Baby acne: everything you need to know

When you think acne, you usually think of gangly teens getting ravaged by puberty. But that’s not always the case! In fact, acne can affect a wide range of people and is surprisingly common in pregnant women and newborn babies. While it may sound odd, when you know the common culprit behind acne in teens, pregnant women and newborn babies is hormones, things start to make more sense. We asked Natasha Cook, Dermatologist MBBS [Hons] FACD and the Founder of Dr Natasha Cook TM Cosmeceuticals about exactly why babies get acne and what new parents can do about it...

RELATED: What causes teenage acne

So, how do you know if your baby has acne?

Don’t go expecting the same angry, inflamed spots you sported in high school! Baby acne doesn't present like teen or adult acne, in fact, it appears, “bumpy and can look the same colour as the skin or be light pink in colour,” explains Cook. But she warns that if your baby’s skin looks flaky or scaly that this is not the same thing, so you should head to a GP or dermatologist.

How common is baby acne?

It’s common – so there is no need for new parents to stress (although that’s far easier said than done). “It can appear at birth or turn up weeks after on the chin, cheeks, forehead and chin. Some little ones even get it on their back and shoulders,” says Cook.

What causes baby acne?

“Baby acne is considered to be caused by a transfer of hormones from the mother in the final weeks of pregnancy,” explains Cook. “This hormonal transfer stimulates the old gland of the baby, causing the breakouts.” And it can become more aggravated by things like, “saliva, vomit, fabric or when the baby has an intense crying fit or if it’s really hot,” says Cook.

What can you do to treat baby acne?

In short: not a whole lot. “Apart from waiting for the hormones to leave the body,” there’s not a lot you can do treat acne, says Cook. And you shouldn’t try to do a lot either because it can backfire. Some treatments can, “dry and inflame the skin, making things worse,” explains Cook. “Keep the routine simple, gentle cleansing, not over washing and a little bit of moisturiser. With time it will naturally settle down.”

Did your newborn get baby acne?

32 Member Comments

aoperez 27 May 2019 11:30 PM

This is an interesting article and worth finding out about - especially for expectant mothers...

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Peggy Rothchild 14 May 2019 3:17 AM

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skincare junkie 5 Apr 2019 4:52 PM

Baby acne is a real thing and it could be distressing for new mums who did not know what's going on.

Snailor 28 Mar 2019 7:21 PM

I had no idea baby’s got acne...but it sounds so cute!!

skincare junkie 5 Apr 2019 4:53 PM

My daughter had acne from 4 weeks to about 2 months old. Cute wasn't a word that came to my mind at the time! Looking back it wasn't necessary to get worried about it.

Peach perfect 21 Mar 2019 8:20 AM

Now that's something I hadn't heard of. Poor little things.

Lucrecia629 15 Mar 2019 1:54 PM

That's one of the great things about those recommended well baby visits during those early days. Babies can have a lot of skin issues that freak their parents out. Even with my older kids, "just" a rash often prompts a visit to the GP. When in doubt, see the doc!

perthchick 12 Mar 2019 5:04 PM

Doctor thought she did. Ended up being a virus and given antibotics. She had it for 6-8 weeks.

peachsbeauty 12 Mar 2019 2:01 AM

Baby acne’s nothing. If you’re baby has eczema that’s the real kicker :(

clearcrystalwater 25 Mar 2019 1:04 PM

Yeah I know what you are saying peachsbeauty - my first baby had the eczema (thankfully she's now 21 and able to monitor it herself). My last baby had the pimples though!!

Jessica712 11 Mar 2019 9:36 PM

Interesting, I didnt realise babies got acne.

ThisIsMe 8 Mar 2019 11:35 AM

I had no idea babies could get acne either!? Mine didn't have it luckily.

Lucy16 7 Mar 2019 9:35 PM

My bubs didn’t get it but they both had cradle cap.

Lucy16 7 Mar 2019 9:33 PM

Your Mum!

Chrystalage 5 Mar 2019 10:34 PM

I wonder if pets get acne. We've covered all other possibilities here.......

MoonlightSak16 5 Mar 2019 3:21 PM

I didn't know babies also got acne.

Gilded 5 Mar 2019 1:05 PM

Acne on babies? Poor things.

clearcrystalwater 5 Mar 2019 11:46 AM

I wish I could have read this article 14 years ago when my baby had it! bh wasn't around back then but I'm glad it is now!!

Beautybabe140194 4 Mar 2019 7:37 PM

Had never heard of this before. Very interesting read about the cause of it and how to treat.

Yohanna 4 Mar 2019 1:51 PM

No...not the baby acne. Now I have heard everything.

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MoonlightSak16 5 Mar 2019 3:18 PM

Lol Yohanna you are too funny.

Kassalee 4 Mar 2019 4:54 PM

You stole my comment Yohanna! Hope you get notification of this :)

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Yohanna 4 Mar 2019 5:06 PM

They are back Kassalee! [acne...cough] comment notifications

clearcrystalwater 4 Mar 2019 8:28 AM

My first two babies didn't but my third did. It just goes to show how different each pregnancy and each baby can be!

AndreaD 3 Mar 2019 4:00 PM

I've never heard of baby acne!

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Baby acne: everything you need to know