Best Eczema Shampoos 2022
A typical scalp problem nowadays is scalp eczema, experienced by men and women of all ages. Like dandruff or dry scalp, scalp eczema is itchy, painful, flaky, and has rough patches.
Various factors can trigger the skin disorder in varying stages. From hormonal changes to allergies, extreme temperature and stress can cause scalp eczema. Besides, scalp eczema can be mild to the severe form.
What to do? The first and primary treatment is using an eczema shampoo. Most shampoos reduce redness, exfoliate, and protect the scalp’s moisture barrier. Aloe and colloidal oatmeal keep the scalp healthy.
Top picks for Best Eczema Shampoos
- Best Overall: Vanicream Free & Clear Shampoo
- Best Gentle: Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance-Free Shampoo & Wash
- Best for Dry Hair: Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Shampoo
- Best for Oily Hair: Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo
- Best for Flakey Scalp: Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Shampoo and Conditioner
- Best Foaming: Mustela Stelatopia Eczema-Prone Skin Foam Shampoo
- Best Natural: Wild Naturals Eczema and Psoriasis Shampoo
- Best for Maintenance: Seen Fragrance-Free Shampoo
- Best Soothing: Aveeno Farm-Fresh Oat Milk Sulfate-Free Shampoo
- Best for Itch Relief: Derma E Scalp Relief Shampoo
- Best Exfoliating: Head and Shoulders Clinical Strength Intensive Itch Relief Shampoo
Best Overall Eczema Shampoo
Vanicream Free & Clear Shampoo
The gold standard bearer, Vanicream Free & Clear Shampoo, tops our list. The shampoo is all you need to end your eczema hair days. From among the rest, Vanicream has an impressive ingredient list free of common allergens, fragrances, sulfates, and preservatives.
The shampoo has glycerin and panthenol that lightly moisturize dry scalp, reducing flare-ups. Safe for sensitive skin, many users rave about the outstanding merits of this shampoo after several uses. The shampoo helps remove flaking and itching and reduces oiliness.
Pros
- Best for those with allergies or contact dermatitis
Cons
- People with wavy or curly hair experience dryness when used too often.
Best Gentle Eczema Shampoo
Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance-Free Shampoo & Wash
Photo Credit: Ulta.com
To treat eczema, you need mild quality products like Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance-Free Shampoo & Wash. It is excellent for babies and eczema-prone scalps.
Also, the two-in-one product is fragrance-free and uses soothing ingredients. Aloe vera, colloidal oatmeal, chamomile, and calendula extract won’t strip your hair of moisture. Get gentle care from this fragrance-free product.
Pros
- The shampoo is available in jumble size.
Cons
- It contains coconut oil which may be a skin irritant for those eczema sufferers.
Best Eczema Shampoos for Dry Hair
Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Shampoo
Photo Credit: Sephora.com
Fret no more and set your sight on Briogeo shampoo. The shampoo is gentle, fragrance-free, yet effective. It provides the gentleness your scalp needs to treat eczema. The shampoo contains aloe, glycerin, oat bran, and panthenol that soothe an itchy scalp.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- The shampoo leaves hair feeling soft
Cons
- The shampoo doesn’t lather
Best Eczema Shampoo for Oily Hair
Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo
Here’s an impressive fix for those with oily hair and eczema. Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo will do the trick. The shampoo cleanses and breaks down the oil in the scalp and treats the scalp. Dermatologist-tested, the shampoo contains salicylic acid that softens and removes scaly patches. In addition, it reduces irritations and is gentle on your scalp.
Pros
- The shampoo contains salicylic acid that helps treat eczema
Cons
- Users experience drying more than once a week
Best Eczema Shampoo for Flakey Scalp
Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Shampoo and Conditioner
Do you want to get rid of flakes and still have beautiful hair? Try Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Shampoo and Conditioner. The shampoo is initially for scalp psoriasis but is excellent to use as a treatment shampoo for scalp eczema.
Its salicylic content helps to stop build-up and reduce flaking. For effective results, leave on the scalp for one to two minutes, then rinse. Use a fragrance-free conditioner to prevent hair dryness.
Pros
- Available in a practical two-in-one pack for $15
Cons
- The shampoo contains sulfates that can irritate and dry
Best Foaming Eczema Shampoo
Mustela Stelatopia Eczema-Prone Skin Foam Shampoo
A lot of eczema shampoos are not ‘foamy.’ Mustela Stelatopia Eczema-Prone Skin Foam Shampoo is an exception. Mustela is a sulfate-free baby shampoo that gives you a sudsy clean, reducing redness without irritating your scalp. Its gentle formula has sunflower seed oil that leaves your scalp and hair mildly moisturized and soft. Moreso, the shampoo is also approved by the National Eczema Association.
Pros
- Pump-style bottle for easy dispensing of shampoo
Cons
- A slight film on hair is left at times
Best Natural Eczema Shampoo
Wild Naturals Eczema and Psoriasis Shampoo
Wild Naturals is another gentle shampoo best for scalp eczema. Even those with psoriasis can benefit from this shampoo. Natural ingredients such as aloe and manuka honey soothe and moisturize the scalp. On top of that, it has sulfate-free surfactants that gently remove dirt and oil from your scalp.
Pros
- The formula has mild, natural ingredients
- Subtle natural scent
Cons
- It contains an essential oil that may irritate
Best Eczema Shampoo for Maintenance
Seen Fragrance-Free Shampoo
Photo Credit: Ulta.com
Looking for a shampoo for regular maintenance? Reach out for a mild shampoo like Seen to help you with scalp issues. Interestingly, the product is free from sulfates, silicones, formaldehyde releasers, and pore-clogging oils. With glycerin and mild cleansers, scalp irritation won’t flare up.
Seen works well for sensitive scalps. Like icing on the cake, the brand has the National Eczema Association seal of approval. Seen fragrance-free shampoo is your go-to eczema maintenance shampoo that won’t disappoint.
Pros
- The shampoo is oil-free and won’t aggravate dandruff build-up
Cons
- It may not be strong enough to remove extreme flakiness
Best Soothing Eczema Shampoo
Aveeno Farm-Fresh Oat Milk Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Effective gentleness is synonymous with the Aveeno brand. Colloidal oatmeal is the banner ingredient in its mild formula, perfect for eczema-prone scalps. Indeed, colloidal oatmeal helps lock in hydration to protect your skin barrier and soothe inflammation. The calming shampoo is Sure to halt eczema and scalp irritation for real. In addition, after use, your hair will feel amazingly clean, soft, and shiny!
Pros
- Soothes the itchy and flaky, dry scalp.
Cons
- Others find the natural vanilla fragrance too strong.
Best Eczema Shampoo for Itch Relief
Derma E Scalp Relief Shampoo
Photo Credit: Walmart.com
An itchy scalp is a real issue and is quite frustrating for many eczema sufferers. It’s a good thing that you can count on Derma E scalp relief shampoo. The shampoo has soothing ingredients such as menthol and aloe vera. That soothes and takes away scalp irritation and itchiness. With Derma E shampoo, you can get the incredible relief you want minus the sting and itch.
Pros
- Shampoo removes stinging with menthol and aloe.
Cons
- The shampoo is hard to squeeze out of the bottle.
Best Exfoliating Eczema Shampoo
Never Salty Sugar-Based Scalp Scrub
Photo Credit: tphbytaraji.com/
Never Salty is a truly impressive sugar-based scrub that will help remove flakiness and scalp irritation. Moreover, the scrub has apple cider vinegar and menthol to help soothe irritation.
Applying it to your hair and scalp is easy. It comes with a handy application tip. Lightly massage your scalp, and soon the itchy feeling will disappear.
Pros
- It comes with a handy applicator tip, making it easy to apply even on curly hair.
Cons
- Others find it difficult to rinse the sugar crystals.
Best Medicated Eczema Shampoo
Head and Shoulders Clinical Strength Intensive Itch Relief Shampoo
Photo Credit: headandshoulders.com
Stop itchiness and flakes with Head and Shoulders itch relief shampoo. The shampoo has an antifungal – 1 percent selenium sulfide to help reduce irritation and control dandruff.
Use the foaming shampoo once a week and finish with a conditioner to prevent hair dryness. Many users claim to have a clean scalp and zero itchiness after use. In addition, it leaves hair pleasantly soft.
Pros
- It helps quickly soothe itchy scalps
Cons
- It contains sulfates that can dry the scalp.
Conclusion
No matter how unpleasant scalp eczema is, eczema is indeed treatable with proper care. A healthy lifestyle, diet, and stress management can reduce eczema flare-ups. More importantly, using an eczema treatment shampoo can reduce flakiness and eliminate irritation.
Feel free to choose the best shampoo from our list so you can bid eczema farewell. And say hello to eczema-free, healthier hair days ahead!
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes eczema on the scalp?
Many factors trigger scalp eczema. Genetics, certain product ingredients, medication, or a temperature drop can cause eczema. Hormonal change and stress can also cause eczema. In addition, fragrances and sulfates in shampoo and hair products may cause contact dermatitis and irritate your scalp. You might want to switch to a fragrance-free or mild shampoo first.
Before getting any treatment, see a dermatologist to check your scalp thoroughly. Issues like psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, or dandruff require different treatment methods. Your dermatologist can do patch tests to determine the cause of irritants.
What kind of shampoo can treat scalp eczema?
Treat scalp eczema with a shampoo free from allergens or irritants such as sodium lauryl sulfate. Certain fragrances could irritate the scalp too.
What ingredients should you look for? If you have a dry and flaky scalp, look for a shampoo with hydrating ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic. To reduce inflammation, look for a shampoo with aloe, chamomile, and oatmeal. However, consult a doctor for a prescription medication if you have severe eczema.
How can I treat scalp eczema?
You have two options. The first option is using at-home treatments such as shampoos or prescription treatments. Using a shampoo specifically for eczema that contains salicylic acid help reduce build-up. Shampoo with selenium sulfide can reduce flaking. Also, for milder cases of eczema, opt to use a mild medication-free shampoo to minimize flare-ups.
After using home treatments for a month and your eczema is still in the active stage, consult with a doctor who would prescribe steroid treatments in the form of shampoo or oral.
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