You’re probably familiar with the gut microbiome, the dense ecosystem of microbes (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) that live in the digestive tract and contribute to overall health. The skin, our largest organ, also has a microbiome that serves as a physical barrier, protecting the body from toxins, pathogens, and pollution from the outside world.

The skin microbiome is often referred to as the “skin barrier” in complexion-focused beauty content. But it’s so much more than a pretty face!

Microbes in the skin microbiome:

• Fight infection by keeping skin acidic.
• Activate or deactivate the immune system.
• Heal wounds and fight inflammation.

How baby’s skin microbiome is unique

Baby’s skin microbiome, like the rest of their body, is immature and still developing. Newborn skin is 20-30% thinner than an adult’s, making it more susceptible to infection. A thin epidermis and low amount of melanin makes baby extremely UV sensitive. Despite its soft and smooth texture, baby's skin contains fewer oils that hold moisture in, so it’s more prone to dryness.

All these factors make baby vulnerable in this big, germy world, but not for long! Exposure to diverse microbes builds a stronger, more resilient skin microbiome that protects baby against illness, allergies, and disease.

So how can you help baby’s skin microbiome flourish through exposure? Good news: You’ve already started. 

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How baby’s skin microbiome is created

Baby’s skin microbiome begins developing in utero through contact with amniotic fluid and maternal microbes. The most critical microbial seeding occurs during birth, and colonization of baby’s skin microbiome continues with every interaction and exposure. By age three, the core microbiota of baby’s skin is established through several key factors.

Birth method: There’s no wrong or right way to give birth, but one advantage of vaginal birth is a healthier skin microbiome. This is because vaginal birth exposes baby to maternal vaginal and gut microbes, like Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides. Babies born by c-section get their initial microbes from their mother’s skin and the hospital environment, leading to a microbiome more populated with Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium. Vaginal seeding is one way for mothers who give birth through C-section to expose their newborns to vaginal microbes that could help establish a healthy skin microbiome, but the practice is not without its risks. If you’re interested, this is something to discuss with your healthcare provider. 

Skin-to-skin contact: Today it’s standard practice for hospitals and birthing centers to encourage skin-to-skin contact within an hour of birth. There are well-known benefits, from bonding to stabilizing vital signs to facilitating breastfeeding. One you might not be aware of: transferring beneficial bacteria to baby’s skin and gut microbiome. Doctors urge parents to aim for at least an hour of skin-to-skin contact daily during baby’s first few months. Snuggling is good for baby’s health!

Feeding: While you might associate feeding more with baby’s gut microbiome, it’s also connected to a healthy skin microbiome. Nursing directly transfers beneficial bacteria between mother and baby through a combination of breast milk and skin-to-skin contact. Formula feeding provides a different level of nutrition, but can still be practiced skin-to-skin to support baby’s skin microbiome.

Antibiotic use: By definition, antibiotics are medications that fight bacteria. While this can be life-saving in cases of harmful bacterial infections, antibiotics can also destroy healthy, naturally-occurring bacteria. For this reason, doctors avoid overly prescribing antibiotics, especially in young children. This doesn’t mean that all antibiotics are bad. It means that they should be used cautiously and with the guidance of a medical provider. 

Bathing: Similar to antibiotics, antibacterial soaps can strip the skin microbiome of good bacteria that promotes immune health. In general, parents should avoid bathing baby too often, as it can irritate delicate skin, and should opt for gentle personal care products made without fragrances and added chemicals. Beyond the diaper area, babies don’t get as “dirty” as adults. Their skin is less oily and their apocrine sweat glands aren’t developed yet.

Environment: While your instinct might be to clean and sanitize baby’s world, they benefit from a microbially-rich home environment. The good, messy things in life—nature, pets, plants, people, everyday dirt—expose baby to diverse microbes, strengthening the immune system and preventing illness in the future. This is also why bringing safe and gentle cleaning and personal care products into baby’s environment is so important.

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How HealthyBaby diapers support baby’s skin microbiome

HealthyBaby pioneered the EWG VERIFIED® diaper, made without parabens, phthalates, fragrances, and 3,900+ common chemicals linked to potential health harm. Now Our Diaper and Our Pull-Up Style Diaper are the first in the world to be MyMicrobiome Certified. This means that the key components of Our Diaper that touch baby’s skin have been lab-tested and verified skin microbiome-friendly by MyMicrobiome, an independent scientific organization dedicated to advocacy and education about the skin microbiome and its connection to overall health.

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From diapers to wipes to body wash, the products that touch baby’s developing skin microbiome, the protective layer of baby’s largest organ, matter. Overly harsh products disrupt the good bacteria that keeps baby safe from outside toxins, pathogens, and pollution. A compromised skin microbiome can manifest in visible skin dryness and irritation. It may also contribute to long-term health issues, like allergies, asthma, and immune system challenges.

Choosing Our Diaper is an impactful way to support baby’s skin microbiome. After all, diapers are the item that baby wears most often and on their most delicate skin. A few changes to baby’s environment and routines can have profound benefits on their health. With HealthyBaby, you can start from the bottom up.

References

Casterline, B. & Paller, A. (2020). Early development of the skin microbiome: Therapeutic opportunities. Pediatric Research,731-737. Retrieved January 5, 2026.

Dunn, A., Jordan, S., Baker, B., Carlson, N. (2017) The Maternal Infant Microbiome: Considerations for Labor and Birth. The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing, 318-325. Retrieved January 5, 2026.

Widstrom, A., Brimdyr, K., Svensson, K., Cadwell, K., Nissen, E. (2019). Skin-to-skin contact the first hour after birth, underlying implications and clinical practice. Acta Paediatrica, 1192-1204.Retrieved January 5, 2026.

Covian-Rios, D., Langella, P., & Martin, R. (2021). From short- to long-term effects of C-section delivery on microbiome establishment and host health. Microorganisms. Retrieved January 5, 2026.