Neonatal Skin Care - Influence of Standardized Skin Care Regimen on Skin Barrier Function

Recent studies have shown that skin barrier maturation continues at least during the first year of life. The findings strengthen the importance of proper skin care not least with regard to the prevention of skin diseases associated with early skin barrier dysfunction. Therefore two monocentric, prospective, randomized, controlled studies with healthy newborns aged < 48 h compared the influence of standardized skin care regimens like bathing and washing with and without baby skin care products on skin barrier maturation. The results showed that twice-weekly bathing with clear water positively influences skin barrier adaptation in some body areas compared to washing. Furthermore, twice-weekly usage of wash gel and or cream better supports skin barrier maturation compared to water alone.