We’re often told not to use styling products on babies or toddlers as they often contain harsh ingredients. But when you have a little one with lots of hair that doesn’t like to hold a style, what’s a mama to do?
We understand this challenge, as we’ve experienced it ourselves. But rather than expose our babies’ sensitive skin and soft, precious hair to harsh chemicals that could be damaging, we set out to find safe products to use instead.
We were pleasantly surprised by the natural options on the market that work great for all types of baby hair. We narrowed our list of favorites down to the five best baby hair gels. These gels use natural ingredients for light- or firm-hold styling and don’t leave your baby’s hair feeling stiff, sticky, or weighed down.
Now you can style your baby’s strands like a pro without worrying about harsh chemicals or flaky hair.
- Excellent lice prevention
- Leaves hair smooth and tamed
- Organic ingredients
Product Reviews
Here are our favorite baby hair gel products.
Fairy Tales Rosemary Repel Daily Kid Styling Gel
Best Baby Hair Gel for Lice Prevention
Lice are one of the many things we’d all like to avoid. Once they infest your little one’s scalp, they can jump to siblings or even yourself. Yikes!
Fortunately, there are some things lice hate, and Fairy Tales included many of them in this lice prevention gel. Inside this bottle, you’ll get a natural lice repellent that will protect your baby at day care — or if siblings bring them home from school.
The formula is free of chemicals, only containing organic materials. This includes a blend of rosemary, peppermint, tea tree, geranium, citronella, and lavender. These are natural oils, many of which lice generally try to steer clear of.
Additionally, the gel includes jojoba, chamomile, and aloe vera. These ingredients will hydrate and soothe your baby’s scalp.
The gel will provide a light hold, perfect for styling your little one’s hair. This company also makes products that are great for detangling, cleansing, and conditioning.
If there’s one thing that might put you off this gel, it could be the scent. The combination of oils makes for a somewhat mismatched smell.
Pros
- Excellent lice prevention.
- Leaves hair smooth and tamed.
- Organic ingredients.
Cons
- Some moms aren’t keen on the scent.
- Not a strong-hold gel.
Our Ratings
Little Roseberry Hair Gel with Organic Aloe Vera
Best Organic Baby Hair Gel
If you’re on the hunt for an organic hair gel for your baby or kids, take a look at this option by Little Roseberry. This hair gel is gentle yet packed with all the super ingredients you need for healthy hair.
What stood out to me was the base of the gel. Little Roseberry has made it with organic aloe vera juice instead of water. This enriches the gel with powerful vitamins that protect and moisturize your little one’s delicate hair.
The vegan formula is free of unnecessary additives, such as dyes and fragrances. What I love the most is that it doesn’t seem to leave my little one’s hair feeling stiff or sticky. The hair receives a dose of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins thanks to the aloe vera and witch hazel.
Little Roseberry states that this gel is suitable for all the family, from the smallest to the oldest. It provides just a light hold to keep those strands in place.
That said, it won’t hold all day, so you may need to reapply at times.
Pros
- Vegan formula.
- Packed with nutrients for the hair.
- Doesn’t leave a sticky texture.
Cons
- Won’t keep hair in place for too long.
Our Ratings
Snip-Its Silly Slicker Ultimate Sculpting Hair Gel
Best Baby Hair Gel for Strong Hold
If you’re looking to style your little one’s hair, perhaps in a spiky mohawk or a stylish blow-out, this product is for you.
This hair gel from Snip-Its is a naturally-based formula consisting of only renewable ingredients. What we love most is that there are no added chemicals, yet the hairstyle will still hold. Plus, it’s cruelty-free, meaning no animals were used for product testing.
The gel itself has a light tropical smell, perfect for boys or girls. It defines and holds any hairstyle and is compatible with all hair types.
Snip-Its recommends that you add a little water to the hair before applying the gel. At the end of the day, it washes out pretty easily.
That said, if your little one has long or heavy, thick hair, it might be difficult for it to hold a style.
Pros
- Natural formula.
- Fantastic smell.
- Washes out easily.
Cons
- It might not keep long hair in place as well.
Our Ratings
Africa's Best Kids Organics Smooth and Style Gel
Best Baby Hair Gel for Natural Curls
Afro-textured hair doesn’t produce as much oil as other types of hair. Maybe your little one has very natural curls that are almost impossible to brush or style. Most hair gels won’t help much unless you buy the chemical-filled options.
Luckily, this hair gel from Africa’s Best will condition as well as hold those runaway strands. The gel contains no alcohol or added chemicals. Instead, it includes organic olive oil, which smooths and holds the hair in place.
It works wonders for holding and enhancing natural curls.
A major plus is that it doesn’t leave any flaky residue, and your little one’s hair will be soft the next day. It also washes out fast and easily. However, the consistency is a little thick, and if you apply too much, the hair can get really stiff.
Pros
- Fantastic for natural and curly hair.
- Organic formula.
- No drying alcohols.
- Washes out easily.
Cons
- Thick consistency.
- Too much product leaves the hair stiff.
Our Ratings
T is for Tame Hair Taming Matte Cream
Best Baby Hair Gel for Unruly Hair
Styling your little one’s hair is one of the perks of being a mom. But it’s frustrating when you have to redo the style for the 50th time due to flyaway strands. Fortunately, this styling cream might be the solution.
It reduces flyaways and provides a firm hold that’s still flexible for styling. It’s made with organic coconut oil and jojoba oil to help moisturize strands. And since it’s a lotion formula, it isn’t thick or sticky and doesn’t leave any flaky residue on the scalp or hair.
We love the subtle scent and how it keeps hair in place even on humid days. A small amount goes a long way, so you’ll get value for your money.
This formula works great for taming wild hair without gluing it in place. It maintains a soft and flexible hold, perfect for little ones. You can use it in damp or dry hair, but we got the best results if we dampened the hair a little before applying.
Pros
- Tames flyaways.
- Pleasant smell.
- Flexible for styling.
Cons
- Not the strongest hold.
Our Ratings
When Is It Safe to Use Baby Hair Gel?
We all know that a baby’s skin can become easily irritated. This can be caused by an overloaded diaper, excessive heat, sweat, laundry detergents, or soaps. Bath products, lotions, and styling products can also be irritants.
There’s no age limit on when it’s safe to use hair products on your little one. However, experts advise against using any skin care or beauty products on infants.
Babies are highly susceptible to allergic reactions. Their skin is still developing, so it’s very thin. This means that the ingredients in hair products are readily absorbed into the skin.
Although most baby hair gels are free of toxic ingredients, they still contain substances that can trigger a reaction. These may include plant-based ingredients.
It’s essential that you become aware of which products your baby’s skin is sensitive to before using them. A good way to do this is to conduct a patch test on your baby’s forearm.
Apply a small amount, and then wait 24 hours. If the area becomes warm, red, or swollen, you know you should keep that product far away from your baby. But if no reactions occur, you should be safe to proceed.
How to Choose a Baby Hair Gel
When it comes to beauty or skin care products, it’s essential to proceed with caution, especially when it involves young babies. Here are a couple of things you might want to consider before spending your cash.
Ingredients
Most hair gels meant for babies and children are free of toxins, so avoid using your own products on your baby.
Hair gels meant for adults generally contain all of the big no-no ingredients when it comes to babies. These can cause serious reactions if you apply them to your little one’s scalp.
Here are some natural ingredients you might find in baby hair gels:
- Aloe vera: This ingredient is well-known in various types of natural products (1). However, some people are allergic to it, so do a patch test before applying anything containing it.
- Witch hazel: Witch hazel is another all-natural ingredient containing a range of medicinal properties. It provides some hold in the gel as well as some natural vitamins (2).
- Chamomile: Whether you drink it or apply it to the skin, chamomile contains many powerful components (3). Generally, when used in hair products, its purpose is to clarify and maintain the natural tones in the hair.
- Jojoba: This ingredient is derived from the jojoba plant and will moisturize and soothe the scalp (4).
You can also make your own natural flax seed hair gel.
Desired Hairstyle
When we think of hair gels, we usually imagine a man sporting a bulletproof blowout. Hair gel generally provides a spiky look that holds for days.
However, when it comes to baby hair gels, not many of them, if any, will provide such a hold. For example, if you’re looking for an organic product, chances are it won’t hold a mohawk all day.
Organic and vegan products are better at providing some hold for unruly hair while making it soft and manageable. Other gels are stronger at holding a hairstyle in place.
So, while looking for hair gel for your little one, consider the style you want to achieve.
FAQs
What is the Best Gel for Baby Hair?
The best gel for baby hair is one that’s gentle, free from harsh chemicals, and designed specifically for babies or sensitive skin.
Look for products with natural ingredients that provide gentle hold without causing dryness or irritation. Little Roseberry Hair Gel for Kids is a great organic option, and Originals by Africa’s Best Kids is amazing for those with naturally curly hair.
What Can I Use Instead of Gel for Baby Hair?
Instead of gel, you can use baby-safe hair oils, creams, or lotions that are formulated for delicate skin and hair. Some parents also use a small amount of natural coconut oil or organic aloe vera gel for a natural, gentle hold.
Can I Use Vaseline As Hair Gel for Baby?
While Vaseline can tame and smooth hair, it’s heavy and might be difficult to wash out of fine baby hair. It’s generally better to use lighter products specifically made for baby hair styling.
What are the Best Products for Baby Fine Hair?
The best products for baby fine hair are gentle shampoos and conditioners, detangling sprays, and light styling products designed for babies. Look for hypoallergenic and tear-free formulas to keep your baby comfortable and happy during hair care routines.
