For the first few months of a baby’s life, their wild and natural hair is nothing short of adorable. As it grows, however, parents quickly realize that even babies need a little help in the hair-styling department. The problem is, finding a reputable and all-natural baby hair gel can be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
We combed through the internet for the best baby hair gels and found that there’s a product for every type of baby hair — whether you’re looking for a gentle styling cream or a hair gel that offers a powerful hold.
- What You Need to Know About Baby Hair Gels
- Top 10 Best Baby Hair Gels 2023
- 1. Best Overall Baby Hair Gel: Free & Clear Hair Styling Gel
- 2. Best Budget Baby Hair Gel: Cantu Care Styling Custard
- 3. Best Gentle Baby Hair Gel: Manzanilla Ricitos Hair Gel
- 4. Best Baby Hair Gel for Wild Hair: T is for Tame Cream
- 5. Best Hypoallergenic Baby Hair Gel: Hip Peas Hair Balm
- 6. Best Strengthening Baby Hair Gel: Original Sprout Hair Gel
- 7. Best Premium Baby Hair Gel: Little Roseberry Hair Gel
- 8. Best Baby Hair Gel for Curly Hair: SoCozy Styling Foam
- 9. Strongest Baby Hair Gel: Snip-its Funky Spiker Hair Gel
- 10. Best Calming Baby Hair: California Baby Calming Jelly Mousse
- Last Thoughts
What You Need to Know About Baby Hair Gels
Babies have sensitive skin which is why it’s so important to be wary of the products we use on them — hair care products included! Before we reveal our favorite baby hair gels of the year, let’s get some of the most common questions and concerns out of the way. This way, you can style your baby or toddler’s hair without having any second thoughts.
Is It Safe to Use Hair Gel on My Baby?
Babies, toddlers and young children have sensitive skin that can easily get irritated. For this reason, it’s important to be cautious when selecting hair care products, as they can potentially irritate their scalps. Adult hair care products contain harsh chemicals, dyes and artificial fragrances, all of which can upset a baby’s skin — hence why babies need a line of hair care products of their own.
It’s perfectly safe to use hair gel on your baby, as long as you pay extra attention to each product’s ingredient list. Doing this can prevent topical allergic reactions or skin irritations from taking place. However, there are times when babies can have adverse reactions to natural hair gels, which is why it’s crucial that parents perform a skin test on their babies before applying products to their ultra-sensitive and darling little heads.
To perform a skin test on your child, apply a small portion of product on the inside of their wrist. Keep a close eye on that area throughout the next 24 hours. Should your child’s wrist begin to get red, itchy, hot to the touch or dry, that’s proof that the selected product has caused a skin reaction and should be immediately discontinued.
When Can I Start Using Baby Hair Gel?
No two babies are born the same: some have a full head of hair whereas it can take others a few months or even a year to grow in their locks. While there is no actual age limit when it comes to using baby hair gel, experts do warn against using it prematurely, which would be the case if used on newborns or infants. Typically, parents begin to use hair gel on their children when they near the one-year mark. However, if your baby has a full head of wild hair, you might be in need of hair gel a lot earlier than that.
What We Considered When Selecting the Best Baby Hair Gels
Before we reveal the best baby hair gels of the year, we want to explain the factors we considered when making our top picks. As we go through each product, we’ll dive into the following categories, helping you find the best possible hair gel for your little angel.
Age
To make things as efficient as possible, we’ll start by explaining which age group(s) each product was designed for: Newborns, infants, toddlers or children.
Type
We’ll let you know what type of hair care product we’re dealing with as we cover each product description. In this guide, you’ll find everything from hair gels, creams, mousses, balms and styling custards.
Hold
After talking about the different types of hair care products, we’ll fill you in on the hold each baby hair gel has to offer: Light, medium, strong or heavy-duty.
Hair Type
Taking things a step further, we’ll also fill you in on which hair types each product was designed for: Straight, wavy, curly or kinky.
Ingredients
Lastly, and most importantly, we’ll cover the natural ingredients used in every product. This way, you’ll know which baby hair gel is most suitable for your child. We’d also like to point out that every baby hair gel on our list is made with baby-friendly ingredients.
Finding the Best Hair Gel for Your Baby
Parents know better than anybody that raising a child is no piece of cake. To keep their babies safe and happy, they go above and beyond — questioning everything and anything they choose to put on their skin.
With so much going on, it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed. We’re here to help you find the best baby hair gels for your pride and joy. This way, you can have fun styling their hair and who knows, maybe you’ll even give them an adorable little mohawk! Now, who’s ready to find out which baby hair gels made the list in 2022?
Top 10 Best Baby Hair Gels 2023
1. Best Overall Baby Hair Gel: Free & Clear Hair Styling Gel
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Age: All ages
- Type: Styling gel
- Hold: Light to medium
- Hair Type: Straight and wavy hair
Ingredients
Free & Clear Hair Styling Gel is alcohol-free, sulfate-free, phosphate-free and gluten-free. It does not contain any skin irritants and is 100% free of dyes, fragrances, parabens, formaldehyde, lanolin and other preservatives.
Review
Whether you use it on yourself or on your baby, Free & Clear can style hair without causing skin irritations. Anyone with chemical sensitivity knows how difficult it can be to find a hair product that is actually fragrant-free, which is why it’s so refreshing to find a hair styling gel like Free & Clear. This gel has been tested by dermatologists and is often recommended to parents looking to style their baby’s hair. It’s the perfect hair gel for babies with eczema, as it truly has no added scent to it. We love how this hair gel isn’t tested on animals and how it doesn’t leave hair feeling greasy or crispy.
If your child has straight or wavy hair, Free & Clear can offer them a light to medium hold. However, if their hair is on the thin side, you’ll find that just one dollop of gel can offer them a strong hold for many hours to come. Unfortunately, Free & Clear won’t do much when applied to curly and kinky hair. If you’re looking for a similar product that can be used on these hair types, we highly suggest Hip Peas Hair Balm.
Pros
- Dermatologist tested
- No scent
- Non-greasy
- Perfect for people with eczema
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- Not suitable for very curly or kinky hair
2. Best Budget Baby Hair Gel: Cantu Care Styling Custard
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Age: Infants, toddlers and children
- Type: Styling custard
- Hold: Light to medium
- Hair Type: Wavy, curly and kinky
Ingredients
Cantu Care Styling Custard is made with 100% pure shea butter, coconut oil and honey. This natural hair product does not contain any harsh ingredients like mineral oils, sulfates, parabens, silicones, phthalates, gluten or paraffin.
Review
Children of all ages can be quite rambunctious, making it hard to keep their hair in place from sunrise to sundown — even more so when they have naturally textured hair. Luckily, the Cantu Care Styling Custard was created to define curls and twists while adding shine to the hair — so that your child can have bouncy and tamed hair for hours on end. This hair product does not leave the hair feeling greasy or heavy. It’s lightweight and it smells amazing — although the smell can be a little too strong for people with sensitive noses. The scent derives from natural ingredients but can still irritate the scalp so be sure to test the product before going all in.
This styling custard offers a light to medium hold so it’s perfectly normal if your child’s hair doesn’t hold up until bedtime. It is better suited for updos and short curly hair, as longer hair may need something stronger. On rare occasions, this product can dry out your child’s hair. To prevent this from happening, mix a small amount of Cantu Care with water before applying it daily. If you’re searching for a baby hair styling gel that can hold up textured hair all day long, we highly recommend the Snip-its Funky Spiker Hair Gel.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Defines curls and adds shine
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- Scented
- May dry out hair
3. Best Gentle Baby Hair Gel: Manzanilla Ricitos Hair Gel
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Age: Infants and toddlers
- Type: Styling gel
- Hold: Light
- Hair Type: Straight, wavy and curly
Ingredients
Manzanilla Ricitos Hair Gel is made with a chamomile-enriched formula. It is alcohol-free, too!
Review
Manzanilla Ricitos is the perfect styling gel for infants and toddlers who constantly have hair in their faces. It offers a light hold that sticks around for a few hours when added to straight or wavy hair. It can be used on curly hair, too. However, it won’t hold for a very long time, which is why this product is often applied before taking family pictures or going to a child’s birthday party. This lightweight and gentle hair gel smells amazing but not in an overpowering way. In the end, it leaves your baby smelling like a baby — with a hint of chamomile!
Styling a baby’s hair with Manzanilla Ricitos is a very easy thing to do. It’s non-greasy and doesn’t leave the hair feeling hard and sticky. So, once the gel runs its course, your baby’s hair will go back to its normal texture. If the fact that this hair gel has a smell to it concerns you, we would point you towards the dermatologist-tested Free & Clear Hair Styling Gel instead. Although it is slightly more expensive, it doesn’t contain any fragrance and offers a similar hold.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Gentle
- Non-greasy
- Light and natural scent
- Doesn’t harden the hair
Cons
- Slightly scented
- Light hold
4. Best Baby Hair Gel for Wild Hair: T is for Tame Cream
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Age: Infants, toddlers and children
- Type: Hair cream
- Hold: Light to medium hold
- Hair Type: All hair types
Ingredients
T is for Tame Cream is a 100% vegan product that contains natural ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil and tapioca. It is chemical-free and does not contain any harmful ingredients like parabens, phthalates or sulfates.
Review
There are so many reasons to love T is for Tame. It’s hard enough to find an all-natural hair gel that effectively tames wild curly hair, let alone one that’s suitable for all hair types! This hair care product puts bed head to rest while banishing frizz and flyaways. Knowing that it is clinically and dermatologically tested gives us peace of mind, and it’s nice to know that it’s not tested on animals, too. T is for Tame Cream has a very gooey consistency. However, it does not leave the hair feeling greasy or crispy.
When it comes to using this baby hair cream, it’s safe to say that less is more. The more cream you add to your baby’s hair, the heavier it will feel. It’s also important to note that you should work this cream in your hands before applying it to your child’s hair, as failing to do so can result in a sticky mess. To avoid white residue from forming, be sure to brush this product into the hair to level out its consistency. Although it doesn’t offer a strong hold, it can keep your kid’s hair in place for a few hours and can be reapplied as needed.
Pros
- Chemical-free
- Non-greasy
- Clinically and dermatologically tested
- Not tested on animals
- 100% vegan
Cons
- Must be brushed into hair to avoid white residue
- Heavy
5. Best Hypoallergenic Baby Hair Gel: Hip Peas Hair Balm
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Age: All ages
- Type: Styling balm
- Hold: Light
- Hair Type: All hair types
Ingredients
Hip Peas Hair Balm is 100% vegan and non-toxic. It contains natural ingredients like organic aloe leaf, lavender, comfrey and blueberry. It is hypoallergenic and does not contain any parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals or sulfates.
Review
Hip Peas Hair Balm is one of the most trusted and adored baby hair gels on the market. It’s completely vegan and parent-approved, as well as clinically tested! This gentle and lightweight formula is perfect for all hair types and ages — so you really can’t go wrong. It has a very light smell that is brought forth by natural ingredients. These ingredients can also help tame flyaways, all while fighting frizz and preventing wild and curly hair from getting too poofy.
This baby hair gel would be the cream of the crop if it wasn’t for the fact that it offers a light hold for just a few hours. However, it’s customary for all-natural products to have this problem. It will hold up for much longer when used on an infant and toddler’s hair than when used on a child or adult’s hair. When applying the Hip Peas Hair Balm, it’s important to work it into your hands, giving it heat, before applying it to the hair, as this will prevent the balm from leaving behind a white residue.
Pros
- Clinically tested
- Toxin-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Not tested on animals
- 100% vegan
Cons
- Light hold for a few hours
- May leave white residue in hair
6. Best Strengthening Baby Hair Gel: Original Sprout Hair Gel
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Age: All ages
- Type: Styling gel
- Hold: Light to medium
- Hair Type: All hair types
Ingredients
Original Sprout is an all-natural hair care company. They use vegan and gluten-free ingredients. Original Sprout Hair Gel is free of hormone disruptors and toxic ingredients. It’s made with apple and apricot extract.
Review
The first thing you’ll notice about Original Sprout Hair Gel is its light and all-natural tropical scent. This hair gel hydrates the hair using cucumber, helping it become stronger and softer. It’s hypoallergenic and has been tested by dermatologists. This product is incredibly lightweight and has a similar texture to water. When used on a baby’s hair, it can hold for almost a day but the older you get and the more hair you have, the less hold it can offer you. This hair gel works wonders when paired up with updos, as it successfully keeps flyaways where they belong.
Despite its many benefits, there are a few problems with this product, one of them being that it can create white flakes once it fully dries, but this issue can be sidestepped by strictly adding the product to damp hair. If you would rather apply baby products to dry hair, we suggest siding with a hair gel like T is for Tame instead. Be careful not to add too much, as doing so can cause your baby’s hair to feel a little gummy. If your child has issues with frizzy hair, this gel will do a lot to tame it.
Pros
- Strengthens and softens the hair
- Hypoallergenic
- Dermatologist tested
- Lightweight
Cons
- Product may become flaky once dry
- Product may cause hair to feel gummy
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Age: Newborns, infants, toddlers and children
- Type: Styling gel
- Hold: Light
- Hair Type: Straight, wavy and curly
Ingredients
Little Roseberry Hair Gel contains organic aloe vera juice and witch hazel. It’s 100% vegan and toxin-free. It does not contain any added fragrance or dye but does contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Review
Little Roseberry Hair Gel is made with natural ingredients like organic aloe vera juice, which promotes hair growth while adding volume to the hair. It comes in a convenient pump bottle that allows parents to hold their baby with one hand while distributing the gel with the other. It’s 100% vegan and isn’t tested on animals. It prevents hair from getting frizzy and helps keep braids and updos in place. This hair gel is perfect for babies and children with sensitive scalps. To prevent this product from causing white flakes, it’s best to apply it to damp hair.
Little Roseberry Hair Gel is very lightweight and offers a light hold when applied to thicker and curlier hair, which can last for a few hours tops. When applied to thin baby hair, however, it can last upwards to half a day. However, the rowdier your toddler is, the less likely it is to hold for hours on end. If you’d rather opt for a hair gel that can offer a light to medium hold, while being suitable for kinky hair, check out the Original Sprout Hair Gel.
Pros
- All-natural
- Promotes hair growth
- Adds volume to hair
- Not tested on animals
- Convenient pump bottle
Cons
- Very light hold
- Very lightweight
8. Best Baby Hair Gel for Curly Hair: SoCozy Styling Foam
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Age: Infants, toddlers and children
- Type: Styling foam
- Hold: Medium to strong
- Hair Type: Wavy, curly and kinky
Ingredients
SoCozy Styling Foam is made with keratin, rosemary extract and soy protein. It does not contain any parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic colors or dyes. It’s also formaldehyde-free, gluten-free, wheat-free and nut-free.
Review
The SoCozy Styling Foam is a chemical-free hair gel that can be used on infants, toddlers and children. However, the older your child gets, the less hold it will have to offer. This styling foam contains ingredients like keratin, which strengthens and protects the hair. Despite its strong smell, it is very gentle and can be used on children with eczema. SoCozy comes in a practical pump bottle, making it easy to multitask. It works wonders when applied to damp textured hair, and can even be used to retwist locks.
Oddly enough, the less texture your baby’s hair has, the less hold it has to offer, which is why this product often becomes king in curly households. Unlike some baby hair foams and gels, SoCozy does not leave the hair feeling crunchy and heavy. It’s a very lightweight product that gives hair a natural and vibrant appearance. This hair product has a strong but pleasant smell to it. However, it might be a little too strong for people with sensitive noses. SoCozy is a salon formula that has been around for 20 years and continues to help parents everywhere keep their kid’s untamed hair looking neat and healthy.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Convenient pump bottle
- Nourishes the hair while adding shine
- Doesn’t make the hair crunchy
Cons
- Strong smell
- Doesn’t do much to hold thin or straight hair
9. Strongest Baby Hair Gel: Snip-its Funky Spiker Hair Gel
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Age: Infants, toddlers and children
- Type: Styling gel
- Hold: Strong to heavy-duty
- Hair Type: All hair types
Ingredients
Snip-its Funky Spiker Hair Gel is made with allergen-free ingredients and does not contain any harsh chemicals. Despite its all-natural label, however, it does contain added fragrance which can irritate children with very sensitive scalps. Should your baby have eczema, we recommend siding with a baby hair product like Free & Clear Hair Styling Gel instead.
Review
Snip-its Funky Spiker Hair Gel is perfect for young boys who enjoy spiking their hair. Although it is touted for boys-only, girls who want to spike their hair can use it as well. It has a nice subtle smell to it that doesn’t correspond to any specific gender, making it suitable for anyone interested. You would think that a heavy-duty spiking gel would leave the hair feeling crunchy but that just isn’t the case. This lightweight gel can easily be rinsed out and doesn’t leave your hands feeling sticky. Unfortunately, applying too much of this product can leave the hair with an oily shine, so it’s best to apply a little at a time.
As a consequence of its strong hold, you might find yourself picking lint and dust out of your child’s hair — especially if they are the type to crawl around and put their head on the floor. To prevent your baby’s hair from garnering white flakes, it’s best to work this gel in your hands before applying it and using a brush to style it.
Pros
- Not tested on animals
- Heavy-duty hold
- Doesn’t make hair crunchy
- Nice subtle smell
Cons
- May cause hair to attract lint and dust
- May leave white flakes in hair
- May cause hair to appear oily
10. Best Calming Baby Hair: California Baby Calming Jelly Mousse
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Age: Newborns, infants, and toddlers
- Type: Styling jelly mousse
- Hold: Medium
- Hair Type: All hair types
Ingredients
California Baby Calming Jelly Mousse is made with safflower, calendula and pure essential oils. It does not contain any harsh chemicals, soy, gluten, oats or dairy. It is alcohol-free and free of synthetic fragrances. This baby hair gel has been allergy-tested and does not contain any nuts with the exception of coconut.
Review
California Baby Calming Jelly Mousse is an all-natural gel that can be applied to both wet and dry hair. Sometimes, newborns are born with a full head of hair so wispy it can be hard to tame. Luckily, California Baby Calming Jelly Mousse weighs down the hair, making it manageable. This gel offers a medium hold that actually sticks, allowing hairstyles to stay intact for two hours at minimum — just enough time for pictures and short outings. We love how natural this brand is and how they never test on animals.
California Baby Calming Jelly Mousse is infused with essential oils, the most pungent one being lavender. This is what causes the calming effect to take place. However, it’s also what makes this product a little hard to vouch for. If you love the smell of lavender then you won’t tire of this product’s scent. However, the smell is very strong and can be compared to an old lady’s perfume, which isn’t necessarily what you want a baby to smell like. Also, if you apply too much of this product it may cause white flakes to form on your baby’s hair. So, be sure to apply a conservative amount.
Pros
- Holds for a few hours
- Calming effect
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- Strong lavender scent
- May causes flakes to form
Last Thoughts
There is nothing more precious than a baby with a funky hairdo. However, finding long-lasting and all-natural hair care products can be a doozy and we’re not willing to compromise health for appearances. We chose to focus on the good stuff and nothing but the good stuff and we hope we brought you a step closer to finding the best baby hair gel for your little one. We all know how difficult it can be to style a baby’s hair, so our wish for you is a million good hair days!