Baby Acne: Causes, Symptoms and What to Do

Quick answer

Baby acne (also called neonatal acne) is a very common, harmless skin condition that causes tiny red or white bumps, usually on a newborn's cheeks, nose and forehead. It affects around 1 in 5 babies, appears in the first few weeks of life, and clears up completely on its own, usually within 1 to 3 months, without any treatment or scarring. It does not itch or hurt your baby. You do not need creams or home remedies. Just keep the skin clean and gentle, avoid scrubbing, and see your doctor if you are unsure it is baby acne or if the skin looks infected.

Key takeaways

• Baby acne is harmless and temporary. It clears on its own, usually within 1 to 3 months, with no lasting marks.

• It affects about 20% of newborns, so it is very common and nothing you did caused it.

• It does not bother your baby. Unlike eczema, baby acne does not itch or cause discomfort.

• No treatment is needed. Do not use adult acne products, oils or home remedies. Gentle cleansing is all that is required.

• Know the look-alikes. Milia, erythema toxicum, heat rash and eczema can look similar but are different, so the comparison table below helps.

• See a doctor if the skin looks infected, your baby seems unwell, the rash is itchy or spreading, or it has not cleared after a few months.

What is baby acne?

Baby acne, or neonatal acne, is a common newborn skin condition that produces small pimple-like bumps on the face. Doctors sometimes call the most common form neonatal cephalic pustulosis. It looks a little like teenage acne but behaves very differently: it is harmless, painless and self-limiting, meaning it clears up by itself.

It is important to know it is not caused by poor hygiene or anything you did. It is simply part of many newborns' early skin adjustment to life outside the womb, and it is one of the most common reasons new parents worry about their baby's skin unnecessarily.

What does baby acne look like?

Baby acne usually appears as:

• Tiny red or white bumps or small pimples, sometimes with a little surrounding redness.

• Mostly on the cheeks, nose and forehead, and sometimes the chin, scalp, neck or upper chest.

• No blackheads or whiteheads (open pores) in true baby acne. If you see those, it may be infantile acne (see below).

• Skin that may look more noticeable when your baby is hot, crying or fussy, or if milk, spit-up or saliva sits on the face.

Crucially, baby acne does not itch, hurt or make your baby uncomfortable. Your baby will feed, sleep and behave normally.

What causes baby acne?

The exact cause is not fully understood, but the main factors are:

• Maternal hormones. Hormones passed from you to your baby before birth can stimulate the baby's oil glands, leading to these little bumps.

• A skin reaction to normal yeast. Baby acne (neonatal cephalic pustulosis) is linked to the skin's response to Malassezia, a yeast that lives harmlessly on everyone's skin. This is a reaction, not an infection you need to worry about.

• Immature skin and pores. A newborn's skin and pores are still developing, which can make them prone to these temporary bumps.

None of these causes are harmful, and none require treatment.

Is it baby acne or something else?

Several newborn skin conditions look similar. This table helps you tell them apart, though your doctor can confirm if you are unsure.

The two most useful clues: baby acne does not itch (eczema usually does), and true baby acne has no blackheads (infantile acne does).

When does baby acne appear and go away?

Baby acne typically appears in the first 2 to 4 weeks of life, though it can be present from birth. In almost all cases it clears up on its own within 1 to 3 months, leaving no marks or scars. You do not need to do anything to make it go away, though good gentle skin care can keep your baby comfortable while it settles.

If bumps first appear after 6 weeks of age, or persist well beyond a few months, this may be infantile acne rather than newborn baby acne, which is worth discussing with your doctor.

How to care for baby acne

The best approach is gentle and hands-off. Here is what helps and what to avoid.

Applying greasy or oily products can actually block the pores further and make baby acne look worse, so less really is more here.

Baby acne versus infantile acne: the difference that matters

This distinction is important because it changes what you should do:

• Baby (neonatal) acne appears in the first few weeks, has no blackheads, needs no treatment, and clears within a few months.

• Infantile acne usually appears after 6 weeks, often around 3 to 6 months, and looks more like older acne, with blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and occasionally cysts. It can last longer and, in more severe cases, can leave scars.

Because infantile acne can scar, it should be assessed by a doctor, who may prescribe a suitable treatment. Do not treat it yourself with adult products. Newborn baby acne, by contrast, simply needs patience.

When should you see a doctor?

Baby acne itself rarely needs a doctor, but do get your baby checked if:

• You are not sure it is baby acne, or it looks different from the descriptions here.

• The bumps have pus, blisters, crusting or yellow fluid, or the skin looks infected.

• The rash is spreading widely, or your baby seems unwell, feverish, or is feeding poorly.

• The rash is dry, scaly or itchy, which suggests eczema rather than acne.

• There are blackheads, whiteheads or cysts, or the acne appears or persists after a few months (possible infantile acne).

• It has not cleared after about 3 months.

You can also simply mention it at a routine well-baby visit for reassurance. When in doubt, it is always fine to ask.

Mylo Parents Asked

Is baby acne painful or itchy for my baby?
No. Baby acne does not itch or hurt, and your baby will not be bothered by it at all. If the rash seems itchy or your baby is uncomfortable, it may be eczema or another condition, so check with your doctor.

How long does baby acne last?
Usually 1 to 3 months. It appears in the first few weeks and clears on its own without treatment or scarring. If it lasts longer or appears after 6 weeks, mention it to your doctor.

What can I put on my baby's acne to clear it faster?
Nothing is needed, and it is best not to apply creams, oils or acne products. These can irritate the skin or block pores and make it look worse. Gentle cleansing with plain water is all that helps.

Did I cause my baby's acne by something I ate or did?
No. Baby acne is caused by hormones and your baby's developing skin, not by anything you ate, did or failed to do. It is extremely common and not a sign of poor hygiene.

Is baby acne a sign of allergy or infection?
No. Baby acne is not an allergy or an infection. However, if the bumps have pus, blisters or crusting, or your baby seems unwell, that could suggest an infection and should be checked promptly.

Can I use breast milk on baby acne?
Breast milk is a popular home remedy, but there is little evidence it clears baby acne, and it is not necessary. Gentle cleansing and patience work best. Avoid applying anything greasy to the skin.

The bottom line

Baby acne is one of the most common and most harmless newborn skin conditions. It affects around 1 in 5 babies, shows up in the first few weeks as small red or white bumps on the face, and clears completely on its own within a few months, leaving no marks. It does not itch, it does not hurt, and it is not caused by anything you did. The best care is gentle cleansing with plain water and a hands-off approach, avoiding oils, creams and adult acne products. Learn to tell it from milia, eczema and infantile acne using the guide above, and see your doctor if the skin looks infected, your baby seems unwell, or you are simply unsure. In almost every case, a little patience is all your baby's skin needs.

References

1. Mayo Clinic. Baby acne: symptoms and causes.

2. American Academy of Dermatology. How to treat baby acne.

3. Seattle Children's Hospital. Newborn rashes and skin conditions.

4. JAMA Dermatology. Neonatal cephalic pustulosis and Malassezia.

5. Medical News Today. Baby acne vs eczema: how to tell the difference.

Related reads on Mylo

• Cradle cap in babies: causes and safe removal

• Newborn skin peeling: is it normal?

• Baby eczema: relief and care

• The ultimate guide to baby skin care

This article is for information only and does not replace advice from your paediatrician.