Cradle Cap, Baby Acne & Eczema – What’s Normal and What Actually Fixes It

(The no-panic guide to weird baby skin that drives every parent nuts)

Your baby’s perfect skin suddenly looks like a flaky mess, tiny pimples, or angry red patches.

You’re Googling “is this normal?” at 2 a.m. while fighting the urge to scrub it off.

Stop.

Here’s exactly what’s normal, what’s not, and what actually works — straight from dermatologists and thousands of parents.

The Big Three Explained (And When to Chill)

1. Baby Acne (tiny red/white bumps on face) Normal: 2 weeks–3 months, hormonal, looks like teen acne Fix: Nothing — washes off with time. No lotions or scrubbing.
2. Cradle Cap (yellow, greasy flakes on scalp/eyebrows) Normal: First 6–12 months, overactive oil glands Fix: Gentle massage with oil + soft brush.
3. Eczema (dry, red, itchy patches — often cheeks, arms, legs) Not “just dry skin” — can start 2–6 months Fix: Thick moisturizer + trigger avoidance.

Quick science: Baby acne is maternal hormones clearing the system — 40 % of newborns get it and 95 % resolve by 3 months with no treatment.

(Source: American Academy of Dermatology)

“My baby looked like a pizza at 6 weeks. Pediatrician said ‘do nothing.’ Gone by 3 months.”

— Mom in r/NewParents

What Actually Works (No Weird Home Remedies)

For Cradle Cap

• Mustela Cradle Cap Foam or Tubby Todd Hair & Scalp Oil
• Massage in, wait 10 min, brush with soft baby brush
• Wash with fragrance-free shampoo

For Baby Acne

• Literally nothing — gentle water wash only
• Avoid all creams/oils (makes it worse)

For Eczema

• CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Cream or Vanicream — thick, fragrance-free
• Apply 3–4× day (within 3 min of bath)
• Aveeno Eczema Therapy or Eucerin Eczema Relief if flare-ups
• Short, lukewarm baths (5 min) + pat dry

Quick science: Eczema is impaired skin barrier — thick, ceramide-rich moisturizers restore it and reduce flares by 50–70 %.

(Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology)

Gear That Made a Difference for Parents

• FridaBaby Cradle Cap System “Soft brush + foam = flakes gone in 3 days.”
• CeraVe Baby Healing Ointment “Slather at night — eczema patches gone by morning.”
• Tubby Todd All Over Ointment “Smells amazing and actually works on stubborn spots.”

Your Baby Skin Checklist

• Baby acne → do nothing
• Cradle cap → oil + gentle brush
• Eczema → thick moisturizer 3–4× day
• No scented products ever
• See derm if oozing or not better in 2 weeks

You’ve got this.

One gentle wash, one slather of cream, one perfect baby skin day at a time. ❤️