Baby Acne: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and When to See a Doctor

One day, your baby’s skin looks perfectly smooth. The next, you notice a handful of tiny bumps on their cheeks staring back at you. If that sounds familiar, you’re probably wondering: Is this baby acne, and is there anything I should do about it?

Fortunately, baby acne is a common part of early infancy and is usually nothing to worry about. It typically fades on its own, but knowing what you’re looking at can help take some of the guesswork out of those early days.

Ahead, we’ll break down what baby acne looks like, why it happens, and how to care for your baby’s skin at home.

What Is Baby Acne?

Those tiny red bumps on your newborn’s face can be surprising, especially when their skin looked fine just days ago. The good news? Baby acne is common, harmless and usually temporary. Also called neonatal acne, it can look like small red bumps, pimples or tiny white-headed bumps, most often on the cheeks, nose and forehead. You may also see it on your little one’s neck, chest or back.

While it’s easy to wonder whether you’re doing something wrong, infant acne isn’t a sign of poor hygiene or a problem with your baby’s health. Newborn skin is still adjusting to life outside the womb, including changes in the skin’s oil glands. As those systems settle in, baby acne can make a temporary appearance.

What Does Baby Acne Look Like?

Baby acne often shows up as a sprinkling of small red or pink bumps across your baby’s face, especially around the cheeks, nose and forehead. Some bumps may have tiny white centers, giving them a pimple-like appearance. You might notice them more when your baby is warm, crying or fussing, too. Because newborn skin can develop several types of harmless rashes, baby acne isn’t always easy to recognize at a glance.

The Most Common Causes of Baby Acne

Baby acne is commonly linked to hormones around the time of birth. Maternal hormones can pass to the baby before and during birth, temporarily stimulating their oil glands. Researchers also think Malassezia, a type of yeast that naturally lives on the skin, may play a role in some cases. 

Most importantly, baby acne isn’t your fault. Breastfeeding doesn’t generally cause it, and there’s no good evidence that typical foods in a breastfeeding parent’s diet do, either. It also isn’t a sign of poor hygiene, so there’s no need to wash or scrub your baby’s sensitive skin more often. While some newborn rashes can be linked to allergies, infant acne itself isn’t considered an allergic reaction.

In other words, there’s usually nothing you need to change. You don’t need to overhaul your baby’s feeding routine or your own diet because of a few little bumps. Baby acne is often just a temporary part of those early days.

Baby Acne vs. Other Common Baby Rashes

Baby skin has a way of keeping new parents guessing. Several common newborn skin conditions can look similar at first, but where the skin rash appears and what it looks like can offer some clues. Here’s a quick overview:

These descriptions can provide a helpful starting point, but they aren’t a way to diagnose a rash at home. Newborn skin conditions can overlap in appearance, and sometimes what looks like baby acne turns out to be something else. 

If you’re unsure about what you’re seeing, it’s always best to check with your baby’s pediatrician or a pediatric dermatologist.

How Long Does Baby Acne Last?

Newborn acne often clears within several weeks to a few months, though there’s plenty of variation from baby to baby. In most cases, there’s nothing you need to do beyond gentle skin care and giving it time. Avoid picking or scrubbing the bumps, and they’ll typically fade without scarring. If the acne sticks around, gets worse or looks different than expected, check with your pediatrician.

How To Treat Baby Acne at Home

When it comes to baby acne, less is usually more. Most babies don’t need medication or special acne treatments. A little gentle care and plenty of patience are typically all that’s needed while the baby’s skin clears on its own.

Here's a quick look at baby acne do's and don'ts to keep in mind along the way:

Do

• Gently wash your baby’s face with lukewarm water (if needed, use a mild baby soap)

• Pat the skin dry with a clean, soft towel

• Give the bumps time to fade naturally

Don’t

• Scrub, exfoliate or repeatedly wash the affected area

• Pop, pick or squeeze the bumps

• Use adult acne products or topical medication (unless recommended by your pediatrician)

• Apply heavy oils, lotions or ointments that could cause skin irritation or clog pores

So, what can you put on baby acne? In most cases, nothing beyond gentle skin care. It can be tempting to try to speed things along, but squeezing or picking at the bumps can irritate your baby’s delicate skin and potentially increase the risk of infection or scarring. When in doubt, keeping your baby’s routine simple is usually the best approach.

When To See a Doctor for Baby Acne

Talk with your baby’s healthcare provider if you’re unsure whether the bumps are newborn acne, the rash is getting worse or your baby seems unwell. It’s especially worth reaching out if:

• The rash is spreading or becoming significantly worse

• The skin looks infected, with increasing swelling, warmth, drainage or significant tenderness

• The bumps aren’t improving over time or continue beyond the expected timeframe

• The rash gets worse or spreads after introducing a new supplement, formula or food

• Your baby develops other symptoms that concern you

• You simply aren’t sure what you’re looking at

You don’t have to wait until you’re certain something is wrong. If your instincts are telling you to ask, that’s reason enough to give your pediatrician a call. They can help identify what’s going on and give you peace of mind.

Rest Assured, Baby Acne Is Usually a Phase

There’s a lot to learn when you’re caring for a new baby, and a few unexpected bumps along the way are completely normal. Baby acne is usually among those small surprises that come and go as your little one’s skin adjusts.

So, take a breath, keep your baby’s skin care routine simple and know that you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. If something about your baby’s skin has you concerned, your healthcare provider is always there to help.

For more trusted guidance through the early months, find more resources in Bobbie's Feeding Room or shop Bobbie Organic Infant Formula today.

The content on this site is for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Discuss any health or feeding concerns with your infant’s pediatrician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay it based on the content on this page.