How to treat Cradle Cap

Cradle cap also known as seborrhoeic dermatitis, is a yellow-looking, crusty, scaly rash that appears on the scalp of newborn babies. It is rarely serious, does not arise through poor hygiene and is probably caused by mildly over-active sebaceous glands. Releasing too much oil, the dead skin cells can stick together on the scalp – not flaking off as normal. This is what causes the scales.

It is important NOT to use ANY essential oils on a new-born baby’s skin.

It is also not recommended to over-wash the scalp, as this will simply increase the over-production of sebum. Shampoo can strip the scalp of its natural oils which causes it to produce more oil to compensate!
To help soften and remove the scales we recommend the following process – which is gentle, nourishing and effective.

Using a nutritive carrier oil such as Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil or Jojoba Oil, very gently massage about 2 teaspoons in your baby’s scalp, covering the affected area. Be very careful not to put any pressure on the fontanel, (the area where the cranium hasn’t yet grown across – leaving a little gap in the bone). Remember to avoid “baby oil” which is just a synthetically perfumed mineral oil, which will have no nutritional benefits for the skin.

You can also use our calendula balm which contains only infused oils, so is perfect for your baby.

Leave the base oil or balm on overnight to soften the scales.  The following day, use a fine tooth comb to gently remove the scales that have come loose.  Do not force the comb through or pick at the scales.  Repeat until all the cradle cap has gone.