
The outermost layer of the epidermis (the horny layer) is particularly thin and the cells are less tightly packed than in adult skin. Sweat and sebaceous glands are also less active and so skin’s hydrolipid film is relatively weak. This means that the barrier function is impaired and baby skin is:
- less resistant
- especially sensitive to chemical, physical and microbial influences
- prone to drying out
- more sensitive to UV
Sensitivity to UV is further enhanced by the fact that babies also have low skin pigmentation. Melanocytes (the cells responsible for melanin production) are present, but less active and so babies should be kept out of the sun.
Babies also have more difficulty regulating their body temperature than adults. This is because:
- the surface area of their body is relatively large
- their sweat glands are less active
- their skin circulation is still quite slow to adapt