How is baby skin different from adult skin?

We all admire having that soft and supple skin that babies have. But do you know how delicate a baby’s skin is and how much care it needs? Yes, on average, a baby’s skin is 20 to 30% thinner than an adult’s skin, as the outer layers are still in the developing stage. This makes a baby’s skin more prone to irritation and external damage, requiring extra care and attention.

In this article, we discuss the main features that differentiate a baby’s skin from that of adults and how to care for and maintain their skin to keep it healthy and hydrated.

Higher pH:

A baby’s skin tends to have a higher pH level (neutral to alkaline) than an adult’s skin(acidic), especially during the infant stage. This is because their skin is still in the process of developing its acid mantle - a protective barrier that helps keep out all the external aggressors. Until the skin barrier completely develops, a baby’s skin is going to be highly permeable, increasing the chances of irritation and infection.

Lower fat/lipid content:

Baby skin feels super soft to touch but has less lipid content than adult skin. These lipids are important for maintaining skin hydration and barrier function. However, due to low lipid content, a baby’s skin can lose moisture and dry out easily.

Lower pigment/melanin content:

We know that melanin in our skin protects us from the harsh UV rays. Unlike adult skin, babies have lesser melanin content in their skin, which gradually increases with age. However, at the time of infancy, lower melanin levels and the underdeveloped skin barrier potentially make their skin more sensitive to sun exposure.

Higher water content:

We all would have adored that plump and cushiony feel while handling a baby. The reason is that the baby’s skin is packed with high water content, particularly during the first year. However, babies have a limited water holding capacity, which can make their skin lose moisture quickly, leading to dry and dehydrated skin.

Now, you understand how delicate a baby’s skin is compared to adult skin. Let’s learn how to take care of a baby’s tender skin. There are two simple things that you can follow to maintain your baby’s skin healthy and hydrated.

According to the US FDA, it is recommended not to expose infants below 6 months of age to direct sunlight as much as possible. When you take your baby outdoors, make sure to adopt physical protection measures like hats and protective clothing. And if your little one is over 6 months old, you can also add a baby safe mineral sunscreen like SAFESCREEN® Mom & Baby for extra protection.

Moisturization is an important step in your baby’s skin care routine. It helps replenish moisture levels, increase skin hydration and improve barrier function in your baby’s skin. Hence use a baby safe moisturizer regularly to maintain the suppleness of your baby's skin. And the best time to apply baby safe moisturizer is immediately within 3 minutes after a bath when the skin is still wet to seal in the moisture and maintain soft and supple skin.

To make your job easy, CHOSEN® has curated a range of baby safe skin care products by age for newborns, infants, toddlers and children. You can choose products from these categories based on your needs, but as a precaution, it is best to check with your neonatologist/pediatrician before adding any product to your baby’s skin care routine.