Home Remedies for Baby Acne

Posted by sanjay on Monday 30 Mar 2009

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When we think of someone who is dealing with acne, we usually think of a teenager or someone in their early twenties whose face is covered in angry red splotches. We seldom consider the fact that the person who is actually suffering from the acne might be a baby who is less than six months old. Parents usually notice the first signs of baby acne when their child is between three and four weeks of age, although some infants have acne at birth. The red pimples usually appear on the child’s forehead and chin, but some infants also develop acne on their cheeks.

How it Happens

Baby acne is actually caused by the mother’s hormones. Just before the baby is born, it receives an extra surge of hormones through the placenta. Among other things, the hormones stimulate the babies glands, causing them to produce too much oil, hence the baby acne.

There are several home remedies you can use to help clear up your child’s baby acne.

A Milk Facial

Breast milk is an extremely effective way to treat baby acne. After pumping a small amount of milk, dip a cotton ball into it. Use the milk-saturated cotton ball to dab a small amount on each patch of acne. Allow the milk to sit on your child’s skin for approximately fifteen minutes before wiping it off with a warm washcloth.

When you are breastfeeding your child, you need to watch your diet. Eating foods that are full of oil can contribute to your child’s baby acne. Making sure you drink plenty of water will also help clear up your child’s baby acne.

Soap and Water

You should wash your baby’s face twice a day. Make sure you use a very mild soap and warm water. In addition to making sure the soap you use is mild, you should also make sure that the soap is safe to use around your baby’s eyes.

Lemon and Honey

Mix 1 tsp. of lemon oil and 1 tsp. of honey together. Dip a cotton ball in the mixture and gently swab your child’s pimples. Allow the mixture to sit on your child’s face for approximately ½ hour before you use warm water to wash your child’s face.

If your child’s baby acne is especially bad or if it persists after your child has turned six months old, you should consult with your pediatrician.