You probably didn’t spend too much time thinking about baby shampoos, lotions, and other such personal hygiene and cosmetic products until news reports started emerging about the prevalence of formaldehyde in them.
The short story is that the United States hasn’t updated its cosmetics laws since 1938. As such, you could easily find formaldehyde in baby shampoos sold in the United States. Even in Johnson and Johnson’s baby shampoo.
Can you believe it?
Given the news and ingredient lists of Johnson baby shampoos and body washes, we’re happy to include them within our best baby shampoo faves. But, we’re even happier to look at organic baby shampoos and products with all-natural ingredients.
And that’s exactly what we did.
To develop this list of safe baby shampoos, we spent a loooong time pouring over ingredient lists to rule out anything with parabens or phthalates, as well as other disgusting ingredients.
Then, we took a look at the reviews of parents to see what they thought. After that, it was a matter of testing products and giving you a list of the best baby shampoos.
#1 Best Baby Shampoo Overall
Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo with Organic Calendula
- Gentle care for delicate skin
- No additives, parabens, colorants, and mineral oil
- Calming, floral scent
Pros
This hypoallergenic formula is tear free and will gently cleanse, nourish, and moisturize baby from head to toe.
Product Ratings
Ingredients
10/10
Formulated with calming organic Calendula, this gentle wash and shampoo rinses clean, leaving a soft, fresh scent on baby’s skin. It’s also tear free, paraben free, colorant free, mineral free, and hypoallergenic. Can it get any better?
Ease of Use
9.5/10
The tear free formula will lather quickly and cleanse baby’s skin and hair gently, without irritation or drying. Nourishing and tear free, this formula is easy and safe to use on babies of all ages and stages.
Fragrance & Formula
9.8/10
Dermatologist tested and parent approved, this hypoallergenic formula is free of additives, parabens, colorants, and mineral oil. It’s made with marigold flower extract for a calming floral scent that will have your little one coming out smelling like a rose (or marigold)!
Value
10/10
Under $8 for a 13.5-ounce bottle with a pump is an absolute steal for a shampoo of this caliber.
#2 Best Baby Shampoo for Sensitive Skin
Aveeno Baby Wash and Shampoo
- Lightly scented formula smells amazingly fresh
- Helps control skin issues such as eczema
- Wonderfully gentle on sensitive skin
Pros
This soap-free formula is perfect for babies with skin conditions – or just sensitive skins. Indeed, this baby wash and shampoo from Aveeno is designed to protect against dry skin and eczema (and it’s still less than 60 cents per ounce!).
Product Ratings
Ingredients
9.4/10
The key ingredient of this awesome baby shampoo and body wash is oatmeal. That’s the same with many Aveeno products as it’s naturally calming for eczematic and irritated skins. It’s soap-free, hypoallergenic, and pediatrician-recommended. And (we know you’re wondering), it’s paraben-free. If your baby suffers from sensitive skin, it’s likely that your dermatologist would recommend this before suggesting the all-natural route. That has as much to do with the fact that this product works as it does brand recognition.
Ease of Use
9.8/10
If this shampoo came in a package with a pump, we’d love it even more. That’s because it works into a lather easily and spreads through hair and over your babe’s body super well. And then, let’s talk about the cleaning power that comes while still remaining gentle on baby’s skin.
Fragrance & Formula
9.8/10
It it tear free? Yes, yes, and yes. It’s on the bottle and the company will stand by that statement too. While some people weren’t crazy about the fragrance, it’s light and fresh. So it could definitely be worse!
Value
9.4/10
Okay, this isn’t the cheapest product on the list; it’s a pumped up version of our budget pick (Johnson’s). If you buy it at the MSRP, you’ll pay about 75 cents per fluid ounce. But, you’ll never pay the full price on Amazon. Instead, you’ll pay closer to 55 cents per fluid ounce, which is a real bargain for the product that you get.
#3 Best Natural/Organic Baby Shampoo
Babo Botanicals Oatmilk Calendula Moisturizing Baby Shampoo and Wash
- Plant-based and certified organic
- Tear free for baby (and worry free for parents)
- Leaves skin and hair soft, smooth, and shiny
Pros
Babo Batanicals collection is made entirely of certified organic farm, and the Oatmilk Calendula Moisturizing Baby Shampoo is particularly great for sensitive, dry, or Eczema prone skin with all-natural Oatmilk that will comfort and sooth scalps, dry patches, and every inch of baby’s body.
Product Ratings
Ingredients
9.5/10
Okay, so if you want to talk about natural…this shampoo was formulated on a certified organic farm that sources only the highest of quality botanicals from around the world, focusing on fair trade and local industries (which feels good too, right?).
The formula was developed in conjunction with leading botanists to meet the unique needs of babies and children’s hair, scalp, and skin and includes delicious ingredients such as colloidal oatmeal to moisturize, organic calendula flower to soothe, natural coconut oil for hydration, and natural shea butter anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also vegan, cruelty free, and doesn’t include any of those icky sulfates, parabens, or synthetics.
Ease of Use
9/10
A little goes a long way with this yummy shampoo, so just a dime sized amount is enough to create a good lather. It’s tear free, gentle on skin, and rinses out easily, which is perfect for babies with even the most sensitive of skin.
Fragrance & Formula
9.5/10
The certified organic Nutri-Soothe blend is rich in vitamins, anti-oxidants, and anti-inflammatories, all of which are incredibly good for baby’s skin. In terms of fragrance, reviewers report a woody scent of cedarwood and bergamot, which, some reviewers aren’t crazy about, but the vast majority love!
Value
9/10
$8.95 for 8 ounces isn’t the best bargain on our list, but it sure isn’t the worse. Definitely worth the price if you’re looking for something that’s 100% certified organic.
#4 Best Baby Shampoo for Eczema
California Baby Super Sensitive Shampoo and Body Wash 2-Pack
- This is perfect for sensitive skin and even helps control eczema
- The gentle formula leaves skin feeling soft
- It’s fragrance-free and, yet, it smells great
Pros
There are no added fragrances, clear formula chemicals, sulfates, or DEA. You also won’t find any scent-masking agents; you will, however, spot organic and sustainably-grown ingredients on this label.
Product Ratings
Ingredients
9/10
As with any vegan formula, this one is entirely plant and mineral-based. It’s also gluten, soy, and dairy-free. On top of that, it’s virtually nut-free, with the exception of coconuts. This shampoo and baby wash has been allergy tested and deemed to be completely safe. It’s free of clear formula chemicals and scent masking agents. As you would expect, there are no parabens, PABA, phthalates, or dyes in this shampoo either. And, it’s been shown to be non-drying. It does have organic aloe vera and soapbark, which work together to maintain a healthy scalp without stripping natural oils. Basically, it could probably be labeled as a healthy, cleansing water.
Ease of Use
9.5/10
The pump bottle is excellent and holds a lot more than many other products on this list. However, this is a low-foaming formula and you shouldn’t expect to get a gorgeous lather with it. However, an easy rinse is all you need to remove it and leaving it on for a longer period of time will enable you to get tough dirt from hair and skin.
Fragrance & Formula
9/10
It’s tear free, and that’s important without the foaming lather you get with other products. The scent is very mild, so really not much to complain about there.
Value
9/10
You’ll pay about $1.03 per fluid ounce when you order from Amazon. That’s nowhere close to the cheapest baby shampoo on the list. But, it’s also not the most expensive. And, for a natural product that helps babies cope with eczema, it’s really not a bad price.
#5 Best Baby Shampoo for Newborns (and Cradle Cap)
Mustela Baby Shampoo
- Parents love the smell of this baby shampoo
- Treats and helps to remove cradle cap
- Rinses out well and leaves a lovely clean feeling
Pros
This incredible baby shampoo gently cleanses hair for children from newborns on up. It neither strips the natural oils nor leaves it tangled when you rinse it out.
Product Ratings
Ingredients
9/10
Though this isn’t a completely natural formula, the manufacturers claim that it’s 95 percent natural. But, before you become concerned about the five percent, remember that this has been created with the aim of avoiding allergic reactions. It’s been tested by dermatologists and pediatricians and the few ingredients that aren’t 100 percent natural are there to alleviate cradle cap while remaining hypoallergenic. And, you won’t find any of those pesky parabens, phthalates, or phenoxyethanols. So, what’s the key ingredient? Avocado perseose which works to reinforce the skin barrier and cells while also getting your baby’s hair clean.
Ease of Use
9/10
While a pump is always appreciated, especially for parents and caregivers of newborns, it’s not as if it’s difficult to get the product from this bottle. It does the job and rinses easily.
Fragrance & Formula
9/10
This is a truly tearless formula. And, when it comes to fragrance, oooh baby. This is a delicious blend of coconut and chamomile. It’s sweet and clean without overpowering anyone’s senses (or masking the other brilliant baby smells).
Value
9/10
You’ll pay just over $1.60 per fluid ounce for this baby shampoo. But, if you need assistance with cradle cap or you’re bathing a newborn, the price is justified.
#6 Best Baby Shampoo for Bubbles
Babyganics Baby Shampoo and Body Wash
- Smells absolutely terrific
- Super gentle on baby’s skin
- Foaming pump makes this product last longer
Pros
The 100 percent natural seed oil blend nurtures baby’s skin. And, the thick, soft foam gently cleanses your baby from head to toe.
Product Ratings
Ingredients
8.5/10
You’re not going to find anything dangerous for baby in this shampoo. It’s made with a 100 percent natural seed oil blend. There are zero parabens, petroleum, sulfates, phthalates, dyes, or artificial fragrances. And, Babyganics does not test its products on animals. It’s also been wrung through the wringer by pediatricians and dermatologists so you know it’s totally safe for your little one.
Ease of Use
8.5/10
The foaming pump makes it easy to use while still keeping a hand on your child (if necessary). It works into a lather quickly and you don’t need very much to get the job done. That said, an extra pump or two will give your bath plenty of bubbles. Because it’s a body wash and shampoo, you need anything else nearby to ensure your baby is clean. Finally, it rinses out quickly and easily. Could it get any easier?
Fragrance & Formula
9/10
It’s totally tear-free as proven by moms and dads that have bravely undergone testing for their children. There’s a faint citrus scent accompanying this foaming baby shampoo and wash. It’s delicious and all natural, though a little less like that “baby” smell you’ve come to love.
Value
9/10
If you go in for the three-pack, each with 16 fluid ounces – and you buy it at the MSRP – you’ll end up paying less than 60 cents per fluid ounce. That’s an incredible price for a truly amazing product.
#7 Best Baby Shampoo for Bedtime
Johnson’s Bedtime Moisture Wash To Help Baby Sleep, 15 Fl. Oz. (Pack of 2)
- Ideal for quite time and sleep; proven to help babies fall asleep faster and sleep longer
- Leaves skin feeling touchably soft and smooth
- Lovely scent lingers for days
Pros
Experience a new level of smoothing with the Naturalcalm aromas included in this formula. This shampoo will not only cleanse for touchable skin, but will help babies fall asleep and stay asleep longer.
Product Ratings
Ingredients
8.5/10
Pediatrician and dermatologist tested, this hypoallergenic shampoo is free of harsh fragrances, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, or dyes. Plus, it’s cruelty-free — which we’re BIG fans of.
Ease of Use
8.5/10
As gentle on baby’s eyes as pure water. It will also lather gently, cleansing baby’s skin without redness or irritation.
Fragrance & Formula
8.5/10
Clearly this wash is specifically formulated to calm and sooth baby to sleep. Not only that, but it’s proven to help babies stay asleep up to one hour longer. This baby wash with soothing Naturalcalm aromas smells great and will be a calming addition to your baby’s nighttime routine.
Value
8.5/10
A pack of two 15-ounce bottles is currently available on Amazon for just over $18, which comes out to right around .62 cents per ounce. Definitely not a bad deal for such a quality product.
