Newborn Acne: Causes, Care & When to Worry | Parenting Hub
Newborn acne is harmless and clears on its own. Here's how to tell it from milia, eczema or a heat rash, and what (not) to put on baby's skin.
Small red pimples on your newborn's cheeks, nose or forehead are almost always harmless newborn acne — and the best thing you can do is leave them alone.
What it looks like
Newborn acne (neonatal cephalic pustulosis) is small red or white pimples, sometimes with a tiny pustule on top, scattered across the cheeks, nose, forehead and sometimes scalp. It usually appears around 2–4 weeks and fades by 3–4 months.
Why it happens
It's thought to be a mild skin reaction to maternal hormones still circulating after birth, plus a normal skin yeast (Malassezia). It is not caused by anything you ate, drank or used on baby's skin.
Symptoms
Pimples are small, can come and go, and are not itchy. Baby is otherwise well and feeding normally.
What helps
Less is more. Trying to treat newborn acne often makes it last longer.
- Wash the face once a day with plain warm water and pat dry.
- Don't squeeze, scrub or use baby wipes on the spots.
- Skip oils, lotions, breast milk and adult acne products — they can clog pores.
- Keep skin dry around the chin (dribble can irritate).
When to see a doctor
If spots are dry, scaly and itchy, they may be eczema. If pimples are large, full of pus, spreading or look infected, or if baby has a fever, see your GP. A rash that includes blisters in the first month always needs same-day medical review.
When to seek help
- Pimples turning into pus-filled blisters
- Rash with fever in a baby under 3 months
- Spreading rash with weeping, crusting or honey-coloured scab
- Baby is unsettled, off feeds or unusually sleepy
Common questions
How is newborn acne different from milia?
Milia are tiny pearly-white bumps (not red) — they're trapped skin flakes, not pimples. They also clear on their own without treatment.
Can breastmilk clear it up?
There's no good evidence for this and it can keep the area damp. Plain warm water and time work better.