If you regularly shave your head, you’ll understand the importance of a moisturizer to manage that awful dry feeling on your scalp.
A good moisturizer is essential for your bald head, especially after wet shaving.
Here is my run-down of the best moisturizers for bald heads in 2023.
What is the best moisturizer for a bald head?
I’ve chosen Bee Bald Smooth Plus Daily Moisturizer With SPF30 as the best bald head moisturizer.
After a lot of trial and error with other products, I use this specialist men’s scalp moisturizer for bald head care every day, and can’t recommend it enough.
It soaks in right away and immediately eases that uncomfortable dryness after showering or shaving. It’s non-greasy and even smells great. A great gift idea for any bald man.
Bee Bald Smooth Plus Daily Moisturizer
- Protects from harmful UVA/UVB Rays
- Tones, hydrates and moisturizes skin
- Smooths fine lines, wrinkles and dry patches
- Helps reduce shine and control oily secretions
In my opinion, this is easily the best moisturizer for bald head maintenance. I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in the appearance of my scalp since I started taking my maintenance routine more seriously and applying this on a daily basis.
It offers great protection against sun damage and is quick-absorbing and non-greasy. You’ll love the subtle, manly scent, too.
I tend to get lazy with sunblock while I’m out on hot days too, so having already applied Bee Bald’s SPF30 Moisturizer in the morning has saved me from some unfortunate sunburn incidents.
Bee Bald always seems to offer good value for money with their products, and this is no exception. A small amount goes a long way, so you won’t need to rush back for another bottle after a couple of weeks.
Best for: daily use. It’s just a fantastic product.
Here are some other good options if Bee Bald isn’t for you:
HeadBlade HeadLube Glossy Moisture Lotion
- Moisturizes and creates a glossy, natural shine
- Specially formulated for your scalp
- Contains tea tree oil
- Perfume and dye-free
HeadLube contains some great natural ingredients like shea butter and tea tree oil. This means it works in harmony with your scalp rather than the damage caused by harsh chemicals found in other products.
Best for: post-shave recovery. HeadBlade know their stuff when it comes to head shaving.
High Time ‘Dare To Be Bald’ Moisturizing Lotion With Tea Tree Oil
- Heals And Soothes
- Lasting Protection
- Moisturizing Shine
- With Tea Tree Oil
A great moisturizer with a cool, manly smell. No SPF but otherwise a solid, value-for-money option.
Best for: smelling great. The smell is kind of ‘earthy’ but not too strong.
Ancient Greek Remedy Nature’s Moisturizer
- 100% Natural Ingredients
- Vegan, Non-Gmo, Gluten, Paraben & Preservatives Free
- 100% Money-Back Guarantee
Not specifically a head moisturizer but a very cool product nonetheless. It’s also made from natural ingredients (it’s basically cold-pressed Mediterranean plant oils).
Best for: all-over use. It’s recommended for use everywhere from your hair (awkward) to your dry heels. It’s even good for your fingernails!
Mountaineer Brand ‘Protect’ Bald Head Care
- Leaves skin smooth, soft, and feeling healthy
- Natural ingredients nourish the skin and reduce bald head flakes
- Free from sulfates, parabens, and dyes
Mountaineer is another cool brand, and this product feels really premium. It costs a little more than some other products in this list but a little goes a long way, so you’re getting value over the long term.
Be aware that it comes in solid form and needs to be massaged between the fingers before applying, but this isn’t a difficult process.
Best for: the cool factor. Just look at it!
CLn Facial Moisturizer
- Leaves skin looking refreshed, not greasy
- Designed by physicians for use on all skin types
- Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties reduce redness
A very gentle formula that is ideal for the more sensitive scalp. Another product that isn’t specifically designed for a bald head, but if you see it on your wife’s dresser, treat yourself.
Best for: sensitive skin. It was even awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.
Earth’s Daughter Aloe Vera Gel
- 100% natural – made from 99.75% organic aloe
- Soothes and hydrates dry, itchy, and irritated skin
- Great for sunburn, scalp itch, dandruff, bug bites, acne and oily skin, razor burn, rashes, stretch marks and scars
If you want to go the natural route, this is the product for you. Aloe vera has been used for centuries to moisturize, as well as treat conditions like eczema and bug bites, and even soothe burns.
It’s a natural moisturizer for bald men’s scalps, and buying from Earth’s Daughter is a great way to support a small, independent business.
Best for: natural ingredients. Aloe vera is an amazing plant.
Best Matte Moisturizer for Bald Heads (Reduce Shine)
Formula 10.0.6 Seriously Shine Free Moisturizer
- Shine Free Matte Finish
- Cruelty-Free
- Paraben Free
This one is perfect for anyone looking for a matte moisturizer for bald head care.
This lotion is designed for people with oily skin on their face but works really well on a bald head too.
Best for: reducing shine. Not everyone wants a shiny head!
Best moisturizer with SPF for bald heads
MANTL Invisible Daily SPF
- Fights harmful rays and hydrates skin
- Paraben free, with no synthetic fragrances or dyes
- Natural ingredients manage excess oil and maintain hydration
Yay for sun protection! MANTL is a very cool brand and the Invisible Daily is, in my opinion, the best moisturizer with SPF for bald heads.
The lotion has a classy, citrusy smell for the refined gentleman.
Best for: sun protection. It has SPF 30, doesn’t leave white streaks like sunscreen can, and can be used on your face and neck, too.
The importance of moisturizing your bald head
Exfoliating and washing your bald head are essential to keep your scalp healthy.
However, without moisturizing, you’re likely to end up with a dry, flaky scalp.
Always apply a good moisturizer or bald head lotion to reduce dry skin and keep your scalp healthy. This is also an ideal solution for those with existing skin issues caused by a variety of conditions.
These include dryness and flaky scalps, as well as scalp psoriasis which can be itchy and sore.
How moisturizers work
Moisturizing has been a staple in skin care regimes for centuries. Even Cleopatra bathed in milk because of its moisturizing properties.
Moisturizers increase the moisture content of the stratum corneum of the skin, which acts as a barrier to trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). This is the process of water vapor evaporating from the skin.
Using moisturizer on a bald head adds additional moisture to the scalp. This helps the stratum corneum to reduce that feeling of dryness that will be familiar, especially if you’ve washed your bald head with soap (which you shouldn’t do by the way – stick to shampoo!)
In general, moisturizers can even slow the appearance of aging and improve the skin’s appearance by preventing the skin from drying and shriveling over time. Contrary to popular belief, they can’t reverse the process, but they can delay the appearance of any more of those pesky wrinkles.
Remembering to use moisturizer is part of a maintenance routine that is one of the very few disadvantages of shaving your head, but it’s vital to maintaining a healthy scalp.
What to look for in a moisturizer
Fast absorbing
I’ve used plenty of creams, lotions, and moisturizers that just seem to be sucked into my scalp right away.
Then again, I’ve also used some that just sit on top of my head all day and create a greasy feeling.
The best moisturizers are absorbed right away, ideally without having to rub too much, especially if the scalp is feeling sensitive after a wet shave.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll be familiar with the discomfort that comes with not moisturizing after shaving. You’ll also know the intense relief you get when you rub in a good quality moisturizer and feel that dryness instantly disappear.
Non-sticky
Some moisturizers can leave a nasty, sticky finish. This is an absolute deal-breaker.
Some people recommend Vaseline, but for me that was a disaster. All day I could feel the slippery film that was coating my scalp and every time I touched my head I had to wash my hands.
I’ve tried other products that left an unpleasant residue, especially when I’ve been caught short on the go. I’ve had to grab some hand cream before now and regretted it when I could still feel stickiness on my head hours later!
The best moisturizers absorb right away and leave no trace that they were ever even there in the first place.
SPF
The ideal bald head moisturizer has to contain SPF to avoid having to also apply sunscreen.
Your head is super-exposed to harmful UVA and UVB rays any time you’re out in the sun, which increases your risk of skin cancer.
Bald heads really show sun damage so it’s important to protect yourself for aesthetic reasons, too. Long term, the scalp can develop a condition called an actinic keratosis, which is the appearance of scaly patches where the sun has damaged the skin on the head and face.
Even a simple sunburn can be painful for bald heads. Whenever I forget to apply enough sunblock or to put a hat on my bald head on a hot day, I regret it later. It’s no fun seeing those sympathetic looks as people wince at your bright red scalp!
Bald guys look better with a tan, but it’s important to tan your bald head safely. If you’re going to be out in the sun for long periods of time, don’t forget to reapply every so often like you would with a regular sunscreen.
Organic ingredients
Some moisturizers contain harsh chemicals that can cause long-term damage to your skin.
These include alcohol, which can actually dry out the skin, and Propylene Glycol, which can irritate the skin according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Always look for natural ingredients, especially if you have sensitive skin. Good ingredients to look out for include:
- Hyaluronic acid – a natural fluid that lubricates joints during movement, also found in the eyes
- Shea butter – made from shea tree seeds, rich in vitamins A (prevents sun damage) and E (powerful antioxidant)
- Beeswax – creates a protective layer on the skin and helps keep it hydrated
FAQs
Vaseline can be used to moisturize a bald head but isn’t the most practical solution. Vaseline can block your pores, which leads to an unhealthy scalp. It will also leave a very greasy layer on top of your head, which is likely to last all day.
Coconut oil can be used as a moisturizer for a bald head as it helps trap moisture inside the scalp and acts as a natural sunblock. However, it’s a little oily, as you’d expect. There are lots of oils that can be used on a bald head.
To keep your bald head looking its best, exfoliate with a washcloth to clear built-up dirt before shaving. When washing, use a specialist bald head shampoo or scalp wash, rather than soap which will cause dryness. Finally, use a moisturizer with SPF to protect your scalp and keep it from drying out.
To achieve a nice shine on your bald head, start by wet shaving. This gives a much closer shave and avoids the dull look that stubble gives. Exfoliate in the shower to keep your head clean from built-up dirt and sweat, and moisturize to keep your scalp healthy.
Read more: How to make a bald head shiny
Anyone with a bald head should exfoliate daily in the shower. This removes dead skin and built-up dirt and sweat that gives an unhealthy, dull appearance and causes friction while shaving. Use a washcloth to scrub away all the dirt, and moisturize afterward.
Avoid using regular face wash and soap on your bald head. Many cause dryness, whereas specialist moisturizing products like C3 Head Wash are specially formulated to moisturize. Failing that, shampoo is a perfect solution for a healthy scalp.
Summary
If you want to know how to look good bald, start by looking after your bald head.
A good moisturizer is an essential part of a bald head care routine, so find the right one for you and use it every day to stop your scalp drying out and maintain a healthy-looking dome.
Now you’ve got your moisturizer taken care of, here’s a list of the best of the other products for bald heads on the market.