How to Soothe Your Baby's Dry Skin

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Soothing Your Baby's Dry Skin

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Updated on June 18, 2025

Why Do Newborns Get Dry Skin?  |  Signs of Dry Skin in Babies  |  Steps to Improve your Baby's Dry Skin

moisturising baby skin

Newborn babies often experience dry skin, particularly in the first few weeks-months after birth,1 which can be concerning for new parents. Understanding the reasons behind this and knowing how to care for your baby’s delicate skin can help ensure they are comfortable and their skin stays soft and hydrated.

Why Do Newborns Get Dry Skin?

Several factors can contribute to a newborn's dry skin:

  • Natural Peeling: Many babies experience dryness and peeling skin, especially in the first few weeks of life, as their skin adjusts to the outside world. This occurs because the protective waxy layer babies are born with, called the vernix caseosa, is removed, which can briefly reduce skin moisture in babies' skin1.

  • Environmental Factors: Dry air, especially during winter months or in air-conditioned environments, can cause the skin of babies, and adults, for that matter, to quickly dry out2.

  • Bathing Habits: Frequent or long baths, particularly with harsh soaps, can dry out baby’s skin3.

  • Eczema: Some babies may develop eczema, a dry skin condition that causes itchy, inflamed skin4.

Signs of Dry Skin in Babies

Remember that dry skin is normal and common in newborn babies, and often improves on its own5. Sometimes, however, it might need a little help. Here are some signs that your baby might have dry skin:

  • Peeling or scaling
  • Redness or cracking
  • Skin that feels rough or flaky to the touch

Steps to Improve Your Baby's Dry Skin

Here are some easy-to-follow tips to help soothe your baby’s dry skin:
  1. Avoid Long or Frequent Baths: Daily bathing isn’t recommended, as too much time in the water can dry out your baby’s skin6. Aim for 5–10 minutes, 2–3 times per week3.

  2. Use a Mild Cleanser and Lukewarm Water: Use gentle, fragrance-free products like QV Baby Gentle Wash, which is formulated to gently cleanse delicate and sensitive skin. It’s soap-free and pH-balanced. For added moisture during bath time, consider using QV Baby Bath Oil. This non-greasy, water-dispersible bath oil is free from fragrance, soap, and colour.

  3. Moisturise Right After Bathing: After gently patting your baby’s skin dry with a soft towel, follow immediately with a gentle, skin-friendly moisturiser to help lock in moisture.
    QV Baby Moisturising Cream is a rich, highly-moisturising option designed for dry, sensitive, and delicate skin. It provides up to 24 hours of hydration and is free from fragrance, colour, and other common irritants. For a lighter option, QV Baby Skin Lotion soothes and softens dry skin with its hydrating formulation. Both QV Baby Moisturising Cream and QV Baby Skin Lotion contain Vitamin B3 to help maintain skin barrier function7. Studies have shown that a combination of a gentle cleanser followed by a moisturiser can help reduce water loss from the skin, compared to bathing in water alone7,8.

  4. Dress Baby in Soft Fabrics and Create a Humid Environment: Choose soft, breathable fabrics like cotton for your baby’s clothing. Consider using a humidifier in your baby’s room to add moisture to the air, especially during dry seasons.

  5. Protect Against Nappy Rash: Nappy rash is a common skin condition in babies. Use QV Baby Barrier Cream to protect delicate skin from irritants. It forms a barrier and helps rehydrate the skin.

  6. Eczema? Ask the Experts: For general information about eczema, we have some handy resources available. If you think your baby has eczema, however, it’s best to speak to your healthcare professional for a diagnosis and personalised management advice.

 

By following these tips and using gentle, hydrating products like the QV Baby range, you can effectively soothe your baby’s dry skin and keep it feeling soft, hydrated, and comfortable.

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References

1. Rahma A, Lane ME. Skin barrier function in infants: Update and outlook. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14(2):433. 

2. Mac-Mary S, Sainthillier JM, Humbert P. Dry skin and the environment. Exog Dermatol 2005; 3(2):72–80. 

3. Blume-Peytavi U, Cork M, Faergemann J, Szczapa J, Vanaclocha F, Gelmetti C. Bathing and cleansing in newborns from day 1 to first year of life: Recommendations from a European round table meeting. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2009; 23(7):751–9. 

4. Martin PE, Koplin JJ, Eckert JK, Lowe AJ, Ponsonby AL, Osborne NJ, et al. The prevalence and socio-demographic risk factors of clinical eczema in infancy: A population-based observational study. Clin Exp Allergy 2013; 43(6):642–51. 

5. Stamatas G, Nikolovski J, Mack M, Kollias N. Infant skin physiology and development during the first years of life: a review of recent findings based on in vivo studies. Int J Cosmet Sci 2011; 33(1):17–24. 

6. Larson JH, Heinlein J, Morris C, Ramsey K, Michaels LC, Vu A, et al. Frequency of newborn bathing in the first 9 weeks of life and related factors: An observational study in a community-based sample from meta-LARC. Pediatr Dermatol 2023; 40(6):1042–8. 

7. Berson DS, Osborne R, Oblong JE, Hakozaki T, Johnson MB, Bissett DL. Niacinamide: A topical vitamin with wide-ranging skin appearance benefits. In: Farris PK, editor. Cosmeceuticals and Cosmetic Practice. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd; 2014. page 103–12.

8. Garcia Bartels N, Scheufele R, Prosch F, Schink T, Proquitté H, Wauer RR, et al. Effect of standardized skin care regimens on neonatal skin barrier function in different body areas. Pediatr Dermatol 2010; 27(1):1–8.