Lavender and Rosemary Cradle Cap Oil

Cradle cap is a type of infantile seborrheic dermatitis — an inflammation of the upper layers of the skin with overactive sebaceous (oil) glands, causing greasy, thick, crusty, yellowish scales, with occasional tiny red pimples, on the scalp, face, ears, and sometimes the groin and underarms. It often runs in families, and cold weather can make the symptoms worse. Though unsightly, it isn’t contagious or painful, though it sometimes itches a bit, and infants and toddlers soon outgrow it as their sebaceous glands and digestive system mature. Stubborn cases of diaper rash often accompany the scalp rash.

With any skin disease involving the sebaceous glands, especially on the scalp, I prefer to use jojoba oil as the primary ingredient in the treatment formula because of its chemical similarity to human sebum and the fact that it oxygenates the follicles. It has natural anti-inflammatory properties, penetrates extremely well with minimal oily residue, and balances oil production while conditioning the hair and skin quite nicely. Both lavender and rosemary essential oils help fight infection and odor, stimulate cell renewal, and heal tissue. The evening primrose oil nourishes the skin and is anti-inflammatory.

Note: If you already have some on hand, you can use Mullein Earache Relief Oil as a substitute for the jojoba oil used here.

Cradle Cap and Diet

If you’re breastfeeding and your infant has cradle cap, avoid excessive consumption of citrus juices, dairy products, grains, meat or fish, and refined foods, and absolutely avoid artificial preservatives, flavorings, sweeteners, and colorings, as these can irritate the still-developing digestive system of your infant. Adding probiotics plus omega-3 fatty acids, evening primrose oil, or borage oil to your own diet often improves the symptoms of cradle cap. 5 drops lavender essential oil 5 drops rosemary (chemotype verbenon) essential oil 7 tablespoons jojoba base oil 1 tablespoon evening primrose base oil

EQUIPMENT: Dropper, dark glass bottle with dropper top or screw cap
PREP TIME: 15 minutes, plus 24 hours to synergize
YIELD: ½ cup
STORAGE: Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 6 months APPLICATION: 2 times per day Add the lavender and rosemary essential oil drops directly into a storage bottle. Add the jojoba and evening primrose base oils. Screw the top on the bottle and shake vigorously for 2 minutes to blend. Label the bottle and place in a dark location that’s between 60° and 80°F for 24 hours so that the oils can synergize.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Shake well before each use. Gently massage ½ to 1 teaspoon of the oil into the dry scalp two times per day — morning and evening. Don’t apply so much that it makes a runny, oily mess. Allow the oil to remain on the scalp after application, blotting with a soft cotton towel to absorb any excess. When it’s time for the next treatment (after 12 hours), many of the crusts can be removed with another gentle massage and wiped away with a soft cloth. The oil softens the scales and the massage helps loosen them. Gentle is the key word here. Do not rub roughly or pick off the crusts or scabs. They will slough off with time and repeated applications of oil. Shampoo no more than twice a week, using a chemicalfree, low-sudsing baby shampoo, so as not to further irritate the scalp.

Bonus
This super-mild formula helps heal everyday boo-boos, plus it makes a soothing foot massage oil for little ones — especially when applied just before bedtime or nap time.