When I became a mother, I didn’t intend to use baby wipes at all. I assumed that in addition to exclusive cloth diaper usage, I’d be employing a washcloth and warm water at changing time.
Um, yeah. As soon as I experienced the convenience of the disposable wipe, wringing out poopy rags was a thing of the past. So I set out to find the best non-toxic baby wipes on the market.
It's important to find the cleanest baby wipe for several reasons:
The frequency with which we use baby wipes--multiples times a day, every day, for years!
Baby wipes are used on the most delicate area of a baby, and we don't wash the area off after use, so all ingredients are absorbed into baby's skin.
Baby wipes represent a huge environmental burden, even forming a reef in the river Thames! We owe it to our planet to choose the most environmentally friendly wipe possible.
The good news is that the ingredients in baby wipes are definitely much better now than when I wrote the first version of this guide ten years ago. Back then, fragrance and parabens were in most brands of wipes. Those ingredients are now much less common. And more and more brands are moving away from plastic and toward plant-based materials. This is good news for babies and for the Earth!
Ingredients to Avoid in Organic Baby Wipes
If you are like me and have a hard time depriving yourself of the convenience of disposable baby wipes, you'll want to avoid wipes with the the following ingredients:
Phenoxyethanol, a suspected carcinogen. This is hard to avoid in "natural" wipes, so this ingredient alone won't land a brand in Sneaky Stuff in our rankings below. But we give extra points to the brands that skip this preservative.
PEG ingredients, which are petroleum-based compounds that are used as moisture-carriers and are known developmental toxins.
You'll notice that many natural baby wipes contain sodium benzoate as a preservative. This is a food-grade ingredient that I try to avoid in food, as it can create carcinogenic benzene when combined with vitamin C. However, all wet wipes do require a preservation system in order to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria, and I am not worried about a small amount of sodium benzoate. In our list of Best, Good, and Okay Stuff below, we will indicate which brands of non-toxic wipes include sodium benzoate in case some of you are trying to avoid it.
Changes to the 2026 Baby Wipes Guide
Bamboo viscose is now considered only Okay Stuff due to toxic chemical solvents (like sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide) used in its production
Any wipes made of petro-plastic are now considered Bad Stuff.
There have been some innovations in baby wipe technology that are Best Stuff, these include:
Modal made from beechwood, which is a much less toxic process.
Lyocell, which is made via a closed-loop, non-toxic solvents from wood pulp.
VEOCEL™ Lyocell, which is a branded, compostable option forwipeswith sustainable sourcing.
Why You Can Trust Gimme's Guides
Our team, which includes PhD scientists, has been obsessively researching and writing about safer, non-toxic products since 2010. Our vetting process draws on the latest peer-reviewed research and third-party testing, and we only recommend products that meet our strict standards. When we use affiliate links, it never influences which products we approve. Click here for more about how we vet products.
The Bottom Line on Baby Wipes
Our top picks: Healthybaby Wet Wipes (EWG Verified) and Natracare (Organic Cotton) lead our Best Stuff rankings.
In this guide, we look closely at what baby wipes are actually made of, and based on the materials and certifications, we rank brands:
Best Stuff: Plant-based materials, strong certifications, and the highest level of material transparency.
Good Stuff: Free of fragrance, dyes, and harsh preservatives — but typically made with bamboo viscose or more mixed materials.
Okay Stuff: Safer overall but still rely mostly on synthetic materials or lack full transparency.
Bad & Sneaky Stuff: Use fragrance or have poor disclosure, greenwashing claims, or limited information about materials and additives.
If you're looking for a brand of non-toxic baby wipes that has a lot of third-party verification of their safety, consider healthybaby. Not only are they a B Corp, but their wet wipes received EWG and MADE SAFE certifications, and the wood pulp they use in their wipes is verified by the Forest Stewardship Council. You'll read more about these wipes below, under the Best Stuff.
Ingredients You Won't See Listed on Baby Wipes
In addition to the ingredients you'll see listed on the side of a package of wipes, there are a number of other chemicals that may be included. These come in the form of contaminants and byproducts of the production process for some of the ingredients that go into the wipes. For example:
Polysorbate-20, a common preservative, is often contaminated with carcinogenic 1,4-dioxane.
2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol (the preservative in the old Kirkland wipes, although they recently removed it) releases carcinogenic formaldehyde.
Tocopheryl acetate (synthetic vitamin E that's used as a skin conditioner) is produced using hydroquinone, a skin toxicant and potential carcinogen.
The Material of the Wipe Itself
Most baby wipe labels don't even list what the wipes themselves are made of, but 90% of are made of petroleum-based plastic, such as polyester or polypropylene. I don't think either of these poses a risk to the baby on whom these wipes are used. However, because of the environmental toll these wipes post, we don't call any plastic wipes Best Stuff.
Which is the Best Plant-Based Material for Baby Wipes?
If you're avoiding plastic baby wipes, you'll find that there are several different kinds of plant-based materials manufacturers use instead. Of these, we think bamboo is the most eco-friendly choice. Bamboo grass grows quickly and it also breaks down faster. You may have heard that the way bamboo is processed can be toxic. It's true that bamboo must go through a chemical solvent process to become viscose, and we hope that in the future they'll be able to make bamboo into lyocel via a mechanical process. For now, we think bamboo viscose is the greenest material for a disposable wipe, but we also think that wood pulp and organic cotton are sufficiently sustainable materials.
Alternatives to Disposable Diaper Wipes
As we've established, there is no truly earth-friendly disposable diaper wipe. If you want to try for a more sustainable diaper-time cleanup, we love this organic cloth with this no-rinse foamer.
Best Stuff
Coterie Baby Wipes
Made with 99% purified water and 1% skincare ingredients
Contains vitamin E, glycerin, and food-grade preservatives
Hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested
Pediatrician approved
Cruelty-free and free of 200+ chemicals
Biodegradable, plant-based fibers
Uses VEOCEL Lyocell derived from renewable wood sources
EWG Certified
Holds the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
Available in scented (with essential oils) or unscented options
Large and thick wipes
Ideal level of moisture
Preserved with potassium sorbate
Cost per wipe: $0.07
Ingredients: Aqua (purified and deionized water), Betaine (humectant derived from vegetable, to help moisturize the skin), Glycerin (vegetable based preservative carrier), Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside (derived from vegetable, gentle cleansing agent to solubilize oils), Levulinic Acid (vegetable derived preservative), Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Sodium Levulinate (vegetable derived preservative), Chamomile Recutita Flower Extract (Chamomile derived from plant to help soothe skin), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Vera derived from plant to moisturizer and cleanse skin), Sodium Citrate (pH adjuster derived from sugar beet).
I subscribe to Joonya wipes. Originally they were made in New Zealand, but now they advise they are from a facility in China. My concern is the water they use in process is “city” water which Joonya said city water is free of everything. We know this is not true ie chlorine, fluoride and since in China we have no way of knowing. You are about to release new “lists”. Will you review water sources as part of review?
Trina
Have you looked at Freestyle’s wipes? Their diapers are supposedly pretty clean so wondering about their wipes! Thank you!!
chayareisner1
Hi, just wondering if you would recommend kudos water wipes since the diapers are good? Or is healthy baby water wipes a better option?
Laura P.
Agreed. I love Coterie wipes and surprised not to see them here either. Would love to know!
laura sandberg
What about Believe wipes?! I was hoping these would be included in your updated guide! Here is the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Believe-Wipes-hypoallergenic-chemical-free-unscented/dp/B0939CK2Y8/ref=sr_1_3?crid=TR9U8XA5S3NR&keywords=believe wipes&qid=1667171479&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjIwIiwicXNhIjoiMS4yMyIsInFzcCI6IjAuODgifQ==&sprefix=believe wipes,aps,105&sr=8-3
Non-toxic baby wipes avoid harsh chemicals found in conventional brands, like synthetic fragrances (which may contain phthalates), parabens, and chlorine-based preservatives. They use gentle, plant-based ingredients that are safe for your baby's delicate skin.
Most non-toxic baby wipes are hypoallergenic and designed to minimize allergic reactions and skin irritation. They're free from synthetic fragrances, alcohol, and harsh preservatives that commonly trigger sensitivities. However, every baby's skin is different. If your baby has particularly sensitive skin or known allergies, we recommend patch-testing a small area first or consulting with your pediatrician before switching to a new brand.
Look for certifications like EWG Verified, MADE SAFE, and USDA Organic. These certifications verify that wipes meet strict safety and environmental standards. Additionally, some brands undergo third-party testing for harmful chemicals. Always check the product packaging or manufacturer's website for specific certifications and test results to ensure you're getting truly safe wipes.
Performance & Comfort
Yes! Quality non-toxic baby wipes clean just as effectively as conventional wipes. Many parents report that their babies experience fewer diaper rashes and skin irritation with non-toxic options. The key difference is what's NOT in them—no harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances—rather than a compromise in cleaning performance. Most quality non-toxic brands offer excellent moisture content and durability.
Absolutely. Non-toxic baby wipes are specifically formulated for sensitive skin. By eliminating synthetic fragrances, parabens, alcohol, and harsh preservatives, they significantly reduce the risk of diaper rash, eczema flare-ups, and allergic reactions. Many parents with babies prone to skin issues find that switching to non-toxic wipes resolves or greatly improves their baby's skin irritation. If your baby has sensitive skin, non-toxic wipes are an excellent choice worth trying.
Cost & Environmental Impact
Non-toxic baby wipes cost more due to higher-quality ingredients, stricter manufacturing standards, and third-party testing for harmful chemicals. Brands invest in organic materials, gentle preservatives, and hypoallergenic formulations. While the upfront cost is higher, many parents find the investment worthwhile when considering reduced skin irritation and peace of mind knowing their baby isn't exposed to harmful chemicals.
No. Some brands use 'green' marketing terms like 'plant-based' or 'natural' but still contain hidden chemicals like synthetic fragrances with phthalates or harsh preservatives. We call these Sneaky Stuff. Our guide helps you spot these brands so you can choose the truly safest wipes for your baby and the planet.
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170 comments
Belinda Sauter
I subscribe to Joonya wipes. Originally they were made in New Zealand, but now they advise they are from a facility in China. My concern is the water they use in process is “city” water which Joonya said city water is free of everything. We know this is not true ie chlorine, fluoride and since in China we have no way of knowing. You are about to release new “lists”. Will you review water sources as part of review?
Trina
Have you looked at Freestyle’s wipes? Their diapers are supposedly pretty clean so wondering about their wipes! Thank you!!
chayareisner1
Hi, just wondering if you would recommend kudos water wipes since the diapers are good? Or is healthy baby water wipes a better option?
Laura P.
Agreed. I love Coterie wipes and surprised not to see them here either. Would love to know!
laura sandberg
What about Believe wipes?! I was hoping these would be included in your updated guide! Here is the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Believe-Wipes-hypoallergenic-chemical-free-unscented/dp/B0939CK2Y8/ref=sr_1_3?crid=TR9U8XA5S3NR&keywords=believe wipes&qid=1667171479&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjIwIiwicXNhIjoiMS4yMyIsInFzcCI6IjAuODgifQ==&sprefix=believe wipes,aps,105&sr=8-3