot water, which can be irritating.


○ Diaper Rash If urine or stool remains in contact with the buttocks for a long time, it can cause skin inflammation on the buttocks, the inner thighs, and other areas.
〈 Treatment 〉 If there is only mild redness, apply over-the-counter petroleum jelly to protect the area from irritation. If the redness does not improve after applying petroleum jelly, or if the diarrhea worsens and symptoms become severe, consult a pediatrician or dermatologist.
〈 Prevention 〉 Check your baby’s bottom frequently, and change the diaper immediately if it’s wet. After a bowel movement, wash your baby’s bottom with lukewarm water or wipe it with a tissue thoroughly moistened with water. Keeping the skin clean and letting it air-dry helps prevent diaper rash.
It’s also important to choose breathable diapers and to occasionally remove the diaper to give the skin some time to breathe.


○ Infant Seborrheic Dermatitis It appears on areas of the body where sebum production is high—such as the scalp, between the eyebrows, the face, and around the ears—but the symptoms usually subside naturally starting at 3 months of age, as sebum production decreases.
〈 Treatment 〉 The basic treatment is to wash your head and body thoroughly in the bath once a day and apply moisturizer.
Soap residue can cause skin irritation, so be sure to rinse thoroughly.
Scabs can be removed by softening them with baby oil or a similar product before washing. In most cases, the condition will heal on its own, but if the itching is severe or if it doesn’t improve even after 1 to 2 months, please see a dermatologist.
〈 Prevention 〉 Excess sebum on the forehead and scalp can clog pores, so be sure to wash thoroughly with the pads of your fingers using baby shampoo (Betta Baby Soap).
Since a baby’s skin is delicate, the general rule is to wash gently without rubbing; however, it’s okay to scrub the scalp a bit more vigorously. It’s important to thoroughly remove excess sebum and dirt.


○ Atopic Dermatitis This is a skin condition characterized by chronic inflammation triggered by a weakened skin barrier.
It is characterized by severe itching, eczema, and thickening of the skin.
〈 Treatment 〉 Applying a gentle moisturizer (Betta Baby First Gel Lotion) immediately after a bath or washing your face helps your skin retain moisture. Avoid soaps with strong cleansing properties and use a mild, baby-safe cleanser (Betta Baby Soap), then rinse thoroughly.
It is also important to maintain a moderate level of humidity in the room. Using a humidifier is particularly effective during the winter months. Avoid clothing made of irritating materials (such as synthetic fibers) as well as harsh detergents and fabric softeners, and choose clothing made from skin-friendly materials. If your symptoms do not improve or if they interfere with your daily life, seek advice from a specialist as soon as possible.


○ Heat Rash This rash occurs when the openings of the sweat glands become blocked, trapping sweat beneath the skin. It is characterized by small, red, bumpy lesions and may be accompanied by itching or a mild, prickling pain.
〈 Treatment 〉 If your baby shows these symptoms, rinse them off in the shower to clean their skin and keep them in a cool environment. They will get better on their own.
〈 Prevention 〉 Since these symptoms are caused by sweating, choose breathable clothing appropriate for the temperature and humidity. Also, maintain appropriate indoor temperature and humidity levels to prevent your baby from sweating excessively. In addition, it’s important to give your baby regular showers or baths to gently wash away sweat and dirt and keep them clean.


○ Neonatal Acne Although all cases of baby acne are caused by overactive sebaceous glands, it can appear as early as 2 to 3 weeks after birth.
〈 Treatment 〉 It is important to remove sebum buildup during bath time, gently wash your baby with a baby soap suited to their skin, and rinse thoroughly.
Newborn acne usually does not require any special treatment and clears up on its own within a few weeks to a few months.
The key is to keep your baby’s skin clean.
〈 Prevention 〉 Please make a point of keeping your skin clean by always being mindful of dirt, such as sebum.


Skin problems in babies can be prevented to some extent through proper skincare.
However, if the symptoms do not improve—especially if a fever persists—there may be an underlying medical condition, so please do not try to diagnose the problem yourself; instead, take your baby to a pediatrician.
I believe it’s precisely because moms are with their babies every day that they’re the ones who notice these skin problems.