If your baby has swirls, curls, or whorls, their hair is a little bit trickier to take care of: For curly haired babies, moisturizing and detangling are the name of the game. Knowing the best curly hair products for babies is going to be key to your little one’s good hair days.
In this article, we’ll talk about the different types of curly baby hair and how to care for them. We’ll also tell you the nine best hair products for this type of hair that will give your baby’s springs some extra zing.
Types Of Curly Baby Hair
A curl is not just a curl. In fact, there are many different types of curly baby hair, ranging from wavy to coiled. Let’s take a look.
Wavy Hair
If your baby’s hair has an “S” curve, it’s considered wavy. Wavy hair is the easiest type of curly hair to care for because it’s not as prone to tangling.
Loose Curls
Loose curls have a relaxed corkscrew shape. It’s a bit harder for this type of hair to retain moisture compared to wavy or straight hair.
Tight Curls
Tight curls also fall in a corkscrew shape, but the curls are more pronounced. The curlier the hair, the more you’re going to have to focus on moisturization.
Coiled Hair
Coiled hair takes a “Z” shape and is most prone to frizz and breakage. Because the hair is so tightly coiled, it will appear shorter than it actually is.
What To Look For In Hair Products For Curly Hair
There are a few things you’ll want to look for when selecting products for your baby’s curly hair. Let’s break it down.
Moisturizing Ingredients
As we said, for curly hair, moisturizing is key. Curly hair is prone to dryness, and when hair is dry it can also become brittle. Here are some ingredients to look for:
- Shea butter
- Jojoba oil
- Avocado oil
- Hyaluronic acid
- Argan oil
- Aloe vera
- Coconut oil
Because curly hair is so fragile, the more moisturized your baby’s hair is, the less likely it will break.
Gentle Products
Any product you’re going to use on your baby’s hair and scalp should be gentle. This holds true whatever type of hair they have.
Mustela Gentle Shampoo is a tear-free formula that cleans, protects, and hydrates dry scalps and hair. It’s made of 95% plant-based ingredients, including Chamomile extract to soften and detangle and Avocado Perseose® to hydrate.
Tear-Free, Alcohol-Free Formulas
It’s inevitable that at some point when washing your baby’s hair, a little product will get into their eyes. Tear-free, alcohol-free formulas will not only take the stress out of bath time, but they’ll also clean baby’s hair without stripping their scalp of natural oils.
Hypoallergenic Formulas
You’ll also want to look for a label that says the product is hypoallergenic. That means it’s specially formulated to minimize the risk of allergic reactions.
Hypoallergenic formulas are free of synthetic dyes, fragrances, and harsh ingredients like parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, and alcohol.
9 Best Hair Products For Curly Baby Hair
Now it’s time for the mane event: The very best baby curly hair products! Drumroll please…
1) Detangling Shampoo
The first type of product that you’ll want to have on hand to care for your baby’s curly hair is a detangling shampoo.
As we’ve mentioned, curly hair tangles more easily, but detangling shampoos smooth the hair shaft, making strands less likely to stick to or get twisted with other strands.
Mustela Detangling & Nourishing Cream Shampoo makes managing your baby’s curly hair easy! The gentle formula cleans, hydrates, and detangles without drying the scalp. It’s made with 96% natural hydrating ingredients, including shea butter and avocado oil.
Keep in mind that the curlier your baby’s hair is, the more prone it is to moisture loss. As a result, you don’t want to over-wash it. If your baby has wavy hair, washing it two times a week is sufficient. If your baby has tight, coily hair, shampooing it once a week is recommended.
2) Leave-In Conditioner
After applying the detangling shampoo to clean your baby’s hair, it’s time to condition. A leave-in conditioner will allow that moisture to really sink in.
3) Hair Milk
Another great product to try for curly baby hair is hair milk. This will soften your baby’s curls, and it absorbs easily into the strands without weighing their hair down.
Of course, if your baby suffers from conditions like eczema or cradle cap, you’ll want to ensure that any products you choose for your little one’s hair care are formulated specifically for these conditions.
For example, Mustela Stelatopia Foam Shampoo is made for babies with eczema, a chronic skin condition that causes skin irritation and is common in babies and small children.
And if your little one has cradle cap, which causes scales on a baby’s scalp, our Cradle Cap Cream will keep your baby’s scalp moisturized while eliminating the cradle cap flakes and making a recurrence less likely.
4) Hair And Body Oil
Hair and body oil will also add extra moisture to the scalp and hair. Plus, it has the added benefit of working great for your little one’s whole body!
5) Leave-In Hair Tonic
A leave-in hair tonic is a great product to add texture and shine. It will also reduce your baby’s fly-aways and frizz.
6) Detangling Spray
When you’re on the go and notice a snag in your baby’s ‘do, it’s time to grab the detangling spray. This way you can style your little one’s hair without tugging and pulling that could lead to breakage and tears.
7) Curl-Defining Cream
If you want your baby’s springs to sing, a curl-defining cream will help them look their best. This will foil the frizz and give their curls top billing.
8) Wide-Tooth Comb
When brushing curly baby hair, you’ll want to have a wide-tooth comb to easily detangle knots without pulling or breaking your little one’s hair.
9) Detangling Brush
Used in conjunction with the detangling spray, a detangling brush allows you to get your little one’s hair in order without too much pain or hair breakage.
With the above baby curly hair products in your baby’s beauty kit, you’ve got what you need to succeed for a good hair day.
Tips For Curly Hair Care
Now that you know the best products you’ll need, here are a couple of extra tips to help you care for your baby’s curly hair.
1) Less Is More
As we said, curly baby hair is extra delicate. The adage “less is more” applies here.
Washing your baby’s hair should only happen once or twice a week (the curlier their hair the less you’ll want to wash it). Additionally, don’t experiment with lots of different products. Find the few that work well, and stick with those.
2) Brush When Wet
With curly hair, you always want to brush when the hair is wet to minimize breakage. Your little one’s hair will be more pliable when it’s wet, especially when you’ve used a detangling spray.
3) Detangle Carefully
If you find a tangle, use your tools — the detangling brush and spray — to fix it pronto. There’s nothing worse than tangled hair pulling on your baby’s scalp.
4) Moisturize Liberally
Giving curly hair plenty of moisture will help it look its best and stay healthy.
5) Consider The Style
If your little one’s curls are always getting tangled up, it might be a good idea to try a protective hair style that minimizes this, like braids, Bantu knots, twists, or cornrows.
A protective hair style also helps minimize breakage and maintain moisture.
Curls Will Be Curls
If your baby has curly hair, you’ve got an extra challenge when it comes to their hair care routine. Now that you know some of the best baby curly hair products and tips to make caring for their locks a breeze, you’ll have all you need to make their springs sing.
Mustela Detangling & Nourishing Cream Shampoo is a great first step in ensuring your baby has healthy, tangle-free hair. With shea butter and avocado oil, our shampoo reduces frizz, defines curls, and provides deep hydration while keeping your baby’s hair naturally springy.
With Mustela, caring for your baby’s curly hair is easy. Let’s hear it for the curls!