Los Angeles creator Sloan Byrd has sparked widespread outrage online after claiming her five-month-old baby daughter Marie follows a 10-step skincare routine.
The lifestyle influencer, who has 213,000 followers, shared details of the bedtime routine on Instagram on Tuesday. She published a series of slides explaining the evening steps she takes to help her infant sleep for eight hours or more each night.
Her sleep preparation steps included placing silencers on every door in the home, using a sound machine, and maintaining skin-to-skin contact with the baby until the infant enters a deep sleep.
However, the controversy arose from one specific slide in the multi-image carousel post. The image showed baby Marie wrapped in a blanket while gazing into the camera lens as Byrd appeared to rub a cotton pad across the child's cheek.
An overlaid text caption on the photo read: "10-step skincare routine started since she was fresh out the womb idc idc."
Social media reaction
Furious social media users were quick to voice their anger after the image was reshared on the online discussion forum Reddit. Critics questioned the need for complex cosmetic routines for an infant.
One Reddit user wrote: "Girl, I'm so tired. This is weird and the overconsumption is crazy. Like be for real your infant doesn't need a 10-step skincare routine get a grip."
Others warned that using multiple products could damage the child's developing skin barrier. A concerned commenter noted: "Babies have insanely delicate skin. Contact dermatitis speedrun."
A third critic voiced concern about potential chemical irritation, writing: "That is literally going to cause more harm then good babies are so delicate they don’t even need adult soap wtf is wrong with this women." Another user simply added: "Excuse me, a what?"
Some viewers argued that the post was not intended to be taken literally. Several commentators dismissed Byrd's video as "rage bait" designed to drive engagement, suggesting the influencer was joking.
Representatives for Byrd have been reached out to by the Daily Mail for comment regarding the post and the surrounding online reaction.
Infant skin health guidelines
Dermatologists and medical experts emphasize that newborn skin is exceptionally delicate and sensitive during the first few months of life. An infant's outer skin layer is significantly thinner than adult skin, making it prone to dryness and irritation.
Health authorities generally recommend minimal product usage for young children. According to medical resource WebMD, most pediatric experts urge parents to use only "the mildest cleansers and the smallest bit of lotion" to protect a baby's skin.
Byrd has built a dedicated online audience across social media platforms by posting beauty, parenting, and lifestyle content. She welcomed baby Marie on March 19.
The content creator shares her daughter with her husband, Jackie Long, who is an actor and producer in the film and television industry. Long has built a career in film and television with a wide range of industry credits.
He is best known for his roles in feature films including the 2006 drama ATL, the 2007 comedy The Comebacks, and the 2006 musical film Idlewild.
