For babies with sensitive skin, moisturising is important. Dr Yokoyama prefers cleansers that contain moisturising ingredients, “Look for gentle, naturally-derived ingredients, without undesired chemicals like colouring and fragrances.”

With baby skin being very sensitive, it is important to remove dirt and germs that can cause irritation. Dr Yokoyama recommends “a cleanser which has the same weak acidity as healthy skin. You also want gentle cleansing power that does not remove too much sebum.” Look for cleansers with a pH of around 5.5, the same weak acidity as naturally healthy skin. This helps protect the skin’s natural “skin barrier” and stops skin drying out.

Avoid anything heavily perfumed or coloured, and look for a short list of ingredients. “Added chemicals can irritate a baby’s sensitive skin,” says Dr Yokohama. It’s also recommended that you don’t use soap, especially bubble bath, during bath time, because strong soap can strip skin of its protective moisture. It also harms the weak acid layer that helps form the skin barrier.

Because a baby’s skin loses moisture so quickly, Dr Yokohama also stresses the importance of frequently moisturising your baby’s skin – not only after a shower, but even when you are out and about. “Look for products that moisturise without being sticky, so you can apply them as often as needed.”

The heat and humidity in Singapore can easily make sensitive skin worse. Dr Yokoyama shares, “Babies sweat easily, and the wrinkles on necks and joints tend to get dirty and oily. Hence, it is important to thoroughly clean these crevices, then moisturise the skin sufficiently.”

She notes that it is also important to avoid exposing your baby’s skin to direct sunlight and to protect your baby from insect bites in order to minimise the damage on their skin. Babies are naturally more sensitive to heat rashes anyway, and direct sunlight makes the itch worse. It usually appears on the folds of your baby’s skin or where clothing is tight. A heat rash occurs because the sweat glands are blocked.

On the other hand, if the heat has you and your baby frequently spending prolonged periods of time in an air-conditioned room, Dr Yokoyama notes that “it is important to moisturise baby’s skin frequently to avoid moisture loss, which can then lead to dry, itchy skin”.

The short answer: it depends. All of us are born with sensitive baby skin, but some of us do grow out of it. Dr Yokoyama explains, “If you start with the appropriate skin regimen – especially for babies when their skin is still immature and sensitive – it will lead to healthy adult skin in the future.” 

But if allergies, dermatitis and skin problems like psoriasis or eczema run in your family, you need to keep an eye on them. As your baby ages, you’ll be able to learn what they’re sensitive to and how to better avoid conditions that cause these rashes.

If your baby develops eczema, you may first notice it on their cheeks and face. As your baby becomes a toddler, eczema is likely to form around the folds in their skin, like around the elbows or behind the knees.

Here are a few skincare products to suit babies with sensitive skin:

Formulated for delicate baby skin and hair, this paediatrician-tested cleanser has been clinically proven to relieve dryness and itch. Co-developed by Dr Yokoyama herself, the cleanser is pH balanced and makes use of naturally-derived ingredients to hydrate  baby’s skin.

The baby product range also includes a non-sticky moisturiser called Baby Gentle Lotion ($19.90).  

Buy them here.

A hypoallergenic formula recommended by paediatricians, this body wash is enriched with aloe vera and contains a third moisturiser to ensure that your baby’s skin remains hydrated. It’s also tear-free, paraben-free, and soap-free, in addition to being pH balanced.

Buy it here.

A brand trusted for its use of natural ingredients, Aveeno’s Baby Dermexa Moisturising Wash contains Colloidal Oatmeal, which is particularly effective for sensitive skin. It is known for its skin protectant properties and soothing effects, and helps to lock in moisture and prevent dry skin. 

This product range also includes a Moisturising Cream ($18.50) to help restore, hydrate, and strengthen your child’s natural skin barrier.

Buy the Moisturising Wash here, and the Moisturising Cream here.

This non-greasy, lightweight lotion contains three essential ceramides, identical to those naturally found in skin, to help maintain a baby’s delicate skin barrier as it develops. Free of ingredients that may disrupt a baby’s skin barrier, this fragrance-free and paraben-free lotion helps to soothe and moisturise your baby’s skin while providing long-lasting hydration throughout the day. 

This product range also comes with a Baby Moisturising Wash & Shampoo ($26.80), and a Baby Moisturising Cream ($20).

Buy them here.

A lightweight, hypoallergenic lotion formulated specifically for babies with very sensitive, rash-prone, or reactive skin, Mustela’s Soothing Moisturising Lotion provides immediate and long-lasting hydration. With 97 per cent natural ingredients, it protects the skin barrier and relieves sensitive skin in babies.

Buy it here.

Suitable for sensitive, delicate skin, this moisturising lotion offers gentle protection against dryness. The pH-balanced formula is non-greasy, and works to counteract skin inflammation and irritation. Developed in cooperation with skin clinics to suit the needs of children’s skin, the lotion is colourant-free, paraben-free, and has been tested for skin compatibility.

Buy it here.

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