The Best Eczema Shampoos for an Inflamed or Itchy Scalp

Finding the Best Eczema Shampoos

Different types of scalp eczema call for different types of shampoos and scalp medications. Here’s what to know about the most common forms of eczema that affect the scalp:

Seborrheic Dermatitis

“Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory condition of the skin that results from an overgrowth of a yeast called Malassezia. It’s also known as pityrosporum,” says Dr. Alexis Stephens, DO, FACOD, FAAD. “Malassezia lives on our skin and it’s actually a normal organism on the skin. But when it overgrows, it can produce flaking, itching and inflammation on the skin.”

If you have seborrheic dermatitis, you may need a shampoo that has a few strong ingredients that can eliminate yeast. “Make sure you are using a shampoo with active ingredients that are clinically proven to treat dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, such as ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, tea tree oil and salicylic acid,” Dr. Stephens advises. She also recommends having a few different products (each with an active ingredient) on rotation, because the yeast can get used to an ingredient and overgrow again. Lastly, Dr. Stephens notes that you should only use the medicated shampoo on your scalp (as opposed to your hair) and let it sit for five to 10 minutes.

Note that Dr. Stephens does not recommend these treatments for babies, as they are too harsh for their delicate skin. Instead, she suggests using a baby shampoo and a cradle cap brush to wash their heads.

Atopic Eczema

Atopic eczema, which is most common in young children but also adults, is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes dry, scaling, itchy and cracked skin. While this type of eczema has no cure and the cause is unclear, dermatologist and YouTuber Dr. Jenny Liu notes that it can be controlled with the right treatments and proper skincare.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis is a form of eczema that occurs when your skin comes in contact with an allergen (something to which you are allergic). The allergen triggers an itchy and inflamed rash, which can disrupt the skin barrier and lead to scaling and cracks. In severe cases, it can cause skin infections.

Getting tested for allergies may help you tremendously in narrowing down your search for a non-irritating shampoo. Once you know which ingredients trigger your symptoms, you can avoid them more easily. It can also be helpful to test a small amount of shampoo on your skin before using it on your entire scalp. In the shower, for example, you might apply a quarter-sized amount to a patch of skin and leave it on for the entire shower. Then, rinse. Repeat this process for seven to 10 days to see if you react to it.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when your skin becomes irritated from a topical ingredient or substance. Usually, irritant contact dermatitis is less severe than allergic contact dermatitis. Symptoms include a dry, itchy and flaky scalp, hives and even hair loss. Ingredients that commonly cause this reaction include fragrance, alcohol, dye and preservatives.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Eczema Shampoos

Eczema Type

Understanding your eczema type can help you purchase the right shampoo on the first try. If you have seborrheic dermatitis, for instance, look for a shampoo that contains one of the following active ingredients (or a combination of two): ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, tea tree oil and salicylic acid.

If you have atopic eczema, allergic contact dermatitis or irritant contact dermatitis, keep your shampoo simple. Look for fragrance-free and dye-free formulas marked as “sensitive.” Ideally, they will contain soothing and hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, colloidal oatmeal and gentle surfactants such as coconut-derived cleansers.

Verifications

Some sensitive-skin shampoos have an NEA Seal of Acceptance, an EWG Verified Mark or both. The NEA Seal of Acceptance signifies that a product has undergone rigorous testing for skin irritation and contains zero ingredients from the NEA “Ecz-clusion List.” The EWG Verified Mark means the EWG has evaluated the product in question and determined it is safe to use, non-irritating and non-toxic.

Looking for the NEA Seal of Acceptance or the EWG Mark on shampoo bottles can be helpful in determining which products are the least likely to cause a flare up. However, these verifications aren’t the end all, be all — especially if you have an allergy or sensitivity to an ingredient deemed safe, such as a coconut-derived cleanser. The below recommendations therefore include products that don’t have these verifications, though they at least have a dermatologist recommendation.

Helpful Ingredients

Though any ingredient in a shampoo can be harmful depending on your sensitivities and allergies, there are several ingredients that are more likely to help your skin than harm it. These include aloe vera, ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, mineral oil, petrolatum, shea butter and vitamin E. Coconut-derived cleansers, including cocamidopropyl betaine, coco glucoside and coconut diethanolamide (CDFA) are also considered helpful because they gently cleanse skin without stripping it of moisture.

Harmful Ingredients

There are many ingredients that are known to trigger eczema, so it can be helpful to avoid them if you have a skin condition. These ingredients include orange peel oil, lime peel powder, fragrance, masking fragrance and denatured alcohol. See a full list of known triggers on the NEA website.

Price

Eczema shampoos can get pricey, though the vast majority are affordable. Most shampoos suitable for eczema fall between $5 and $50. In this list of recommendations, shampoos cost between $7 and $30, with the majority costing less than $20.

What Are the Different Types of Eczema Shampoos?

Medicated

A medicated shampoo is one that contains active ingredients designed to treat seborrheic dermatitis or eczema. For seborrheic dermatitis, these active ingredients include ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, tea tree oil and salicylic acid. Shampoos with these ingredients are also readily available over the counter. (Note that your dermatologist may instead recommend a prescription anti-fungal shampoo.)

For other forms of eczema, such as atopic eczema, your doctor is not likely to recommend a medicated shampoo but rather a medicated ointment alongside a very simple, over-the-counter scalp cleanser.

Gentle

The other type of shampoo designed for eczema is simply a gentle one. These shampoos are typically labeled “sensitive skin” or “hypoallergenic.” In addition, they will often contain soothing hydrators like glycerin, ceramides and hyaluronic acid, and non-stripping surfactants like coconut-derived cleansers. These products ought to be fragrance and dye free as well, which lowers the risk of irritation.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tr%2FMmp6aspmjsm%2BvzqZmrKCfpXq4tdOhZK6rX6eyt7XEsKpompWowW6xwrOcppldqLWiuc%2Bopqxn