Baby Scalp Care: 7 Best Baby Shampoo for Cradle Cap

One of the most common infants’ skin conditions is cradle cap. Cradle caps are yellow scaly or slightly red crusty patches that usually appear on babies’ scalp. It also can show up in the face, diaper area, armpits, and other folds of the skin. A shampoo for cradle cap can remove it!

It is not painful or itchy and doesn’t seem to bother babies. Although this condition does not pose a risk on your baby’s health, it still needs to be addressed. 

The safest and easiest way to treat cradle cap is through gently washing your baby's scalp with a shampoo that is effective on softening and loosening the patches for easier removal. But, with so many baby shampoos available on the market, how will you choose the best one that is particular for cradle cap?

So, to help you get started, we’ve listed 6 best baby shampoo for cradle cap that are gentle and kind for your baby’s hair and scalp.

How to prevent cradle cap

Here are some of the practices you can do to prevent your baby from having cradle caps:

1. Do not bathe your baby frequently. Once a day bath time is enough.
2. Shorten your baby’s bath time to avoid drying out of skin.
3. Make sure to rinse the shampoo and wash on your baby’s skin thoroughly. 
4. Don’t forget to moisturize your baby’s skin from head to toe.
5. Use a humidifier at home to add moisture into the air. 
6. Ensure that your baby is getting enough nutrients to avoid cradle cap development.

Scalp care tips for cradle cap

To help you get rid of those stubborn cradle cap on your baby’s head, here are some helpful scalp care tips:

• Choose a gentle shampoo for your baby’s delicate scalp.
• To dry up hair and scalp, gently rub your baby’s scalp using a soft washcloth.
• Massage your baby’s scalp using mild and nourishing baby oil or emollient.
• Brush your baby’s hair and scalp using a soft brush.

What to look for in a cradle cap baby shampoo

Ingredients 

Look for a baby cradle cap shampoo formulated with mild and natural ingredients. You may also opt to choose baby shampoos which contain sulfur and salicylic acid.

On the other hand, it should not contain chemicals such as phenoxyethanol, parabens, sulfates and alcohol. 

Beneficial effect 

There are lots of baby shampoos available on the market and looking into its beneficial effect on your baby’s scalp is one of the most important factors to consider.

Check on its beneficial claims. Remember, a good cradle cap shampoo promises to soothe and nourish baby’s delicate skin. 

7 Best baby shampoo for cradle cap

Mama's Choice Baby Hair & Body Wash

Best overall baby shampoo

First on our list is Mama's Choice Baby Hair & Body Wash. This keeps your baby’s hair and body squeaky clean and smelling fresh. It is also made with natural ingredients that cleans without harming your little one’s sensitive skin.

It contains chamomile, which nourishes and protects your baby’s skin from irritation and gets rid of dead skin cells.

Lavender promotes healthy hair and provides a relaxation sensation.

Lastly, it contains sugar maple extract, which moisturizes the skin and maintains skin elasticity.

Mama's Choice Baby Hair & Body Wash is specially formulated for babies 0+ to toddlers, so it is guaranteed safe!

Features we love:

• Made with natural ingredients.
• Tear-free and Paraben-free formula.
• pH Balanced.
• Pediatrician Approved.
• Sulfate-Free.
• Hypoallergenic.
• Dermatologically Tested.

Mustela Cradle Cap Shampoo

Shampoo with most natural ingredients

Second is the Mustela Foam Shampoo. This foam shampoo is suitable for newborns’ delicate hair and scalp because of its mild formulation.

It contains Avocado Perseose which protects the skin barrier, moisturizes, and preserves the skin’s cellular richness.

It also has salicylic acid which helps eliminate cradle cap through its exfoliating effect, climbazole which purifies the skin and mild surfactants that gently cleanse the scalp to prevent it from drying out.

Additionally, mustela cradle cap shampoo is tested under dermatological and pediatric control to ensure its safety for infants.

It is hypoallergenic to minimize the risk of allergic reactions. It is free from paraben, phthalate, and phenoxyethanol.

Features we love:

• 99% made with natural ingredients.
• Contains salicylic acid to exfoliate cradle cap.
• Tear-free formula.
• No harsh chemicals added.

Johnson’s Baby Shampoo

Most budget-friendly baby shampoo

Treating cradle cap doesn’t mean you have to pick the most expensive baby shampoo on the market. Johnson’s Baby Shampoo is a budget-friendly product which is very efficient to use on treating cradle cap.

Its mild formula softens hair and scalp which makes the flaky texture on your baby’s scalp loosen up. And this helps in removing and improving baby’s cradle cap condition. 

Furthermore, this cradle cap shampoo has a balanced pH level making it gentle on skin and eyes. It is hypoallergenic, that is why you are 100% sure that it won’t irritate your little one’s young skin. 

Features we love:

• Budget-friendly.
• Softens hair and scalp.
• Balanced pH level.

Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo

Best 2-in-1 baby shampoo

If you are searching for a 2-in-1 baby wash and shampoo, check out Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo. This gentle head-to-toe wash cleanses sensitive skin and scalp without drying.

Perfect to use for babies experiencing cradle caps. It has a tear-free formula which is designed for daily use, leaving a light and fresh fragrance.

Secondly, it provides protective moisturizing essential that contributes to the healthy development of skin and scalp. Enriched with glycerin and panthenol, this gentle baby wash and shampoo nourishes without damaging your baby's delicate skin.

What’s more to love with this product is that it is hypoallergenic, non-irritating, non-sensitizing, and tested and approved by pediatricians.

Features we love:

• Head-to-toe wash. 
• Moisturizes skin and scalp.
• Formulated with glycerin and panthenol.

Aveeno Baby Daily Wash & Shampoo

Best lightly fragranced baby shampoo

A lightly scented shampoo is an ideal cradle cap baby shampoo. The good news is that Aveeno Baby Daily Wash & Shampoo is a lightly fragranced head-to-toe wash which alleviates cradle cap condition on skin and scalp.

This wash and shampoo cleanses and nourishes baby’s hair and sensitive skin without drying.

Furthermore, this hypoallergenic product contains colloidal oatmeal which acts as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, protective barrier, antipruritic, pH balancer, prebiotic, moisturizer and gentle skin cleanser. It has a pH balanced and tear-free formula.

Aside from that, this soap-free wash and shampoo is free from sulfates, parabens and phthalates. 

Features we love:

• Lightly fragranced.
• Contains colloidal oatmeal which is beneficial to skin.
• pH balanced and tear-free formula.

Baby Dove Shampoo Rich Moisture

Best hypoallergenic baby shampoo

Another cradle cap baby shampoo to look into is the Baby Dove Shampoo Rich Moisture. This is an ideal shampoo to pick to improve cradle cap condition as it gently cleanses and keeps baby’s scalp nourished and healthy.

Containing ¼ moisturizing cream, this baby shampoo goes beyond mildness to help replenish the essential moisture and nutrients that baby’s scalp can lose during bath time.

Baby Dove’s shampoo is as gentle as water and hypoallergenic, with pH-neutral and tear-free formula.

Moreover, you don’t have to worry about its fragrance because it is especially developed for baby’s delicate skin. Also, it is suitable even for newborns.

Features we love:

• Hypoallergenic.
• Contains  ¼ moisturizing cream.
• Intense moisturization of baby’s scalp.

Sanosan Baby Shampoo

Best organic baby shampoo

Lastly, if you are on the hunt for an organic baby shampoo for cradle cap, we recommend Sanosan Baby Shampoo. This product is an effective cradle cap shampoo as it moisturizes and rebalances baby’s delicate scalp.

The combination of organic olive oil and milk protein shields baby’s skin against dryness and supports its natural protective function, preserving its natural moisture content.

Suitable for daily use, this organic cradle cap shampoo also contains active substances that are carefully chosen and blended to care and address the needs of your little one’s young skin.

Aside from that,  this mild formula does not contain paraffin oil, colorants, silicones or parabens. No wonder why this product is trusted and recommended by midwives.

Features we love:

• Organic.
• Contains organic oil and milk protein.
• Shields baby’s skin against dryness.
• Moisturizes and rebalance baby’s skin.

Price Comparison 

Here’s a quick comparison of cradle cap baby shampoo prices in the Philippines:

Note: Each item and price is up to date as of publication, however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.

For further protection of your baby's skin, better use sunscreen for them. Read: Best Sunblock for Babies Philippines: Our Picks for Ultimate Sun Protection