Objective: to describe the nature and development in nursing scientific production on the theme "skin care to the newborns" (NB). Method: a literature search with descriptive, exploratory and qualitative approach was carried out in the LILACS, PUBMED and BDENF databases. Eleven articles were selected. Results: after reading the studies, the analysis was performed with six national publications and five international publications. Seven studies had qualitative approach and four studies, quantitative approach. This study allowed to know the care provided and ways of monitoring the evaluation of the skin of newborns. Conclusion: few studies on care of newborn skin were found. The development of studies aiming to contribute to the preparation and review of protocols to provide care to prevent diseases in newborns is recommended.