Best Eczema Shampoos of 2026

The National Eczema Association seal is why this is the baby shampoo we reach for first. It signals the product has been accepted for use on eczema-prone skin, and the rest of the formula supports that: fragrance-free, tear-free, and built around ceramides plus hyaluronic acid. Vitamin E adds another layer of comfort for dry patches, and the 16 fl oz bottle is sized for regular bath time rather than a one-off trial.

As a 2-in-1, it handles hair and body in one step, which is the useful part at bath time. The lather is mild, rinses clean, and leaves delicate skin feeling soft rather than tight. For a baby with a flaky scalp or dry patches, that combination is more practical than a shelf of separate washes, and it is gentle enough for a newborn's first baths. The lack of fragrance means it will not leave a scented trail, which is the point for a reactive scalp.

It is still a baby product. Older kids and adults with very reactive scalps can use it, but adult hair may need a separate conditioner, and a dedicated adult shampoo like our top pick is the better default for color-treated or styled hair. We keep it in the kids' bath caddy for that reason, not on the adult shampoo shelf.

Vanicream is a clarifying shampoo first: it is formulated to lift oil, flaking, and buildup from conditioners and styling products, and it does that without fragrance, dyes, lanolin, or sulfates. For a sensitive scalp that gets oily and flaky rather than dry and tight, that is a useful combination. It is also pH-balanced and mild enough for daily use, which is not always true of clarifying shampoos.

The formula is not moisturizing. Hair can feel stripped after washing, especially if it is already dry or color-treated, so we treat it as a scalp treatment and keep conditioner on the ends. It also does not lather heavily, which is normal for a sulfate-free shampoo but can make people use more product than they need. A little water and a second rinse go further than a second handful.

We keep it on the list because it fills a gap the gentler hydrating shampoos do not: when the scalp is both reactive and congested, this is the one that clears the deck. It is not the pick for a dry, fragile scalp with no buildup, and it can be too much for daily use on chemically treated hair. For that buyer, our top pick is the easier daily choice.

SEEN is built around a skin-first claim that matters for this category: non-comedogenic, non-irritating, and formulated without fragrance, sulfates, silicones, and pore-clogging oils. The target buyer is not just a sensitive scalp but skin that breaks out along the hairline, forehead, or back. That is a different problem from dry eczema alone, and SEEN addresses both without turning the shampoo into a clinical treatment. It is one of the few shampoos here that talks about acne and eczema in the same breath.

The lather is richer than most fragrance-free shampoos, and it rinses without leaving a heavy film. Hair feels clean and soft, with less frizz, and the formula is color-safe. The ingredients include bisabolol and hemisqualane, which are there to soothe and smooth rather than perfume the formula, and the lack of fragrance makes it easy to layer with other sensitive-skin products.

We think it earns a place for someone dealing with both eczema and acne, because a shampoo that does not clog pores is worth the trade-off in routine. It is not the best match for very dry, brittle hair; the formula can feel drying, so condition the ends. The bottle is best kept for the person with the reactive scalp, not the whole household. If your scalp is dry but not acne-prone, our top pick is the gentler daily fit.

When the problem is a newborn's flaky scalp, Mustela Stelatopia is the most targeted pick here. It is a fragrance-free, soap-free foam made for eczema-prone skin, with avocado and sunflower oil and a pH-balanced formula. The pump foam is easy to dispense one-handed, which matters when a baby is wriggling.

The point of the foam is to sit on the scalp for a minute or two before rinsing, so it feels more like a treatment than a quick wash. It can help with visible dryness and cradle cap, and it leaves hair soft. It is a targeted step, not a volume shampoo, and the 99% naturally derived formula is gentle enough for a newborn's scalp. The lack of fragrance is a big part of the appeal.

The trade-offs are real: some babies still itch after using it, the foam can be thin, and it can leave fine hair feeling coated if you do not rinse thoroughly. We keep it for the newborn stage or a specific flare, not as the family's everyday shampoo. If your baby's scalp is angry and not improving, that is a reason to check with a pediatrician rather than keep switching foams.

An 18 fl oz bottle that works as both shampoo and body wash is the kind of thing that earns its space in a family bathroom. The Honest Company's fragrance-free version is tear-free, made without sulfates, dyes, or synthetic fragrance, and recognized by the National Eczema Association. It is a head-to-toe wash rather than a scalp treatment, and that is exactly how we use it.

The formula is gentle on skin and hair, with chamomile and aloe, and it rinses clean without a heavy scent. It lathers more than many fragrance-free washes, which makes it easier to use on wiggly kids, and the large size means fewer reorders. The lack of fragrance means it will not leave a scented trail on hair or skin, which is the point for a reactive scalp.

We like it most as a head-to-toe wash for short hair and kids: one bottle covers hair and body, and there is no fragrance to worry about. For longer adult hair, it is not a substitute for a dedicated shampoo and conditioner; the hair may feel softer but not as smooth. That is a fair trade for a product that simplifies the bath shelf.

Our verdict is that it earns its place as the value-minded family pick, not as a scalp treatment. If your eczema is mostly on the body and your scalp is only mildly reactive, this simplifies the routine. If your scalp is the main problem, start with our top pick instead, and keep this one for the kids.

Cetaphil Baby arrives as a two-bottle pack of 13.5 fl oz wash and shampoo, and it is the one pick here with a clear calendula scent. The formula is tear-free, hypoallergenic, and designed for babies' sensitive skin, with calendula to soften and soothe. It is not fragrance-free, which is the first thing to notice. The two-bottle format is practical for a household that goes through baby wash quickly, but only if the scent already suits everyone.

That scent is the whole decision. If your household already tolerates lightly scented baby products, this is a gentle, soft-rinsing wash with a pleasant calendula note and a convenient two-pack. If eczema flares are driven by fragrance or you are patch-testing a reactive scalp, it is the wrong first step. It does not belong in a fragrance-free routine.

It is also a baby product, so adult hair may need conditioner. It belongs in bath time rather than a dedicated scalp routine, and it is best for a family that already knows calendula suits them. If you want the same gentle feel without scent, choose our top pick or the CeraVe Baby wash instead.