Naturally nurtured

Gentle, natural ways to care for your baby’s delicate skin

A baby’s skin is incredibly delicate, which is why many parents opt for a gentler, more natural approach to skincare during those early months. Simple formulations with carefully chosen ingredients can help to support the skin barrier without unnecessary irritation. Here, our experts share their top tips.

Simplicity and awareness
Many experts believe that less is more when it comes to caring for a baby’s skin. Overloading delicate skin with heavily fragranced or overly complicated products can sometimes do more harm than good.

“When it comes to natural and organic baby care, the key is not perfection; it is simplicity and awareness,” says Dr Nadia Ahmad, doctor and founder of The Weight Care Clinic (theweightcareclinic.com). “A baby’s skin is thinner and more permeable than adult skin, which means it absorbs more of what we put on it. Because of that, I always advise parents to look for products with short, recognisable ingredient lists. The fewer the ingredients, the better.”

Newborn skin is still developing after birth, so protecting the skin barrier is particularly important during the first few months. “New baby skin is incredibly delicate, so be wary of disrupting the development of the skin barrier,” says natural skincare expert and founder of Blomma Beauty, Karen MacDonald (www.BlommaBeauty.com). “Little ones don’t need a lot of intervention, save for things like addressing cradle cap, nappy rash reduction/prevention and a little baby massage for added love.”

Gentle and nourishing
“Ingredients to prioritise are gentle, nourishing and barrier-supporting,” says Dr Ahmad. “Natural oils such as coconut oil, sunflower seed oil and shea butter can be excellent for maintaining skin hydration.

Oat-based formulations are also brilliant for calming sensitive or eczema-prone skin. Zinc oxide is a good, safe option in nappy creams for protecting the skin barrier.”

Karen MacDonald adds: “Calendula and sunflower oil (ideally organic) are great for use in baby massage, and borage can be useful for cradle cap. For bathing, often plain water is best, especially with a newborn. Once baby bath is introduced, avoid foaming ingredients like SLSs, and potentially harsh preservatives like phenoxyethanol. I’d also steer clear of essential oils (even in natural skincare) and anything with ’fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ on the label.”

Karen also suggests that new mums check the labels of the products they are using on their own skin. She says: “If you’re breastfeeding or experiencing postpartum skin changes, it can be difficult to know what’s best and safe to use. Avoid using anything around the breast and nipple that could come into contact with the baby, and steer clear of harsh active ingredients that might disrupt already temperamental skin. Don’t be afraid to check with the brand you’re buying from on what and how to use their products safely for you and baby. For new mums my top tip would be finding textures and scents that work for your baby, but that you also like. Often, natural products for babies are fantastic multi-taskers, and can double up as nipple, lip and cuticle balms, or even use as a super hydrating mask or moisturiser for mums to give you a little self-care, even when you’re time poor in these early stages.”

Self-care for new mums
While caring for a new baby is the main focus, it’s equally important that new mums take time to look after their own wellbeing too, particularly during those demanding early weeks and months of parenthood.

“For new mums, self-care needs reframing,” says Dr Ahmad. “It is not about grand gestures or long spa days; it is about small, consistent moments that allow you to feel like yourself again. That might be a quiet cup of tea while the baby naps, reading a few pages of a book, stepping outside for fresh air, or even taking five minutes to sit in silence without a screen. These moments are not indulgent; they are restorative.

There is also something powerful in lowering the pressure to ‘do it all right’. The natural approach is not about being perfect or using only organic everything. It is about tuning into what works for you and your baby, and trusting that you are learning each other day by day.

As doctors, we often focus on clinical outcomes, but in early motherhood, emotional wellbeing is just as important. When a mum feels calmer, more supported and less overwhelmed, that has a direct impact on her baby too.”

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