Help prevent sore bums by rebalancing baby and newborn skin pH level
Nothing compares to the beautiful softness of baby skin, which makes it all the more devastating when your baby develops a rash or other kind of irritation.
Adopting good skincare practices from birth can help protect this crucial barrier from and keep those peachy bums pH perfect.
What does skin pH mean?
Let’s take it back to school for a moment to understand what pH means. pH, or ‘potential of hydrogen’ refers to the level of acidity present in the skin, and is measured on a scale of 1-14.
The low end of the pH scale is acidic, 7 is neutral, and anything above this is considered alkaline.
- 1-3 - highly acidic. An example of a strong acid is lemon juice.
- 4-6 - slightly acidic. Typical healthy adult skin sits on the acidic side, with an ideal pH level around 5-6.
- 7 - neutral. Pure water that is free of acids or alkalis has a neutral pH of 7.
- 8-10 - slightly alkaline. An example of a weak alkaline is baking soda.
- 11-14 - highly alkaline. An example of a strong alkaline is household bleach.
It’s normal for different areas of the body to have different pH levels, but any imbalance could lead to skin issues such as dryness, flakiness and acne.
Babies are born coated in a white, waxy substance called vernix. Avoid washing the vernix away in the first week, as it’s a naturally occurring barrier cream which moisturises the skin, and can help keep pH levels low, and allow the skin to adapt to life outside of the womb. In addition to this natural protection, Huggies® Wipes can be used from day one to help keep the skin’s pH balance in check.
What is a normal pH level for newborns and babies?
At birth, newborns have nearly neutral skin pH which changes to sit on the more acidic side. As newborns move into the first 1-2 weeks of life, they quickly establish their natural skin pH and develop a natural acid mantle skin layer. This acidity is a natural reaction to help protect thin, sensitive skin from everyday bacteria, such as poo — which can be kept at bay using Huggies® Wipes.
At this stage, most of your baby’s skin will have a similar pH level to your own adult skin. Skin that is covered by nappies will have a slightly higher pH level of between 5.5-6 due to the wetness caused by wee and poo.
Premature newborns and overdue babies may have specialist skin needs. Your neonatal care team will be able to offer specific advice for caring for your baby’s skin to help manage any skin conditions they might be born with.
Why does pH level matter?
Imbalanced skin pH levels can lead to nappy rash, a common occurrence in babies. This disruption is due to the nasties found in poo, which has a high pH level. As baby skin is so delicate and thin, it’s very easy for the high pH levels of poo to increase the baby’s skin pH. This imbalance triggers fecal enzyme activity and often causes sore bums and nappy rash.
Unlike adults, baby skin takes much longer to recover from pH disruptions. While you should always consult with your healthcare provider on the best course of action, choosing the right baby skincare products at home can help rebalance skin pH back to happy bum levels.
How to balance baby skin pH level for happy bums
Baby skin can be sensitive and thin, but you still need to keep them clean — especially after they have done a wee or a poo. And if your baby is suffering with nappy rash, water alone might not be enough to rebalance their delicate skin back to normal pH levels.
This is where Huggies® Wipes comes to the rescue. Our wipes are scientifically proven to neutralise 97% of the main poo nasties that cause nappy rash. Use our wipes at every nappy change to protect delicate skin better than cotton wool and water. And for babies with particularly sensitive skin, opt for our Extra Care Sensitive Baby Wipes for extra gentle care from day one.
Use our wipes in every nappy change to help get pH back to happy bum levels. Shop now for Huggies® Baby Wipes for newborns and babies to help prevent nappy rash from the get-go.
Huggies®. We got you, baby.
