Vernix Caseosa (Cradle Cap) — The Trichological Society

Vernix Caseosa (Cradle Cap) presents as a soft sebaceous-like scalp covering in babies. It is a foetal barrier produced in late pregnancy.

It results from a combination of sebaceous and epidermal lipids, combined with desquamation of maturing foetal corneocytes.

It functions as: moisturiser, wound healer, and waterproofer.

Vernix lacks desmosomal interconnections between corneocytes as demonstrated in adult stratum corneum.

Research suggests that Vernix applied to skin cultures may enhance wound healing in adults.

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