Dry skin in babies is extremely common — and for most babies, it's completely normal and easy to treat. But for some, persistent dry skin can be a sign of eczema or another skin condition that needs a little more attention.
Here's everything you need to know about baby dry skin, including what causes it, how to treat it at home, and when it's time to see a doctor.
Why Do Babies Get Dry Skin?
Baby skin is very different from adult skin. It's thinner, more permeable, and loses moisture much more easily. Several factors can cause or worsen dry skin in babies:
Newborn skin peeling
In the first few weeks after birth, almost all babies experience some degree of skin peeling. This is completely normal — your baby spent nine months surrounded by amniotic fluid, and their skin is simply adjusting to the outside world. No treatment is needed.
Low humidity
Central heating in winter and air conditioning in summer both dry out the air, which in turn dries out your baby's skin. A humidifier in your baby's room can help.
Bathing too frequently or for too long
Long or frequent baths strip the skin's natural oils. Limit baths to 5–10 minutes, no more than once a day, using lukewarm — not hot — water.
Soap and baby wipes
Many soaps, bubble baths, and baby wipes contain fragrances and detergents that disrupt the skin barrier. Use fragrance-free, gentle cleansers and wipes only.
Eczema
If your baby's dry skin is persistent, patchy, red, and itchy — often on the cheeks and face in babies, and in the creases of the elbows and knees as children get older — it may be eczema (atopic dermatitis) rather than simple dry skin. Eczema affects around 1 in 5 children in the UK and often appears before the first birthday.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis (cradle cap)
If the dry skin is on your baby's scalp and appears as thick, yellowish, crusty patches, this is likely cradle cap — a very common and harmless condition in newborns. It usually clears up on its own within a few months.
How to Treat Baby Dry Skin at Home
1. Moisturise daily
Apply a fragrance-free, gentle moisturiser at least once — ideally twice — a day. The best time is after bathing, while the skin is still slightly damp, to lock in moisture. Use enough — don't be sparing.
2. Shorten bath time
Keep baths to 5–10 minutes in lukewarm water. Avoid bubble baths and scented products.
3. Pat dry, don't rub
After bathing, pat your baby's skin dry gently with a soft towel rather than rubbing. Then apply moisturiser straight away.
4. Use gentle, fragrance-free products
Switch to fragrance-free baby wash, wipes, and laundry detergent. Fragrances are a common trigger for dry skin and eczema.
5. Dress in soft, breathable fabrics
Cotton is best. Avoid wool and synthetic fabrics directly against your baby's skin.
6. Use a humidifier
In dry environments — especially in winter with central heating — a humidifier in your baby's room adds moisture to the air and can help keep skin hydrated.
What to Look For in a Baby Moisturiser for Dry Skin
The best moisturisers for babies with dry or sensitive skin are:
Fragrance-free — fragrance is one of the most common causes of skin reactions
Free from parabens and sulphates
Vegan and natural where possible
Tested by a paediatric dermatologist
Labelled for use from birth
Ovée Baby & Child Moisturising Cream was developed by a Consultant Paediatric Dermatologist specifically for babies and children with dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone skin. It's fragrance-free, vegan, and for use on dry skin from birth.
When to See a Doctor
Most baby dry skin resolves with regular moisturising and gentle skincare. However, see your GP if:
The dry skin is severe, widespread, or not improving with moisturising
Your baby is very uncomfortable or losing sleep due to itching
You think your baby has eczema, or eczema treatments are not helping
Get urgent advice if your baby:
is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38C or higher: call 111
has eczema that is blistered, crusty, leaking fluid or has spots filled with pus, is painful, swollen or feels warm, or suddenly gets worse or bigger, or your baby has a high temperature or seems generally unwell: ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111. These can be signs of infection or of a more serious condition called eczema herpeticum.
has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it: call 999
Your GP can prescribe stronger emollients or refer you to a paediatric dermatologist if needed.
Key Takeaways
Dry skin in babies is very common and usually easy to treat
Moisturise daily with a fragrance-free, gentle cream
Keep baths short and use lukewarm water
Avoid fragrances in all baby products
If dry skin is persistent, red, and itchy, it may be eczema — see your GP
Dr. Tim Clayton is a Consultant Paediatric Dermatologist, President of the British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology, and Co-Founder of Ovée Skin Health.
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Dr Tim Clayton
Consultant Paediatric Dermatologist · Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
5 min read·
Developed by Dr Tim Clayton
For everyday dryness: a gentle oat wash that will not strip natural oils at bath time, and a daily cream to lock moisture back in afterwards.
