What makes The Shampoo by Nécessaire such an excellent product for eczema? In addition to having the NEA Seal of Acceptance and a toxicity and irritation rating of one out of 10, this gel-based formula helps soothe irritated skin. It contains calming hydrators like aloe vera, hyaluronic acid and panthenol and anti-inflammatories like celery seed extract and niacinamide. Overall, this is a great product for all skin types, especially eczema-prone and sensitive types.

Things to know: The niacinamide in this formula can be irritating on certain skin types, especially for people who are allergic to it. In addition, a few buyers felt that this product didn’t cleanse their scalps as much as they had hoped (though a double cleanse may help).

Whether you’re on a budget or just looking for a shampoo that doesn’t exacerbate eczema, the Vanicream Shampoo for Sensitive Skin is a great pick. This simple formula contains several ingredients that help hydrate, soothe and strengthen the skin barrier, including ceramides, glycerin and panthenol. It also uses gentle coconut-derived cleansers to help you remove excess dirt, oil and sebum without irritating the skin. Note that this product has a low toxicity and irritation rating of one out of 10.

The downsides: This shampoo can be drying, especially if you like to double cleanse your scalp, so it’s important to hydrate your hair with conditioner afterward. A few customers also wish the formula had more lather.

Need an eczema shampoo that’s available in just about any supermarket or drugstore? If so, consider the CeraVe Baby Wash & Shampoo. It’s formulated to be gentle enough for eczema-prone babies, and as a result it has the NEA Seal of Acceptance and a low toxicity and irritation rating of one out of 10. Key ingredients that help hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier include ceramides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, and a small dose of niacinamide helps soothe irritation.

Note that this formula contains certain ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction depending on your sensitivities, including tocopheryl acetate (a skin conditioning agent) and benzoic acid, a preservative and fragrance-masking ingredient. Some customers wish the shampoo had more lather, as it may take two cleanses to get the scalp fully clean. In addition, a few customers received broken bottles when purchasing off of Amazon.

The pros of the E45 Dermatological Dry Scalp Shampoo: This simple cleanser has a short ingredient list, which reduces the chances that you’ll have a reaction or an eczema flare-up. It contains gentle and hydrating cleansers to help soothe an itchy, irritated scalp, and the National Eczema Society, a UK charity that provides expert information and advice on eczema to the public, recommends this shampoo. Overall, this is a great product for a simple but effective scalp care routine, especially in the cold and dry winter months.

The cons: As the E45 Dermatological Dry Scalp Shampoo is a UK product, it is only available for purchase in the US on a few online stores. It also doesn’t have a toxicity and irritation rating. Note that it contains isopropyl alcohol, which may help dry out oily skin but can be too irritating for sensitive, eczema-prone skin.

For a truly soothing shampoo that you can also use as a body wash, we recommend The Honest Company’s Sensitive Shampoo + Body Wash. This water-based formula is rich in aloe and uses gentle, coconut-derived cleansers to lift dirt, sebum and dead cells off the skin. Extracts of chamomile and coconut also help reduce inflammation. This formula has the NEA Seal of Acceptance and it’s EWG verified, meaning it meets strict health and safety standards and has a low toxicity and irritation rating.

However, a small number of customers dislike the unscented “scent.” A few buyers also note that you may need to wash twice in order to get your scalp clean.

If you’re searching for a product that has natural ingredients you can recognize on the label, the EllaOla Baby Shampoo & Body Wash is a great pick. The formula is suitable for all ages, thanks to gentle coconut-derived cleansers, coconut water and various anti-inflammatory fruit extracts. Best of all, this product has the NEA Seal of Acceptance and it’s EWG verified, meaning it meets strict health and safety standards and has a low toxicity and irritation rating.

On the other hand, the EllaOla Baby Shampoo is expensive at about $25 for 10 ounces. One or more of the fruit extracts may also trigger an allergic reaction, so it’s important to do a patch test before using. Lastly, several customers found the formula to be drying.

If you have seborrheic dermatitis and don’t have other forms of eczema, the Derma E Scalp Relief Shampoo could be very helpful in controlling yeast growth on your scalp. It contains salicylic acid and tea tree oil, a combination that can improve your symptoms in just a few washes. It also has hydrators like glycerin and gentle coconut-derived cleansers.

This product has a toxicity and irritation rating of four out of 10, primarily because its active ingredients may cause irritation. (These include tea tree oil, salicylic acid and vitamin A in the form of retinyl palmitate). In addition, a few customers found the bottle difficult to squeeze because of the hard plastic. Others received faulty, leaking bottles when purchasing from Amazon.

Why does Dr. Stephens recommend the Head and Shoulders Dandruff Defense Itch Relief Shampoo to her patients with seborrheic dermatitis? It contains selenium sulfide and menthol, two ingredients proven to reduce the growth of the yeast on your scalp. It also contains gentle cleansers that help counteract the dryness caused by these ingredients, as well as a few hydrating ingredients.

This product does not yet have a toxicity and irritation rating, though similar Head & Shoulders shampoos have a rating of five out of 10. Note that ingredients like selenium sulfide and ammonium lauryl sulfate (a cleanser) can dry out the scalp and lead to irritation. Other potential irritants or allergens in this product include menthol, fragrance, peppermint oil and dye.

Whether your dandruff is caused by dry skin or seborrheic dermatitis, the Kamedis Anti-Dandruff Therapy Shampoo can help alleviate it. It contains 1% zinc pyrithione along with salicylic acid and soap nut — three ingredients that work together to control dandruff and prevent the overgrowth of yeast. The formula also has gentle, coconut-derived cleansers that help lift excess sebum, dandruff and dirt from the scalp without increasing irritation.

This product does not yet have a toxicity and irritation rating. Note that the formula isn’t ideal if you have other types of eczema. It may cause irritation depending on your sensitivities or allergies as it contains fragrance, salicylic acid and zinc pyrithione.

If you have type 4 curls (coily or kinky hair), it can be difficult to find an eczema-friendly shampoo that doesn’t dry out your delicate strands. Fortunately, the Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Shampoo can help. The hypoallergenic and fragrance-free formula contains oat milk, aloe vera, glycerin and meadowfoam seed oil, all of which hydrate and soothe irritated skin. It also has gentle, coconut-derived cleansers to help lift sebum and dirt. This product has a low toxicity and irritation rating of two out of 10.

The downsides: The formula does contain a small amount of benzyl alcohol, which may cause irritation if you have a sensitivity to it. Also, you may still need to apply a protective oil or moisturizer to your strands before washing your scalp with this shampoo.

If you have a baby with eczema, you know how important it is to use an extremely gentle shampoo for her scalp. Fortunately, Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Daily Shampoo & Body Wash is up to the task. It contains soothing ingredients proven to improve eczema symptoms, including hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, colloidal oatmeal and panthenol. Buyers note that this formula helps tremendously in treating “cradle cap” as well. This product has a low toxicity and irritation rating of one out of 10.

However, this formula can be drying. It’s therefore important to apply a hypoallergenic moisturizer after cleansing. A few buyers also found that the shampoo isn’t the best for advanced cradle cap.

Looking for a luxurious yet extremely gentle shampoo for your little one? If so, try the Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Shampoo & Wash. The formula contains rich hydrators like shea butter and glycerin as well as anti-inflammatories like aloe vera, chamomile and calendula. Another plus: the bottle has a pump which makes it easy to use. This product is EWG verified, meaning it meets strict health and safety standards and has a low toxicity and irritation rating.

On the other hand, this shampoo is expensive and the formula can be drying. A few buyers also received faulty bottles when buying from Amazon.

Can’t gain control over your baby’s cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis)? If so, consider using Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo & Body Wash. It’s designed with delicate baby skin in mind, so the ingredient list is simple and gentle. It also uses a small dose of zinc pyrithione to keep yeast growth under control and licorice to reduce redness. Overall, most buyers were impressed at how quickly this formula eliminated cradle cap.

This product does not yet have a toxicity and irritation rating, though the gentle Happy Cappy Shampoo (with a similar formula) has a low rating of one out of 10. Keep in mind that zinc pyrithione can be irritating, so it’s important to do a patch test on your baby before trying.

Bathing a newborn is only a good idea if you have an extremely gentle cleanser like the Mustela Stelatopia Eczema-Prone Shampoo. The formula has the NEA Seal of Acceptance thanks to simple yet effective ingredients like coconut-derived cleansers, sunflower seed oil and avocado oil. Buyers also note that the product helps alleviate cradle cap.

However, some customers experienced quality issues when buying this product off of Amazon. The shampoo is also expensive when you account for the bottle size (5.07 ounces for $15). Note that the new formulation of this product does not yet have a toxicity and irritation rating, though similar Mustela products have a rating between one and three out of 10.

While Shea Moisture is no longer Black owned, it is still a Black-led company, and it sells several products that are suitable for eczema-prone skin. The Oat Milk & Rice Water Baby Extra Comforting Shampoo is the perfect example. This NEA-approved formula contains rich hydrators like shea butter and sunflower seed oil along with anti-inflammatories like colloidal oatmeal and rice extract. Overall, this is a great hydrating body wash.

What could be improved: This product does not have a toxicity and irritation rating, though similar Shea Moisture products have a low rating of two out of 10. In addition, some of the ingredients may cause irritation depending on your allergies and sensitivities, including chamomile extract.

The best features of the Odele Ultra Sensitive Shampoo: The NEA-approved formula is rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients, including aloe vera, colloidal oatmeal, rice protein, amaranth seed extract and quinoa. It also uses gentle, coconut-derived cleansers to clear out dirt, dandruff and excess sebum.

The downsides? This product has a toxicity and irritation rating of three out of 10. Note that it contains cetrimonium chloride, an antimicrobial and preservative that may cause irritation or an allergic reaction. Also, a few buyers disliked the thick consistency and the unscented smell.

Foaming shampoos are normally a bad idea for eczema patients, as the foaming agents tend to cause irritation. The Burt’s Bees Baby Foaming Shampoo & Wash, however, is an exception. It contains gentle, coconut-derived cleansers alongside lightweight hydrators like glycerin. Plus, the formula has the NEA Seal of Acceptance and a low toxicity and irritation rating of two out of 10.

However, this product contains fragrance — though it’s labeled as a natural fragrance. This may cause irritation depending on your sensitivities and allergies. A few buyers also experienced quality issues when purchasing this off of Amazon.

If you’re hunting for an eczema-friendly shampoo that has minimal ingredients, check out the Exederm Ultra Sensitive Skincare Shampoo. The water-based formula contains simple coconut-derived cleansers, glycerin for hydration and just a few other ingredients that act as viscosity controllers and shelf stabilizers. Buyers love that it is gentle on the scalp and alleviates itchy, irritated eczema and cradle cap. Plus, a little goes a long way. This product has a low toxicity and irritation rating of one out of 10.

On the other hand, this product isn’t available at most retailers. A few buyers also still experienced reactions and irritation, which may be the result of an allergy to one or more ingredients.