Should we use olive oil or sunflower oil on a preterm infant’s skin?

Many health professionals recommend olive oil as a topical emollient for infant skin regardless of gestational age. A preterm infant’s skin has a much thinner protective skin barrier than a term baby. The use of olive oil, which is high in oleic acid, has a damaging effect on the skin’s protective barrier and therefore may further compromise the well-being of an already vulnerable baby. Alternatively, highly refined sunflower oil, which is very low in oleic acid, has positive antibacterial, moisturising and regenerative properties on the skin’s protective barrier.