Safe Baby Wash & Soap Guide

Maia James
Safe Baby Wash & Soap Guide
216 comments
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Best Baby Washes

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1. Babo Botanicals Sensitive Newborn Foam Wash

2. MADE OF Foaming Organic Baby Wash

3. Carina Organics Baby Shampoo & Wash

4. healthybaby Shampoo & Body Wash

5. esembly Wipe Up Wash & Foamer Kit

6. Tandi’s Naturals Gentle Herb Bar

7. Green Goo Aloe Baby Wash

8. Poofy Baby Everything Soap

Organic baby wash was one of the very first product rabbit holes I fell into when I was pregnant with Felix. That first bath was a big milestone!

I hope this updated guide helps you avoid this rabbit hole. Read on for my favorite brands of organic baby wash and soap–and the (long) list of brands I think you’re better off avoiding.

Oh, and most baby washes can be used as shampoo–many brands have combined shampoo and body wash for babies into a single product.

Ingredients to Avoid in Baby Wash

When it comes to soap for your baby’s body, the biggies to stay away from are fragrance, anything ending in “paraben,” and PEG-40 or other PEG chemicals.

Adult soaps and shower gels often include harsh petroleum-based detergents, but baby wash does tend to be gentler.

Ideally, you should choose a baby wash or bubble bath that specifies 100% natural ingredients; choosing an organic baby wash is an even bigger plus.

In this update, a few brands that we used to call Good Stuff have been demoted to Okay Stuff or even Sneaky Stuff. Here is what will land a product there:

The Okay Stuff tends to contain sodium benzoate, a food-grade synthetic preservative that I feel fine about in products for grown-ups, but prefer to avoid in baby stuff. Phenoxyethanol is another somewhat controversial preservative that will bump a baby wash to at least Okay Stuff, if not Sneaky Stuff.

I consider any baby wash that contains benzyl alcohol or cocamidopropyl betaine to be Sneaky Stuff, as each of these scores as high as 5/6 on the EWG toxicity scale. These two ingredients are in most baby washes, including ones marketed as natural.

I am most picky about ingredients used on the very youngest humans, and especially products that are used often and on the entire body. Thus, we’ve kept our Good Stuff list to only 13 brands because these ones are the cleanest of the clean.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Is Ok…Sort of

One foaming ingredient that has stirred a lot of controversy is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). After lots of research, I’ve decided that while I’m okay using products that contain SLS to wash clothing or dishes, I don’t want it in anything that I rub directly onto my kids’ skin because it can be irritating. Fortunately, most natural or organic baby wash doesn’t contain SLS. Note that sodium laureth sulfate–which can be found in organic baby wash–is a different ingredient all together, and one that should always be avoided as it is often contaminated with carcinogenic 1-4, dioxane. (Here’s more on the differences between these two ingredients.)

What to Look for in Organic Baby Wash

Now that you know some important ingredients to avoid, I will list a few of my favorite ingredients in organic baby washes and shampoos. Seeing any of the following on a label is a clue that it’s more likely to be Good Stuff:

  • Castille soap
  • Saponofied oils of coconut, olive, and sunflower
  • Decyl glucoside, which is a sulfate-free surfactant made from sugar
  • Organic glycerin
  • 100% natural essential oils

Keep reading to see the brands that meet our criteria to be considered Good Stuff, but first, a note on my favorite favorite…

Best Stuff

Babo Botanicals Sensitive Newborn Foam Wash

Babo’s Fragrance-Free Baby Wash is EWG-verified, moisturizing, and extra gentle.

My kids enjoy bubble baths in Babo’s lavender formula, which doubles as a shampoo and is also toxin-free.

Cost per ounce: $1.66.

Babo Botanicals Sensitive Newborn Foam Wash

Baja Baby Bubble Bath, Shampoo & Body Wash

Baja gets extra points for no icky preservatives and for being organic. I haven’t tried it, so I can’t speak to how it performs, but Baja’s organic baby wash has a short list of safe ingredients and is EWG verified.

Cost per ounce: $1.91

Buy from Amazon
Baja Baby Bubble Bath, Shampoo & Body Wash

California Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

California Baby products are widely available and one of the first brands of baby wash I used when I became a mom. They’ve removed the sodium benzoate, so California Baby’s shampoo/wash is being upgraded to Good Stuff!

Cost per ounce: $2.26

Buy from Amazon
California Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

Carina Organics Baby Wash & Bubble Bath

Scented with the essence of the sweet pea flower, this is an extra gentle and tear-free bubble bath formulated with certified organic plant, vegetable, flower and tree extracts. This formula lathers less, rinses easily, and leaves no irritating residue, making it gentle enough for even a newborn’s delicate skin. Perfect for infants, babies, and children.

Cost per ounce: $1.31.

Buy from Amazon
Carina Organics Baby Wash & Bubble Bath

Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Pure Castile Liquid Soap

This very basic soap contains only a few organic ingredients, but one of them is potassium hydroxide, which some readers have been concerned about (it gets a 3 from Skin Deep). Otherwise known as lye, potassium hydroxide is a caustic agent used to turn the coconut oil in Bronner’s soap into, well, soap. Fortunately, none remains in the finished product, and therefore, I consider this Good Stuff.

Cost per ounce: $0.48.

Buy from Amazon
Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Pure Castile Liquid Soap

Earth Mama Baby Wash

With a short, natural list of organic ingredients–including glycerin and coconut oil–Earth Mama’s organic baby wash is one of the very best options out there.

Cost per ounce: $2.94.

Buy from Amazon Buy from Earth Mama
Earth Mama Baby Wash

Esembly Wipe Up Wash Kit

This organic foaming cleanser works for diaper changes as well as during bath time. It features a clean list of ingredients, including organic castile soap, and is produced in the USA.

Cost per ounce: $4.63.

Buy from Amazon Buy from ESEMBLY
Esembly Wipe Up Wash Kit

Green Goo Unscented Aloe Baby Castile Soap

Green Goo’s Unscented Aloe Castile Soap is a gentle, soothing cleanser for young ones and those with sensitive skin. This formula is fragrance free and made with all-natural oils and aloe.

Cost per ounce: $0.99

Green Goo Unscented Aloe Baby Castile Soap

Farmaesthetics Fine Herbal Cleanser & Natural Baby Wash

I originally bought it to use as a facial cleanser for myself, and then began using it on my babies as well. (Parenting.com calls it one of only three cleansers they “…would ever recommend using on a child.”)

The simple ingredients list includes witch hazel, vegetable glycerin, and essential oils of geranium and lavender.

Cost per ounce: $5.62.

Buy from Amazon
Farmaesthetics Fine Herbal Cleanser & Natural Baby Wash

Farmaesthetics Homemade Bath Bars

If you love bar soaps, these rainwater bars are gentle enough for babies.

The soap ingredients are basic: just purified rain water, organic olive, palm, and coconut oils, and various herbs, flowers, and essential oils.

Cost per ounce: $3.75.

Farmaesthetics Homemade Bath Bars

Healthybaby

I mentioned above that this is my top pick for liquid organic baby wash. Healthybaby’s Shampoo & Body Wash system contains 100% plant-based ingredients selected to protect your baby’s microbiome (like prebiotics and probiotics), meets food quality standards, and is EWG-verified. My whole family is using this wash at the moment, and I am grateful for an opportunity to partner with this game-changing brand!

Cost per ounce: $1.91.

Use codeGIMME15for 15% off, including subscriptions.

Buy from HEALTHYBABY
Healthybaby

Hello Bello Shampoo & Body Wash

While marketed for kids, this body wash would be totally safe for a baby, and is EWG-verified, which means no ingredient scores more than a 2 in their Skin Deep database. Still, this one has many more ingredients than my top top picks.

Cost per ounce: $0.75.

Buy from Amazon
Hello Bello Shampoo & Body Wash

Lafe’s Organic Baby Foaming Shampoo & Body Wash

If you want a very pure, basic fragrance-free liquid soap/shampoo for your baby, this is a good bet, although I don’t love the way it smells (it has sort of a sharp soapy smell).

Lafe’s wash is 100% organic, with hydrating saponified oils of sunflower seed, coconut, olive, and palm.

Cost per ounce: $1.21.

Buy from Amazon
Lafe’s Organic Baby Foaming Shampoo & Body Wash

MADE OF Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

Made Of’s Baby Shampoo & Body Wash is a great gentle soap option for kids– it’s free of synthetic fragrances and problematic surfactants.

Cost per ounce: $1.30.

Buy from MADE OF
MADE OF Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

Poofy Baby Everything Soap

I like Poofy’s wash for it’s super simple list of 5 safe ingredients, including organic vegetable glycerin and organic apple cider vinegar.

Use code: MAIAJAMES for 10% off

Cost per ounce: $1.88.

Buy from POOFY
Poofy Baby Everything Soap

Tandi’s Gentle Herb Soap for Babies

This mild unscented bar soap is made with a variety of seasonal herbs, which are gathered in the wild or grown by the soapmaker herself.

This soap is beef-tallow-based, which means it yields a rich, moisturizing lather and lasts longer than vegetable-based soaps.

If you’re looking for the most environmentally friendly, natural baby wash on this list, Tandi’s Gentle Herb tallow soap is for you.

Cost per ounce: $2.22.

Tandi’s Gentle Herb Soap for Babies

Okay Stuff

Pipette Baby Shampoo & Wash

Despite the small amount of sodium benzoate it contains, I would feel comfortable using this wash on my own kids. Pipette is EWG-vertified, which is great, but I won’t give the Good Stuff categorization to baby products with sodium benzoate. Pipette is also not organic. Discount code: THEGOODSTUFF

Cost per ounce: $0.53.

Buy from Amazon Buy from Pipette
Pipette Baby Shampoo & Wash

Weleda Calendula Cream Bath

Weleda is one of those companies whose ingredients are all natural, just as they claim; unfortunately, some of the essential oils (limonene, geraniol, etc.) that make up Weleda’s fragrance are rated poorly by EWG. So I can’t call Weleda Good Stuff when it comes to products being used on infants.

Cost per ounce: $2.49.

Buy from Amazon Buy from Weleda
Weleda Calendula Cream Bath

Bad Stuff

Aquaphor’s Gentle Wash & Shampoo throws chamomile in their formula and perhaps hopes you won’t notice the PEG chemicals and cocamidopropyl betaine.

Cetaphil Baby Body Wash now boasts the addition of “organic calendula,” which almost makes this Sneaky Stuff rather than just straight Bad Stuff. Anyway, I would avoid this one, as its foaming agents include sodium laureth sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine

Dove Baby Nightime Wash contains zero actual lavender, instead being scented with a synthetic fragance. It also contains sodium benzoate and cocamidopropyl betaine

Johnson’s tops the gross list, since all of their baby washes and soaps include fragrance, cocamidopropyl betaine, PEG chemicals, and/or artificial coloring.

Sneaky Stuff

Alaffia Baby Wash & Shampoo contains safer surfactants, but their use of benzyl alcohol is disappointing. These ingredients would be fine for an adult, but when we are talking about babies I am extra uptight.

Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Bath contains synthetic fragrance and immunotoxic cocamidopropyl betaine, plus a range of PEG chemicals.

BabyGanics Baby Shampoo & Wash is not the worst brand out there, but anything with phenoxyethanol is in the Sneaky Stuff category when it comes to products for baby.

Baby Mantra Natural Baby Wash, Shampoo & Bubble Bath has been moved from Good Stuff to Sneaky Stuff, because they’ve added benzyl alcohol.

Burt’s Bee’s Baby Shampoo & Wash is super close to being Okay Stuff, but as I keep saying, I am super extra picky with products that are used on newborns. The phenoxyethanol knocks this one down to Sneaky Stuff.

Dr. Brown’s Foaming Baby Wash claims to be a natural baby wash but definitely is not, and includes “fragrance” as an ingredient.

Everyone 3-in-1 Kids Soap I generally like this brand, and wanted to be able to call this brand Good Stuff or at least Okay Stuff. Unfortunately, the inclusion of phenoxyethanol and benzyl alcohol make this Sneaky Stuff. 

Gaia Natural Baby Bath & Body Wash contains the scary formaldehyde-releasing sodium hydroxymethylglycinate. I don’t know how they get away with calling this a “natural baby wash” (other than the total lack of regulation over the term “natural.”) It also contains cocamidopropyl betaine

Gentle Naturals Eczema Baby Wash is not particularly gentle nor natural, with phenoxyethanol and several PEG chemicals among its ingredients.

Honest Baby Shampoo & Wash is almost Okay Stuff–with sodium benzoate being the only real problematic ingredient–but their scented formulas also contain limonene and linalool.

So many of you have asked about Just Hatched brand, but it’s decidedly sneaky, with fragrance, cocamidopropyl betaine, and PEG chemicals.

Little Twig Baby Wash contains suspected immunotoxin cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium benzoate.

Mustela, a high-end but Sneaky baby line, makes several formulations of baby wash that contain cocamidopropyl betaine, PEG chemicals, and synthetic fragrance.

Noodle & Boo is a Sneaky brand has phenoxyethanol, synthetic fragrance, and other questionable ingredients.

Original Sprout also contains cocamidopropyl betaine, making is Sneaky Stuff.

Puracy Natural Baby Shampoo & Body Wash has cleaned up their ingredients, so EWG’s rating is no longer accurate (they still have “fragrance” listed). It does still contain sodium benzoate, though, so it’s staying in Sneaky Stuff.

Shea Moisture Baby Wash & Shampoo contains synthetic fragrance, phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, and cocamidopropyl betaine–so this one is Sneaky Stuff a few times over!

Tubby Todd products used to claim they were 100% natural, which was a total lie. They’ve changed the language on the front of the bottle, but still use cocamidopropyl betaine and therefore are Sneaky Stuff.

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, Bath & Body Guides, Pregnancy & Parenting

216 comments

Rachel

What are your thoughts on the Zoe Organics line? I’ve heard wonderful things about them, but only just generally, nothing specific about their ingredients other than that they claim to be 100% organic (which doesn’t always mean it’s 100% good)

Maia James

I will have to look into this brand!

Rose Collett

Hi can you please give me your take on the Just Hatched line of baby wash and lotion? It’s sold on Amazon and claims “no yucky stuff”.

Babyoye

Wow great post, thanks for sharing

Maia James

So far, there is no evidence of toxicity of sodium lauroyl lactylate. That said, there really aren’t good studies on the safety of this ingredient. So, while I am okay with products that contain this ingredient for now, I can’t give any confident assurances that at some point we will find out it’s not so great. Sorry I can’t be more helpful!

Tiffanni Reidy

Since you mention sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) vs. sodium laureth sulfate can you speak to whether Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate is bad stuff as well? It’s in the Shea Moisture MANUKA HONEY & PROVENCE LAVENDER BABY NIGHTTIME SOOTHING SHAMPOO & BATH MILK.

Maia James

A perfunctory glance at both of these brands suggests they are Good Stuff:)

Terri-Lynn

Two companies I am interested in that claim to be organic are penny lane and shoosha baby. Are they good stuff?

Maia James

In general, the Whole Foods line is okay. They leave out some of the worst stuff, but it isn’t organic or all-natural, so wouldn’t be my go-to.

Brie

Thoughts on Whole Foods 365 baby line? Shampoo, body wash and lotion??

Maia James

Not yet, but will add to list!

Maia James

Sure thing! I’ll add to the list.

Maia James

Not yet! Will look into them.

Posh

Hi,
Just wondering if you have researched on Buds and another brand named MooGoo?
The good stuff that you mentioned are not quite available here where I stay.
Thank you.

LaurenL

I would love to know how the Toms of Maine line stacks up. We’ve been using Tubby Todd for our baby and have loved it, but recently bought some Toms. I think the shampoo and wash is a new product but I’d love to see a review of both.
Thanks for this great info!

Nikki B

I was wondering if you could tell me if you have any reviews for the brand Tubby Todd?

Maia James

Both. In general, the multi-level marketing thing just sort of turns me off, but more than that, it’s REALLY hard to get Arbonne to tell you what’s in their stuff, and the little that has been disclosed has concerned me.

Carly

You mention you don’t like direct sales brands such as Arbonne. Arbonne is in fact the company that first got me second guessing and scrutinizing my products and ingredients. Are there questionable ingredients in Arbonne or do you just not like the way it is sold?

Miss G

Thanks for this list! I’m on the hunt for a new gentle (and preferably nice smelling) baby wash now that I’ve determined Baby Bee Shampoo and Wash is what’s exacerbating my son’s diaper rash.

Maia James

Poofy’s is Good Stuff. I’ll make a point to add it to some future Safe Product Guides.

Allison

Hello,
Just wondering if you’ve ever researched Poofy Organics? Why don’t you include them in any of your lists? Thx!

Posh

Your site is really good stuff! =)
Do you have any comments on Buds and MooGoo?

Maia James

Weleda is a tough one. It’s one of those companies whose ingredients are natural; unfortunately, some of the oils (limonene, geraniol, etc.) that make up Weleda’s fragrance are rated poorly by Skin Deep/EWG. So I can’t call Weleda Good Stuff…that said, I personally feel okay using it on occasion in my own household.

Mili

Would you recommend anything by Weleda?

Alisa

Thanks, Maia! Let us know your verdict :)

maia

don’t know that brand, but will look into it:).

Alisa

Love the site! Have you looked into Tubby Todd’s line of bath products? Good stuff or sneaky stuff? Thanks for your help!

Robin J

Thanks Maia!
So appreciative of this site and your willingness to help, as always!

Maia

Hi there! I looked into their products years ago after they sent me samples and my recollection is that yes, they were Good Stuff:). However, it’s possible they’ve changed their formula, so I will add them to my list of things to check out again!
Thanks-
M

Stephanie Mackey

Was California Baby mentioned in this Safe Baby Wash, Bubble Bath & Soap Guide? I didn’t see it. I found an old post from 2013 that calls into question its authenticity as a “natural” company. Has it become an untrustworthy company? Is it Bad Stuff or Sneaky Stuff?

Danielle Leahy

Thank you! I love your site! I have recommended it to all of my mommy meeting groups!

Maia

I dont know that brand, but will look into it!

Maia

Just the bubble bath—the shampoo doesn’t contain it!

Robin

Maia, is your research Babo adding sodium benzoate to the Oatmilk wash only relative to their ‘Bubble bath & wash’ or the ‘shampoo & wash’ too? I have the latter and don’t see this in the ingredient list but not sure if it will be impacted.

Thanks! Robin

Maia

Oh, you’re so sweet, Melissa! This comment just made my day:) Thank you!

Melissa

Maia,
I just wanted to say you totally changed my life the day I came across your blog post a few months back on baby formula (I now use Lebenswert/Holle products exclusively) and I didn’t stop reading there lol. You’ve inspired me to keep researching and make huge lifestyle changes for the good of my family, so thank you so much for all the time and dedication you spend on exposing companies and what they honesty put in their products, good or bad. It’s about time they are held accountable for misleading consumers with their claims of being natural/organic/non-toxic. Of course the fda isn’t helping by being less than reliable at ensuring safe standards in our country. I hope one day soon more people’s minds will be opened to the ugly reality they are living in so that we can work together to change the ridiculous standards business are held to by our own government.
Please don’t ever stop the wonderful work you do, you truly are making a difference in the world!
Melissa

Melissa

I’ve been using the Acure line thanks to your site. They have a great range of adult and kid products that get nearly perfect customer reviews. So if your looking for a safe company for adult needs as well then I highly recommend Acure Organics, Btw I often use thrive because of the amazing discounts they offer plus they carry many of these products.
If you want to make your own I highly recommend Dr Bronners castle soaps and Sal suds. Their website has all the 18 ways to use their soaps for all your diy needs. I’m making my own laundry detergent and hand soaps now, way cheaper and healthier?? Who knew…..

Danielle Leahy

Thank you for your post. I love your blog! Do you know if Baja Baby Citrus Shampoo and Body Wash is safe? I found it on Amazon, but haven’t seen much else written about it. Would love your input. I hope it is safe. I love it!

Annie

Have you researched Baby Mantra Newborn shampoo body wash? Their label claims non-toxic and I haven’t seen any ingredients on the label that you mention in your “bad stuff” section.

Ally

Most Shea Moisture products contain Japanese Honeysuckle, which acts as an endocrine disruptor. :/

Lauren

Hi! Thanks for this! I’ve been looking for other baby washes to try. Can you tell me your thoughts on pure by sheshe ?
It seems like it’s good, but was hoping you could check it out and share your thoughts. http://www.purebysheshe.com

Maia James

Hi Tatiana-
The shampoo/wash has sodium benzoate, so I would say it’s not quite Good Stuff, but still okay (and I would be fine using it in a pinch on my baby, personally).

Maia James

Just looked into it, and it’s Bad Stuff, unfortunately.

Maia James

Hi! This soap is safe, although I cannot speak to its effectiveness: http://amzn.to/1pzod1j

Maia James

Don’t know it, but will add it to the list! :)

Shifu

How about anakku brand ??

Tatiana

What about Burts bees. I’m not planning on buying guide any I’m planning on using Dr bronners organic baby soap, and even then diluting it in a foam pump. However, I did get a 1.8oz sample of Burts bees in the mail today. Is it safe, what’s the bad? Will it be different if I dilute with foam bottle?

haley_808

Thanks for the info! I am planning on switching to Honest Company for my babies skin care products and our cleaning products. Great to have a place I can come to for great information on safe products for my house!

Maia James

Hi there-
SNEAKY: Honest Hand Wash contains phenoxyethanol. This isn’t the very worst ingredient, but not the Good Stuff. Honest Dish Soap contains cocamidopropyl betaine, phenoxyethanol, and methylisothiazolinone.
MAYBE SNEAKY: Honest Laundry Detergent contains “100% biodegradable anionic coconut kernel-oil based surfactant” and the Honest Auto Dishwasher Gel contains “biodegradable low foam surfactant.” No one at the company can tell us any more detail about what these ingredients are, other than that they are “corn-based.” We’ve called several times.

Otherwise, most of the Honest line of products are Good Stuff:)

Katie

You mention that there are a couple of Honest Company products that you wouldn’t recommend, can you elaborate? Specifically interested in/about their body wash/shampoo

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