As a parent you always want to do the best for your little one to keep them safe and healthy. Babies have exceptionally delicate and sensitive skin and need washing regularly, so finding skincare products, such as baby shampoo and body wash, that won’t irritate their skin is a top priority for parents.
There is a huge range of products out there to help you keep your little one clean. We’ve looked at some of the best baby shampoos and body washes to help you find something that is suitable for your baby.
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Baby Skincare Basics
Your baby’s skin is super sensitive and prone to irritation and dryness, so it is really important that you choose skincare products that will not irritate their skin. There are several different products you can use to keep your baby’s skin and hair clean, from shampoo and bodywash, to baby lotion, baby oils, and cream to help nappy rash.
Related: How to Give an Oatmeal Bath for Babies
You should always opt for products that are made specifically for babies. Adult skin and haircare products are too harsh for your baby’s skin and contain perfumes and chemicals that will irritate a baby’s sensitive skin. Baby products are milder and help keep your baby’s skin PH neutral and irritation free.
When you are buying baby skincare products make sure you look carefully at the ingredient list. Products that are labelled as ‘natural’ often aren’t as natural as you would assume, so you need to check the ingredient lists carefully and avoid any products that include dyes, parabens, SLS or phthalates.
Skincare products that are hypoallergenic and PH-neutral are also recommended as these are often formulated especially for baby’s skin and will help to protect against irritants such as dust and nappies.
Best Shampoos and Body Washes for Babies
With the huge amount of baby skincare products on the market it is sometimes hard to know which one is best for your baby. We’ve put together some of the best baby shampoos and bodywashes on the market to help you make an informed choice.
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Organic  | Earth Friendly Baby Calming Lavender Shampoo and Bodywash | Relaxing, organic lavender, free from artificial colouring, synthetic fragrances, parabens and SLS | Check Price |
Best Overall  | Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash | All natural, soap free and gentle on the eyes, ideal for sensitive skin | Check Price |
Best for Newborns  | Burt’s Bees Baby Shampoo And Wash | Natural, gentle, tear free shampoo with a fresh, light scent | Check Price |
Best on a Budget  | Johnson’s Baby Shampoo | Hypoallergenic, paediatrician and dermatologist-tested, classic no more tears formula | Check Price |
Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash
Best Overall
The Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo and body wash is lovely and gentle and ticks lots of boxes. It is extra mild so shouldn’t cause any rashes and is very gentle on the eyes. It is also soap free and made from all natural ingredients so is also suitable for vegans.
The combination of gentle Calendula and Chamomile along with almond oil and other natural extracts means that it cleanses your baby’s skin and moisturises at the same time leaving skin soft and hair easy to comb. If your little one has particularly sensitive skin then this could be the product for you.
Check Price: Weleda Baby Shampoo at: Amazon, Boots, and Feel Unique
Burt’s Bees Baby Shampoo and Wash
Best for Newborns
Burt’s Bees Baby shampoo and wash is just one product in a huge range of Burt’s Bees baby skincare products. Burt’s Bees pride themselves on producing natural and gentle products that are kind on your baby’s skin. However, their products do have a slightly higher price point than some of the other products we have looked at.
Like the Weleda Shampoo this product is formulated from natural, plant-based ingredients including soy proteins, so is kind and gentle on your little one’s skin. It is free from all the nasties such as phthalates, parabens, petrolatum and SLS and is recommended by paediatricians.
Check Price: Burt’s Bees Baby Shampoo at: Amazon, John Lewis, Boots, Burt’s Bees and Feel Unique
Johnson’s Baby Shampoo
Best for Budget
Johnson’s Baby Shampoo is a classic baby product that has really stood the test of time and is still one of the most popular baby shampoos on the market, and for good reason. It is cheap as chips and has that familiar smell that will take you back to your childhood (although it is no longer yellow – the bottle is yellow and the shampoo is now clear!).
Johnsons pride themselves on their ‘no more tears’ formula and this mild shampoo is free from dyes, soap, alcohol, phthalates, parabens and sulphates. This is a shampoo that you can use from the newborn stage right up to when they start school (and beyond!).
Earth Friendly Baby Calming Lavender Shampoo
Best Organic
If you are looking for an eco-friendly shampoo that is kind on your little one’s skin then look no further than Earth Friendly’s Calming Lavender Shampoo and Bodywash. Not only does this 2 in 1 product smell gorgeous but it is packed full or organic ingredients and is certified by Ecocert Greenlife.
As you would expect from an organic shampoo and bodywash it is free from artificial colourings and fragrance as well as being free from parabens and SLS. The soothing smell of lavender is great for calming your little one at bath-time and the addition of chamomile and aloe help to soothe and moisturise while it cleans.
Check Price: Earth Friendly Baby shampoo at: Amazon
Mustela Foam Shampoo
Best for Cradle Cap
If, like many newborns, your new arrival suffers from cradle cap then this specially formulated shampoo could be the answer to your prayers. Mustela Foam Shampoo is a bit pricier than your average baby shampoo but you get what you pay for. Many customers who have used this have said that their little one’s cradle cap cleared up after just a few days so it is definitely worth a try.
Check Price: Mustela Foam Shampoo at: Amazon, and Feel Unique
Cantu Care for Kids Shampoo
Best for Curly Hair
If the little person in your life has a curly mop of hair, then this specially formulated shampoo should help keep their curls nice and bouncy while at the same time protecting their scalp from drying out. Cantu for Kids Shampoo has a nourishing formula which includes shea butter, honey and coconut oil (it has a gorgeous coconut scent) that is designed to condition fragile curls and strengthen hair from the roots.
Like most of the other shampoos it is free from sulphates, parabens, phthalates and silicones so you can rest assured it will not irritate sensitive skin, and also ticks all the boxes for the Curly Girl Method.
Scrubbingtons Scrub All Children's 3 in 1
Best Conditioning Shampoo
Environmentally friendly, 3 in 1 (shampoo, conditioner and bodywash) and natural ingredients – this Scrubbingtons 3 in 1 product really does tick lots of boxes! The funky pump-action dispenser is great and their bottles are refillable and made from recycled plastic.
It is a foam mixture that holds easily in your hand rather than sliding off which makes it much easier to use when you’re grappling with your little one in the bath. It is designed with the intention of being child friendly and to encourage children to learn to wash themselves and be independent – a definite plus in our book.
It is SLS-free and contains no parabens or artificial colours. A little goes a long way with this product – one bottle should last you around 200 applications!
Check Price: Scrubbington’s 3 in 1 at: Amazon
Green People Organic Babies Baby Wash and Shampoo
Best Vegan Product
A little also goes a long way with this lovely Green People Organic Babies Baby Wash and Shampoo – it may seem more expensive than comparable products but in actual fact it will probably last you a lot longer.
Suitable for vegans with 85% guaranteed organic ingredients, it is exceptionally gentle and will help protect your little one’s skin from dryness and irritation. It is entirely scent free which makes it a particular hit with expectant mothers who cannot tolerate certain smells. The only downside of this shampoo is that it isn’t a ‘no more tears’ formula like some of the others so you need to keep it away from their eyes to avoid your baby starting to fear bath time!
Check Price: Green People Baby Wash at: Amazon, Green People, and Feel Unique
Salcura Natural Skin Therapy, Bioskin Junior Shampoo
Best for Eczema
If your little one (or older child) suffers from eczema or other skin issues such as dermatitis or cradle cap then Bioskin Junior Shampoo is probably the best shampoo for you as it is designed to treat skin complaints. It is also great if your child has very dry hair and contains lovely, soothing ingredients such as Lavender, Calendula and Rose Water (it also has a lovely lavender scent).
Free from all the usual nasties such as SLS and parabens it is a creamy texture rather than foam which you may prefer depending on your child. It is pricier than some of the other shampoos but will last for a while and it is worth spending the money to ensure your little one is free from nasty skin complaints.
Check Price: Bioskin Junior Shampoo at: Amazon, and Feel Unique
Child’s Farm Baby Shampoo
Best Fragrance Free
Like the Green People Organic Babies shampoo this Child’s Farm Baby Shampoo is fragrance free and it is also cheap as chips. It is packed full of natural ingredients so is suitable for skin prone to eczema and other skin conditions. As it is super gentle it is suitable for newborns as well as older children.
Child’s Farm Baby Shampoo also ticks all the environmentally friendly boxes as their bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic and they are registered with the Vegan Society and certified by Cruelty Free International.
Check Price: Child’s Farm Baby Shampoo at: Amazon, and Boots
Baby Shampoo and Body Wash Buyers Guide
What is baby shampoo?
Baby shampoo is shampoo that is specially formulated to be suitable for use on a baby’s hair and which will not irritate their skin. It is designed to remove dirt, dandruff and pollutants just like adult shampoo but contains milder ingredients and fewer chemicals to ensure that their sensitive skins and eyes will not be irritated.
What to look for in baby shampoos
What you look for in a baby shampoo and body wash will vary depending on various factors. If you have a newborn you will look for something that is very gentle and probably hypoallergenic. If your baby has cradle cap or other skin conditions then you will need to find a shampoo such as Mustela Foam which is specially designed to treat cradle cap.
All babies have sensitive skin (some just more than others) so ideally you want to find the best baby shampoo that is as natural as possible and is free from potential irritants such as dyes, perfume, colouring, parabens, sulphates, phthalates and SLS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you really need to use baby shampoo?
In general adult shampoo is too harsh for a babies sensitive skin so using a shampoo that is milder and formulated with babies in mind is definitely a good idea. It doesn’t take much to irritate a baby’s skin and a rash will make them grumpy and uncomfortable (which will lead to mummy and daddy being pretty grumpy too!) so it probably isn’t worth taking the risk.
Is it okay to use baby shampoo as body wash?
There are several 2 in 1 products that double as shampoo and body wash so if you want the simplicity of using just one bottle for two jobs then these are the ones for you. These products are specially formulated to be used on hair and as body wash so rather than using a normal shampoo as body wash it is probably best to go for one of the 2 in 1 product’s.
Does baby shampoo contain less chemicals?
Baby shampoo is formulated to be suitable for a baby’s sensitive skin and as such does contain less chemicals and other nasties that you may find in adult products. Good quality baby shampoo will most likely be fragrance free and free of phthalates, parabens and dyes – all of which are potential irritants for your baby’s skin.
How often should you use baby shampoo and body wash on your newborn?
Newborns don’t need bathing every day and until their umbilical stump falls off it is usually recommended that you give them nothing more than a sponge bath. Once their stump has detached you may want to bathe them three times a week (depending on nappy disasters and projectile vomiting!) in a baby bath.
Until they are 4-6 weeks old you don’t need to use anything other than warm water to wash your little one – after that you may choose to use a mild shampoo and body wash. A pea sized drop will be enough to wash them effectively.
The Bottom Line
Finding the right skincare products for your little one is so important. Baby’s skin is super sensitive and as such they are prone to skin conditions such as eczema and cradle cap. The last thing you want to do is irritate their skin by skimping on products that you use so frequently, so it is vital that you find products that suit your baby.
Thankfully there is something out there for everyone – whether you have a baby with cradle cap, a mop of curls or exceptionally sensitive skin – there will be the best baby shampoo and bodywash out there to suit your needs.
