Best baby shampoo and wash

Pipette's a relative newcomer to the market, but one that’s rapidly gaining in popularity, thanks to its ultra-clean and sensitive formula. For the most sensitive pick, pluck the brand’s fragrance-free formula from the shelf, but if you’re dead set on a sweet smell, their two scented picks smell outrageously delicious and are entirely plant-derived. 

Heads up

This brand isn’t as widely available as some others...yet. 

Parents say

“Try Pipette, it's super clean!!!” 

Specs

• 12 fluid ounces
• Choose from fragrance-free, vanilla/ylang ylang, or rose/geranium scents
   

This natural baby shampoo and body wash does the job of a conventional cleanser without the chemicals or toxins. Developed by doctors and made with food-grade plant- and mineral-based ingredients, this wash is great for all skin types and does wonders for eczema and cradle cap. Parents appreciate the pump bottle, too. 

Heads Up

This wash does have a citrus scent, so it may be too harsh for those with super-sensitive skin. 

Specs

• 12 fluid ounces
• Choose from single bottle or 2-pack
• Citrus scent
   

If your baby has eczema, the most important thing is to “soak and smear,” says Dr. Maguiness. That means cleanse with a super gentle formula and then use a quality emollient to lock in hydration. (Dr. Maguiness recommends Vaseline.) This cleanser by Hello Bello is about as gentle as you can get — it’s hypoallergenic, pH-balanced, and comes in a fragrance-free version. It also contains hydrating ingredients, like organic aloe vera, calendula, avocado and cucumber extracts, organic jojoba, and sunflower seed oils. What it doesn’t have: phthalates, parabens, PEGs, and common allergens. 

Heads up

Some parents say it leaves hair feeling crunchy. 

Parents say

“We love the Hello Bello brand. The shampoo, wipes, diapers, hand sanitizer. We have the diaper subscription and have been happy with them since we started using them!” 

Specs

• 10 fluid ounces
• Choose from fragrance-free, vanilla/apricot, lavender, birthday cake, fresh & clean, apple blossom, and sweet cream scents

The good news is that cradle cap tends to go away on its own over time, but in the meantime you can use Mustela Cradle Cap Foam and get impressive results. This five-ounce bottle is made up of 99 percent plant-based ingredients and some salicylic acid (which is also an ingredient in many dandruff shampoos) to treat the dry flaky skin on your baby’s scalp.

Heads Up

Some parents don’t like that the wash contains salicylic acid, as it can have adverse effects on sensitive baby skin. The wash’s foam formulation, however, is pretty effective at keeping the wash where it’s supposed to do a job: on your baby’s head. 

Specs

• 5.07 ounces
• Fragrance-free

California Baby’s shampoo is so gentle that the brand says it’s often used in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. The fragrance- and sulfate-free, plant-based cleanser is allergy-tested (free of gluten, soy, oat, and dairy) and contains calendula and aloe vera to hydrate your baby’s skin from head to toe.

Heads up

If you or your baby have a peanut allergy, note that this wash is not entirely nut-free as coconuts are used in the ingredients. 

Parents say

“We love California Baby. Have been using it since she was just months old. It's been amazing.” 

Specs

• Choose from 8.5 or 19 ounces
• Fragrance-free

Parents swear by this Canadian brand of baby shampoo and wash. It’s easy to see why. The plant-based, vegan formula is paraben-, silicone-, PEG, formaldehyde-free. In fact, it’s said to have protective skin benefits, too. The wash contains antioxidant blueberry leaf and moringa seeds to help prevent contaminants from adhering to the skin. 

Heads up

If you like this formula, you’ll need to shop for it online. 

Parents say

“We use Attitude Baby Leaves for hair and body wash. They are a Canadian eco-friendly company.” 

Specs

• 16 ounces
• Choose from fragrance-free, almond milk, pear nectar, orange/pomegranate, or apple scents

This unscented castile-based liquid soap is made with soothing calendula and other organic herbs and oils. Dermatologically reviewed and used in NICUs, this foamy cleanser is versatile for all of your cleaning needs. It’s gentle enough for your baby’s hair and skin, yet effective enough to use as a household cleanser or to make DIY baby wipes.

Heads Up

This is not a tear-less product, so be careful when using this product around your baby’s eyes.

Specs

• Choose from 5.3 or 34 ounces 
• Fragrance-free

Formulated with traditional calming chamomile, this shampoo releases a gentle scent as you wash, and it's light enough that it washes away easily, unlike some slippery formulations. Parents like that this wash foams well, comes in a big bottle that lasts a while, and has a sturdy pump that's easy to operate one-handed. 

Heads up

This formula does contain cocamidopropyl betaine, but it’s lower-down on the ingredient list. 

Specs

• Choose from 16.9 or 25.4 ounces
• Chamomile scent
• Choose from single bottle or 2-pack

Though it doesn’t contain the “bad” surfactants Dr. Maguiness calls out, this cleanser is still nice and foamy — something a lot of parents like. It’s made with plant-based ingredients you can feel good about, too — aloe, cucumber extract, and sunflower seed oil. It both cleanses and hydrates without irritating. 

Heads up

Some parents don’t like the Babyganics brand — they say the company isn’t organic, so the name is misleading. 

Parents say

“I settled on the Babyganics brand. I like being able to get it at a store instead of ordering, it's reasonably priced and often on sale (buy 2 get 1 free this week), works, and doesn't have a strong herbal smell like some of the others. They list and explain each ingredient on their website.” 

Specs 

• 16 ounces
• Choose from a single bottle or 3-pack
• Choose from fragrance-free, chamomile/verbena, or orange blossom scents