Baby hair oil is experiencing lots of love these days from new parents. We did some research on the trend to learn more about it and found 5 big myths about using baby hair oils. We thought we’d share them with you to help you as you make your decision about whether they should be used on your little one.
Also, we checked out which oils are currently trending in the top 3 to share with our readers.
What Does Hair Oil Do?
Some people have naturally oily hair. These people tend to have to wash their hair frequently to keep oil production at bay. Other people are born with hair that’s naturally more dry and brittle. These babies may need some additional products to keep their hair sufficiently hydrated to keep breakage at a minimum.
Myths About Baby Hair Oil
Before we go ahead with the top baby hair oils today, let’s debunk some common misconceptions about this wonderful baby product.
Myth 1: Hair oil helps babies to grow more hair.
Many people believe that hair oil promotes growth, however, this just isn’t scientifically sound. This just isn’t how hair “works”. If anything, the added oil can weigh down hair, and leave a layer of flaky dandruff from product usage.
Hair oil can condition the hair your baby already has when used properly, making breakage less likely and hydrating existing strands. It doesn’t necessarily help them grow anything new, though.
Myth 2: Hair oil keeps babies from losing their hair.
Nearly all babies go through a period of hair loss, usually around 4 months or so. They also often shed strands intermittently on a normal basis.
When babies lose the hair they had when they are born and grow a new batch, the new hair may be very different from the hair they were born with. It might change color and texture. This is all completely normal, and can’t be stopped by adding oil or any other products.
Myth 3: Hair oil can help if your baby has skin or scalp issues.
Babies have a lot of weird stuff going on with their scalps in the first few months of life, including cradle. While dermatologists say it’s ok to treat things like cradle cap with cocoa butter or baby oil with very few ingredients by massaging it into the scalp, they also say you should be careful to leave it on for no more than 30 minutes or so. After, gently brush with a baby brush or washcloth, then use a gentle shampoo to wash your baby’s hair. Otherwise, you may run the risk of creating a problem with fungi or dandruff.
Although this limited use is permitted, it is very important not to treat rashes in general without consulting your baby’s doctor or dermatologist. In many cases, the buildup of products on the scalp can cause more issues than they solve.
If your baby has a naturally dry scalp, hair oil may help. For any other condition, talk to a doctor before applying anything.
Keep in mind too that anything you put on a baby’s hair may get onto the rest of their skin and clothing. In all the reviews we found, babies broke out in acne when too much oil was applied and stayed on for extended amounts of time. Remember, too, that oil can stain clothing, so use with caution.
Myth 4: Baby hair oil isn’t necessary – any hair oil will do.
The skin and scalp of babies are different from those of adults, so using adult products on a baby is not a good idea. First, there may be more fragrances and other added things that don’t bother adults but can be very rough on the skin of a baby.
Secondly, baby products are made with babies in mind like those teething rings. Not only are they usually more gentle than adult products on hair, the scalp, and skin, they are gentler if they get near your baby’s eyes and mouth. You wouldn’t want to apply them directly to the face, of course, but they are far less likely to cause the full effect an adult product would have.
Myth 5: When buying hair oil, all-natural and organic products are safest.
Many parents see the words “all-natural” or “organic” and trust that a product is safe when the reality is that it may be made of products that are not able to be tested to assure safety. Some products that are too new in use have not been around long enough for anyone to be able to say that they are effective or safe.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology published an article in 2017 that mentioned that one of the most important things parents should understand about skin issues in babies, especially if the baby already has any sort of pre-existing skin issue.
On the other hand, don’t discount a product just because it claims to be natural or organic. Just keep in mind that the best products for babies often have the fewest ingredients. If you aren’t sure what an ingredient is or how it will help, ask your pediatrician.
OUR TOP PICK – Best Baby Hair Oils
We have found the best baby hair oils, and our top pick is the Johnson’s Baby Oil Enriched With Shea and Cocoa Butter. It has two of the best moisturizing ingredients today and has a light scent making it the perfect baby oil for your child.
- 20-fluid ounce bottle of pure baby oil, enriched with shea & cocoa butter, formulated to help moisturize babies' delicate skin, and protect skin from dryness, great for relieving dry skin or rough...
- Pure baby mineral oil forms a silky moisturizing barrier to help prevent excess moisture loss and lock in up to 10 times more moisture on wet skin than an ordinary lotion can on dry skin
- Baby oil is clinically proven to be gentle and mild for baby's skin, easy to spread, ideal for baby massage and relaxing bonding experience for you and your baby
- Hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested baby oil contains no parabens, phthalates, or dyes, and is specially formulated for babies' delicate skin
Here are the Best Baby Hair Oils that we have included in our review
Keep in mind, before you use any product on your baby for a rash or condition, check with your baby’s pediatrician just to be sure it’s right for your baby.
Johnson’s Baby Oil, Mineral Oil Enriched With Shea & Cocoa Butter
- 20-fluid ounce bottle of pure baby oil, enriched with shea & cocoa butter, formulated to help moisturize babies' delicate skin, and protect skin from dryness, great for relieving dry skin or rough...
- Pure baby mineral oil forms a silky moisturizing barrier to help prevent excess moisture loss and lock in up to 10 times more moisture on wet skin than an ordinary lotion can on dry skin
- Baby oil is clinically proven to be gentle and mild for baby's skin, easy to spread, ideal for baby massage and relaxing bonding experience for you and your baby
- Hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested baby oil contains no parabens, phthalates, or dyes, and is specially formulated for babies' delicate skin
Shea and cocoa butter are considered some of the best moisturizers around. Although this isn’t a hair oil, many people use it in their babies’ hair.
It has a shortlist of only four ingredients, and although one of them is fragrance, it’s a light scent. Johnson’s is a well-trusted, long-used brand, and the price is usually tough to beat.
Reviewers love it first and foremost for its smell, which is similar to the original in the pink cap with added notes of cocoa and shea butter. Reviewers say it not only smells like the official smell of “baby”, but it reminds them of “summer” with its tropical notes.
The fragrance of the shea and cocoa butters are listed before the actual products, so if you think your baby is sensitive to fragrance, get a very small bottle to test it out on them before committing to the big bottle. The large bottle lasts for a very long time since you only need a very tiny amount for each use.
Johnson’s does make an actual oil for baby hair, but it’s not made in the United States. It costs a lot more and comes in a small bottle because of that, and many reviewers found the scent overpowering. Some reviewers really loved it, though, so if you’ve got a bit to spend, it might be worth trying.
Cradle Cap Baby Balm
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This is a very popular product, mainly used for cradle cap. It’s not really an oil as much as a balm, but its popularity among users makes it a good option.
It’s got a lot of oils in it – almond, coconut, sunflower seeds, calendula, manuka honey, and lavender among a few others. It also contains beeswax, which gives it the balm feel. Many reviewers say it only takes a small amount to cover a large area, so it lasts a long while.
It does leave a greasy residue, especially in the hair, and it’s recommended to only leave in for about 15 minutes, so you may want to put it in your little one’s hair right before bathtime.
Some reviewers said that the honey in the product does cause pediatricians to take pause, though, because it has been known to cause botulism in babies younger than one. It is a topical product, but some worry that babies may touch their heads and then put their hands in their mouths. Be sure you talk to your baby’s physician before using it to be sure it’s recommended.
Burt’s Bees Baby Nourishing Baby Oil
- BABY OIL: Moisturize your baby's delicate skin and protect from dryness with this hydrating baby oil that locks in moisture for soft, smooth skin; Package may vary
- SOOTHING BABY OIL: Rich in antioxidants and vitamins this oil is made with apricot and grape seed oil to relieve discomfort from dry skin
- 100% NATURAL: Add to bath water or apply directly to skin after a bath this natural skin care is formulated without phthalates parabens petrolatum or SLS
- PEDIATRICIAN TESTED: This hypo-allergenic baby oil is clinically proven to be safe effective and non-irritating to nurture baby's delicate skin
This product is not officially hair oil, either, but it is a highly loved product. Many people use it for their baby’s hair.
Some are opposed to using mineral oil, and this product is free of that. It only uses fruit and tree oils. Some love the smell, but it reacts differently with each person (as do all oils), so it’s good to be aware of the possibility that it may not be your favorite fragrance. On the other hand, several reviewers say it smells like chocolate!
Some reviewers did report that their babies had a reaction, so as always, be sure you talk to your baby’s doctor before trying this product.
