Caring for Preemie Skin: How Natural Oils Can Support Your Baby’s Health

Having a baby prematurely can be an overwhelming experience for any mother. Along with the challenges of caring for a newborn, preemies require extra care, particularly for their delicate skin. Proper skin care plays a crucial role in preventing infections, supporting growth, and promoting overall health for these tiny fighters. Let’s explore the unique needs of premature infants and how natural skincare, specifically plant-based oils, can help nurture and protect them.

The Unique Development of Newborn and Preemie Skin

For the first six months of life, a newborn’s skin is much more like a mucous membrane than fully developed skin. It is still maturing, which makes it more permeable and sensitive to external factors. For preemies, the situation is even more complex. Since most skin development occurs during the last trimester of pregnancy, premature babies, especially those born before 30 weeks, have a much thinner skin barrier. This makes them highly prone to Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), meaning they lose water quickly, which increases the risk of dehydration and makes it difficult for the skin to retain moisture.

Studies show that preemies experience significantly higher rates of TEWL compared to full-term infants, especially in the first few weeks of life. This thinner skin barrier also means that premature babies are more susceptible to irritants and infections, making gentle, nourishing skincare critical to their health​​.

Challenges Preemie Skin Faces in the NICU

In the NICU, premature babies are often exposed to adhesive tapes, monitoring devices, tubes, and other medical equipment that can stress their already delicate skin. The weight and pressure of these devices can cause damage, irritation, and increase the risk of infection. Frequent removal and reapplication of adhesives further compromise the skin barrier. Early, proper skincare not only provides a protective layer but also helps to lower the rates of skin damage and infection while promoting faster healing​. When made from natural, nourishing oils, skincare products deliver essential nutrients directly to the skin, ensuring it is supported in the best way possible.

Why Early Skin Care Matters for Preemies 

Preemie skin is thinner and more vulnerable than that of full-term babies, and early, consistent skincare is crucial. The use of natural oils not only hydrates and nourishes the skin, but also helps to minimize the damage caused by adhesives and equipment in the NICU, speeding up healing and lowering infection risks. By providing the right nourishment through plant-based oils, you can support your baby’s skin as it grows stronger and healthier.

Practices for Preventing Infection and Supporting Preemie Growth 

• Sterile Environments: Preemies are kept in sterile incubators to reduce exposure to bacteria. Hand hygiene and cleanliness are critical before handling premature babies​.

• Skin-to-Skin Care: Also known as kangaroo care, skin-to-skin contact between mothers and preemies is strongly recommended as it helps with thermoregulation, bonding, and immune system development​.

• Gentle Cleansing and Moisturizing: Since preemie skin is more permeable, it is vital to use gentle, non-toxic products. Harsh cleansers and chemicals should be avoided. Instead, using emollients and mild natural oils can help lock in moisture and protect the skin​​.

• Warm and humid air: Babies are kept at a body temperature to reduce the burden on their system for thermoregulation and the humidity in the incubator is kept high to reduce Transepidermal water loss. 

How Natural Oils Fit into Preemie Care

Research shows that natural, plant-based oils are highly effective in moisturizing and protecting preemies' fragile skin. These oils provide nourishment, help build the skin's protective barrier, and are safe for sensitive skin when used correctly. Let's look at some of the best natural oils for premature infants:

1. Coconut Oil: A study from India validated the benefits of coconut oil for preemies, showing improved skin maturity and reduced risk of infections like late-onset sepsis. Coconut oil also has antibacterial properties, making it ideal for preventing infections​​

2. Shea Butter: Rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, shea butter softens the skin, reduces TEWL, and helps repair damaged skin barriers. It is safe for preemies and provides long-lasting moisture​.

3. Cocoa Butter: Known for its high content of saturated fats, cocoa butter mimics the natural structure of baby skin, making it an excellent choice for providing deep hydration and protection​.

4. Hemp Oil: With omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, hemp oil is perfect for soothing inflammation and improving skin elasticity. It’s beneficial for preemies who may have sensitive or irritated skin​.

5. Tamanu Oil: This oil is renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to heal damaged skin. It can calm redness, dryness, and irritation, making it a great option for premature babies​.

You can find all of these oils in high volumes in our butters. I formulated a butter using organic natural ingredients and carefully balanced them for maximum support to preemie and newborn skin. Royal Heir First Touch Baby Butter is the cleanest and most effective formula you will find. 

Royal Heir First Touch Baby Butter Can Help 

One of the best ways to care for preemie skin is by using the Royal Heir First Touch Baby Butter, a carefully formulated blend of rich, natural butters and oils. As an aromatherapist, I designed this formula to include only ingredients that serve a critical function in nurturing and protecting delicate skin. Each ingredient has been chosen for its specific benefits, ensuring the skin receives not just hydration but the nutrients needed to develop properly. 

Not only is it formulated with safe, nourishing ingredients, but Royal Heir First Touch Baby Butter is also EWG Verified, meaning it meets the strictest standards for health and safety. You can be confident that every ingredient has been carefully vetted for your baby’s sensitive skin.

Here’s how each ingredient works together to support your preemie’s fragile skin:

• Cocoa Butter: This is the main ingredient and plays a vital role in deeply hydrating the skin. Rich in fatty acids, it mimics the natural structure of baby skin, providing an excellent moisture barrier that helps prevent TEWL. Cocoa butter also promotes skin elasticity and offers protection from irritation caused by adhesives and medical equipment.

• Coconut Oil: Known for its medium-chain fatty acids, coconut oil quickly absorbs into the skin, providing immediate hydration. It also has natural antibacterial properties that help prevent infections, it works best when combined with other oils to offer a more complete skin-nurturing profile.

• Shea Butter: Shea butter is packed with essential fatty acids and vitamins, strengthening the skin’s natural barrier and soothing irritation. It also helps lock in moisture and reduces TEWL, making it ideal for preemie skin that’s prone to dehydration.

• Sunflower Oil: Rich in linoleic acid, sunflower oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help calm irritated skin. It also helps restore the skin barrier, promoting faster healing of damaged areas, particularly where adhesives and equipment have caused stress on the skin.

• Hemp Oil: High in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, hemp oil supports skin regeneration and reduces inflammation. It is a perfect addition to soothe irritation and support the skin’s overall health, ensuring preemie skin develops properly.

• Castor Oil: Castor oil is a powerful humectant, meaning it draws moisture to the skin and helps retain it. It also provides a layer of protection from external irritants, making it an excellent base for shielding fragile preemie skin from the environment.

• Jojoba Seed Oil: Jojoba oil closely resembles the skin’s natural sebum, helping to balance moisture levels without clogging pores. It plays an important role in nourishing the skin and supporting the natural healing process, especially when the skin has been irritated by adhesives and equipment.

• Carnauba Wax: This natural wax provides a protective barrier on the skin, locking in moisture and giving the baby butter a smooth consistency that makes it easy to apply without dragging or irritating the skin.

• Tocopherol (Vitamin E): Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that helps protect the skin from environmental damage and supports healing, ensuring that preemie skin stays healthy as it develops.

Regular use of Royal Heir First Touch Baby Butter nourishes and protects preemie skin, while also supporting its natural healing process. By providing a layer of protection and hydration, this butter can help reduce the risk of damage caused by medical equipment while promoting faster recovery and stronger skin integrity.

How to Safely Use Natural Oils for Preemie Skin

When using natural oils on your preemie’s skin, it’s important to follow a few key guidelines to ensure the oils are both effective and safe:

• Test First: Always apply a small amount of oil to a small patch of your baby’s skin and wait to see if there’s any reaction before applying it more widely.

• Apply to Damp Skin: After your baby’s bath, apply the oil while the skin is still damp to lock in moisture and maximize hydration​.

• Massage Gently: Infant massage with natural oils not only hydrates the skin but also has been shown to improve weight gain, reduce stress, and promote bonding​.

Conclusion: Nurturing Preemie Skin with the Power of Nature

Caring for premature babies requires extra attention, especially when it comes to their delicate skin. The right skincare practices, including the use of gentle, natural oils, can make a significant difference in protecting and nurturing their fragile skin. Oils like coconut, shea butter, and cocoa butter provide vital hydration, strengthen the skin’s barrier, and support the overall health of preemie babies. By choosing natural skincare, you’re helping your baby grow strong and healthy—right from the very beginning.

  I’m Henrieta, natural skincare formulator and aromatherapist.