13 Best Baby Shampoos for Sensitive Skin, According to Dermatologists and Parents
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Is there anything better than bath time with your baby? It’s another chance to bond while soothing and relaxing them after a long day. A consistent bath time schedule also helps keep baby’s skin and scalp healthy and the skin barrier in check. That’s why the best baby shampoos are essential. These shampoos are specially made for little ones and sensitive skin, with gentle formulas in mind that target eczema, cradle cap, and more without disrupting the skin.
“A baby’s skin is physiologically different from an adult,” explains Dr. Carmen Castilla, a Manhattan-based, board-certified dermatologist. “A baby’s skin has a thinner, more delicate barrier, making it more prone to irritation and water loss.” That’s where baby shampoos come in — they are formulated with these differences in mind. “In general, baby washes contain gentler cleansing agents, few or no fragrances, and are formulated to support a baby’s delicate skin barrier.”
Keep reading to learn what to look for in the best baby shampoos for sensitive skin, plus options to stock your bathroom with for your little one.
Best Baby Shampoos for Sensitive Skin at a Glance
Best Overall: Childs Farm Hair & Body Wash, $7
Best Runner Up: Pipette Baby Shampoo + Wash, $9
Best New Baby Shampoo: Coterie First Wash Ultra-Gentle Hair + Body Wash, $40
Best for Newborns: Noodle & Boo Newborn 2-in-1 Hair & Baby Body Wash, $18
Best Daily Baby Shampoo: Bioderma ABCDerm Foaming Gel, $30
Best Natural Baby Shampoo: Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance-Free 2-in-1 Shampoo & Wash, $20
Best Eco-Friendly Baby Shampoo: Tubby Todd Hair + Body Wash, $17
Best Nighttime Baby Shampoo: Dabble & Dollop Lullaby Lather Hair & Body Wash, $14
Best Derm-Recommended Baby Shampoo: CeraVe Baby Wash and Shampoo, $11
Best Fragrance-Free Baby Shampoo: Aquaphor Unscented Baby Wash & Shampoo, $10
Best Baby Shampoo for Cradle Cap: Mustela Cradle Cap Foam Shampoo For Newborns, $16
Best Baby Shampoo for Eczema: Exederm Eczema Care Baby Wash & Shampoo, $12
Best Smelling Baby Shampoo: Baby Dove Rich Moisture Baby Wash & Shampoo, $8
Do Babies Really Need a Shampoo?
According to Dr. Carina Woodruff, a board-certified dermatologist and the director of the Epiphany Skin Allergy Institute in Dallas, Texas, “Carefully selecting products designed for sensitive skin can keep your baby’s skin barrier intact and avoid problems like allergic contact dermatitis down the road.” Since most shampoos contain added fragrances, “babies and individuals with sensitive skin are at increased risk of developing irritant and allergic reactions from harsh skincare products.”
What To Look For In The Best Baby Shampoo
With so many baby shampoos on the market, it can be tough to know which ones are safe for babies’ sensitive skin. “Surprisingly, the best options aren’t always on the baby aisle because these products tend to be packed with fragrances,” Dr. Woodruff says. Below, find a comprehensive list of what to look for in each formula, according to dermatologists.
Ingredients
Dr. Castilla tells SheKnows you should “look for formulations that have gentler surfactants (soaps/detergents) and skin barrier-supporting ingredients.”
Cleansing Agents: Dr. Castiall recommends seeking washes with decyl glucoside or coco-glucoside, which are less harsh and less likely to strip the skin of essential nutrients.
Moisturizing Ingredients: Think glycerin or hyaluronic acid that help maintain hydration.
Barrier-Supporting Ingredients: Ceramides and squalane are the top barrier-supporting ingredients that soothe babies’ skin and scalp.
Fragrance
“Ideally, shampoos will also be fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and tear-free, which signals a lower likelihood of irritation,” Dr. Castilla adds
What to Avoid
“Fragrances and botanicals are one of the most problematic ingredients in skincare products overall, and often cause irritation in kids,” Dr. Woodruff notes. “Sodium lauryl sulfate can be quite drying, but this is rarely found in baby products these days.” Dr. Castilla also says to steer clear of products containing essential oils, which carry a high risk of allergic reactions and rashes, and of products containing alcohol, which can cause dry skin.
Ahead, shop 13 of the best baby shampoos according to dermatologists and vetted by our team of editors who are moms.
The Best Baby Shampoos for Sensitive Skin
BEST OVERALL
Childs Farm Hair & Body Wash
“I’ve been specifically testing the Child’s Farm line, because I prefer baby products with fragrance. There’s just something really lovely about filling a bath with a yummy-scented bath product and then sniffing it on your little one the whole day! Of course I want to make sure the formula is safe for my daughter’s sensitive skin, and it was. Her skin, which turns splotchy if in contact with harsh ingredients, is always unaffected whenever we use this in the bath. Mila (21 months) is going through a phase right now that involves dunking her head in the water and literally eating bubbles, and this formula is so mild, that she’s not deterred by the taste. Which is great, because this smells fantastic, and gets her skin and hair squeaky clean, even when she came home with hair spray paint and glitter in her hair (crazy hair day at school).” –Gina Vaynshteyn, AVP, Commerce
Quantity: 8.4 fl oz.
Fragrance-Free: No
Reasons Why We Love It:
Suitable for sensitive and eczema-prone skin
Smells really good
Also detangles hair
Reasons to Skip It:
Can cause irritation for some
BEST RUNNER UP
Pipette Baby Shampoo + Wash
The Pipette Baby Shampoo + Wash is a staple in my home as a second-time mom. Before having my daughter in December, I tested a handful of baby shampoos and was impressed with Pipette’s thoughtfully crafted formula. It’s comprised of sugarcane-derived squalane and other plant-derived ingredients like glycerin and glycolipids, which “mimics a baby’s natural, protective vernix,” according to Pipette. The wash also contains no harsh sulfates or synthetic fragrances that can compromise the baby’s sensitive skin.
Quantity: 11.8 fl oz.
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Reasons Why We Love It:
Made for hair and body
Plant-derived ingredients
Reasons to Skip It:
Sells fast at retailers
BEST NEW BABY SHAMPOO
Coterie First Wash Ultra-Gentle Hair + Body Wash
This wash from Coterie is undoubtedly a splurge, but it’s worth every penny. Here’s why. The wash is designed with the baby’s skin barrier and microbiome in mind. Coterie focused on including multi-functioning ingredients into the wash that maintain the natural pH of little ones’ skin. It’s crafted with coco-glucoside derived from coconut oil and glucose. There is also provitamin B5 and glycerin, which act as conditioners for hair and skin, and marshmallow root extract, a plant-based ingredient that soothes sensitive skin with its emollient properties.
Just one to two pumps cleanses baby from head to toe without irritating the eyes or disrupting eczema-prone skin.
Quantity: 16.2 fl oz.
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Reasons Why We Love It:
pH balanced
Microbiome friendly
Reasons to Skip It:
Expensive
BEST FOR NEWBORNS
Noodle & Boo Newborn 2-in-1 Hair & Baby Body Wash
Noodle & Boo is renowned for its luxury skincare products made for babies, children, and mothers. I recently tested this hypoallergenic, tear-free cleanser during our bathtime routine, and there are so many features to love. It’s pediatrician and dermatologist-tested (a huge win for this beauty-writing mama) and formulated with natural ingredients. Speaking of ingredients, the wash contains provitamin B5, which deeply hydrates and helps repair the skin barrier.
Choose the wash in a Crème Douce or Lavender scent, or the fragrance-free option.
Quantity: 16 fl oz.
Fragrance-Free: Yes, there is a fragrance-free option
Reasons Why We Love It:
Tear-free
Multiple scents and fragrance-free options
Reasons to Skip It:
According to shoppers, some scents are overpowering
BEST DAILY BABY SHAMPOO
Bioderma ABCDerm Foaming Gel
Bioderma’s ABCDerm Foaming Gel is suitable for use on babies and children. The wash offers a foaming, gel-like texture that cleanses the hair and body without leaving the skin feeling dry or compromised. Made with a combination of glycerin and gentle coconut-derived ingredients, the foaming gel nourishes and hydrates the skin while leaving a supple scent behind that parents praise.
Quantity: 33.8 fl oz.
Fragrance-Free: No
Reasons Why We Love It:
Foaming gel formula
Supple scent
Reasons to Skip It:
The pump can get stuck occasionally
BEST NATURAL BABY SHAMPOO
Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance-Free 2-in-1 Shampoo & Wash
Looking for a natural shampoo for your baby? Consider this EWG verified formula from Babo Botanicals. It’s specially formulated for sensitive, dry, or eczema-prone skin since it provides a soothing and hydrated feel after bath time. The 2-in-1 shampoo and wash is crafted with organic calendula, shea butter, and oat protein, which are packed with moisturizing properties for the skin and scalp.
Quantity: 16 fl oz.
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Reasons Why We Love It:
Moisturizes the hair, scalp, and skin
EWG Verified
Reasons to Skip It:
Low lather
BEST ECO-FRIENDLY BABY SHAMPOO
Tubby Todd Hair + Body Wash
The Tubby Todd Hair + Body Wash is another tested favorite on our list. The formula is crafted with natural extracts and plant-based ingredients, such as honeysuckle extract, glycerin, and colloidal oatmeal, rather than harsh synthetic chemicals. It cleans baby and softens skin from head to toe.
Quantity: 8.5 fl oz.
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Reasons Why We Love It:
Reduces baby acne, eczema, and rashes
Concentrated formula goes a long way
Reasons to Skip It:
Some scented options are too strong, according to reviewers
BEST NIGHTTIME BABY SHAMPOO
Dabble & Dollop Lullaby Lather Hair & Body Wash
Dabble & Dollop’s Lullaby Lather Hair & Body Wash is new to its collection and is already garnering tons of praise from parents. The wash helps little ones calm down in preparation for sweet dreams thanks to the calming chamomile extract. The wash also features eight other natural origin ingredients, including coco-glucoside, a cleansing agent. The tear-free wash works into a foaming, luxurious lather that baby will enjoy.
Quantity: 8 fl oz.
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Reasons Why We Love It:
EWG Verified
Fragrance-free & microbiome-friendly
Reasons to Skip It:
Limited to certain retailers
BEST DERM-RECOMMENDED BABY SHAMPOO
CeraVe Baby Wash and Shampoo
Dr. Woodruff recommends this popular baby shampoo from CeraVe for gentle cleansing. She notes that just a few pumps of the wash suds up well for a thorough cleansing and a fun bath time. The wash contains hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and ceramides 1, 3, and 6 to 11. Together, the ingredients reinforce the baby’s skin barrier and lock moisture into the skin and scalp.
Quantity: 8 fl oz.
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Reasons Why We Love It:
Packed with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid
Developed with dermatologists
Reasons to Skip It:
Not for heavy-duty cleansing
BEST FRAGRANCE-FREE BABY SHAMPOO
Aquaphor Unscented Baby Wash & Shampoo
Dr. Woodruff also suggests the Aquaphor Unscented Baby Wash & Shampoo if you’re seeking a fragrance-free wash for your little one. It’s infused with chamomile essence and provitamin B5 to soothe sensitive skin.
Quantity: 16.9 fl oz.
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Reasons Why We Love It:
Pediatrician recommended
2-in-1 solution that makes bath time faster
Reasons to Skip It:
Only creates a light lather
BEST BABY SHAMPOO FOR CRADLE CAP
Mustela Cradle Cap Foam Shampoo For Newborns
Cradle cap is a common skin condition that appears on a baby’s scalp. Its clinical name is infant seborrheic dermatitis, and it’s characterized by greasy, yellow, or scaly crusts on a baby’s scalp. If you’re noticing cradle cap, the best option is to grab Mustela’s Cradle Cap Foam Shampoo For Newborns. This iteration features Avocado Perseose, Mustela’s patented natural ingredient “that helps strengthen the scalp barrier and protects the skin’s cellular richness,” the brand says.
There is also salicylic acid, an exfoliant that removes cradle cap flakes; climbazole, a natural anti-fungal that helps reduce the fungus responsible for cradle cap; sunflower seed oil for hydration; and coconut extracts for gentle cleansing.
Quantity: 5.07 fl oz.
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Reasons Why We Love It:
Includes an anti-fungal to remove cradle cap
99% plant-based formula
Reasons to Skip It:
Can cause slight dryness
BEST BABY SHAMPOO FOR ECZEMA
Exederm Eczema Care Baby Wash & Shampoo
Dr. Castilla shares that the Exederm baby wash is specifically created for highly sensitive, eczema-prone skin. “It’s formulated without irritating ingredients and to help support the skin barrier,” she adds.
Quantity: 8 fl oz.
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Reasons Why We Love It:
Safe ingredient formulation
Cleanses without leaving skin feeling tight or irritated
Reasons to Skip It:
Some say the wash has a watery consistency
BEST SMELLING BABY SHAMPOO
Baby Dove Rich Moisture Baby Wash & Shampoo
Although this baby wash and shampoo from Dove is deliciously scented, it’s still easy on tiny skin. Dove includes a hypoallergenic, pH-neutral formula designed to replenish essential moisture and nutrients lost during bathing. The brand states that the cleanser is gentle enough for a newborn’s first bath.
Quantity: 13 fl oz.
Fragrance-Free: No
Reasons Why We Love It:
Goes beyond mildly cleansing
Has a creamy lather
Reasons to Skip It:
Scented
Why Trust the Author
Taylor Lane is a contributing commerce writer at SheKnows, covering beauty, style, and lifestyle. With over eight years of media experience, she previously served as a beauty writer at The Zoe Report and a fashion assistant at Glamour. Her work has appeared in Forbes Vetted, Teen Vogue, InStyle, WWD, and more, where she’s tested hundreds of products — from top-performing mascaras to the most functional strollers. She’s also a mom of two girls, a ten-year-old and a 4-month-old. And when she’s not online, she’s usually at Pilates.
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