After birth, a newborn baby can manage a few things as it adapts to the world around it. This includes cradle cap. This condition can easily be remedied at home with cradle cap shampoo and proper bathing and drying. Newborn skin is delicate as it adapts and the baby grows. Cradle cap, also known as baby dandruff, is more of a nuisance for the parents than the baby. Aside from dry skin and flaky spots, there aren’t many physical symptoms.
We created this guide to highlight the top 10 best cradle cap shampoos! They will help your newborn transition into the infant stage with a clear scalp. These shampoos can also help your child’s early years with cradle cap by balancing oil production by the scalp and keeping the skin clean.
What is a cradle cap?
Cradle cap is a condition that newborns can experience on their scalp. This condition causes rough, flaky, or dry spots on the baby’s scalp. It’s common in newborns and basically baby sheds. Cradle Cap gets its name because babies usually show symptoms on the head where a cap covers.
Many babies experience Cradle Cap! There is nothing to worry about. You can treat it at home with shampoo, which will help relieve symptoms. A doctor visit is only necessary if shampoo and home remedies don’t seem to resolve the baby’s symptoms. The cause of the cradle cap is not fully understood, but many doctors believe the bumps are due to increased oil production.
How a cradle cap shampoo helps
Cradle cap shampoo helps relieve and reduce your baby’s symptoms by keeping the scalp clean and hydrated. Cradle cap shampoo can also help keep the oil in balance in the baby’s scalp to reduce the buildup that can cause the condition.
Start by using traditional baby shampoo two to three times a week. If that doesn’t help, you can try a fragrance-free baby shampoo. These are usually milder and gentler on the baby’s skin. There are also several cradle cap specific shampoos that are the best way to cleanse your baby’s cradle cap and prevent recurrence.
Cradle cap shampoo helps reduce baby dandruff and keeps the scalp clean while also helping to balance oil production. During the bath, rinse your baby’s scalp and hair completely, as residual shampoo can clog pores.
Also, take the time to completely dry your baby’s hair and brush the hair to keep the scalp dry. It might also help to wear a soft knitted hat during the day.
The 11 best cradle cap shampoos
1. Tubby Todd Hair & Body Wash & All Over Ointment – The clear winner!
Tubby Todd was created by a mother whose child had extreme eczema. She created an all-natural line of products that are just amazing. We used it on our daughter because of her eczema and on my nephew because of his cradle cap. In both cases, Tubby Todd cured eczema and cradle cap in one day.
4 easy steps to healing cradle cap with Tubby Todd
- Use Tubby Todd Hair & Body Wash in the bathtub (a dime size is enough)
- After bathing, dry your baby off and gently brush their head with a soft baby brush.
- Just before bedtime, apply a good serving of Tubby Todd’s All Over ointment to your baby’s head where they have dry skin. Don’t worry if it gets on baby’s hair!
- Morning Debris Removal Bath: If necessary, bathe your baby again in the morning to remove any debris from the ointment.
GET 15% OFF your Tubby Todd order with code: AMBERMAMIAN15
2: Mustela foam shampoo + cradle cap cream
This Mustela foam shampoo is a must for many first parents due to its natural ingredients. Designed specifically for newborns, the 99% natural ingredients cleanse a baby’s hair while reducing cradle cap. The foam dries out less than other thicker shampoos, and the tear-free shampoo with avocado helps wash away dandruff and protect the baby’s scalp to avoid dry spots in the future. Mustela also offers a cradle cap cream which, together with this shampoo, moisturizes and protects the scalp. This is a good cradle cap shampoo for treating the scalp, but it can be a little expensive to use as a daily shampoo once the condition has cleared up.
3: Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Medicated Cradle Cap Shampoo
This medicated shampoo was developed by a pediatrician to help reduce common skin conditions like cradle cap. Most pediatricians can recommend traditional dandruff shampoos to help reduce cradle cap. However, this is the first shampoo for children under the age of 5 to feature the same common active ingredient in a more baby-friendly formula. This is not just a shampoo, but also a body wash. It helps reduce many dry, flaky, red skin conditions from the scalp to the armpits, skin folds, and behind the ears. This is a great shampoo and body wash option to help reduce all types of skin conditions. You can use this product daily or 2 to 3 times a week depending on the cradle cap. Once the skin condition is cleared, it is a good idea to use Dr. To use Eddie.
4: Burt’s Bees baby shampoo and shower gel
Burt’s Bees Baby is a well-known brand known for their natural products that work well on sensitive skin. Although this brand doesn’t offer a specific shampoo for cradle cap, the natural and gentle ingredients in the baby shampoo and shower gel can help keep the baby’s skin soft and clear. This shampoo is gentle enough for everyday use. This is a good option after the cradle cap has cleared or before you see dry, flaky skin on your scalp. The shampoo is a foam that is easier to wash off and can help cleanse the scalp and skin without overdrying or clogging the pores.
5: CeraVe Baby Wash and Shampoo
Many dermatologists recommend CeraVe for the relief of many skin conditions, and the baby wash and shampoo can be a great option for everyday use or for bath time. The tear-free shampoo formula makes it easy to use in babies and toddlers, while the ingredients have been selected to moisturize and protect the skin. The ceramides in this CeraVe product help restore and maintain the skin’s natural protective barrier, and the added vitamins moisturize any skin that needs a little help. This is a great product for daily use with the baby as the ingredients will keep the baby’s skin hydrated and also help with dry areas.
6: Aquaphor baby detergent and shampoo
Many dermatologists recommend Aquaphor because their line of products moisturizes and nourishes dry skin. This baby wash and shampoo is fragrance free and formulated to be gentle on soft skin. This is a great option for babies with sensitive skin as the ingredients are gentle and cleanse the skin, including the scalp, while providing protective ingredients to keep the skin clear and hydrated. The shampoo and shower gel help cleanse the skin without drying it out, and have a lighter formula to allow the soapy water to be rinsed out completely without drying out or peeling off the skin.
7: Weleda 2 in 1 gentle shampoo and shower gel
Another more natural brand is Weleda, known for their high quality ingredients and natural approach. This shampoo and shower gel gently cleanses, cares and protects. The all-natural ingredients offer a safe product for tear-free use, easy-to-comb hair and hydrated and protected skin after every wash. This product is very skin-friendly and is a great option for sensitive skin, including those affected by cradle cap. This is a good option for an everyday product that can reduce cradle cap and help support sensitive and dry skin.
8th: Cetaphil baby detergent and shampoo
Some families are looking for a more luxurious foam for every bath and Cetaphil Baby offers just that. This product is a creamier or thicker shampoo than the foam options. However, it also offers a gentle cleanse that is safe to use on sensitive skin and doesn’t dry out too much. The shampoo rinses out completely, which is great for dry skin, and the thicker lather can help moisturize and leave your baby with clean, fresh skin. This is a very accessible and readily available shampoo that can prevent cradle cap and moisturize delicate and delicate skin.
9: Babyganics Conditioning fragrance-free shampoo and shower gel
There are several other organic and natural brands, and Babyganics supplies a sturdy and safe shampoo and shower gel. This shampoo uses natural ingredients to protect and protect the baby with herbal ingredients and oils. The particularly gentle formula can be used on both infants and toddlers. This is definitely the product and brand for babies with sensitive skin. Plus, it’s a great option for babies with the first signs of cradle cap to provide a natural shampoo to cleanse the skin.
10: Baby bum shampoo and shower gel
Baby Bum is a popular sunscreen brand that many families use to protect their children’s skin from the sun. You now have a shampoo and shower gel to keep the baby’s skin clean too! The shampoo and shower gel have been specially developed for small children, babies, toddlers and children. This is a reliable shampoo that you can use for years. The light foam wash keeps baby’s skin clean without drying or being too heavy. The herbal ingredients make this a very hypoallergenic option that many doctors recommend.
11: The Honest Company Purely fragrance-free shampoo and shower gel
After all, is The Honest Company. Many families choose this brand for its natural focus and ease of delivery. Every product contains clean, high quality ingredients. This fragrance-free shampoo and shower gel offers your baby an easy, clean, and safe option. You can use this formula from head to toe, and it’s gentle enough to use on the most sensitive skin on a daily basis. The ingredients have been selected to cleanse and hydrate, leaving your baby soft, clean and hydrated.
Cradle cap is a common infant condition that many babies suffer from. Dry scalp with flakes or red bumps can be easily remedied with a good quality shampoo to moisturize and balance the baby’s oil production. These top 10 cradle cap shampoos have something for everyone, from a concentrated medicated shampoo to a daily shampoo.
You may also like:
How to take a milk baby bath + all the benefits
The 10 Best White Noise Machines for Babies [Ultimate Lullaby!]
15 Activities for Your 3 Month Age to Start Learning!
Pin for later!
