Best Shampoos for Cradle Cap
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Tubby Todd The sight of crusty yellow scales or redness on your newborn’s scalp can be alarming…and maybe a bit heartbreaking. The good news? Those patches typically indicate cradle cap, a harmless, painless (but pesky) condition that won’t hang around forever, especially with help from a good cradle cap shampoo.
Cradle cap, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, usually appears during the first weeks of life and disappears within weeks or months, presenting itself in the form of dry, flaky patches on the scalp. (It can also be found in baby skin folds and in the diaper area, although that’s less common.) According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), cradle cap doesn’t indicate an allergy, poor hygiene or an infection. Rather, experts believe it’s likely triggered by maternal hormones that cross the placenta before birth, increasing inflammation and oil production.
New parents may be afraid of washing their baby’s scalp if cradle cap presents, but don’t be frightened: Experts actually recommend shampooing a baby’s hair more often when they have cradle cap to help clear away those patches.
If your pediatrician recommends it, you can also try a low-dose hydrocortisone cream or medicated shampoo that contains an antifungal ingredient like zinc to get rid of the patches faster, but these products can be irritating to delicate newborn skin. The AAP recommends starting off with a mild shampoo — like some we’ve mentioned below — to treat cradle cap at home.
How we chose the best cradle cap shampoos
- We sought out advice from Sanober Pezad Doctor, M.D., an integrative and holistic dermatologist whose specialities include pediatric dermatology, to inform our selections. Dr. Pezad recommends mild formulas made with organic ingredients.
- We vetted feedback from parents in the What to Expect community, who shared insights about the cradle cap shampoos products that worked for their children.
- Based on guidance from the American Academy of Dermatology’s (AAD) and Dr. Pezad, the shampoos featured on this list are:
- Fragrance-free or not heavily scented.
- Formulated specifically for an infant’s delicate skin.
What triggers cradle cap?
“No one knows for sure the exact cause of cradle cap,” says Dr. Pezad. “There are several theories that suggest possible etiologies such as mother's hormonal changes during pregnancy which stimulate the infant's oil glands.” Experts believe that sebum (the body’s natural oils) and yeast (which lives on your skin) play a role as well, but it’s unclear exactly how they interact to cause seborrheic dermatitis aka cradle cap.
What’s the best remedy for cradle cap?
Contrary to many parents’ first instincts, washing a cradle cap-afflicted scalp is one of the most effective ways to address the issue. “Wash the scalp every second or third day with a mild baby shampoo,” advises Dr. Pezad. “Thereafter use a soft toothed comb to brush off the accumulated scales in severe cases.” Massage baby’s scalp gently with your fingers, a brush or comb while shampooing to help loosen the scales. Put baby or mineral oil on the scalp before bathing to help with super stubborn scales. In more severe cases, your doctor might prescribe a cortisone lotion to use after bathing to help reduce inflammation.
How often can a parent use a cradle cap shampoo on their baby?
“While there isn’t a higher limit, I often recommend parents to freely wash their child’s scalp as often as required, especially with a mild baby shampoo. Every second or third day is ideal and plain water works just as fine if washing the scalp daily,” says Dr. Pezad. According to the AAD, shampooing every other day can help — but if your baby has another skin condition in addition to cradle cap, talk to your pediatrician or pediatric dermatologist for guidance.
Below, the best shampoos for cradle cap.
Why Trust Us?
What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
Overall Best Shampoo for Cradle Cap
Mustela Foam Shampoo for Newborns
- Gentle yet effective formula that real parents love
- Doesn't come with a lot of product
The reviews don’t lie — and Mustela’s shampoo earned a lot of love from our community. This tried-and-true formula is extra gentle on sensitive newborn skin and made of 99 percent plant-based ingredients, and sans parabens and phthalates. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t strong enough to be effective: Parents report that this shampoo clears up cradle cap patches within just a few washes. “Took one wash with mustela to clear up my son's!” raves one WTE mom.
The foam shampoo is also easy to dispense and lather into baby’s scalp without it dripping into her eyes. The only downside? You’ll get just over 5 ounces when buying this product, so if you’re looking for a great value for money, this may not be the best option.
Size: 5.07 ounces
Community Reviews
“I love that stuff!!! Can't emphasize it enough!! My lil man had cradle cap and it cleared in 2-3 days. It came back once or twice after but only last a day with the Mustela. I use the lotion and the body wash as well. And they have waterless mustela body wash if u don't have time to do a full bath”
“Mustela... it's a bit more pricy but totally worth it!!!”
“The cradle cap shampoo and lotion by mustela were very helpful for my LO! Cleared up in a couple of days.”
Best Unscented Shampoo for Cradle Cap
Aquaphor Baby Wash & Shampoo
- Simple
- soothing formula that experts recommend
- Some parents found chamomile extract irritating to baby skin
Aquaphor is a pediatrician- and dermatologist-recommended brand long trusted by What to Expect parents for its healing skin products. “I prefer Aquaphor for everything,” says one mom, including its baby wash and shampoo. It is gentle on baby’s sensitive skin and scalp and enriched with chamomile essence to soothe skin without drying it out. Parents love the mild, tear-free formula for the fact that it’s fragrance-free — so if you or your little one has sensitivities to fragrances, this shampoo is for you.
Size: 16.9 ounces
Community Reviews
“My daughter had two episodes of it. I wash her scalp with baby aquaphor soap and one of the cradle cap brushes and it went away after one use.”
“Aquaphor Baby Wash & Shampoo has worked well for us.”
“Aquaphor body wash makes baby’s skin super soft!! I love it/”
Best Hypoallergenic Shampoo
Cetaphil Baby Wash and Shampoo
- Mild formula
- great for sensitive skin
- Contains fragrance
This extra-mild shampoo is dermatologist-approved to be gentle on skin and tear-free. It’s also hypoallergenic and free of parabens and mineral oils, so it’s suitable for even the most reactive skin types. “My children have very sensitive skin so I use Cetaphil [and] it works wonders,” says one WTE mom. The addition of organic calendula extract in the formula leaves skin smooth and moisturized.
One gripe: Though it is dermatologist-tested to be appropriate for sensitive skin, keep in mind that it does contain fragrance.
Size: 13.5 ounces
Community Reviews
“Someone on here told me to use the cetaphil wash for baby acne. Well I've also been using it as a shampoo and my daughter's cradle cap is gone too.”
“We started off with Cetaphil and LOVED it.”
Best Medicated Cradle Cap Shampoo
Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo and Body Wash
- Effective on stubborn cases of cradle cap
- works quickly
- May irritate baby skin
This shampoo is medicated to help fight flaking, itching, scaling… you name it. It’s the first over-the-counter cradle cap shampoo with pyrithione zinc (which is used in adult dandruff shampoos, too), and doubles as a body wash. The formula is fragrance-free, dye-free, alcohol-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, cruelty-free, vegan and BPA-free (did you get all that?).
And it works, happy parents say. “Used this twice, and my LO's cradle cap was gone,” says one WTE mom. Other parents say it was the only thing that helped after trying everything else.
One thing to note: Because this is medicated, you should chat with the pediatrician before using it on your child.
Size: 8 ounces
Community Reviews
“It’s really dry (co springs is something like 7000 feet in elevation) in winter, so I got this for my little man at the suggestion of another forum post! This combined with some coconut oil every morning before daycare has taken care of my little guys extremely dry scalp!”
“Dr Eddie’s Happy Cappy. It worked wonders. And still does for eczema.”
“Happy Cappy shampoo and then brushing it out worked great for both my kids! Saw it nearly clear up after just one bath with my son!”
Best Cradle Cap Shampoo for Eczema
Cerave Baby Wash and Shampoo
- Gentle enough for eczema babies
- Some parents say it takes a while to see results
This soap-free wash and shampoo was developed with pediatric dermatologists and formulated specifically to gently cleanse infant skin. It has a National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, meaning that it’s safe to use on (and treat) eczema — ideal if your baby is battling that on top of the cradle cap. ““I love it! My son has eczema and this is all we will use on him,” says one WTE mom.
This product contains hyaluronic acid, ceramides and vitamin E, all ingredients that can gently moisturize dry skin without irritation. Parents love how gentle (yet effective) this wash is…and many swear it outperforms pricier, ‘fancier’ baby products.
Size: 8 ounces
Community Reviews
“We put coconut oil on the scales and use a silicone brush to gently scrub out the flakes. then we use cerave body wash/shampoo to rinse and get the coconut oil out of her hair. which works pretty well but will need to do it a few more times.”
“We’ve always used Cerave. No scent, not drying… no complaints!”
Best Moisturizing Cradle Cap Shampoo
Tubby Todd Hair + Body Wash
- Works for cradle cap and other baby skin issues
- gentle
- More expensive than other products on this list
Clinically tested by pediatricians and dermatologists, hypoallergenic, non-irritating and effective — what more could a parent want? This option from WTE mom-approved brand Tubby Todd comes in several different scents, all created with natural extracts and plant-based ingredients. Looking to avoid any type of fragrance? No worries, there’s also a fragrance-free option. Users hail the moisturizing, skin-softening properties of this pick, making it a great option for dry baby skin. “It worked great for us!” raves one WTE mom.
The only downside: It’s quite a bit more expensive than several other products on this list, but most parents say the up-front price is worth it. “Tubby Tod is a MIRACLE. I use it on every little rash, cradle cap, bump...etc. Truly the best baby product I have ordered,” says another WTE mom.
Size: 8.5 ounces or 25 ounces
Community Reviews
“I used it for cradle cap once and it hasn't come back!”
“We've recently moved over to tubby Todd for everything and her dry scalp and even eczema is better”
American Academy of Dermatology, How to Treat Cradle Cap, August 2022.
American Academy of Dermatology, Seborrheic Dermatitis, December 2022.
American Academy of Pediatrics, Cradle Cap, November 2009.
Mayo Clinic, Cradle Cap, November 2022.
Sanober Pezad Doctor, M.D., Integrative Dermatologist.
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