A newborn's skin, especially that of a premature baby, is still learning to perform its protective
function. Although it contains all the layers found in adult skin, it functions differently. It is more
permeable, loses water more quickly and its hydrolipid barrier is not yet fully developed.
This is due,
among other things, to the structure of the stratum corneum. In adults it consists of several tightly
packed layers of cells forming a tight barrier. In infants these cells are more oval, more loosely
arranged and less tightly connected, making the skin more permeable to external factors and causing it to
lose moisture more quickly, which may lead to dehydration and dryness.
That is why skincare during the
first months of life should be tailored to the skin's physiology – not only gentle, but also functional
and supportive of its natural development.