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Cradle cap, medically known as Seborrheic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that is thankfully harmless to babies. Cradle cap occurs when Malassezia (a yeast) breaks down the sebum, consuming saturated fatty acids and leaving unsaturated acids behind. Scaly skin tends to appear as yellow, greasy flakes or red and sore scaly patches, and it can affect other areas too, like the eyebrows, nose and nappy area occurring similar to a diaper rash.
It will typically clear up on its own, but there are plenty of products based on pyrithione zinc out there that can prevent cradle cap and make it all better.
Cradle cap generally looks worse than it is, and thankfully cannot be passed on to anyone else. We’ve picked out some top anti-cradle-cap shampoos for you to use, but if you don’t notice any improvement you should visit a doctor who will recommend specially designed, stronger products for babies with cradle cap. You will have to use those for a few months until the severe cradle cap disappears.
Whatever you do, make sure you don’t pick the crusts – even if they look like they are ready to come off. You might see some hair come away with the flakes too, but don’t worry as these are perfectly normal cradle cap symptoms. If the condition starts to affect your baby’s entire body or you’re worried about it in any way, see a doctor straight away for some advice.
There are plenty of skin care products including shampoos for hair and scalp on the market that can help soothe and soften the flakes. This guide will help you discover more about the best cradle cap shampoos which can help with your baby’s cradle cap, and the 5 we think are the best to do so.
We’ve researched each cradle cap shampoo, taking into consideration the key features and pros and cons of each. We’ve also added the price, so you can see which one might be most affordable for you.
By reading this guide, you should be armed with more information on how to safely tackle your baby’s cradle cap, or be prepared in case they get it in the future.
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- #1 Mustela Foam Shampoo
- #2 Dentinox Cradle Cap Treatment Shampoo
- #3 Bella B Bee Gone Cradle Cap Foaming Shampoo
- #4 Puracy Natural Cradle Cap Baby Shampoo & Body Wash
- #5 Babo Botanicals Moisturizing Gentle Baby Shampoo
- Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Shampoo for Cradle Cap
- FAQ’s About Cradle Cap Shampoos
- Final Thoughts on the Best Cradle Cap Shampoos
#1 Mustela Foam Shampoo
Mustela Foam Shampoo is one of the most popular dandruff shampoo and cradle cap shampoos too. It’s free from soap and made with 99% natural ingredients, making it kind and gentle on sensitive skin. It’s great as both dandruff and dermatitis treatment and prevention when it comes to redness and completely getting rid of cradle cap.
The main ingredient used is Avocado Perseus. It’s a tear free shampoo that has been scientifically proven to help the development of the skin’s barrier function – effectively getting rid of cradle cap in its tracks. It also contains BHA and Salicylic Acid to exfoliate away the flakes found with the cradle cap. You only have to have a look online to see the many positive reviews from parents sharing that it works.
General specifications:
|
Product weight |
7.2 ounces |
|
Product dimensions |
1.9 x 1.9 x 7 inches |
|
Ingredients |
Avocado Perseose, 99% plant based |
|
Model no. |
MUSMUSC73028602 |
|
Rating |
4.4 |
|
MSRP |
$12.50 |
How to use: Apply to wet babies hair and gently massage your baby’s scalp. Leave on for 1 to 2 minutes. Rinse carefully. Dry gently.
Pros and cons:
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Naturally-derived ingredients |
Slightly expensive |
|
Hypoallergenic |
Contains perfume |
|
99% of plant based ingredients |
A bit harder to find in-store |
|
Paraben, phthalate, and phenoxyethanol-free |
|
|
Dermatologist and pediatrician tested |
|
|
Pleasant smell |
#2 Dentinox Cradle Cap Treatment Shampoo
Not only can Dentinox shampoo be used to treat cradle cap, but it can be used once the condition’s gone to maintain the health and cleanliness of your little one’s head and scalp. It’s designed to give instant relief from the symptoms of cradle cap and is perfectly safe to be used from birth.
The two main active ingredients in this shampoo are sodium lauryl ether sulpho-succinate and sodium lauryl ether sulfate. Though they sound a bit scientific and scary, they’re actually medicines (called surfactants) and are great for cleansing your baby’s skin. They’ve been proven to be effective in the treatment of cradle cap and general scalp hygiene.
General specifications:
|
Product weight |
3.5 ounces |
|
Product dimensions |
2 x 0.6 x 5.5 inches |
|
Ingredients |
Sodium lauryl ether sulfosuccinate Sodium lauryl ether sulphate |
|
Model no. |
100732049 |
|
Rating |
3.9 |
|
Price |
$18.64 |
How to use: Wet the head of your baby. Put about half a teaspoon of the shampoo onto your palm and massage gently into your baby’s scalp. Avoid excess massaging and hot water. Rinse off then repeat the first step. Repeat this every time you bathe your baby until their scalp is clear. You can continue to use this shampoo to maintain a healthy head.
Pros and cons:
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Very effective treatment |
The medicine can cause side effects |
|
Fast-acting |
Parfum is used to scent |
|
Clean, fresh scent |
Not a tear-free formula |
|
Suitable from birth |
|
|
Can be used on sensitive skin |
|
#3 Bella B Bee Gone Cradle Cap Foaming Shampoo
Don’t be fooled by the price – this shampoo is incredibly effective. Made from completely natural ingredients, including oatmeal; which is a natural exfoliator, and organic shea butter; which moisturizes and soothes the skin, it’s packed with loads of good stuff that will remove your baby’s cradle cap and heal the skin underneath.
The great thing about Bella B Bee Gone is that it can be used as a daily shampoo to keep your baby’s skin nice and healthy. It has a natural scent, mild baby shampoo, and a foaming formula, making it super easy for moms and dads to use. In a few washes, you should see the cradle cap completely removed.
General specifications:
|
Product weight |
2 x 2 x 6 inches |
|
Product dimensions |
5.6 ounces |
|
Ingredients |
Oatmeal, Vitamin E, Organic Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, Organic Flower Extracts, Pharmaceutical Grade Tea Tree Oil, Amino Acids |
|
Model no. |
LC22402 |
|
Rating |
4.2 |
|
Price |
$9.99 |
How to use: Rub some of the shampoo onto your baby’s scalp and let the lather sit there for about 2-3 minutes. This will allow the shampoo to work its way into the layers of scabs to soften them.
Once the skin and cradle cap patches are thoroughly soaked, grab a soft brush and gently remove the cradle cap. Rinse and repeat as many times as you need to.
Pros and cons:
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Made in the USA |
At first, cradle cap can look worse while the formula’s working |
|
Paraben free |
|
|
Hypoallergenic |
|
|
Natural and organic ingredients |
|
|
Light, fresh scent |
|
|
Can be used daily |
#4 Puracy Natural Cradle Cap Baby Shampoo & Body Wash
Puracy shampoo is loaded with natural ingredients. It contains absolutely no harsh chemicals, so it’s perfectly safe to use on sensitive skin. It’s also a 2-in-1 formula, which is really handy if your baby’s cradle cot is appearing on other parts of the body other than the scalp.
You can use the shampoo directly onto the skin or pop some into the bathwater to help reach other areas of the body.
It’s claimed to be tear-free, and while this is true it can cause a little bit of discomfort to eyes by the cleansers attempting to clean the mucus from your baby’s eyes.
It can be easily washed out with freshwater but it’s something to be careful of when you’re washing your baby’s head. But overall, it smells great and is an incredibly effective treatment for cradle cot and other skin irritations.
General specifications:
|
Product weight |
2 pounds |
|
Product dimensions |
2.4 x 2.4 x 8.6 inches |
|
Ingredients |
NO HARSH CHEMICALS: No cocamidopropyl betaine, sulfates (SLS, SLES, SCS), eye-numbing agents, triclosan, formaldehyde, salicylates, parabens, phosphates, MEA, DEA, TEA, gluten, petroleum-based ingredients, animal by-products, perfumes, dyes or caustics |
|
Model no. |
PBSBW16-2 |
|
Rating |
4.3 |
|
Price |
$19.94 |
How to use: Rinse skin thoroughly with fresh water. Apply the formula to a washcloth, hands or directly into the bath. Massage into your baby’s wet skin and hair. Rinse with warm water.
Pros and cons:
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Developed by doctors |
Bit more expensive than other brands |
|
Suitable for all skin types |
Not quite as tear-free as it should be; can cause irritation |
|
No harsh chemicals |
|
|
Made in the USA |
|
|
Light grapefruit scent |
|
|
Naturally tear-free |
#5 Babo Botanicals Moisturizing Gentle Baby Shampoo
Made with plant-based ingredients, Babo Botanicals Moisturizing Cradle Cap Baby Shampoo is gentle and kind on your baby’s skin. The formula contains oat milk, which is great for soothing dry and baby’s sensitive skin.
It also contains Organic Calendula, which specifically helps with cradle cap as it soothes the scalp and moisturizes dry patches, causing them to naturally drop off or come away effortlessly with a gentle brush.
The only real downside is that it can take a few weeks to see results. This is because there are no medicinal ingredients present, only natural, so it just takes a bit longer to work its magic. Before using this shampoo, make sure you do a skin test using a small dollop of the product. If you see a reaction, consult your doctor straight away.
General specifications:
|
Product weight |
1.14 pounds |
|
Product dimensions |
4.2 x 1.5 x 7 inches |
|
Ingredients |
Natural Colloidal Oatmeal, Organic Calendula Flower, Natural Coconut Oil, Natural Shea Butter |
|
Model no. |
BABO-8047 |
|
Rating |
3.9 |
|
Price |
$11.33 |
How to use: Apply to a washcloth and gently massage baby’s hair, scalp, and body, avoiding eye area. Alternatively, dispense a small amount into bath water. Gently rinse skin.
Pros and cons:
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Made with plant-based natural ingredients |
Not the most pleasant smell |
|
Certified B Corporation – an organic formula |
Quite expensive for its size |
|
Good for babies with sensitive skin |
Can take a few weeks to see results |
|
Rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories |
|
|
Paraben and phthalate-free |
|
|
Can be used on newborns |
Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Shampoo for Cradle Cap
What’s in the ingredients?
Harsh and toxic chemicals are a complete no. It’s really important that you use a shampoo that contains gentle ingredients, as anything else will only make the condition worse and irritate the skin further. It’s best to look for natural or organic ingredients, and never use adult shampoos.
Using your shampoo alongside other treatments
While the shampoos on our list are a great tool to helping ease and soothe your baby’s cradle cap, there are other things you can do alongside shampooing to make a difference, too.
Before bathing your baby, try massaging a small amount of coconut, baby, or olive oil into their scalp and the affected areas. Then wet your baby’s hair and use a dry washcloth to gently brush away the scaly flakes. You can finish up by rinsing with your chosen shampoo and patting them dry.
Price
Generally, most shampoos on our list aren’t too expensive but as ever, we’ve tried to give you a wide range to discover more about. We know that it can be a very expensive time caring for a baby, so don’t be worried if you need to go for the cheaper option as all will be effective in treating cradle cap.
FAQ’s About Cradle Cap Shampoos
No, not at all. Cradle cap isn’t too dissimilar to dandruff. It can look very painful and sore but it definitely shouldn’t be as bad as it seems. It can cause discomfort if the condition is more severe. If you’re worried, go and see a doctor straight away. Cradle cap can be scary but don’t worry; there are plenty of good shampoos out there that can help soothe cradle cap.
Yes. Coconut baby oil is great to be applied on your baby’s head and not only prevents and treat cradle cap, but it’s also great for styling hair, for itchiness and dry skin. Using cradle cap shampoo with coconut baby oil will definitely soothe your baby and help reduce itchiness.
When shampoo starts working, the cradle cap from your baby’s hair will start to shed partially, so here you can apply some coconut mineral oil and use the softest cradle cap brush in order to scrape it off gently.
Final Thoughts on the Best Cradle Cap Shampoos
There’s plenty of choices when it comes to finding the right baby shampoo to treat your baby’s cradle cap, as we hope this guide shows. One shampoo won’t be right for everyone, so it’s a case of trial and error to find the right one for your baby.
Study the ingredients list carefully and make sure there’s nothing in there that your baby might react poorly too – otherwise, give the one you like the sound of best a go.
Our overall winner has to be Bella B Bee Gone Cradle Cap Foaming Shampoo. It’s affordable and made with completely natural ingredients, so it’s totally safe for your baby to use.
We love the foam formula too – this makes it really easy to use in the bath and allows the shampoo to really penetrate the skin and affected area to soften it, making the cradle cap easy to remove. When used alongside a brush you should discover an effective treatment for cradle cap.
For more severe cases of cradle cap, Mustela Cradle Cap Treatment Shampoo is a fast-acting, effective formula that gets to the root of the problem. If you don’t mind medicinal ingredients then this shampoo might be a great shout. It’s both a treatment and a cleansing shampoo, so you can be safe in the knowledge that your baby’s cradle cap should disappear after a few washes.
However, all 5 shampoos are well worth a try. All have their pros and cons, it’s just a case of deciding which one is right for you. We hope this guide has helped you understand more about which shampoos for cradle cap are on the market.
If you have any other products you’d like us to review, get in touch and we’ll see what we can do. And if you’d like to know more about any of the products tested in this guide, let us know in the comment section and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
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