Baby vs Adult Skin

Basic Differences between Adult & Infant skin

Babies have wonderfully soft, smooth looking skin that has significant differences from normal adult skin & could increase baby's susceptibility to skin issues.

The epidermis (outer layer) of baby skin, is 20-30% thinner and less resilient than adult skin.
Infant skin both absorbs and loses moisture more quickly than adult skin.
External irritants penetrate infant skin more easily, as the barrier is not yet fully developed.

Why a baby's skin is more fragile

Baby’s skin is physiologically different from that of adults in terms of structure, composition and function. At birth, baby skin undergoes a dramatic change from an aqueous (in the womb) to a dry environment. The composition of baby skin is also different from that of adult skin, containing less natural moisturising factors (NMFs), less lipids and less melanin.

Structural differences

Baby skin is structurally different to adult skin; the cells are smaller and the collagen fibres are thinner. According to clinical findings, Stratum corneum the outer most protective layer is 30%, and the entire infant epidermis 20% thinner than in adults.

Functional differences

The differences in structure and composition lead to differences in the function of the skin as a barrier. Baby skin looses more water (Trans Epidermal Water Loss–TEWL) than adult skin. This leaves baby skin more prone to dryness, and as a baby’s immune system is developing, there is a greater chance of developing irritations and infections.

Here are some of the functional characteristics that may make your baby's skin especially vulnerable to diaper rash:

In babies, the dermis (the skin layer that protects the body from mechanical stress and temperature change) is much thinner than in normal adults. This makes the baby’s skin less resilient.
Infant skin can be more susceptible to infection. Infant skin has not yet fully developed the defenses to protect itself from certain bacteria, and babies do not have fully effective immune systems to fight off infection.
Babies have reduced sweating capability compared to normal adults. This affects their ability to reduce body temperature through sweating. In addition to affecting body processes, this decreased ability to sweat may contribute to rashes.
A baby’s skin is especially susceptible to external irritants. This may be related to the relatively higher lipid content of a baby’s skin, which makes it easier for fat-soluble substances (which may be irritants) to pass through the skin. The friction that occurs between clothing and skin, diaper and skin, or two areas of skin breaks down the skin and may make it easier for irritating substances to penetrate a baby’s skin.