Whether it’s a thick mop of curls or it’s just barely there, you want to keep your baby’s hair healthy, clean, and stylish. So what baby hair products should you use to wash and style your little one’s hair?
In this article, we’ll share the 12 best baby hair products for all hair types so your baby can have a good hair day every day.
Baby Hair Types
Babies are born with all different types of hair — thick and curly, pin straight, or just a little fuzz.
And just when you think you know how to care for their hair texture and style, it changes. That’s right; babies lose and regrow their hair during the first six months. What’s straight now becomes curly; what used to be bald is now thick and textured.
The thing is, different hair types will require different care, so before you decide what routine and products will work for your baby, you should determine their hair type. Let’s take a look.
Straight Hair
Some babies sport pin-straight hair that can be thick or fine. Straight hair is usually pretty easy to brush and maintain.
Wavy Hair
Your little one’s mane might instead be wavy — falling into an “S” shape. It could be wavy from the scalp down or from the midpoint down.
Curly Hair
Some babies’ hair grows in springy ringlets or curly corkscrews. Their curls can be loose or tight, lay flat on the scalp, or stand up.
Coiled Or Kinky Hair
Your baby may also have coiled or kinky hair, which looks exactly like it sounds. This hair type may be the most difficult to care for.
No Hair
Of course, your baby might instead be “follically challenged” at the beginning, with nearly no hair at all. But, as we said, this can (and probably will) change in the first six months.
Common Baby Scalp Conditions
When considering hair care products for your little one, you also want to think about your baby’s scalp. Is their skin extra-sensitive, or does your little one suffer from skin conditions like eczema or cradle cap?
If so, you’ll need to be even more careful when choosing hair care products.
Sensitive Skin
Babies’ skin is always sensitive, but extra sensitive skin requires extra attention. If your baby has a skin reaction after a bath with soap, after lotion’s applied, or just by getting wrapped in a swaddle thanks to a detergent or dye, their skin falls into the “sensitive” category.
Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition that causes dry and itchy skin patches that can appear anywhere on the body, including the scalp. It’s very common for children to get eczema, although, on the bright side, it often resolves itself as the child gets older.
If your child has eczema-prone skin, opt for specific products formulated with the condition in mind.
Cradle Cap
Cradle cap is another common skin condition that affects babies. It causes oily, scaly patches on the scalp. Although it normally clears up on its own, you can help it along with a gentle daily shampoo, special creams, and a cradle cap brush to loosen scales.
What To Look For In Baby Hair Care Products
As you’re putting together your hair care kit, here are some labels and ingredients that you will want to look for.
Tear-Free Formula
Baby’s sure to be a little squirmy when they’re getting their hair washed. Find a formula that’s tear-free to avoid irritating their eyes.
Gentle Cleansers
Cleansers in your baby shampoo should be extra gentle and fragrance-free. You don’t want to use any harsh chemicals on delicate baby skin.
Plant-Based Ingredients
Look for plant extracts like coconut, chamomile, aloe, avocado oil, or sunflower.
Moisturizing Ingredients
Dry scalp be gone! Products should have ingredients that moisturize your little one’s hair and scalp.
pH-Balanced Formulas
You’ll also want to opt for pH-balanced formulas — this balance is essential for maintaining the health of your little one’s scalp and hair.
Hypoallergenic Formulas
Of course, you don’t want your baby to suffer any allergic reaction or interact with any harmful chemicals, so reach for products that are hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic products are free of parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, fragrance, sulfates, and alcohol.
12 Best Baby Hair Products
So, what should be in your baby’s bathtime kit? Here are some products that we think are musts.
1) All-In-One Hair & Body Products
One of our favorite hair care picks is the product that does it all. Look for baby body washes that do double duty as shampoo as well, making bathtime easy-peasy.
Mustela Gentle Cleansing Gel is a newborn-friendly, tear-free cleanser that can be used on baby’s hair and body. It’s made with 93% plant-based ingredients, including Avocado Perseose® and Vitamin B5.
2) Organic Shampoo
An organic baby shampoo can give you the peace of mind that you’re not exposing your little one to any chemicals or pesticide residue.
Mustela Organic Cleansing Gel with Olive Oil and Aloe is a tear-free, fragrance-free option, made with 97.5% natural ingredients. Formulated for both hair and body, this wash does it all, cleansing without stripping natural oils while hydrating the scalp and skin.
3) Detangling Shampoo
If your little one’s hair tangles easily — particularly an issue for curly, kinky, and coily hair — it’s a good idea to stock your bathroom with a detangling shampoo.
Our Detangling & Nourishing Cream Shampoo is a top choice for textured hair that’s prone to tangle — we’re looking at you long, wavy, and curly hair! With 96% natural ingredients including shea butter and avocado oil, it will even define curls and reduce frizz.
4) Leave-In Conditioner
Although for certain types of hair, conditioner isn’t necessary yet, for babies with coiled or kinky hair, leave-in conditioner is recommended to keep their hair healthy and hydrated.
Plan for a little extra time on baby’s hair care routine just once a week.
5) Styling Spray
If you want to get that mohawk to stand up or that cowlick to stand down, you might want to try a styling spray. Mustela Hair Styler & Skin Freshener both refreshes and moisturizes baby’s skin and styles their hair in an on-trend ‘do.
6) Fragrance-Free Hair Gel
Another top pick for styling baby’s hair is a fragrance-free hair gel. Be sure to choose one made for babies specifically, as adult formulas may contain harsh ingredients.
7) Detangling Spray
If your little one’s mane is prone to tangling, you might invest in a detangling spray as well. Then, if tangles happen on the go, you’re ready for them.
8) Shampoo Products For Eczema
If your baby suffers from eczema, you’ll want to choose skin products that are made for children with the condition, are clinically tested on eczema-prone skin, and are recognized by the National Eczema Association.
Mustela Stelatopia Foam Shampoo is one such product, specially formulated for babies with eczema-prone skin. The tear-fee and pH-balanced formula uses Sunflower Oil Distillate to moisturize and Avocado Perseose ® to protect and strengthen baby’s skin.
9) Cream Products For Cradle Cap
If your little one has cradle cap, you’ll want to get a cream that can help soothe the condition.
Mustela Cradle Crap Cream keeps your baby’s scalp moisturized and flake-free. It even helps lessen the likelihood of the condition recurring in the future.
10) Cradle Cap Brush
In addition to the cream, using a special cradle cap brush can help dislodge the scales on your baby’s scalp. We like the silicone brushes because they’re extra gentle and easy to clean.
11) Soft-Bristled Styling Brush
Another must-have for your little one’s hair care kit is a soft-bristled styling brush, preferably in boar or goat hair.
12) Rounded Detangling Comb
And to round things out, a rounded detangling comb will help you keep your little one’s tresses tangle-free gently and painlessly.
Healthy Hair With Mustela
Now that you know some of the best baby hair products for your little one’s bathtime and beauty routine, you can select the right assortment for your baby’s hair type.
Our bestselling Gentle Shampoo is an all-around favorite as it’s mild and hydrating with ingredients like chamomile extract and Avocado Perseose®. Follow it up with our Hair Styler & Skin Freshener if you’d like to tame the mane into a special ‘do.
With Mustela hair care products, you can rest assured your baby’s got great hair days ahead, guaranteed!