What can I do to help my newborn's acne go away?

My 5-week-old infant has acne all over his cheeks. It first appeared when he was 1 week old, and does not show signs of improving. Our GP said it will go away in time. We're washing his face lightly each morning with a flannel and water, and he is wearing mittens. What else can we do?

Newborn acne is fairly common. It causes red bumps, sometimes combined with "whiteheads" (white bumps), on the skin of the face, mainly the cheeks and chin. It is more common in boys and is due mainly to hormones in the baby's blood passed to him from his mother across the placenta. As these hormones disappear from the baby's circulation, the acne gradually clears. This process usually occurs over the first three to six months, but in some babies it may take significantly longer. In general, as long as there are none of the deeper acne bumps that may result in scarring (and usually there are not), watching and waiting is your best bet. For a baby with a serious case, a doctor will occasionally prescribe a low-strength topical acne medicine. Bear in mind that in newborns with acne, the less you apply to the skin the better, as many topical products may be irritating and could worsen the acne. It is also important to avoid extensive washing or scrubbing - your gentle method of skin care sounds great. If you still have questions, your baby's doctor should be able to help out.