Protecting Baby’s Skin All Year Round: What Parents Need to Know
As the weather changes, a baby’s sensitive skin may struggle to adapt. That is why those rosy cheeks you love so much can quickly become red, rough, or irritated by wind as the seasons shift. To help prevent this, it is important to take proper care of your baby’s skin before going outside.
Below you will find useful baby skincare tips that can help protect your little one from sun exposure, dryness, and other environmental factors throughout the year.
Many people think about sun protection only in summer, but dermatologists emphasize that sunscreen should be used all year round. Dermatologist Dr. Bryce Desmond from Intermountain Alta View Hospital points out that research shows five or more blistering sunburns before the age of 20 can increase the risk of melanoma by as much as 80%.
For this reason, sunscreen is important not only in summer, but also in autumn, winter, and spring whenever your child is outdoors. UV rays can penetrate clouds and fog and reflect off surfaces such as snow, concrete, water, and sand, meaning the skin is exposed even during colder months.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends applying a minimal amount of sunscreen with at least SPF 15 to exposed areas of a baby’s skin, such as the hands or face, when protective clothing is not available.
However, newborns and young infants should be kept out of direct sunlight whenever possible. Shade and protective clothing—such as hats and long-sleeved garments—should be the primary form of sun protection.
For babies older than six months, sunscreen may be applied to all exposed areas of the body, while taking care to avoid the eye area. If sunscreen gets into the eyes, gently wipe them and the hands with a damp cloth.
If skin irritation occurs, it is recommended to choose sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. If a rash develops, consult your child’s pediatrician or a dermatologist.
Sunscreens are generally divided into two main types:
Chemical sunscreens absorb into the skin and work by absorbing ultraviolet radiation and converting it into heat. They are effective at blocking UV rays but may be less well tolerated by some children.
Physical (mineral) sunscreens contain micronized zinc or titanium particles. These form a thin, nearly invisible protective layer on the skin’s surface that reflects sunlight. Because these products do not absorb into the skin, they are often better suited for sensitive or allergy-prone children and babies who are prone to eczema.
In winter and early spring, cold and dry air can strip moisture from a child’s skin, causing dryness, redness, or even cracking. It is important to understand that cracked skin is simply dry skin that has become irritated.
To reduce the risk of dryness, parents can take several simple but effective steps:
Cover the skin – when going outside, make sure as much of your child’s skin as possible is protected from wind and cold.
Limit bathing – frequent bathing can remove the skin’s natural oils. It is recommended to bathe babies 2–3 times per week using warm, not hot, water.
Dry gently – after bathing, pat the skin dry rather than rubbing it. Apply moisturizer within the first two minutes after bathing.
Moisturize – use fragrance-free and alcohol-free creams or ointments (such as petroleum jelly or dermatologist-tested moisturizers), especially on the cheeks and chin.
Use a humidifier – a humidifier helps maintain proper indoor moisture levels and can reduce skin dryness.
If your baby’s skin condition does not improve despite following these recommendations, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician.
Protecting your baby’s delicate skin from environmental factors can be challenging, but with proper planning and the use of gentle, baby-appropriate products, discomfort and irritation can be significantly reduced.
This way, your little one can feel comfortable and do what they do best—simply be a child.
