Cradle Cap Products

Cradle cap is a skin condition that many children get at some point during their first five years. It's especially common in babies less than one year old (thus the cradle part) and often appears on the scalp (the cap part), although it can occur on other parts of the body as well.

The technical name for cradle cap is infantile seborrheic dermatitis. Adults can also get a form of seborrheic dermatitis.

Cradle cap does not harm your baby or cause them discomfort. It's also not contagious for either children or adults.

The exact causes of cradle cap aren't known for sure. Theories suggest excess sebum (skin oil), hormones received from the mother during gestation and nursing, an imbalance of certain types of yeast in the skin, and genetic factors.

Cradle cap isn't caused by poor hygiene, so if your baby gets cradle cap, rest assured it doesn't mean you aren't bathing them enough. It's also not a result of allergies or infections.

The symptoms of cradle cap are crusty bumps, thick crusts, skin flakes, or scales that are white, yellow or brown in color. They're usually localized on your child's scalp, but they can appear on the face, ears, or sometimes in the groin area.

Compared to other common skin conditions, cradle cap is not itchy, and it's oily to the touch rather than dry.

If you're not certain whether your child has cradle cap or something else, consult a pediatrician.

The best way to treat cradle cap is to bathe your baby for five or 10 minutes in warm (not hot) water no more than once a day. Bathing too often or with water that's too hot can dry out your little one's skin, causing more oil to be released, which can make things worse.

During bathtime, you can apply our Foam Shampoo for Newborns to cleanse the hair and scalp and gently rinse away cradle cap flakes.

Avoid the temptation to pick at or scrape areas affected by cradle cap. This can leave sore patches that are susceptible to infections. Instead, lightly brush your little one's scalp with a soft hair brush to gently remove the scaly skin.

Mustela knows there is nothing more precious to you than your baby. That's why we're committed to safety first and foremost.

Mustela's Cradle Cap Cream and Foam Shampoo for Newborns are backed by scientific research, developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals, and tested under pediatric and dermatological control. You can even use them on newborns just out of the NICU.

Our cradle cap products are made from 95% or more naturally derived ingredients, are free of parabens, phthalates, and phenoxyethanol and are formulated to minimize the chance of allergic reactions.

Choosing Mustela products is a safe, smart way to clear up your baby's cradle cap.