Baby skincare

Baby skincare covers the care of infant skin, which is thinner than adult skin, loses water more readily and has a barrier still maturing over the first months and years. Because a baby's surface area is large relative to body weight, topically applied ingredients are also absorbed more readily than in adults.

The widely shared approach is minimal. Short lukewarm baths, plain water or a gentle cleanser, and a bland fragrance-free moisturiser cover most needs. Products marketed for babies are generally formulated without common irritants, but fragrance, essential oils and harsh surfactants are still worth avoiding, and adult actives — retinoids, exfoliating acids, high-strength vitamin C — have no place on infant skin.

Sun protection follows different rules too: many health authorities advise keeping infants under around six months out of direct sun and relying on shade and clothing rather than sunscreen. For persistent rashes, eczema, spreading cradle cap or anything that worries you, speak to a paediatrician or dermatologist rather than experimenting with products.