By: Dr. Sunbin Song, PhD
Reviewed by: Dr. Gayin Lee, MD, Dermatologist

Research shows a strong link between eczema and food allergies — in fact, about one-third of children with moderate to severe eczema later develop food allergies¹. This is because their skin barrier is weaker, which can let allergy-causing substances get through more easily and trigger the immune system. Many people don’t realize that your baby’s skincare routine can influence whether those allergies develop.This article explains three science-backed skincare guidelines that can help lower your baby’s risk of developing food allergies.

1. Avoid Baby Skincare Products with Food Allergens

Many popular “natural” baby products contain food-based ingredients — like oats, wheat, nut oils, seed oils, fruit oils, honey, milk, egg derivatives, or botanical extracts. While these may sound healthy, repeated skin contact with food allergens can actually trigger allergic sensitization. This is because the skin can “learn” to react to these foods if it’s exposed to them through creams, especially if the skin is already sensitive or broken. 

Here’s why we believe this: 

• Studies show that skin exposure to allergenic foods in infancy increases allergy risk, while early oral introduction (at 4–6 months) helps build tolerance^1,2.

• A landmark study found higher peanut allergy rates in children who had peanut oil applied to their skin, with no link to peanut consumption during pregnancy or breastfeeding^6.

• In one hospital study, 33% of children with eczema using oat creams developed oat skin allergies, and 15.6% developed oat food allergies, compared to 0% in the non-oat group^7.

While the research is still emerging, our point of view is to play it safe. Our tip is to read ingredient labels and avoid skincare products with food and nut ingredients for use on newborns and infants, including:

• Sweet almond oil

• Macadamia nut oil 

• Shea nut butter

• Coconut oil

• Olive oil

• Sunflower oil 

• Colloidal oatmeal  

• Wheat 

• Goat’s milk

• Beeswax

• Lavender

If it's food, it’s best for eating — not for baby’s skin.

2. Protect the Skin Microbiome with pH balanced products

Your baby’s skin is home to a delicate community of “good” bacteria — part of the skin microbiome — which trains your baby’s immune system to react appropriately to things like pollen, dust or food. Moreover, your skin is actually slightly acidic with a pH of 4-6. Harmful bacteria thrive in a more neutral pH environment. 

Simple steps to protect skin’s microbiome: 

• Avoid “true” soaps that are made the old-fashioned way – including castile soaps or milk soaps – or anything with the word, “soap” on the label. These are typically made using an oil or fat and putting them through a saponification process with sodium hydroxide – the result is a pH alkaline soap (often pH of 9 to 11). In contrast, skin is slightly acidic at a pH between 4-6. While that natural bar soap may seem harmless - it is likely to throw off the pH balance of skin, dry it out, damage the skin barrier and skin’s microbiome. 

• Instead, choose gentle cleansers and washes: Cleansers and washes are typically developed with synthetic detergents and are pH balanced to be slightly acidic, much like skin. These products can help gently cleanse skin of harmful bacteria without damaging the skin barrier. 

• Consider dilute bleach baths during eczema flares: Part of the issue with eczema skin is that it is not acidic enough, which allows harmful S. Aureus to thrive. Recent research suggests that S. Aureus plays a big role in the inflammation of eczema. For these reasons, many dermatologists and allergists will recommend dilute bleach baths to reduce S. Aureus overgrowth. 

But, do not overdo it. While dilute bleach baths and antibacterial sprays can help to reduce S. Aureus overgrowth during acute flare-ups, it also kills beneficial skin bacteria that should be there. Growing evidence supports the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ which basically states that if your child grows up in an overly sterile environment, it increases chances of developing allergies, asthma and auto-immune conditions. 

3. Support and Strengthen the Skin Barrier

For babies with eczema, the skin barrier — the outermost protective layer — is damaged, allowing allergens to “leak” in. This can set off a chain reaction leading to food and environmental allergies. Eczema severity is linked to increased risk of asthma and allergies, but effective barrier-focused skincare can help reduce that risk⁷. 

Tips to support the skin barrier: 

• Keep the skin moisturized: When skin gets dry, it can cause small fissures in the skin that allow irritants in, let moisture seep out and cause inflammation. Keeping skin regularly moisturized 1-2x / day is a small preventative measure that can have a big impact. 

• Use a barrier cream or ointment on the face before meal-time to protect against contact with skin: Using a petrolatum-based ointment or cream can help to keep foods from making contact with skin – helping to prevent contact dermatitis and eczema.

• Follow-up bathtime with a nourishing cream: After bathtime, while skin is slightly damp, apply a nourishing cream to lock-in hydration. And avoid overly hot or lengthy baths that can dry out skin. 

Make sure you are using barrier or nourishing creams with safe, non-food-based ingredients that help keep moisture in and allergens out.

Song Lab’s Science-First Approach

Many “natural” baby skincare products on the market are full of food-based allergens and harsh cleansers — exactly what scientific evidence says to avoid. Song Lab Skincare is formulated without food allergens, designed to protect the skin microbiome, and developed for eczema-prone babies.

References

1. Spergel JM, Paller AS (2003) Atopic dermatitis and the atopic march. J Allergy Clin Immunol 112:S118-127.
   
   

2. Rajani PS, Martin H, Groetch M, Jarvinen KM (2020) Presentation and Management of Food Allergy in Breastfed Infants and Risks of Maternal Elimination Diets. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 8(1): 52-67.
   
   

3. Abrams EM, Chan ES (2019) Prevention of Non-peanut Food Allergies. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 19(12): 60.
   
   

4. Izadi N, Luu M, Ong PY, Tam JS (2015) The Role of Skin Barrier in the Pathogenesis of Food Allergy. Children 2: 382-402.
   
   

5. Trogen B, Jacobs S, Nowak-Wegrzyn A (2022) Early Introduction of Allergenic Foods and the Prevention of Food Allergy. Nutrients 14, 2565.
   
   

6. Lack G, Fox D, Northstone K, Golding J (2003) Factors Associated with the Development of Peanut Allergy in Childhood. NEJM 348(11): 977-985.
   
   

7. Boussalt P et al. (2007) Oat sensitization in children with atopic dermatitis. Allergy 67: 1251-1256
   

8. Lohray R, Lio PA (2024) Transcutaneous Sensitization: The Real Skinny on Food-based Emollients and Skincare Products. Headlines in Dermatology.