Have you ever found yourself standing in the baby bath products aisle, overwhelmed by all the choices? With so many warnings about toxins and chemicals and so many product ingredients lists filled with words you can’t pronounce, it can be hard to determine which baby bath products are best for your little one.
There’s nothing quite so luxurious as a baby’s soft skin and the sweet-smelling peach fuzz on their head. But because their skin is so new and sensitive, it also needs extra-special care. This is especially true if you’re dealing with cradle cap, baby acne, dry skin, or sensitive skin.
As moms ourselves, we want the best for our children. So we’ve done our research. We’ve weeded through hundreds of products and listened to recommendations from thousands of moms to find the very best baby bath products to keep your little one clean while protecting their precious skin.
- 93% natural
- Will not dry out baby’s skin
- Tear-free formula
- Dermatologist tested
- Hypoallergenic
- Contains soothing calendula
- Comes in a convenient pump bottle
- Rinses easily
- Contains irritation-soothing ingredients
- With oat extract to calm skin
- Does not contain soap
- Cleans body and hair
- Organic ingredients
- Not tested on animals
- Has a thick foam
- Comes with 5 trial products
- Pediatrician tested
- Hypoallergenic
- Budget-friendly set
- Tear-free shampoo
- Tested by dermatologists
Product Reviews
Here are the top baby bath products on the market.
Original Sprout Hair and Body Babywash
Best Baby Shampoo for Dry Hair and Dandruff
This baby shampoo is formulated with a pH level specific to your baby’s skin so it will be gentle and non-drying. It contains rosemary extract, which stimulates scalp circulation. It is gentle enough to help with a host of baby skin conditions, including eczema, acne, psoriasis, cradle cap, and excessive dryness.
This product is organic and vegan and doesn’t include any toxic ingredients, so you can feel good about putting it on your baby’s skin. It is also free of parabens, which can act as a hormone disruptor.
The organic calendula gently moisturizes, leaving skin soft and hair smooth, and the formula is tear-free so it will not irritate your baby’s eyes.
Pros
- It is made with organic ingredients.
- The vegan formula is extra-gentle on skin.
- It’s pH balanced for babies.
Cons
- It does not specify if it’s fragrance-free.
- It is more expensive than other products.
- Some parents found the plastic spout on the bottle snaps off easily.
Our Ratings
Puracy Natural Baby Shampoo & Body Wash
Best All Natural Baby Wash
This award-winning baby shampoo was developed by doctors and has been clinically tested for effectiveness and sensitivity. It contains 100% botanical ingredients, including moisturizers to soften and sea salt to purify the skin.
It does contain a light scent, but it is derived from natural ingredients rather than synthetic ones.
The formula is pH balanced to be appropriate for a baby’s skin and doesn’t contain any common allergens or irritants, such as parabens, sulfates, animal byproducts, petroleum, perfumes, or dyes.
It is certified vegan and cruelty-free and is manufactured in the U.S.
Pros
- It is 98.8% percent natural.
- Made in the U.S.
- Award-winning formula.
Cons
- It comes in a large volume if it doesn’t work for your baby.
- Some have found the pump doesn’t work well.
- It is not as thick as some other cleansers.
Our Ratings
Mustela Gentle Cleansing Gel
Best Baby Shampoo for Cradle Cap
You can feel safe using this cleansing gel to clean your baby because the company’s formulation standards are more stringent than typical industry standards. The shampoo is free of parabens, phthalates, and other questionable ingredients.
The formula has been rigorously tested to ensure it is safe for use on your baby and will not cause an adverse reaction.
Containing a molecule extracted from avocado, an all-natural ingredient that helps protect your baby’s thin skin barrier, it helps to lock in moisture and prevent their skin from drying out. Vitamin B5 contributes to effective cleansing without stripping the natural oils from your baby’s scalp and skin.
The ingredients in this baby wash are 93% natural, and the formula does not contain soap, which can dry your baby’s delicate skin. The tear-free formula won’t sting if the suds get in your baby’s eyes.
Pros
- It is 93% natural.
- It will not dry out your baby’s skin.
- It is tested by dermatologists.
Cons
- It may not lather.
- Scent could be improved.
- You cannot recycle the plastic bottle.
Our Ratings
Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo with Organic Calendula
Best Baby Wash for Sensitive Skin
The Cetaphil line was initially developed by a pharmacist and is trusted by dermatologists, pediatricians, and skin care experts for its gentle properties. Cetaphil’s baby line continues its commitment to high-quality, irritation-free skin care.
This baby shampoo and body wash has been tested by dermatologists and is considered hypoallergenic. It contains no parabens, which could mimic estrogen in your baby’s body, and also is free of mineral oils and synthetic dyes.
Its tear-free formula won’t sting your baby’s eyes during bath time. It also forms into a rich lather, which isn’t always the case in tear-free products that have lower levels of surfactant cleansers.
This body wash contains organic calendula, which calms inflammation and soothes dry and irritated skin. It also gives this product a natural, pleasing fragrance that is not known to react with sensitive skin.
Pros
- It is dermatologist tested.
- It is hypoallergenic.
- It contains soothing calendula.
Cons
- It has a fragrance.
- The squeeze bottle makes for messy product dispensing.
- It is not considered a natural product.
Our Ratings
Eucerin Baby Wash & Shampoo
Best Fragrance-Free Baby Wash
Eucerin products are designed to protect, repair, and enhance your baby’s skin health.
Shea butter is known for its ability to deliver moisture, and Eucerin includes it in its baby wash to help keep your little one’s skin and scalp from drying out during bath time. It also contains vitamin B5, which can help soothe inflamed skin.
It does not contain soap or alcohol, which can prevent skin drying, and is free of parabens, dyes, and fragrances. The formula is gentle enough for everyday use. It claims to be a tear-free product; however, some users say it still burns the eyes.
This baby wash has been tested by dermatologists and is widely recommended by pediatricians. The three-pack option is a great value.
Pros
- It is tear-free.
- It does not contain drying agents.
- It is fragrance-free.
Cons
- Some users claim it burned their children’s eyes.
- The ingredients are not natural or organic.
- Has a “medicinal” scent some people don’t like.
Our Ratings
Aquaphor Baby Wash & Shampoo
Best Baby Wash for Baby Acne
This mild formula does not contain harsh cleansers, so it is gentle on your baby’s skin and will not cause irritation if it gets in their eyes. It lathers lightly and rinses easily, so you don’t have to worry about it remaining on your baby’s skin and causing it to dry out.
It contains chamomile and panthenol, which help soothe irritated skin. This is particularly helpful if your baby has acne, as the inflamed skin will not be further irritated. It is also made without preservatives or fragrances, which could irritate sensitive skin.
This product comes in a handy pump bottle, making it easy to use with one hand while you’re supporting your baby with the other.
Pediatricians widely recommend Aquaphor as it is known to be gentle on your baby’s skin.
Pros
- It comes in a convenient pump bottle.
- It rinses easily.
- It contains irritation-soothing ingredients.
Cons
- Some parents said it smelled medicinal.
- The bottle’s pump breaks easily.
- It contains synthetic chemicals.
Our Ratings
Aveeno Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo
Best Baby Wash for Eczema and Dry Skin
Aveeno products are widely trusted to be gentle on the skin. Many Aveno products are approved by the National Eczema Association for use on eczema-prone skin.
This baby wash is formulated with natural oat extract, which helps calm irritated skin and lock in moisture. Eczema can feel very itchy and uncomfortable for babies, so the oat extract can help soothe their inflamed, painful skin.
While the wash helps cleanse the skin, it does not contain soap. This means it will not over-dry your baby’s skin, which can further exacerbate eczema. It does contain a light fragrance that can irritate super-sensitive skin.
If your baby struggles with exceptionally severe eczema, you may want to use this tear-free shampoo to wash their hair and scalp but then pair it with this Aveeno Baby Cleansing Therapy to clean their skin, as it has the National Eczema Association seal of approval.
Pros
- It contains oat extract to calm skin.
- It does not contain soap.
- It is tear-free.
Cons
- Severe cases may need separate shampoo and body wash.
- It contains a fragrance.
- Some customers found it doesn’t lather well.
Our Ratings
Babyganics Baby Shampoo & Body Wash
Best Organic Baby Wash
The term “organic” is heavily regulated, so choosing a product made with organic ingredients can help ensure your baby’s sensitive skin isn’t being exposed to harmful chemicals.
Many baby bath products don’t foam very well since they contain low levels of surfactants to make them gentler on your baby’s skin. However, the folks at Babyganics have figured out how to cleanse gently yet effectively and still preserve the lathering properties.
This formula is extra gentle as it doesn’t contain common allergens or irritants. There are no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petroleum, mineral oils, or synthetic dyes and fragrances.
It is made with natural ingredients, including a proprietary blend of five essential oils of tomato, sunflower, cranberry, black cumin, and red raspberry that deliver essential antioxidants and promote the development of healthy skin.
This product is never tested on animals and is made using organic ingredients; however, not all the ingredients are certified organic.
It comes in a convenient foaming pump that is easy to use with one hand.
Pros
- It is made with organic ingredients.
- It is not tested on animals.
- The thick foam makes for an easy lather.
Cons
- It is not made from 100% organic ingredients.
- It is not fragrance-free.
- Some parents said their baby developed a rash after use.
Our Ratings
Burt's Bees Skin Care Gift Set
Best Baby Wash Gift Set
This gift set contains five different Burt’s Bees products for a baby’s skin, including a baby lotion, baby shampoo and wash combo, 2-in-1 cream and powder, nourishing baby oil, and buttermilk soap. This set of baby products from Burt’s Bees’ Rich Moisture collection will help your favorite mama-to-be manage all her baby’s skin care needs.
Burt’s Bees has been pediatrician tested, so you can feel safe using their products on your baby. And trying these smaller-sized products gives you a chance to test out a new brand before committing to a full-sized product to see whether it works for you and your baby.
These products are all-natural, so it is safe to use them on your baby’s sensitive skin — even for daily use. It also is packed with nutrients to replace the nutrients and moisture lost in your baby’s skin during bath time.
Pros
- Set includes five trial products.
- Luxurious moisturizing products for your baby’s skin.
- Recommended by pediatricians.
Cons
- Not everyone loves the natural scent.
- Costly set for trial-sized items.
Our Ratings
Johnson & Johnson Travel Kit
Best Travel Size Baby Wash Kit
This travel kit contains products for the complete care of your baby’s skin and is completely TSA compliant. It comes in a set of three- Johnson’s Baby Lotion, Johnson’s Head-to-Toe Baby Body Wash & Shampoo, and, Desitin Maximum Strength Baby Diaper Rash Paste.
Johnson & Johnson has been a trusted brand for decades, supplying the go-to products for your baby’s skin care.
The soap-free baby wash won’t dry your little one’s skin, and the tear-free shampoo has been tested by dermatologists. It’s gentle on sensitive baby skin and scalps, and the hypoallergenic formula is not likely to cause an adverse reaction.
Pros
- Budget-friendly set.
- The shampoo is tear-free.
- It is tested by dermatologists.
Cons
- The products are smaller than necessary for TSA standards.
- Comes in a gift box but some say boxes came damaged.
Our Ratings
How Frequently Should You Bathe Your Baby?
Some people swear by a bath as part of their baby’s nightly routine, but the truth is experts do not recommend such frequent bathing.
During your baby’s first month, simply wipe them down with a washcloth and gentle cleanser every few days. After that, you can begin bathing them in a tub, sink, or basin, but you should avoid doing so more frequently than three times per week (1).
For babies with eczema, dermatologists recommend lukewarm water soaks one to two times a day. Use plain water without any soap, and soak for about ten minutes. Pat your baby’s skin dry and apply lotion immediately to trap the moisture in the skin. Dermatologists call this method “Soak and Seal” (2).
Babies don’t get very dirty since they’re not moving around, so as long as you clean their diaper area regularly and wipe down areas where dirt can get trapped — like the folds of their neck — it’s not necessary to bathe babies super frequently.
How to Choose Baby Shampoo
There are several things you should look for when choosing a suitable shampoo or body wash for your baby.
Hypoallergenic
While there is no regulation of the term “hypoallergenic,” companies use it to indicate their product doesn’t contain some of the most common irritants and is not likely to cause a skin reaction. You should still read the ingredient list if you are concerned about certain substances, but a hypoallergenic label is an excellent first step in choosing a product that will be gentle on your baby’s skin.
Fragrance-free
There’s nothing like that new-baby smell, so why would you want to cover it up with synthetic fragrances? Not only can fragrances irritate your baby’s skin, but they can overwhelm your baby’s senses as well. If you feel strongly about choosing scented products for your baby, make sure the fragrance is from natural sources. “Fragrance” is not a regulated ingredient, which means it could contain harmful chemicals (3).
Non-drying
Your baby’s skin releases moisture much more easily than yours, and many baby skin problems stem from being overly dry. Choose a gentle cleansing product that won’t dry out your baby’s skin.
Tear-free shampoos don’t irritate your baby’s eyes because they contain a lower amount of the active cleansing agent than regular shampoos, making them milder and less irritating. So don’t avoid shampoos marketed as tear-free because you think they’re some sort of pharmaceutical sorcery. They’re perfectly safe for your little one.
FAQs
How Long Should a Newborn Bath Last?
A newborn bath usually lasts about 5 to 10 minutes. Keeping it brief is important to prevent the baby’s skin from drying out.
What Time of Day Is Best to Bathe a Newborn?
Choose a time when your baby is relaxed and not hungry or full. Many parents find evening baths help settle the baby before bedtime, though it’s up to individual preferences and schedules.
Why Shouldn’t You Bathe a Baby After a Feed?
Bathing right after a feeding can make the baby uncomfortable and may even lead to vomiting.
What Should You Never Do When Bathing a Baby?
Never leave a baby unattended in water, even for a second. Always ensure the water temperature is lukewarm, not hot. Never use harsh or scented soaps that can irritate the baby’s delicate skin.
Which Product Is Best for Baby Bathing?
Choose mild, unscented baby soaps and shampoos that are free of parabens and sulfates. Products labeled “tear-free” are typically gentler on the baby’s eyes.
