At a Glance
- SCRATCH NO MORE: Scalp shampoo with a blend of Peppermint, Tea Tree and Lavender oils to soothe and calm dry, itchy scalp....
- END THE DRYNESS NOW: Flakes, dandruff, and itching are caused by dry scalp. Our scalp care shampoo stops the flakes and...
- IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR HAIR: Replenish and nourish your hair with our dry scalp treatment. Our anti dandruff shampoo...
- Shampoo cleans to reveal natural shine
- Rich lather soaks into your hair
- Use daily
- The best all natural dandruff shampoo for kids available! Gentle treatment for children of all ages contains pure and safe...
- Nurturing hypoallergenic formula developed especially for children with mild ingredients nourishes cleans and protects dry...
- Best haircare product for growing boys and girls of all hair types ranging from curly and frizzy to thin and fragile hair....
- One 12 oz. bottle of JASON Dandruff Relief 2-in-1 Treatment Shampoo and Conditioner
- Cleanses and conditions in one easy step while controlling dandruff, flakes and itchiness
- Made with pyrithione zinc to minimize the effects of scalp dermatitis and psoriasis
- Complete Hair and Body Wash – Made for babies with dry, sensitive skin, or allergies our 2-in-1 baby wash and shampoo...
- Plant - Based and with the light scent of tea tree & lavender essential oils – Perfect for a newborn’s first bath, our...
- Allergy-Tested – Gluten, soy, oat, dairy, and nut free (except coconut), our baby body wash and shampoo.
Dandruff is something that most of will experience at some time in our lives. Although it is more common in puberty and the teenage years when the body’s oil productions can go crazy, dandruff can occur in the early childhood years too. As embarrassing as it is to adults, it can be even more distressing for a child who is already worried about their appearance – other kids can sometimes be so cruel.
Fortunately dandruff is not a life threatening condition and can be easily resolved with use of the right shampoo in most cases. Finding the best shampoo for treating dandruff in kids can be more challenging with many of the treatments available not suitable for sensitive young scalps. Anti-dandruff shampoos often contain aggressive chemical agents that can strip the hair of moisture and irritate the scalp, in particular sulfates used for foaming have the potential to cause scalp, skin and eye problems.
Wherever possible, it is best to choose products that contain natural ingredients as these are usually more gentle on your child’s scalp and cause less discomfort. In more severe cases there are medicated dandruff shampoos that are especially formulated for children’s sensitive scalps and some of the formulas made for adults with sensitive scalps can also be suitable.
How to Tell if Your Child Has Dandruff
Seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff in young children is a common condition that affects the scalp. Babies or infants who exhibit dandruff-like symptoms are often actually suffering from cradle cap. Cradle cap flakes tend to be more like thick yellow scales on the scalp, and if you suspect your infant may have cradle cap you should seek the advice of a pediatrician who can diagnose and treat the condition.
The major symptoms of dandruff are a dry scalp, itchy scalp, redness and flakes. These signs can be very similar to other skin conditions like eczema. Worldwide about 20 percent of children have some form of eczema with 10.7 percent of children in the US having a diagnosis of eczema. (source) Eczema is accompanied by inflammation and yellowish greasy flakes that can show up on other parts of the body as well as the scalp, usually on the joints like the fingers, wrist, knees or elbows. If “dandruff” appears in these other places, it’s more likely to be eczema and you should look for specialized eczema treatments. Dandruff isn’t caused by the same dryness, rather too much sebum, the body’s natural oil.
Another common error is to mistake signs of head lice for dandruff. Unlike seborrheic dermatitis or eczema, lice or nits are contagious, especially in school children. Whereas dandruff can be found on both hair and the scalp, nits are only found on the hair fibers and adhere to the hair unlike dandruff which will easily slides off hair strands. Nits also tend to be teardrop-shaped while dandruff is more of a flake with a yellowish or white color. If your child has head lice or nits, you will need to treat the whole family’s hair with a specially medicated shampoo and manual combing.
Although finding dandruff flakes on your child’s scalp can be concerning or even embarrassing, there are many things you can do to alleviate it and rest assure it’s nothing you have done wrong. In the following Youtube clip a leading pediatrician explains the causes and how you can treat it:
What Causes Dandruff in Children?
The causes of dandruff for children are the same as adults. As hormonal changes take place the body produces more of the natural oil sebum in the glands. Malassezia, a natural yeast identified as causing dandruff can thrive on the excess oil. This is why dandruff is more common in puberty, especially among boys who also suffer from acne and oily skin due to oils running wild.
Other causes of flaking associated with dandruff include dry skin caused by cold, dry winter air, conditions like eczema or psoriasis that cause dead skin cells to build up on the scalp and shampooing too often or not often enough. Shampoo can leave a dry, flaky residue that can cause flakiness or the scalp may have a reaction to certain ingredients, often called contact dermatitis.
With younger kids, dandruff may simply be caused by a lack of personal hygiene. It is important to encourage your child to adopt a healthy hair washing routine from an early age which can help wash away those excess oils that cause dandruff.
What to Look For in a Dandruff Shampoo for Kids
Chemicals including sulfates, foaming agents and parabens found in many cosmetic shampoos can be very irritating to and may even sting younger scalps. A chemical free shampoo can often mean a tear free bath time.
Most children are sensitive to strong odors and can be put off many strong smelling medicated formulas, simply refusing to use it. Chemical ingredients salicylic acid, ketoconazole and zinc pyrithione have all been shown to be effective at fighting dandruff and in smaller concentrations can be safe for use on your child’s scalp. Natural botanicals including tea tree oil, lavender extract and jojoba oil can also attack dandruff and soothe the irritating itching that often goes hand in hand with dandruff.
The Best Dandruff Shampoo for Kids
Finding the best dandruff shampoo for kids can certainly be time consuming so we’ve saved you some time by looking at some of the top selling shampoos that are safe to use on your child’s sensitive scalp. Although they are not all specially formulated or sold as children’s shampoos, the top five in our list are all effective against dandruff while being gentle enough not to irritate a sensitive young scalp.
PURA D'OR
Scalp Therapy Shampoo Although not especially designed as a dandruff shampoo for children, this product from Pura D’Or is a natural and organic shampoo making it very gentle on children’s hair and skin. The main active ingredients of argan oil and tea tree oil are combined with many other botanicals that heal and nourish the scalp, minimize flaking and itching, and encourage stronger, healthier hair. The premium oil and added vitamins B and E work together for a healthier scalp to prevent dandruff from returning. Aloe vera used in place of water adds longer lasting hydration to fight dry scalps that can cause flaking. Peppermint oil cools and soothe the scalp, giving the formula a tingly minty smell.
Sulfur8
Kids Anti Dandruff Shampoo This cost effective medicated shampoo from Sulfur8 is a gentle yet effective choice for treating a child’s dandruff and scalp problems. It uses a 1% pyrithione zinc active ingredient to combat the itching and flaking of dandruff. Unlike many other medicated dandruff shampoos, this formula is free of harsh chemicals like sulfates that have the potential to irritate sensitive scalps. In addition to having anti-itching and anti-flaking properties, this shampoo has the added action of thoroughly cleansing and moisturizing the hair. It’s suitable for all hair types and is gentle enough to be used daily. It is commonly available with a “pudding” – a child friendly conditioner that will help keep your child’s hair soft and smooth.
Honeydew
Anti Dandruff Shampoo for Kid This product from Honeydew is specially developed for children and is free from parabens and sulfates and contains no synthetic fragrance. Jojoba oil, tea tree oil and lavender oil help the gentle removal of dandruff while moisturizing the scalp. This hypoallergenic nurturing formula is tear free and provides an organic moisturizing treatment for children’s hair and scalp, Suitable for use with all types of hair from curly and frizzy to thin and fragile hair, it is safe for daily use.
Jason Natural
Dandruff Relief Shampoo Another “adult” shampoo this medicated formula from Jason Natural eschews harsh, risky chemicals in favor of blending simple yet effective healing ingredients that are gentle on the skin. A dual action medicated formula, pyrithione zinc controls dandruff and eliminates flakes and itching with added what protein strengthening the hair. Essential oils like neem, jojoba, rosemary and tea tree oil heal and moisturize both the scalp and hair. By simply massaging a small amount of this product onto your child’s scalp and leaving it to foam for two to three minutes before rinsing, you can get rid of flakes and add softness to the hair.
California Baby
Tea Tree and Lavender Shampoo This vegan formula from California Baby is derived from natural cleansing ingredients like wild harvested yucca and organic soapbark. It’s sulfate free, free of parabens and other irritants like triclosan. Added essential oils, tea tree and french lavender are effective against dandruff while soothing the itching and redness of the scalp. A sweet floral scent is given by the essential oils; this product also be used as a body wash too, saving you some extra bucks.
our #1 rated
Pros
All natural ingredients.
Gentle enough for daily use
yet effective against the build up of dandruff.
Hypoallergenic
gluten free and cruelty free.
Tea tree and argan oil are well known to be effective in fighting dandruff and other scalp conditions.
Good value for a high quality product
Cons
Pura D’Or do warn that it may take time to see noticeable reduction of flaking with this shampoo.
Not medicated
may not be as effective as conventional treatments for more severe dandruff.
Herbal smell is not to everybody’s taste.
our #2 rated
Pros
Found to be extremely effective against dandruff and relieving an itchy scalp.
Rich lather.
Recommended by many pediatricians.
Very reasonable price offering good value for money.
Cons
The smell is not particularly pleasant.
Can leave the hair greasy
especially if you use the “pudding” conditioner gel.
our #3 rated
Pros
Specially researched and formulated for use by children.
Free of the harsh ingredients found in most shampoos.
Essential oils promote a healthy scalp and reduce dandruff and flaking.
Great fresh smell appeals to many kids.
Cons
Can be upsetting if it gets in the eyes despite “tear free” claim.
Oils can leave hair feeling greasy.
Insufficient active medicated ingredients may make it less effective than some traditional dandruff treatments.
our #4 rated
Pros
Medicated formula can be used by adults and children alike.
Gentle enough to use on colored hair and for daily use.
Active ingredient pyrithione zinc is very effective.
Very clean scent for medicated shampoo.
Cons
Thicker formula with some complaints of clumps.
Can leave hair greasy.
Some users find it doesn’t foam as much as they would like.
People with thicker hair may find it doesn’t condition enough and can leave hair tangled.
our #5 rated
Pros
Made from wholly natural ingredients
Allergy tested
gluten free
soy free
oat free and dairy free
Specially formulated for sensitive skin
Fiercely fights dandruff.
Fresh scent.
Concentrated product.
Cons
Concentrated formula can cause matting of thicker hair.
May not be as effective on dandruff as some medicated shampoos.
Scent too strong for some
Our Choice for the Best Dandruff Shampoo for Kids
There are shampoos specifically designed for kids but this doesn’t necessarily make them the best dandruff shampoo to treat your child. Parents typically want a shampoo that will be effective against dandruff and flaking yet gentle to the scalp. Many of the shampoos designed for sensitive skins can just as well fit that criteria.
For that reason, in our opinion, the best dandruff shampoo for kids is the Pura D’Or Scalp Therapy Anti Dandruff Shampoo. It’s a quality natural product that won’t irritate their younger skin but can still effectively reduce that irritating snowfall from the scalp. It’s so good, you’ll want to use it yourself and at the reasonable price Pura D’Or comes in at, why not?
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