Does Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Cradle Cap Work?

At-home remedies for seborrheic dermatitis (cradle cap) have been around for decades. One of many that we like to bring up includes the use of oils on your baby’s skin: Mineral oil, coconut oil, and even olive oil all have a reputation for being useful for scaly, dry skin, but can the same be expected for cradle cap?

Let’s take a closer look at the potential of treating cradle cap with olive oil, and why you should consider a medicated shampoo for cradle cap instead.

What Causes Cradle Cap?

Before jumping on to the answer for whether olive oil is helpful for cradle cap or not, it is important that you understand what is cradle cap and what causes it. Cradle cap is the most common scalp and skin condition in babies.

It causes thick scales on the baby’s scalp, redness, and inflammation behind the ears, skin folds, and groin area. It is neither contagious nor harmful to the baby’s health. There are various factors that work together to form those iconic scales that look like honeycomb. 

The hormonal changes in the baby’s body after birth may trigger the sebaceous oil glands to start producing more sebum. The overproduction of sebum provides a breeding ground for Malassezia yeast that is naturally present on the skin. 

When the yeast and sebum come in contact they produce a byproduct that leads to scaling, flaking, and inflammation. 

Can You Use Olive Oil for Cradle Cap?

Olive oil has been used in the past as a method for treating cradle cap – The American Pregnancy Association even recommends considering an oil treatment to loosen up flakes and make them easier to remove. 

However, the organization also makes it clear that removing the oil from your baby’s head is just as important because leaving any behind could result in clogged pores.

In this way, olive oil could actually make the skin condition worse and make it more difficult to remove the scales from your baby’s scalp. The mess that comes with oil can also play a major role in your ability to use it effectively.

Additionally, research shows that olive oil and other vegetable oils have the nutrients that Malassezia yeast feeds off of, which can ultimately make your baby’s cradle cap worse and increase your risk of developing an infection or allergic reaction.

Does Olive Oil Help With Cradle Cap?

Technically it can help loosen up the scales and remove your baby’s seborrheic dermatitis, but the answer to the question is NO–olive oil and other less-than-helpful natural remedies, have many drawbacks that can make the condition even worse than when it began. 

Every baby is different and so is their skin. 

There are chances the baby’s skin will react negatively to olive oil and lead to allergic reactions. This is why it’s better to stay away from any complications and to instead reach for more reliable treatment options–ones that can help eliminate the root cause of the condition.

Cradle Cap Treatment

Instead of resorting to olive oil for babies dealing with cradle cap, there are a variety of other options that can help you remove the scales and rehydrate your baby’s scalp.

Breast Milk for Cradle Cap

Breast milk, for example, makes a great natural remedy for breaking up the scales and soothing dry skin. Breast milk contains natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that help control Malassezia yeast and prevent future build-ups. 

Read our blog on, does breast milk help cradle cap, to learn more about it.

Cradle Cap Shampoo

A traditional baby shampoo can help loosen up the flakes and scales of cradle cap, but will not resolve the problem. Happy Cappy Cradle Cap Shampoo and Body Wash is the ideal solution. Recall the technical term for cradle cap is seborrheic dermatitis. 

We’ve formulated our product to eliminate the flaking and irritation of the skin associated with seborrheic dermatitis, for children of all ages. It contains pyrithione zinc as an active ingredient that helps control the production of Malassezia yeast and reduces flaking associated with seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. 

It is:

• Vegan friendly
• Cruelty-free
• Fragrance-free
• Dermatologist tested
• Dye-free
• Alcohol-free
• Paraben-free
• Sulfate-free
• BPA free
• Gluten-free

So you can feel comfortable and confident that we’ve taken the time to create a medicated shampoo option that’s proven to be both safe and effective. 

Cradle Cap Brush

A cradle cap brush can be used during bathtime while shampooing the baby’s scalp to remove the loose scales and flakes.

Gently brush your baby’s scalp in circular motions to massage it, and do not try to forcefully remove the scales all at once. This will only make the condition worse and may cause hair fall. 

Conclusion

Seborrheic dermatitis when it appears in babies is known as cradle cap. It can cause thick, greasy yellow scales to appear on your baby’s scalp. This common condition is caused by a combination of factors like hormonal changes, excess sebum, and overproduction of Malassezia yeast.

If you are thinking of using olive oil to treat your baby’s cradle cap then think twice, because it may help soften the scales but it may have more risks than benefits. 

Instead of turning to home remedies use a Medicated Cradle Cap Shampoo instead to eliminate the scaling and flaking associated with seborrheic dermatitis. A shampoo that contains zinc pyrithione will help control the production of Malassezia yeast and prevent future build-up of scales. 

Want to help your baby’s skin feel flake-free and healthy try our soothing products today!

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