Can Laundry Detergent Cause Baby Acne?

Baby skin is incredibly delicate and sensitive, so it’s no surprise that even the smallest changes can affect it. One common concern among new parents and caregivers is baby acne—tiny red or white bumps on a baby’s face, making parents worry about what might be causing it. While baby acne often resolves on its own, understanding the potential triggers is important for keeping your little one’s skin healthy. This post will explore whether laundry detergent can cause baby acne as well as offer you some non-toxic baby laundry detergent options.

Can Laundry Detergent Cause Baby Acne?

In this post, you’ll learn what baby acne is, the most common causes, and whether laundry detergents can contribute to or exacerbate this condition. I’ll also provide tips for choosing a safe laundry detergent for your baby’s sensitive skin to help you make informed choices.

What Is Baby Acne?

To begin with, newborn acne, also known as neonatal acne, typically appears within the first few weeks of life or can be present at birth. It looks like small red or white bumps, primarily on the baby’s face, but can occasionally appear on the neck, chest, or back (source and source).

Unlike adult or teenage acne, which is usually caused by clogged pores due to excess oil and dead skin cells, baby acne is not associated with hormonal changes in the same way. (Learn about acne skincare, skincare for teenagers for clear skin, and how to exfoliate acne prone skin.)

Baby acne is often present at birth or develops shortly after, during the first few weeks of age. It can last for several weeks to a few months and typically goes away without leaving any scars. It’s important to note that baby acne is different from other common newborn skin conditions, such as erythema toxicum (a harmless red rash) or miliaria rubra (heat rash), which can also cause small bumps on the skin (source).

Further, the baby acne that appears later in life – between three and six months of age – is called infantile acne. The cause of this type of baby acne can include irritants like skin products or skin conditions like eczema or infection (source).

What Causes Baby Acne?

Apparently, there’s no clear answer to what causes newborn acne. Thus, some experts think it might be an inflammatory reaction to a common type of yeast on the skin. Others suppose it might be caused by the hormones that babies receive from their mothers at the end of pregnancy. Still others consider that certain medications taken by moms while breastfeeding, or medications taken by babies, can trigger baby acne.

In sum, theories about what causes baby acne include the following (source and source):

• Exposure to mom’s hormones during pregnancy: Hormones passed from the mother to the baby during pregnancy can stimulate the baby’s oil glands, leading to breakouts.
• Exposure to mom’s hormones during lactation: The infant’s exposure to maternal hormones during breastfeeding may lead to breakouts of newborn pimples on a baby’s face.
• Mom’s diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding: A high-fat diet is considered a risk factor for neonatal acne.
• Medications: Meds taken by mom while breastfeeding the baby can worsen baby acne.
• Viral illness: If a baby gets sick, the illness can trigger baby acne. However, viral rashes are different from typical baby acne cases as they usually come with fever and/or visible discomfort.
• Sensitive skin: Abrasive cleansers and washcloths can precipitate neonatal acne because newborn skin is quite sensitive and easily affected by irritants.
• Skin irritants: Exposure to substances like harsh soaps, detergents, or fabrics can trigger skin problems. Certain ingredients in detergents can affect the baby’s skin and aggravate a newborn acne outbreak.
• Heat and sweat: Conditions such as heat rash can mimic acne or make the existing acne worse.
• Overgrowth of yeast: A type of yeast, which naturally lives on the skin, can sometimes aggravate baby acne.
• Contact with saliva, breast milk, or spit-up: Substances that come into frequent contact with the baby’s skin, such as breast milk, can sometimes irritate the baby’s skin.

Can Laundry Detergent Cause Acne In Babies?

While laundry detergent alone is unlikely to be the primary cause of acne in babies, it can certainly play a role, especially if the baby already has some skin problems. Detergents containing harsh chemicals may leave residues on clothes, which can transfer to the baby’s face and body when they come into contact with the fabric.

Therefore, to prevent baby acne and other skin issues aggravation, it’s essential to choose laundry detergents for your baby’s sensitive skin formulated without the following ingredients:

• Fragrance: may contain allergenic, sensitizing, endocrine disrupting, and carcinogenic ingredients.
• Polysorbates and other ethoxylated ingredients: may contain residues of carcinogenic contaminants.
• Benzisothiazolinone: has allergenic and sensitizing potential.
• Methylisothiazolinone: has allergenic and sensitizing potential.
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone: has allergenic and sensitizing potential.

Just to emphasize, these are the ingredients that I suggest avoiding in all laundry detergents, including those for adults. (Check out my guide to the Safest Laundry Detergents.)  

What Detergent Is Safe For Babies?

When it comes to washing your baby’s clothes, choosing the right laundry detergent is crucial to avoid skin irritation and help treat baby acne. Look for laundry detergents that at least are free of synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals mentioned in the section above.

Next, make sure to wash all baby clothes, bedding, and blankets in warm water and rinse them thoroughly to remove any residues. This can further help prevent baby acne and other skin issues.

Here are some recommendations for baby-safe laundry detergents:

• Branch Basics (READ15 for 15% off)
• Meliora (IREAD10 for 10% off)
• Pure Haven (15% off is embedded in the link)

Let’s discuss each of the recommendations. (For more options, refer to my blog post What Laundry Detergent Is Safe For Babies?.)

Branch Basics Baby-Safe Laundry Detergent

First, Branch Basics (READ15 for 15% off) carries a gentle, fragrance-free Liquid Concentrate that can work as a laundry detergent. Also, Branch Basics carries a Laundry Detergent Powder for sensitive skin as well as Oxygen Boost for stains, tough cleaning jobs, and brightening the laundry. It has no bleach, ammonia, dyes, or fragrance. Note that Branch Basics provides both individual laundry products and collective laundry kits. You can learn more about Branch Basics Cleaning Products here and in my Branch Basics Safe Cleaning Products Review.

Meliora Baby-Safe Laundry Detergent

Second, Meliora (IREAD10 for 10% off) carries Laundry Powder made with safe ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. There are options scented with essential oils, but I would suggest going for the unscented option. Also, make sure to get Meliora Oxygen Brightener Bleach Alternative Booster. It will help you cut through tough stains and persistent odors. You can learn more about Meliora in my blog post called Truly Amazing Eco Non-Toxic Cleaning Products.

Pure Haven Baby-Safe Laundry Detergent

Third, Pure Haven offers products made without any harmful ingredients. Thus, Pure Haven Laundry Powder is safe, environmentally friendly, and effective. This is the laundry powder I use at home. Additionally, you will benefit from Pure Haven Master Blaster Stain Remover. It blasts stains, eliminates odors, freshens fabrics and furniture, and deodorizes sneakers and shoes – all without harmful chemicals. It’s made with all-natural ingredients, is eco-friendly, and is safe around kids and pets. Here is the Pure Haven Laundry Detergent and Master Blaster Set. By the way, they also carry a 5-Piece Baby Skincare Set (sold individually, too). You can learn more about Pure Haven products in my Pure Haven Review.

Conclusion: Can Laundry Detergent Cause Baby Acne?

While Laundry Detergent Alone Is Unlikely To Be The Primary Cause Of Newborn Acne, Some Ingredients In Some Laundry Detergents Can Affect Baby’s Sensitive Skin And Aggravate Skin Problems.

To sum up, baby acne is a common condition that usually appears within the first few weeks of life. While its exact cause isn’t always clear, some factors can contribute to its development. One of the ways to help your baby is to choose a gentle, baby-safe laundry detergent formulated without harsh ingredients. This can help manage and prevent baby acne. Consider the following options:

• Branch Basics (READ15 for 15% off)
• Meliora (IREAD10 for 10% off)
• Pure Haven (15% off embedded in the link)

In addition, use the following tips to help treat baby acne:

• Wash your baby with warm water: Use warm water and a soft cloth when washing your baby and to gently cleanse your baby’s face. Avoid scrubbing as this can irritate the skin.
• Avoid using lotions or oils: Unless recommended by a pediatrician, avoid applying lotions or oils to the baby’s face, as they can clog pores.
• Keep the skin clean and dry: Wipe away any saliva, breast milk, or spit-up, and change clothes and bibs if they get wet.
• Avoid overheating: Dress your baby in breathable fabrics to prevent heat rash, which can worsen baby acne. You will love Castleware organic baby wear. (Learn more in my blog post called The Best Organic Fleece Footed Pajamas.)

Note: If the condition persists beyond a few months of age or worsens, consult your pediatrician to rule out other skin conditions, such as infantile acne or skin infection.

For help with making healthy choices, take advantage of the I Read Labels For You blog. Also, make your life easier by purchasing my Baby Wipes and Disposable Diapers Rating List E-books and find safer wipes and diapers for your baby. Lastly, browse the IRLFY non-toxic products shop, the IRLFY Amazon shop, and book a service if you need help with healthy living!

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