Safe Baby/Kid Shampoo Guide

In This Guide

Best Stuff

Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Shampoo & Wash

Babo’s line of natural shampoos and washes are my go-to for Felix, who now also needs conditioner since his hair easily tangles and frizzes. Babo’s products, which are produced on an organic farm in upstate New York, come in a variety of very pleasant, 100% natural fragrances, and their shampoos all double as washes and/or bubble baths. Some of Babo’s line does contain sodium benzoate, but we do not carry these products in our online store.

Cost per ounce: $1.25

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycerin^, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter^, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Flower Extract^, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*^, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*^, Nasturtium Officinale (Watercress) Flower/Leaf Extract*^, Spiraea Ulmaria (Meadowsweet) Flower Extract*^, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate^, Xanthan Gum^, Cocamidopropyl Betaine^, Citric Acid^, Sodium Phytate^, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract^, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract^, Corallina Officinalis Extract^, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract^, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract^, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Flower/Leaf Extract^, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract^, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract^, Coco-Glucoside^, Lauryl Glucoside^, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate^, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide*Certified Organic Ingredients^Plant-Based Ingredients

Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Shampoo & Wash

Carina Organics Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

  • Made with certified organic and naturally derived ingredients
  • Uses coconut oil and palm oil–derived cleansers instead of harsh sulfates
  • Contains chamomile, calendula, dandelion, nettle, clover, and pumpkin seed extracts
  • Unscented formula with no added fragrance or essential oils
  • Gentle enough for newborns and sensitive skin
  • Free of sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, and petroleum-derived ingredients
  • Leaves skin and hair clean without a heavy residue

Cost per ounce: $2.38

Ingredients: Filtered Aqua, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Pinus Banksiana (Pine) Extract, Matricaria Chamomilla (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract, Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Leaf Extract, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Acetic Acid (Apple Cider Vinegar), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil, Lathyrus Odoratus (Sweet Pea) Flower Extract.

Carina Organics Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

Earth Mama Baby Wash

  • Castile soap-based baby wash made with organic oils and herbs
  • Contains organic coconut oil, olive oil, aloe vera juice, shea butter, calendula, and vanilla extract
  • Free of synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, triclosan, and sulfates
  • Certified organic by Oregon Tilth
  • Rated 1 by EWG
  • Dermatologist tested and clinically tested for irritation
  • Suitable for babies, children, and adults
  • Not a "no-tear" formula, so extra care should be taken around the eyes

Cost per ounce: $1.59

Ingredients: Water, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) oil*, Olea europaea (Olive) fruit oil*, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe) leaf juice*, Potassium hydroxide+, Vegetable glycerin*, Vanilla planifolia (Vanilla) fruit extract*, Citrus sinensis (Sweet Orange) peel oil*, Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) butter*, Calendula officinalis (Calendula) flower extract*, Citric acid +None present in final product *Organic

Earth Mama Baby Wash

Pipette Baby Shampoo + Wash

  • Uses gentle, plant-derived cleansers including decyl glucoside and coco-glucoside
  • Fragrance-free formula designed for babies and sensitive skin
  • Contains plant-derived glycerin and squalane to help moisturize and support the skin barrier
  • Includes sodium lauroyl lactylate, a gentle moisturizing cleanser
  • Tear-free, hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, and Leaping Bunny Certified
  • Free of fragrance, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicones, synthetic dyes, and harsh detergents
  • Preserved with sodium benzoate, sodium dehydroacetate, and sodium gluconate
  • Simple, thoughtfully formulated ingredient list that makes it one of our favorite options for sensitive skin

Cost per ounce: $1.02

use code: THEGOODSTUFF

Ingredients: Water, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Glycolipids, Squalane, Citric Acid, Magnesium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Gluconate.

Pipette Baby Shampoo + Wash

Poofy Baby Everything Soap

  • Extremely simple ingredient list with only five ingredients
  • Uses decyl polyglucose, a gentle plant-derived cleanser made from corn
  • Contains organic vegetable glycerin to help maintain skin moisture
  • Unscented formula with no added fragrance or essential oils
  • Includes organic apple cider vinegar and citric acid for pH balance
  • Suitable for babies with very sensitive skin
  • Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, preservatives, and synthetic fragrances
  • Can be used on hair, body, and as a multipurpose baby wash

Cost per ounce: $2.31 Use code: MAIAJAMES for 10% off

Ingredients: Purified Water, Decyl Polyglucose (non-gmo corn), Organic Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Xanthan Gum (non-gmo corn), Citric Acid (cassava).  pH 5.5

Poofy Baby Everything Soap

Toups & Co Baby Wash + Shampoo

  • Contains a supremely clean 4-ingredient list.
  • Certified organic. 

Cost per ounce: $1.66

Use GIMME10 for 10% off your entire order.

Ingredients: purified water,organic potassium cocoate (saponified coconut oil),organic aloe vera,guar gum

Toups & Co Baby Wash + Shampoo

Hair washing was a pretty pointless exercise for Felix for the first several years of his life; he was bald until 2.

Even once they are sporting longer tresses, babies and toddlers really don’t need baby shampoo at bath time. As babies, both my kids have gone weeks without anything other than warm water in their hair, and their scalps never were greasy–honestly! I will admit that sometimes their little heads did smell slightly like a puppy, but I sort of like it.

Now that Felix is 6, he likes to shampoo his hair every time he showers. The natural baby shampoo brands listed below (under The Good Stuff tab) are perfect for babies and kids alike (and even grownups, if you aren’t that picky!).

The Truth About Tear-Free Natural Baby Shampoo

When avocado blobs (or worse) end up in your little one’s peach fuzz, reach for a natural baby shampoo that doesn’t  brag “tear-free” on the label. “No cry” shampoos typically–though not always–contain a formaldehyde-releasing chemical called 1,4-dioxane. Note that most of the baby shampoos recommended below are eye irritants.

Natural Baby Shampoo Equals Natural Body Wash

In general, there is no need to buy different products to clean different parts of your little one (with the exception of his teeth, if he’s got any). The shampoos below will work just fine on your baby’s body.

(If you do opt for soaps or bubble baths in addition to baby shampoo, read about their safety in our Safe Baby Wash, Soap & Bubble Bath Guide.)

Good Stuff

California Baby

California Baby makes a safe line of baby shampoo/body wash that is available in tons of stores. Note that theirs are tear-free but do not contain a 1,4-dioxane. California Baby shampoos contain sodium benzoate, a controversial–although food grade–preservative. In the concentrations present here, I feel okay about it, but we have chosen to offer only products free of sodium benzoate in our online store.

Where to Buy: Amazon and many brick and mortar stores. You’ll pay around $23 for a 17.5-ounce bottle.

California Baby

Okay Stuff

Alaffia Babies & Kids Shampoo and Body Wash

  • We love that the surfactants are the safest: decyl glucoside, saponified coconut oil, and saponified shea butter.
  • Contains phenoxyethanol as a presevative, which is what's bumping this down to just Okay Stuff.
  • Uses only essential oils as fragrance. 

Cost per ounce: $0.54

Ingredients: Water, Decyl Glucoside, Saponified Cocos Nucifera (Coconut)Oil, Saponified Butyrospermum Parkii(Shea) Butter, Lavandula Hybrida(Lavender) Oil, Melissa Officinalis LeafPowder (Lemon Balm), AzadirachtaIndica (Neem) Leaf, Citrus Limon(Lemon) Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Coco-Betaine, Ethanol, Citric Acid

Alaffia Babies & Kids Shampoo and Body Wash

ATTITUDE Baby Leaves 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash

  • Uses a blend of mild cleansing agents, including coco-glucoside and sodium cocoyl isethionate
  • Made with 97.9% naturally derived ingredients
  • Contains chamomile, moringa seed, and blueberry leaf extracts to help soothe and protect skin
  • EWG Verified and dermatologist tested
  • Free of parabens and phthalates
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Lightly scented with vanilla and floral fragrance
  • Contains sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate as preservatives
  • Includes added fragrance and fragrance allergens,

Cost per ounce: $0.63

Ingredients: Aqua (Water/Eau), Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Inulin, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Maltodextrin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Blueberry) Leaf Extract, Heliotropine*, Linalyl Acetate*, Methyldihydrojasmonate*, Triethyl Citrate*, Vanillin*, Fragrance (Parfum).

*Fragrance components.

ATTITUDE Baby Leaves 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash

Roe Wellness Toddler & Baby Body Wash + Shampoo

  • Uses mild, plant-derived cleansing agents including decyl glucoside, coco glucoside, lauryl glucose, and sodium cocoyl glutamate
  • Contains ceramides, cholesterol, and phytosphingosine to help support the skin barrier
  • Includes aloe vera, green tea, apple fruit, kelp, rosemary, and witch hazel extracts
  • Fragrance-free formula with vanilla extract used for a subtle natural scent
  • Designed for sensitive skin
  • Free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates
  • Contains moisturizing and skin-conditioning ingredients to help prevent dryness
  • Preserved with phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin
  • More complex formula than some of our Best Stuff picks, but still significantly cleaner than conventional baby washes

Cost per ounce: $2.04

Ingredients: Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Decyl Glucoside, Coco Glucoside, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Lauryl Glucose, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Oleate, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Xanthan Gum, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera (Kelp) Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Vanillin, Sodium Metabisulfite, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.

Roe Wellness Toddler & Baby Body Wash + Shampoo

Evereden Baby Shampoo & Body Wash 2-in-1

  • Uses mild plant-derived cleansers, including lauryl glucoside, decyl glucoside, and coco-betaine
  • Contains oat amino acids, oat kernel extract, coconut oil, avocado oil, grape seed oil, sunflower seed oil unsaponifiables, and quinoa seed extract to help nourish skin
  • Fragrance-free formula designed for sensitive skin
  • Tear-free and suitable for babies and children
  • Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicones, mineral oil, and synthetic fragrance
  • Includes gluconolactone, a gentle moisturizing polyhydroxy acid (PHA)
  • Contains sodium benzoate as a preservative

Cost per ounce: $1.79

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Coco-Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Gluconolactone, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil.

Evereden Baby Shampoo & Body Wash 2-in-1

Honest Company 2-in-1 Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

  • Uses mild, sulfate-free cleansing agents that are gentler than traditional detergents
  • Contains aloe vera juice, calendula, chamomile, green tea, and panthenol (pro-vitamin B5)
  • Tear-free and hypoallergenic formula
  • Free of parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde donors, and synthetic dyes
  • Suitable for both hair and body
  • Lightly scented with lavender oil and fragrance ingredients
  • Contains sodium benzoate as a preservative

Cost per ounce: $1.10

Ingredients: Water (Aqua/Eau), Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Triethyl Citrate, Gamma-Nonalactone, Vanillin, Maltol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Coconut Acid, Glutamic Acid, Citric Acid, Linalool.

Honest Company 2-in-1 Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

Bad Stuff

I received a bunch of Mustela products at my baby shower, and they were appealing to me at first: they’re pricey, French, and even sold in some health food stores (check, check, check!). Sadly, it seems they are among the most toxic products you can use on your baby, for hair washing, poop wiping, or skin moisturizing. Almost all of the ingredients in their baby shampoo are concerning (including fragrance and parabens), and the Skin Deep ranks their Bebe Baby Shampoo as a “high hazard” product. What confuses me is this: On their website, Mustela claims that all of their products are free of parabens and phthalates, while the same site lists one the “main ingredients” of their shampoo as methylparaben. Until I can get a straight answer out of them, I will avoid Mustela. L’Occitane is another expensive French skincare line to be avoided (with the exception of one or two products); their Shea Mom & Baby Cleansing Gel contains dozens of ingredients, among them fragrance and PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate.

L’Oreal Kids line of shampoos should be avoided, despite the “now paraben free!” claim on the bottle. The rest of the ingredient list is devoid of anything safe–from fragrance to PEG chemicals to sodium laureth sulfate. This is the worst of the worst.

Aveeno’s skincare line for babies leaves much to be desired. The Baby Wash & Shampoo contains fragrancesodium laureth sulfate, PEG-150 disterate (Skin Deep score: 3), and PEG-80 (Skin Deep score: 5).

Sneaky Stuff

The ubiquitous Nature’s Gate makes a baby shampoo that, surprisingly, contains fragrance, as well as sodium laureth sulfate.

Despite its name, Johnson’s Baby Shampoo with Natural Lavender is far from natural. It contains the colorant Ext. D&C violet 2, a potential carcinogen, among numerous other questionable ingredients.

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash contains synthetic fragrance as well as limonene, a definite skin and respiratory irritant, with potential carcinogenic properties.

Earth’s Best uses a tear-free formula that contains lauryl lactate (Skin Deep score: 4) and synthetic preservatives in their Sensitive Skin Shampoo & Body Wash.

Yes to Baby Carrots’s shampoo and body wash for babies and toddlers claims to have “100% natural ingredients,” yet Skin Deep rates this product with a 3, due to retinyl palmitate, and tocopheryl.

Author's Signature

Author's Signature

Maia, Founder & CEO

Note: This article contains affiliate links or sponsored content, which means that if you make a purchase, we may earn a commission. We only recommend products that meet our strict standards for non-toxicity and that we use (or want to use!) ourselves. Thank you so much for supporting the brands that make Good Stuff! 

Tags:Baby, Baby Skincare & Diapering, Bath & Body Guides, guide

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