Baby skincare challenges
February 11, 2025
The Nordic climate, with its cold winters, dry indoor air, and occasional bursts of heat in the summer, can take a toll on delicate baby skin. While babies’ skin is naturally soft and sensitive, these environmental factors can make it prone to dryness, irritation, and other challenges.
The good news? Most baby skin issues are harmless and temporary, and with the right care, you can keep your little one’s skin healthy and comfortable throughout the year.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most common baby skin challenges, why they occur, and practical ways to manage them.
What You’ll Learn on This Page :
- Common baby skin challenges and their symptoms
- Gentle care tips to soothe and protect your baby’s skin
Dry Skin
The cold, dry air in Nordic winters combined with heated indoor environments can strip moisture from your baby’s skin, leading to dryness. Dry skin can appear as rough, flaky, or scaly patches on the legs, arms, or cheeks.
How to care for dry skin:
- Keep baths short (5–10 minutes) and use lukewarm water. Hot water can dry out the skin.
- Replace soap with a gentle cleansing oil, like our Baby Caring & Cleansing Oil, to hydrate while cleansing.
- Apply a gentle moisturizer like our Baby Caring & Cleansing Oil or Gentle Cleansing & Moisturizing Cream immediately after bathing to lock in moisture.
- Some may find relief to dry skin challenges with humidifiers, especially in the winter.
Well by Orion Pharma
Baby Caring & Cleansing Oil
Multi-use hydration for bath, massage, and cradle cap. Fragrance-free, vegan, and endorsed by the Finnish Allergy Federation.

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Eczema can be triggered by environmental factors such as cold weather, dry air, or irritants like synthetic fabrics. Genetics also play a role. Eczema appears as red, itchy patches, often in skin folds like the elbows, knees, or behind the ears. Maintaining a healthy immune system is important, as it can help reduce flare-ups and keep the skin barrier functioning properly.
How to care for eczema:
- Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer like our Gentle Cleansing & Moisturizing Cream regularly to keep the skin hydrated.
- Dress your baby in soft, breathable fabrics like cotton to reduce irritation.
- Keep the baby’s nails short to avoid any scratching
- Always consult a healthcare professional for advice and possible treatments if eczema persists or gets worse.
Nappy Rash
Prolonged contact with moisture and friction in the nappy area can irritate the skin, resulting in red, inflamed skin in the diaper region, sometimes with raised bumps.
How to care for nappy rash:
- Change nappies frequently to keep the area dry and clean. Also offer your baby nappy-free time, when possible, to allow their skin to breathe.
- For extra gentle protection during diaper changes, our Baby Caring & Cleansing Oil can soothe and clean at the same time.
- Our Nipple & Barrier Cream can also be used to protect the baby’s skin and care for irritated areas.
Well by Orion Pharma
Nipple & Barrier Cream
The fragrance-free formula is enriched with glycerin, vitamin E, and avocado oil to deeply hydrate, prevent dryness, and improve skin suppleness. It absorbs easily and spreads smoothly, ideal for frequent use on delicate areas.

Cradle Cap (Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis)
An overproduction of oil in the scalp, often linked to maternal hormones, can lead to cradle cap. The cradle cap appears as yellow, greasy, scaly patches or crusts on the scalp, sometimes extending to the eyebrows.
How to care for cradle cap:
- Massage the scalp gently with Baby Caring & Cleansing Oil to gently loosen scales. Wash the scalp with a mild baby shampoo to remove flakes. You can use a soft brush after washing to help remove scales.
- Avoid picking or scratching the scales to prevent irritation.
- Be gentle – the cradle cap will most often go away on its own and doesn’t necessarily require treatment.
Fungal Infections in Children and Babies
Fungal infections are common in both infants and slightly older children – and are usually completely harmless. In newborns, they typically occur in skin folds, where moisture and warmth make it easy for the fungus to thrive. It can appear as redness, irritation, or small rashes, also known as intertrigo. Fungal infections can also occur in the mouth in the form of thrush – a white coating that can make eating uncomfortable.
To prevent discomfort, it is important to keep the skin clean and dry, especially in the folds. Air out the skin when possible, and use a gentle, moisturizing cream at the first sign of irritation. If the discomfort does not go away, or if the child seems affected, you should contact healthcare for advice and possible treatment.
Caring for Baby Skin in a Nordic Climate
The changing climate brings unique challenges for baby skin, but with a gentle, thoughtful approach, you can help your little one feel comfortable and cared for. Simple practices will go a long way in keeping your baby’s skin soft, healthy, and soothed.
When it comes to baby skincare, having the right products can make all the difference. The Baby Care Basics Bundle combines trusted solutions like the Baby Caring & Cleansing Oil and Nipple & Barrier Cream to simplify your routine and support your baby’s delicate skin through every season.
Well by Orion Pharma
Gentle Cleansing & Moisturizing Cream
3-in-1: cleanser, moisturizer, and in-shower care. Fragrance free and allergy certified.

About the author
Tanja Kipinoinen, eCom Manager
Passionate about promoting well-being and improving customer experience in digital channels. Responsible for developing the online store and content in collaboration with experts in dietary supplements and cosmetics development to ensure that information is reliable and easy to understand.
We continuously work to make sure the content we create is high-quality, up-to-date, and engaging. All our content is based on independence, objectivity, and expertise. In addition to our skilled content creators, Orion Pharma’s product specialists regularly review the materials.
Read more
View all-
Baby shower gifts for mum (and baby)
Baby showers are one of those occasions where everyone wants to give something meaningful: something the new mum will actually use and appreciate. If you're looking for a gift that...
Baby shower gifts for mum (and baby)
Baby showers are one of those occasions where everyone wants to give something meaningful: something the new mum will actually use and appreciate. If you're looking for a gift that...
-
Folate, folic acid and pregnancy planning: when...
If you're thinking about getting pregnant, or if there's any chance you might become pregnant in the coming months, you've probably heard that folic acid is important. But when exactly...
Folate, folic acid and pregnancy planning: when...
If you're thinking about getting pregnant, or if there's any chance you might become pregnant in the coming months, you've probably heard that folic acid is important. But when exactly...
-
Mama Bundle & Baby Care Basics – who they’re for
Discover the Mama Bundle and Baby Care Basics Bundle: gentle, fragrance‑free skincare essentials for pregnancy, postpartum, and baby’s first months. Thoughtfully curated to support sensitive skin and simplify everyday routines...
Mama Bundle & Baby Care Basics – who they’re for
Discover the Mama Bundle and Baby Care Basics Bundle: gentle, fragrance‑free skincare essentials for pregnancy, postpartum, and baby’s first months. Thoughtfully curated to support sensitive skin and simplify everyday routines...