Are you looking for the best shampoo for baby eczema? You have come to the right place. I am discussing several products that may help your child and some tips. With that said, if your child has been diagnosed with eczema of the scalp, these shampoos might help. There is an important distinction between cradle cap (aka seborrheic dermatitis) which will require a diagnosis from your pediatrician or dermatologist. Cradle cap (CC) is considered to be different from eczema on scalp as cradle cap (AKA seborrheic dermatitis (SD)) is thought to be possible yeast such as Malassezia. That’s why some of these products recommended also contain an ingredient which combat fungus as well.
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Mustela Foam Shampoo for Newborns
If you’re looking for the best baby shampoo for eczema, definitely check out Mustela. This product is almost 100% natural plant based ingredients (99% to be exact per manufacturer description). It includes salicylic acid, which helps to gently exfoliate and rinse cradle cap. (1) It also contains a patented ingredient, avocadoeperseose (AP). This ingredient hydrates and protects skin by reinforcing the water skin barrier. This is done by AP stimulating production of ceramide, proteins such as involucrin and hyaluronic acid. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. (2), (3) Also, Mustela contains climbazole, which is an anti-fungal commonly used in people with eczema and dandruff. This ultimately helps reduce cradle cap recurrences.
Mustela shampoo is free of paraben, phthalates, phenoxyethanol. It’s considered hypoallergenic so it should work well with sensitive skins. They are committed to eco-friendly production and require their suppliers to incorporate sustainable development practices.
How to use or watch this video:
- Wet your baby’s with warm water
- While holding the bottle upright, pump 1 or 2 times until you get the desired amount of shampoo
- apply to the wet hair and massage the scalp
- let the shampoo sit in the hair for 1-2 minutes
- gently rinse and then dry.
A few people report that this product causes their baby skin to dry easily. Also, some baby’s continue to have cradle cap after using this product. This may be because fungus may be causing the cradle cap and it does take several weeks for fungus to clear when using an anti-fungal product, as this product contains climbazole (this is an anti-fungal). If it doesn’t improve in a few days, discuss with your pediatrician to see there’s something else they can try.
Mustela is certified by the non-profit B lab. This means that the “business is meeting the highest standards of verified performance”. (4) In other words, this is a reliable company based on extensive criteria.
Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
This is a product that can be used for cradle cap. It is thought to be due to fungus (Malassezia) and yeast growing on the scalp from an overproduction of sebum (waxy fatty substance produced by sebaceous gland). The idea is if you wash the scalp with an antifungal medication, such as ketoconazole. The cradle cap on the scalp will improve and resolve. Nizoral is a non-prescription strength anti-fungal at 1% (prescription strength is 2%). The good news is that you don’t need a prescription from your doctor to try this product.
A few people have complained that this product didn’t work for them, which probably means that a fungus was not the cause of their issue. In that happens to you, follow up with your physician.
How to use:
Wet hair thoroughly. Apply shampoo, generously lather and let it sit in the hair for 5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Repeat every 3-4 days for 8 weeks. Be careful to not get this in the eyes. If no improvement, you should follow up with your physician.
California Baby Eczema Shampoo & Bodywash
This shampoo is a plant based product that is free of steroid, gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, SLS, sulfates, GMO, fragrance, except coconut. This product is tear-free.
It contains several ingredients such as colloidal oatmeal which acts as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. (5). Calendula also helps as an anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial product. (6) Aloe vera was also found to have anti-inflammatory properties which can help soothe skin suffering from eczema. (7).
A few people have reported sensitivity to this product. It’s best to try a patch skin patch test before using this product to see if your child will react to it.
How to use:
Dispense a dime-to-quarter sized amount into palm, massage into wet hair starting at the scalp and working to the ends. Rinse. For extra cleansing, allow to sit for 30 seconds and then rinse.
Awards:
Certified Women’s Business Enterprise/WOMEN OWNED™, which means California Baby is owned, controlled, operated and managed by a woman.
Eucerin Baby Wash & Shampoo – 2 in 1
This product is free of soap, fragrance, dye, steroid, paraben. it is also tear free, hypoallergenic.
The formula is enriched with Pro-Vitamin B5 and natural Shea Butter to help nourish and soothe baby’s delicate skin and hair. Vitamin B5 (panthenol) is supposed to sustain skin moisturization (8). Shea butter is supposed to fill in the cracks of skin and make it smooth. (9)
A few people have stated that there is some fragrance although this is supposed to be scent free. If you are sensitive to certain scents, you might want to pass on this product.
How to use:
Pour into moistened hands or wet washcloth. Gently massage on baby’s skin and hair to create a light lather and rinse with luke-warm water.
Puracy Natural Baby Shampoo & Body Wash
Click on image to see at Amazon
This product is one of the best shampoo for baby eczema. It does NOT contain the following:
- cocomidopropyl betaine, sulfates, triclosan, formaldehyde, parabens, phosphates, SLS, SLES, MEA, DEA, TEA, petroleum-based ingredients, animal by-products, chlorine, dyes, perfumes or caustics. These ingredients have been reported to cause skin reactions,
Puracy is environmentally friendly, meaning it is safe for greywater and septic systems. It is tear free and animal friendly, meaning never tested on animals. The original hand-drawn artwork on this bottle helps support local artists. This product is naturally derived, hypoallergenic, non-toxic, vegan, gluten-free, and biodegradable. People with Celiac disease and even gluten sensitivities may benefit from having a product not manufactured from gluten contain ingredients, as some people have noticed that their sensitivity worsens when using products with gluten.
Although this product does claim to be tear-free, use caution around eyes as some people have stated that this product can cause tearing after using this product.
It’s made in the USA.
How to use:
Apply to a washcloth, your hands, or directly into the bath; massage into your baby’s wet skin & hair; rinse with fresh water
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Why You Need a Baby Shampoo
As you look for the best shampoo for baby eczema, you want a product that is specifically designed to be gentle for children. Products used in adults may not be compatible for babies and small children. For example, products that contain fragrances or have extra lather are features that adults appreciate. These can be tolerated for adults, but not kids. There is no need for fragrances in children wash products. It can cause more issues especially if your child has sensitive skin.
What to Look For and Avoid in a Baby Shampoo
EWG (Environmental Working Group) is a website that rates many products. This can be used as a reference to see if you are using products with questionable ingredients. EWG ratings can be helpful as you look for the best baby shampoo for eczema.
Avoid products that contain fragrances as it can irritate sensitive skin. Bar soap tends to dry out skin, so those should be avoid as well.
Products with extra lather can cause more irritation by drying out skin. This is because the surfactant that create extra lather can strip away the natural oil from skin.
Also, look for tear-free formulas so it doesn’t irritate your little one’s eyes.
Also, you want to avoid products that contain phthalates, parabens.
Are hypoallergenic products really hypoallergenic?
I would like to tell you to look for hypoallergenic shampoos and the products I listed do advertise that as well, but take it with a grain of salt. There is no standard for what hypoallergenic means. It can mean whatever the companies claim. Cosmetic manufacturers are not required to submit claims per FDA for substantiating why a product is considered hypoallergenic. (10)
My point is, don’t get too hung up on how manufacturers market their product. Analyze their ingredients yourself, try it out yourself, and make your own conclusion.
How often should you shower your baby?
Your baby doesn’t need to shower or be washed everyday. They do not sweat like adults. Rather, the purpose of washing or showering your child to remove debris that gets caught in the skin folds such as neck, armpits, groin area, toes. Last by not least, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize after bathing / washing / showering. For more information about bathing your child with eczema, click here.
Conclusion
It can be daunting looking for the right shampoo for your child’s eczema. I hope that this article helps you find the best shampoo for your baby eczema. If you have questions or want to see other products, feel free to leave a message and let me know. Click here to read more about cradle cap.