The proper way to care for newborn skin

When it comes to newborns and babies, there are so many dos and don’ts that it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Many products claim to be designed for delicate baby skin, but I’m here to tell you that less is definitely more when it comes to the wee ones and their skin.

Keep these special considerations in mind to ensure your baby’s bottom (and everything else) stays soft to the touch.

Babies don’t have a well-developed skin barrier, which leads to three issues:

1. Ingredients can penetrate their skin easily, so topical medication overdose is possible. Definitely avoid chemical sunscreens and parabens.

2. Just like skincare ingredients, it’s easy for allergens to penetrate babies’ skin. Though their immune systems are not developed enough to demonstrate an allergy, some doctors believe that exposure to some substances in infancy can lead to increased allergies later in life. This is why essential oils are a no-no for babies and steer clear of fragranced products. Save the baby lotion for yourself!

3. An underdeveloped skin barrier also means that babies’ skin has a hard time retaining water, making it more prone to dehydration. Paraben-free barrier-repair moisturizers like Atopalm are the way to go.

Dr. Leslie Baumann is a board-certified dermatologist, author and CEO of Baumann Cosmetic & Research Institute in Miami.

This story was originally published March 31, 2014 at 6:00 PM with the headline "The proper way to care for newborn skin."