Baby skin is fragile and delicate, vulnerable to rashes, irritation, and all sorts of skin inflammation. That said, choosing the best baby shampoo and body wash is simply a no-brainer.
In our quest to use the gentlest, chemical-free cleansing products for my nieces and nephews, we have been planning to make homemade skin products by watching tutorials online. However, our days can sometimes get jam-packed with back-to-back commitments, so grabbing products from the store makes the most sense. As you can imagine, we have a high standard when it comes to choosing the best baby shampoo and body wash, as some are laden with harsh ingredients.
You see– chemically laden skincare products not only irritate your baby’s sensitive skin, aggravate flare-ups and rashes, but they can also compromise your baby’s health and well-being.
“Babies exposed in utero and shortly after birth to three classes of chemicals – phthalates, parabens and the fluorinated compounds known as PFAS – had diminished lung function at six and 12 years of age.” Lancet Planetary Health Journal
Considering the adverse effects of chemically laden baby skincare products, we have rounded up a list of the gentlest baby shampoos and body washes. The following made it to the top list based on our in-depth research and our personal experiences and feedback from other moms.
The Best Baby Shampoo And Body Wash for Your Little Ones
- The Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Shampoo & Wash
Why we love it:
Babo Botanicals exceeds our expectations for its eco-friendly, plant-based formula that’s free of dyes and artificial fragrances. It’s approved by EWG – a prominent non-profit organization that provides detailed information about toxicity levels of commercial products to help consumers make better choices.
Babo Botanicals proudly contains none of the following toxic ingredients: sulfates, phthalates, petroleum, and parabens, which are often found listed on some less-than-ideal baby products. And if your baby has an adverse reaction to soy, dairy, or gluten — Babo Botanicals has none of those in the list of ingredients. What it contains are natural, soothing, and moisturizing agents that help soothe irritated scalps and relieve skin dryness in babies with sensitive skin.
Soothing ingredients such as oat protein, coconut, and cocoa butter add much-needed moisture to your little one’s dry-prone skin. As for your baby’s sensitive scalp? The organic calendula nourishes and soothes a baby’s easily irritated, overactive scalp.
We also love that this product is a 2-in-1 and can be used as a shampoo and body wash– no need to hunt for another hypoallergenic body wash for your little one.
The drawbacks?
- It’s more expensive than other baby skincare products. Depending on the size, the price can range from $14.50 – $29.50
However, considering the quality of the ingredients and the absence of toxic chemicals that could potentially put a baby’s health on the line, we think the Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Shampoo & Wash ticks all our boxes and, therefore, is worth every penny.
- Limited Availability
Due to the high demand, Babo Botanicals isn’t always in stock. The solution?
You can pre-order online. Other moms order in bulk to ensure they have a constant supply of the product.
- Baby Shampoo for Cradle Cap
Why we love it:
Cradle caps, otherwise known as infant seborrheic dermatitis, are those white or yellow patches seen on the scalp of infants– they’re harmless and don’t bother your little ones either. Cradle cap needs not be treated as it resolves on its own. However, most moms feel icky seeing those unsightly patches on their baby’s scalp— can’t blame them for scouting for an effective, toxic-free shampoo to address the issue. One tip from dermatologists to remove those crusty patches is to shampoo your baby’s scalp daily. As such, we need to use the gentlest shampoo to do the job. Dermatologists often recommend CeraVe Baby Wash & Shampoo due to how gentle and hypoallergenic the ingredients are. And just like Babo Botanicals, it’s also EWG verified.
Cerave Baby Wash & Shampoo is a soap-free, ph balanced baby cleanser. It is formulated with the help of pediatric dermatologists to ensure it’s safe to use for a baby’s hyper-sensitive skin. This cleanser is enriched with skin-nourishing ceramides– fats or lipids that help strengthen the baby’s thin and sensitive skin barrier, making it less susceptible to dryness and irritations.
Cerave baby also has Vitamin E for antioxidant protection and hyaluronic acids known to increase moisture content in baby’s skin. One thing we like most about this shampoo and body wash combo is how it effectively cleanses the skin without leaving any soapy residue– baby’s skin is incredibly fresh and deeply moisturized.
The drawback? It comes in a smaller bottle, making it a strain on our budget.
Note: If you prefer, a shampoo specifically made for removing a baby’s cradle cap. Mustela Cradle Cap Foam Shampoo is one good option due to the efficacy and quality of the ingredients. Nonetheless, you may have to consult your pediatrician regarding the frequency of use as it’s labeled as a treatment shampoo.
- Frida Baby Dermafrida, the Flakefixer 3-Step Cradle Cap System
To speed up the process of clearing up the condition, you may also want to use Frida Baby Dermafrida in tandem with CeraVe Baby Wash–a multi-step product designed to lather a baby’s scalp, and help loosen and lift those stubborn white and yellow crusty flakes.
This 3-in-1 cradle cap system has the following:
Foam sponge – helps lather up your baby’s scalp
Gentle Brush – designed to loosen the crusty
Fine Tooth Comb – made to lift the cradle cap scales
Storage stand- crafted to hold the Dermafrida Flakefixer firmly in place.
It’s easy and convenient to use. To find out how to use it the right way, here’s a link to the 3-Step Cradle Cap System by Frida Baby.
- The Honest Company 2-in-1 Cleansing Shampoo and Body Wash
Why we love it?
The Honest Company 2-in-1 is one of the most loved baby products on the market as it’s
free of parabens, dyes, formaldehyde, sells/sales, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. This shampoo is also tear-free and hypoallergenic–suitable for babies who are susceptible to getting allergic reactions when using skin care products with abrasive ingredients. Some love the scent of the lavender version, but for baby’s sensitive skin– we suggest getting the Honest Company’s fragrance-free formulation.
Its 2-in-1 formula that gently but effectively cleanses,soothes, and moisturizes the scalp and skin.
One more thing we love most about this product is that it’s suitable for adults too. If you or your grown-up kids have reactive, easily irritated skin, this 2-in-1 baby cleansing shampoo and body wash would be a great addition to your bathroom essentials to help you maintain a healthy, well-nourished skin all year long.