How to look after your baby’s delicate skin

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Your baby’s skin is so gentle, delicate and sensitive so what sort of skin care products are best to use?

There’s nothing quite as soft and delicate as your baby’s skin. However, it's also extremely sensitive and can easily become dry and  irritated. Both my babies suffered from all sorts of skin irritations from heat rash to baby eczema. So, I was always on the look-out for soothing creams and lotions to moisturise, nourish and protect their skin. It can be a matter of trial and error but, at the end of the day, you want to choose products that are custom designed for your child’s fine and gentle skin.

Caring for your baby's skin can also a time of one-on-one bonding, whether you’re bathing your baby, massaging their legs or doing a nappy change. You want to find the right skin care products to enhance this special time so that you and your baby both get the most out of it and enjoy these precious moments together each day.

There are so many baby skin care products out there, and it can be hard to know which ones are best. To help you out, we've sifted through to find the most suitable products, all of which come highly recommended by mums who have been there and done that - me included! So grab a cup of tea and relax, while we help you to get your baby's skin care regime well and truly on track.

Newborns don't need a lot of washing but a bath can be calming and soothing at the end of the day - and a few drops of baby wash can help make the experience even more relaxing and enjoyable

There is nothing more calming for a baby than a warm and gentle bath. And this 100 per cent natural bath cream, with sweet almond oil and organic sesame oil, is ideal for their sensitive delicate skin. Just add two or three splashes to the bath for a nourishing skin experience that cleanses baby’s skin and leaves it soft and moisturised. 

One customer left the review, “We love the Weleda Comforting Cream Bath. It leaves my little one's skin so soft. It does wonders for his eczema. You only need to add a tiny amount to the water as it’s running. It smells so good too and is not overly strong. I’ve never found a Weleda product that I didn’t like. Weleda is known for high quality. This comfort cream bath is no exception!”

I'm quite partial to QV's gentle and soothing skincare, even for myself - and when it comes to both my daughters' sensitive skin I've always turned to their baby range.  The baby bath oil, recommended by paediatricians, is ideal for everyday use and is suitable for skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis. Just a capful into your baby’s bath will rejuvenate dry or sensitive skin, and help to soothe baby rash, dry scalp and cradle cap. It’s low irritant and free from  fragrance, colour, lanolin and propylene glycol.

There are literally hundreds of excellent reviews for this product such as this one, “Really gentle for my little one's skin, really nourishing and keeps bubs skin hydrated and soft.”

This twin pack from Endota provides all you need for soothing bath time with the Gentle Bath and Body Wash to cleanse baby's skin and Gentle Baby Lotion to nourish skin and keep it soft and smooth. These certified organic products are non-toxic, dermatologically tested and suitable for sensitive skin . While you're here, you might want to check out Endota Spa's beautiful Baby Essentials Gift Set which contains not only the Baby Wash and Lotion, but also the Protecting Barrier Balm and Calming Sleep Mist.

Babies' skin is delicate and can dry out easily so a gentle non-irritant body moisturiser might come in handy.

Cetaphil is another brand that parents confidently turn to when looking to care for their baby's skin. Containing shea butter, vitamin E and pro vitamin 6, their Baby Daily Lotion is ideal to use from head-to-toe from newborn age onwards, and will help to keep skin soft, nourished and hydrated.  

Aveeno's baby moisturiser is fragrance free and hypoallergenic so idea for sensitive skin and is safe to use for newborns. It has a light texture that makes application easy, while its gentle formula moisturises for 24 hours. Many parents love this product, although some find the pump eventually doesn't work so well.

One reviewer said, "Loved this product. Not sticky, not much smell coming out of it. So baby don't feel any change while applied. Very good for our baby's skin so far. Highly recommend this." 

The Mustela baby care range from France is absolutely beautiful. Made from 97 per cent natural plant-based ingredients, it contains none of the nasties such as paraben, phthalate and phenoxyethanol.

One customer left an online review saying, "Amazing for our little one. Good value for money and a good hydrating baby lotion. Have ordered it a few times."

I love QV products for all the family, and the Baby Moisturising Cream is excellent for baby's dry skin and really makes a difference, even with more sensitive skin conditions. And many parents, me included, not only use it on their kids but their own skin as well.

One parent left a review saying, "I purchased the 500ml pump bottle of this cream because my 2 month old had really dry, rough skin on her forehead/face.I have been using the QV gentle wash for ten years so had very high expectations of this moisturiser and have not been disappointed. It is absolutely fantastic.It is a very rich, creamy texture, so only a minimal amount of product is needed. It is fragrance free, very fast absorbing with no greasy/ oily feel left behind on the skin.I noticed an immediate difference in her skins appearance after applying, softer and smoother, no visible dry, flaky patches."

This is baby moisturiser, made from organic shea butter, organic rosehip and organic avocado oils, is designed to moisturise your baby's skin and protect against dryness. You can use all over your little one's body to keep skin soft and supple, while the aroma of organic lavender oil will help to calm them down at night and prepare for a blissful night of sleep.

Nappy rash is a common occurrence with babies, caused by the constant moisture from wee and poo as well as the rubbing of nappies against their skin. Applying a thick barrier cream will help protect the skin from the moisture and other irritants.

Sudocrem is a tried and trusted cream that gets the job done when it comes to dealing with nappy rash. It provides soothing relief for sore damaged skin - and, as it contains zinc oxide, it provides protection against on-going moisture and irritants. 

One parent commented, "Only nappy cream that suits my baby's extra sensitive, eczema prone skin. Really soothes the bum and calms the baby down within minutes of application. I use it regularly after poo nappies, or whenever needed."

Weleda make a nappy change cream that is gentle yet effective in soothing skin and protecting against on-going soreness. Containing organic calendula, chamomile. sweet almond and sesame oil, this cream reduces redness and soothes sore skin. Plus, it contains lanolina nd zinc oxide to protect against moisture.

"This cream clears up any redness or nappy rash faster than any other cream I've tried," commenting one parent online.

Bepanthen is another nappy rash cream that comes highly recommended. Containing pro vitamin B5, it helps sore red skin to actively heal while keeping it soft and moisturised. Plus, clinical studies have shown that it also lowers the occurrence of nappy rash, which is good news for your baby - and you too!

One reviewer said, "We have tried few other products to help relieve the rashes on our baby but nothing worked until we found Bepanthen. We swear by this product and will only use this moving forward. Consistency is good (I found the other product is a bit too thick in consistency, so we prefer this one). Highly recommended."

QV Baby barrier Cream does exactly what the name suggests - it forms a barrier to protect baby's skin from water and other irritants. It's suitable for sensitive skin and helps moisturise, rehydrate and prevent moisture loss. 

One parent left the following review: "I’ve tried many barrier creams for both of my toddlers when they were babies even as bigger a toddler’s but the Qv Barrier Cream I still use it now when they get a rash. They both have pretty good skin that doesn’t tend to flare up but when they did have a nappy rash or a rash on their cheek I would often apply thickly at night after their baths then would not be washed off until the morning allowing the barrier cream to work."

The skin of your newborn baby is very delicate and prone to irritation and rashes, so it's important to look after their skin with appropriate cleansing, moisturising and sun protection. However what you choose to put on their skin, is equally as important as you don't want to cause further irritation.

Newborns only need to be bathed every few days, but this can vary depending on the situation - and it's also a lovely thing to do at the end of the day to calm and relax before bedtime. Make sure the water is warm, not hot and use only a mild soap free cleanser. Try to choose products that are free from fragrance, botanicals and antibacterial agents and avoid bubble bath as it can remove the skin's natural oils. Afterwards gently pat baby dry, making sure you get into the folds of their skin.

After bath is a good time to apply a gentle non-irritant moisturiser to keep baby's skin soft and hydrated. Apply more often is skin is looking dry and opt for thicker creams rather than lotions. As with the cleanser or bath wash, avoid anything with fragrance or botanicals.

It's important to look after baby's bottom and treat and help prevent nappy rash. here are a few handy tips to keep in mind:

Looking for more baby essentials? Have a look at our list of the best cots sheets  and best baby sleep sacks for bringing on a peaceful night of sleep, as well as the best white noise machines you can buy this year.