Expert Skin Care Tips

Despite all that’s changing, your toddler’s skin remains as precious as day one. But, amidst the juggle of parenthood, sometimes it’s hard to find time to fit skin care in.

In fact, a new survey we commissioned of 1000+ Australian parents revealed that 60% consider that their toddler's skin is just as delicate as a newborn’s, more than eight in ten (84%) struggle to prioritise skin health.*

To help provide some simple ways you can help ensure your active toddler’s skin is protected, we’ve teamed up with children’s health expert, Dr Michela Sorensen.

Dr Sorensen’s Six Simple Toddler Skin Care Tips

Keep bathtime short and sweet

If your toddler loves the bath, it can be tempting to let them play in there for as long as they want - It keeps them quiet and in a contained space, every parent’s dream. But long baths can actually dry out your toddler’s skin, weakening the skin barrier. It’s important to keep bath time to 10-15 minutes tops, and no more than once per day.

Use gentle cleansers

Soaps are incredibly drying, especially for delicate toddler skin. Make sure you’re using a gentle cleanser free from any fragrances or harsh chemicals. This goes for bath time as well as hand and face washing.

Moisture is key…

Moisturising is so important when it comes to protecting your toddler’s skin barrier and maintaining skin integrity. The best time to moisturise is after a bath, when the skin is soft and the pores are open. Also look for fragrance free, non irritating options. If your toddler is prone to skin issues, then ointments are often a better option as they have fewer added ingredients and are less likely to sting when applied.

….But not in the wrong areas. Your toddler spends the majority of their day with a nappy on, so make sure you invest in a good quality one - preferably one with fast absorbency that sits dry against the skin.

Do regular skin checks

It’s important to have a close look between the skin folds at each nappy change. If you notice even a small amount of redness or dry skin, be generous with a good barrier cream. Doing this early is the best way to help prevent painful nappy rash. If you wait until the skin looks angry, it can be much harder and more painful to get on top of. 

Get them involved

Anyone with a toddler knows getting them to keep still long enough to put a nappy on is hard enough, let alone to moisturise them. But we also know they love mimicking your actions. Use this to your advantage and let them get involved in their skin routine. Put a little moisturiser on their hands and show them how to rub it in. It will make the whole routine more enjoyable for everyone (yes, perhaps a little messier too).

Anna Robards, a mother said, “My skin care has always been incredibly important to me and it’s no different when it comes to the skin care of my two little girls. As Ruby becomes more active, I know how easy it is to let a good skin routine slip off the to-do list, so I love that Huggies helps me prioritise skin protection with their new Ultra Dry Nappy Pants and has created a special experience where I can treat mine and my toddlers’ skin.”

*The research was conducted online by Pureprofile in 2024 and commissioned by Huggies® Australia. Findings are based on a nationally representative sample of 1,000+ Australian parents with children aged 1-5 years old.