Baby Acne

Baby acne is acne that develops on a newborn's skin. Baby acne can occur anywhere on the face, but usually appears on the cheeks, nose and forehead. Baby acne is common — and temporary. There's little you can do to prevent baby acne. Baby acne usually clears up on its own, without scarring.

Neonatal acne generally shows up within the first three months after birth and lasts no more than a few months. Infantile acne appears between 3 and 6 months of age and goes away within a year or two. Symptoms are usually characterized by small red or white bumps on a baby's cheeks, nose and forehead. It often develops within the first two to four weeks after birth. Many babies also develop tiny white bumps on the nose, chin or cheeks. These are known as milia.

It is very common. Between 3 and 7 in every 10 babies develop it. It seems to be more common in babies born at full term (between 37 and 40 weeks of gestation) compared with premature babies.