How To Protect Your Baby’s Skin in Winter: 8 Essential Tips

Winter is magical, especially with a little one to share it with — from watching the first snowfall to bundling up for chilly walks. But the colder months can also bring runny noses, chapped lips, rosy cheeks, and very dry skin. A baby’s delicate skin loses moisture quickly in winter, and if not protected, irritation can develop fast.

The good news is that a few simple habits can keep your baby’s skin soft and healthy all season long. Below are eight research-backed ways to protect your baby’s skin in winter and prevent dryness before it starts.

8 Ways To Keep Baby’s Skin Protected During Winter

You’ll need to protect your baby’s skin during the cold winter months to prevent any issues. Here are eight ways to do this:

1. Use a Humidifier

If the air in your home feels a bit dry, it’s time to get out the humidifier from the nursery closet. Adding moisture to the air can lower the chances of your baby developing dry skin and combat a runny nose.^1,4 When your little one breathes in the moist air, their stuffiness begins to thin, allowing them to breathe more easily.⁴

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using cool mist vaporizers over warm mist humidifiers, which can pose a burn risk if they accidentally fall over or are touched.⁴ To prevent injuries, place the humidifier several feet away from your infant and crib, such as on a dresser or table.

2. Opt for Warm Water, Not Hot

It seems like a no-brainer to warm your baby with a soothing bath before bed during cold months. While heat is comforting, use lukewarm water instead of hot to avoid drying out your little one’s precious, silky skin. Also, keep bathtime short (no more than five or 10 minutes) to reduce moisture loss and protect your baby’s skin.⁵ Or opt out of bathing every day, as babies don’t need a bath daily.⁶

Related: 8 Bath Safety Tips for Bathing Baby

3. Moisturize Often

Just as adults lather with extra lotion in colder seasons, infants can benefit from doing the same. Add lotions and oils loaded with cocoa butter, shea butter, or jojoba oil to your baby’s winter arsenal. This helps prevent flakiness, irritation, and cracking.^7,8 Pro tip: It’s best to moisturize your infant within minutes of removing them from the tub. Pat them dry (don’t rub!). Immediately apply lotion all over their body to lock in moisture and keep their skin supple.⁹

4. Use Scent-Free Products

Not only is fragrance loaded with toxins, but it can also contribute to dry skin and cause irritation.¹⁰ Replace scented shampoos, soaps, lotions, and even detergents with fragrance-free counterparts. Fragrance is also one of the leading causes of allergic contact dermatitis — a skin rash caused by fragrances in children.² If you want to continue using scented products while protecting your baby’s skin, look for the incorporation of essential oils like lavender.³

5. Use Sunscreen Even in Winter

Contrary to popular belief, sunscreen isn’t just for summertime. UV rays are harmful year-round and can harm babies’ delicate skin, even in winter. If it’s snowing, the sun’s rays can reflect off the ground, causing sunburn.¹¹

For infants six months and older, opt for a non-chemical sunscreen with a high SPF that contains the active ingredients of either non-micronized zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.¹² Products free of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) are also a great option, as some babies are sensitive to it.¹³

Related: Best Baby Sunscreens to Protect Your Kids

6. Add Baby Lip Balm to Your Routine

Chapped lips are yet another woe of harsh weather that affects babies and adults alike. As babies drool, the top skin layer above and below their lips becomes irritated from the constant wetness.¹⁴ To combat dry, cracked lips, look for lip balms for infants that contain safe, natural ingredients. Kiehl’s allergy-tested baby lip balm blends Vitamin E and shea butter to heal sensitive areas and keep their lips soft and smooth.

7. Dress in Breathable Layers

Layering shirts may have been “so 2000s” fashion, but your newborn can benefit from the extra pieces of clothing in winter.¹⁵ Add a blanket, gloves, a beanie, and fuzzy boots to keep them warm. But remember not to overdo it. Too many layers can cause your baby to sweat, leading to skin irritation or a heat rash.^16,17 Check on your baby often by placing your hand under their clothes to assess their temperature and ensure they’re not sweaty, and check their face for signs of flushing.

Related: Tips for Dressing Baby in the Winter

8. Use Healing Ointments for Irritated Skin

Thick, greasy ointments are a blessing for your tot’s chin, lips, and nostrils, which may experience redness, dryness, or irritation. Lather on a healing balm, such as unscented Badger Balm, to the affected area throughout the day. As a preventative measure, apply a generous amount to their mouth and chin to create a protective barrier from the harsh elements.

Tip: To help battle the cold months ahead, create a winter toolkit filled with lotion, ointments, sunscreen, or an extra blanket so that your baby’s skin is protected, whether you’re at home or out enjoying winter festivities.

Related: What Is Baby Eczema and How to Treat Your Baby’s Skin

Winter weather can be harsh on your baby’s skin, but with a few simple habits and the right products, you can keep it soft, soothed, and protected. Whether you are staying cozy indoors or heading out into the cold, a gentle winter skincare routine goes a long way toward preventing dryness and irritation.

With the right tools on hand, you and your baby can enjoy all the magic winter has to offer.