Bathing your baby and washing their hair with the right products can sometimes feel overwhelming and confusing for new parents. You may not be sure if the shampoo and body wash you are using is gentle enough for their sensitive skin. This can also be concerning if your baby has dry skin or eczema. How do you pick something so simple yet so important? We have spent the last 3 years conducting extensive testing on various baby shampoos and body washes. We have brought in real parents and their babies to help us understand what works for them and what does not in their washing process. We have discovered that most parents care about their baby shampoo having little to no fragrance while still being able to clean their baby’s hair and skin properly.

Your baby’s skin is delicate, and the wrong product can cause irritation, dryness, or even rashes. Another factor in this overwhelming issue is that the baby aisle is just filled with options, each claiming
to be the best. I know it can be very overwhelming having so many options and not knowing which is the best for your little ones skin. I remember standing in front of the shampoo and wash section for what
felt like an eternity when my niece was born. I was reading label after label of all the ingredients that have names I can’t even pronounce. It was confusing to say the least and that’s why I decided to create this guide for new mothers to navigate this baby wash challenge.

In this guide, I’ll help you understand what to look for in a baby shampoo and wash, share some personal insights, and highlight key harmful ingredients to avoid!

Our Top Picks

1. Best Baby Shampoo and Wash for Sensitive Skin: Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo

2. Best Baby Shampoo for Dry Skin: Cetaphil Baby Wash and Shampoo

3. Best Gentle Baby Shampoo and Body Wash: Mustela Baby Gentle Shampoo with Avocado

4. Best Fragrance Free Baby Shampoo and Wash: Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Baby-Mild Soap

5. Best Hypoallergenic Baby Shampoo and Wash: Honest Company Shampoo + Body Wash

6. Best Baby Shampoo and Body Wash for Eczema: Burt’s Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash

Now, please keep in mind that these products are according to our personal experience and what worked for us might’ve not work for your baby. Still, these are some popular options other parents rave about too, along with the factors why they’re worth buying for your child!

Best Baby Shampoo and Wash for Sensitive Skin

1. Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo

Quantity: 33 fl. oz   Fragrance-Free: No

Key Features:

• Hypo-allergenic
• No-tear formula
• Lightly scented
• Pump Dispenser (optional)
• Paraben-free

Why we love it: This was a lifesaver for my nephew’s dry skin. The natural oat extract was soothing, and it didn’t leave his skin feeling tight or dry, which is usually not the experience with other baby washes. This was a nice additional benefit.

This shampoo helps to simplify the bathing process and ensures a tear-free experience for my baby. The natural oat extract is a big benefit for soothing and nourishing the most delicate skin and hair. After using this wash my baby’s skin feels soft, hydrated and smooth, while the hair is left clean and manageable. The hypoallergenic formula is a benefit for sensitive skin. It doesn’t contain harmful chemicals, fragrances, and dyes, which makes it safe to use on our baby’s very delicate skin. Since using this wash we have not seen any irritation on their skin.

It makes the washing process easy to have both shampoo and wash in the same product. It has a gentle lather that isn’t too foamy and quite easy to rinse. Incorporating natural oats into this shampoo harnesses their benefits to provide hydration and nourishment. The no-tear formula is a reliever since I don’t have to worry about accidently getting soap in the eyes. Thankfully, there is no more crying or pain during wash time, just laughter and enjoyment.

Best Baby Shampoo for Dry Skin

2. Cetaphil Baby Wash and Shampoo 

Quantity: 13.5 fl. oz   Fragrance-Free: No

Key Features:

• Gentle cleansing
• Lasting Hydration
• No-tear formula
• Pump Dispenser

Why we love it: We have been using Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo for some time and it has been a go to staple in our household. The wash is a very mild and soothing formula that lathers well without being too strong, leaving our baby’s skin and hair soft and fresh but clean. It doesn’t cause any irritation, because it is lightly scented. Some even say it smells like baby. This body wash in particular has been dermatologist-tested product and is highly recommended for babies with dry sensitive skin.

Reasons to avoid: Some parents say that this wash does not get foamy enough for them. Others say that the foaminess is perfect. Another drawback is some parents feel that too much product comes out, even with a pump dispenser.

Best Gentle Cleansing Baby Shampoo and Body Wash

3. Mustela Baby Gentle Shampoo Cleansing Gel with Avocado

Quantity: 6.76 fl. oz   Fragrance-Free: No

Key Features:

• Designed for newborns
• Biodegradable formula
• Hypoallergenic

Why we love it: A bit pricier but worth it for its gentle yet effective formula. Mustela helped my friend’s baby’s cradle cap improve within days. We like this shampoo because it leaves our babies hair so silky, smooth and soft. The infusion of natural avocado helps to keep our babies skin soft and smooth while also feeling super clean. If this shampoo came in a larger size then it would absolutely be a favorite for us.

Reasons to avoid: This shampoo and body wash is rather small compared to other brands. The price point is rather high and we wish that we could have gotten a larger bottle for what we paid. Some parents say that this shampoo may also burn they eyes. Please keep that in mind for the prevention of irritation. This washing gel doesn’t come with a pump dispenser so it isn’t very easy to dispense the formula with wet hands.

Best Fragrance Free Baby Shampoo and Wash

4. Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Baby Mild Soap

Quantity: 16 fl. oz   Fragrance-Free: Yes

Key Features:

• No fragrance
• Gentle cleanser
• Organic
• Cost-saving

Why we love it: This shampoo and wash is by far the most well-rounded wash that we have seen. While it’s a soap rather than a traditional shampoo, it’s incredibly versatile and gentle. This can be used for cleaning purposes like washing clothes, hair, skin and dishes. You can also use this to make a great foam for a bubble bath. For those parents who like to make their own soaps at home, then this wash is perfect for you. Many parents say they have gotten great success using this soap as a base for their homemade soap cleaners. It is a great added bonus that a little bit of this is all you need. It is truly fragrance-free with absolutely no smell!

Best Hypoallergenic Baby Shampoo and Wash

5. Honest Company Shampoo + Body Wash

Quantity: 12 fl. oz   Fragrance-Free: No

Key Features:

• Tear-free formula
• Natural botanicals
• Light lavender scent
• Hypoallergenic

Why we love it:

This body wash is really good when you are trying to save a buck. This formula is perfect for bubble baths and get very foamy. A little goes a long way so you do not need to be heavy handed with this product. I literally only used a cap sized amount when I wash my daughter and its more than enough soap to clean her and then some. It’s great for fun time in the bathroom because there’s lots of soap and foam. My daughter likes make foam bubbles and play around while bathing. It has definitely made bath time more of an enjoyable experience for us both. This is very helpful, especially, if you have children who dread bath time. The lavender sc

Honest Company products are known for their transparency and use of safe, plant-based ingredients. This one doubles as a calming bedtime product because of its lavender scent.

Reasons to avoid:

Theres not really much that we can say as a drawback with this soap other than we wish there was a pump dispenser option. I would appreciate that and it would help this wash last even longer.

Best Baby Shampoo and Body Wash for Eczema

6. Burt’s Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash

Quantity: 12 fl. oz   Fragrance-Free: No

Key Features:

• Suited for Eczema
• Natural ingredients
• Lightly scented
• Hypoallergenic

Why we love it: My absolute favorite thing about this shampoo is that it rinses off quickly. This comes in handy when your trying to rinse off shampoo from your little one and they’re acting like you’re trying to waterboard them. There is a slight smell of honey but not in an intense way overbearing way. My nephew has eczema and his mother says that there is no irritation when she washes him with this.

Burt’s Bees focuses on natural care, and their baby products are no exception. This wash is gentle yet effective, leaving skin clean without feeling dry and tight. Your baby’s skin is up to 30% thinner than an adult’s, which makes it more sensitive and prone to irritation. A product that works for you might not be suitable for your little one. Many traditional soaps and shampoos contain harsh chemicals, fragrances, or dyes that can strip your baby’s skin of its natural oils. Like my nephew’s and few other friends, we learned this the hard way. After using a popular brand, we assumed was safe, he developed dry, flaky patches on his scalp and arms. That’s when we started reading labels more carefully and discovered the importance of choosing products free of harmful ingredients.

Reasons to avoid: 

Some parents say that they do not like the flat top lid on the bottle and would rather have a pump dispenser for convenience. Also the shampoo formula is runny and thin which makes it easy to rinse off but might be too runny for some parents to cup in one hand while washing your baby with the other.

How We Test Baby Shampoo and Wash

While conducting our testing, we focused on shampoos that are safe for sensitive skin and eyes. Feedback from most parents say that this is a top concern to choose the best shampoo and wash for their little one. We also take into consideration the quality, scent, fragrance and ingredients of each product. We prioritize top brands that have a long standing experience and solid reputation of reliably suiting parents washing needs. This helped us to pick the top shampoos and wash for babies.

Shampoo and Wash Testing Results

For this, we conducted extensive testing processes that consisted of washing, rinsing, lathering, and foaming each shampoo. The goal was to find what shampoo and wash provided clean results for washing hair. We also used a similar process to find the best baby wash. For the baby wash, we focused on what left skin clean but moisturized. We understand that there are parents who want shampoos that are delicate and safe for dry skin and eczema. The last thing that parents want is their baby’s sensitive skin getting irritated from harsh chemicals that are not gentle enough.

Easy Use

The ease of dispensing the shampoo from the bottle is also a concern for parents. Being able to conveniently dispense the shampoo while handling multiple other tasks is a great benefit. Some shampoos have a pump nozzle, which is the best case scenario for parents washing their little ones. Other bottles that have a flat top lid may be a little more difficult to handle while working with wet hands and watching your baby. It is also more difficult to control the amount of shampoo that you squeeze out when the bottle does not have a pump dispenser.

Eco-health

Determining what may irritate your baby’s sensitive skin may be something that isn’t very easy but not impossible to understand. There are certain ingredients and harsh chemicals to avoid like sulfates. Sulfates can strip hair and skin of its natural oils that keep it moisturized and soft. Constant exposure to these chemicals can have a potential impact over time. We greatly appreciate those products that list that they are free of parabens, phthalates and sulfates. Seeing this helps you to narrow down what product is a safe and which are not.

Here are some common culprits you should steer clear of when choosing a baby shampoo and wash:
• Parabens: These are preservatives that can disrupt hormones.
• Phthalates: Often used to make fragrances last longer, phthalates have been
linked to developmental issues. Please see these studies to learn more about the developmental and reproductive complications that Phthalates may cause.
• Sulfates: These can strip natural oils and cause dryness.
• Artificial Fragrances and Dyes: These often contain chemicals that can irritate
the skin.

In our personal experience, when we switched to a sulfate-free and paraben-free baby
shampoo, we noticed that our nephew’s eczema patches improved within just two
weeks. This experience made us a firm believer in the importance of reading product
labels.

For more information on the breakdowns of some of these ingredients, please visit the Environmental Working Group.

Fragrance vs Fragrance-free Shampoo

Since babies have such sensitive and delicate skin, our recommendation is to stay clear of shampoos that have fragrance. Some of these fragrances are made with alcohol mixtures that may be too harsh for baby skin. Even some of those fragrances that are essential or natural oils can be an irritant. Fragrance-free shampoo and washes are your best bet. The overall scent of the product will not stop your baby from getting as clean as possible.

Picking the Best Baby Shampoo and Wash?

Before we get to the specifics, here are some important things to keep in mind when you want to choose the best baby shampoo and wash.

1. Tear-Free Formula
Babies are wriggly, and bath time can get messy. A tear-free formula ensures that if the shampoo gets into your baby’s eyes, it won’t sting. This makes bath time a more enjoyable experience for both of you.

2. Hypoallergenic and Dermatologist-Tested
Look for products labeled hypoallergenic. This means they’re less likely to cause allergic reactions. If a product is dermatologist-tested, even better—it’s been reviewed by experts for safety.

3. Fragrance-Free or Lightly Scented
While a lavender or baby powder scent might seem appealing, heavy fragrances can irritate sensitive skin. Opt for fragrance-free products or those with natural,
mild scents.

4. Organic and Natural Ingredients
Ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, and calendula are gentle and soothing. Organic products often have fewer harsh chemicals, which makes them a healthier choice for babies with sensitive skin.

How to find your favorite?

Of course, just like our skincare routine, we have our favorites in terms of the best baby shampoo and wash! If you’re still unsure which product is right for your baby, here’s a quick checklist to guide you:

1. Skin Concerns: If your baby has dry or sensitive skin, prioritize products with soothing ingredients like oat extract or calendula.

2. Scent Preferences: If you prefer a scent, opt for products with light, natural fragrances like lavender or chamomile.

3. Trial and Error: Start small. Many brands offer travel-sized bottles so you can test them without committing to a full size.

4. Pediatrician Recommendations: If your baby has severe skin issues, don’t
hesitate to ask your pediatrician for their expert advice.

Choosing a baby shampoo and wash isn’t just about finding something that works—it’s about creating a routine that you and your baby enjoy. Whether it’s the soft, calming scent of lavender before bedtime or a product that soothes your baby’s sensitive skin, the right choice can make all the difference. Still, what’s your favorite baby shampoo and wash? I’d love to hear your recommendations and stories in the comments below!