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Best Baby Shampoos that are Gentle on Skin

  1. Babyganics Body Wash Pump Bottle, Baby Shampoo
  2. Burt's Bees Wash and Baby Shampoo
  3. YES TO Carrot Nourishing Baby Shampoo
  4. Aveeno Baby Wash & Baby Shampoo
  5. Seventh Generation Coconut Care Creamy Baby Shampoo
  6. Buyer's Guide

Bathing your baby seems like a simple task at first, and then you take a walk down the baby bathing aisle. As you look over all of the different shampoos that are available, you quickly become overwhelmed with the sheer variety of available options. Since infants have sensitive skin and scalps, it’s essential to choose a mild, tear-free shampoo that’s formulated with natural ingredients. Our picks for best baby shampoo in 2022 were chosen because they contain gentle plant-based ingredients safe for use on you littles ones skin, they have mild yet pleasing scents to soothe your child's senses, and they also double as body wash which means that you can clean baby from head-to-toe with one application.

Detailing the Best Baby Shampoo of 2022

Babyganics Body Wash Pump Bottle, Baby Shampoo - Best Baby Shampoo Overall

Let the soothing aroma of orange blossom help your baby wind down at the end of the day with tear-free Babyganics Foaming Fun Shampoo and Body Wash. This combination shampoo and body wash is made from a naturally clarifying tear-free formula that foams up, creating a luxurious lather. All ingredients are 100 percent natural, including natural NeoNourish Seed Oil Blend which really helps to sooth and nourish your little one’s delicate skin. This non-allergenic shampoo and body wash contains absolutely no paraben, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, petrolatum, dyes, or artificial fragrances, which means that you’ll never have to worry about your baby’s skin drying out.

Burt's Bees Wash and Baby Shampoo - Runner Up

Thanks to the coconut and sunflower oils used in Baby Bee Shampoo and Wash by Burt’s Bees, your baby will enjoy a delicate fragrance while enjoying a refreshingly natural clean from head-to-toe. This shampoo has been formulated with soy proteins and sugar esters to soothe and soften your little one’s skin during bath time. This tear-free formula is completely hypoallergenic and pH balanced. It's also free from sodium lauryl and laureth sulfates, so you don’t have to worry about potential irritation to baby’s skin.

YES TO Carrot Nourishing Baby Shampoo - Honorable Mention

Yes to Baby Carrots features a 100 percent nautral formula which is the major appeal to parents looking for an effective baby shampoo and body wash. The Organic carrots utilized in this products formula are rich in beta carotene and they are a natural antioxidant that provides essential protection to babies developing ski . Yes to Baby Carrots also contains melon extract which is rich in beneficial vitamins A and C, which nourish skin and soothe any existing irritation. This product is completely free of SLS, paraben, and petroleum, so you can rest assured that your little one will enjoy an irritant-free at bath time. Best of all, the formula is tear-free which means bath time will be full of smiles and giggles.

Aveeno Baby Wash & Baby Shampoo - Consider

The natural oat extract used in Aveeno Baby Wash and Shampoo creates a luxurious and rick lather that will wash clean from baby’s skin without drying it out, in addition to it also being 100 percent soap and paraben-free. It's also hypoallergenic, so you can be sure that your baby’s sensitive skin will be well cared for when you use this shampoo and body wash. The tear-free formula has a gentle, fresh fragrance that will leave your baby smelling nice and clean while leaving their skin feeling supple and soft.

Seventh Generation Coconut Care Creamy Baby Shampoo - Best Baby Shampoo

Both you and your baby will love the light, fresh scent that comes out of Seventh Generation Baby Shampoo and Wash Gel. This formula is 97 percent USDA certified bio-based. Gluten-free and non-toxic. the suds in this shampoo and wash are infused with extra virgin olive oil, so  your little one’s skin will be well moisturized after they're done taking a bath with it. The shampoo and wash rinses completely clean, so there’s no need to worry about any residue being left behind and drying out your little one’s skin.

Buyer's Guide

Babies are adorable, from their little wriggly toes to their teeny tiny palms, but they can be stinky too. Constant spit-ups, sudden diaper blows and inevitable food messes can all make the delicious newborn fragrance go bad. This is where baby shampoos come in, grab yourself the best one with the guidelines given below and enjoy playing with your little one smelling clean and fresh.

What Features Should You Consider When Buying A Baby Shampoo?

Buying a shampoo for yourself may be a quick run down the store but your growing little one has a developing immune system which means they are sensitive and may be harmed by the tiniest harmful element. A brief checklist on the features of baby shampoo you should look out for is given below.

Scalp Health

When your baby first comes home, their skin is at its most healthy and natural state, from their scalp to their toe pads. Always consider getting an organic shampoo for best, healthy results. If in case their scalp is genetically dry or suffers from cradle cap, choose a moisturizing baby shampoo.

Neutral PH

Always consider the PH levels of baby shampoos, a good balance between the acidity and alkalinity of a shampoo keeps away shampoo tears and extreme skin dryness. A neutral level of PH is 7, anything less is acidic and more is alkaline.

When Should You Start Using Shampoo On Your Baby?

Baby shampoos keep away lingering smells from food and diaper accidents but there are certain regulations to using shampoo on your child. Most experts recommend you introduce your little one to new ingredients in a slow and steady manner.

In the first few weeks, plain warm water works well and sponge baths are enough to clean your baby. When they start growing hair, around 4 to 6 weeks, use a few drops of baby shampoo - just enough to get the tips of their hair clean. As your little one starts developing good hair growth, massage a pea-sized amount of baby shampoo into their hair to get the grime and dust off. You want to keep their natural scalp oil intact to prevent a dry and itchy head of hair.

What Ingredients Should You Avoid In A Baby Shampoo?

Baby shampoos come in many varieties and simply knowing a shampoo is organic is not going to cut it. To keep your baby away from harm, it is always better to place a good thought on the investment you make and that includes, getting to know the ingredients you should avoid.

Phthalates and Parabens

You may have heard of phthalates and parabens being a dangerous chemical in adult shampoos, consider how harmful they would be on your growing baby's scalp health. Always better to avoid these two irritants.

Fragrance

Usually used as a broad term for many ingredients - most of which are harmful to the scalp, shampoos with fragrance are known to cause irritation and dryness across the scalp especially in babies. Fortunately, most baby shampoos are fragrance-free but it's always good to keep a close eye.

Dyes

Also a broad term ingredient, dyes cause allergic reactions on the scalp due to their imbalanced PH level. Always keep your little wriggler's shampoo free of dyes to keep their scalp health in check.

Alcohol

You may find the back of a shampoo listing ethanol and isopropyl alcohol as a common ingredient and though it is used to create the fun lather babies like to play with, it also removes the natural oils on their head which leads to a dry scalp and may cause eczema.

How Many Types Of Baby Shampoos Are Available?

It can be overwhelming for new parents to catch up with the variety of shampoos available in the market and when you have a newborn baby at home that hasn't let you sleep a wink, spending time to get the best shampoo may not be on your ideal to-do list. So, here's a breakdown of the types of baby shampoos available to help you make a reliable, fast purchase.

Natural Baby Shampoo

The best choice to consider for a healthy newborn baby is an organic, naturally produced baby shampoo. Helps maintain curls, nourishes the growing hair and maintains a healthy scalp. Some of the best shampoos include coconut, jojoba, almond and avocado.

Aloe Vera Baby Shampoo

If your little one has sensitive skin or you live in a hot climate, get an aloe vera based baby shampoo. It helps cool down the scalp, heals and moisturises the hair for better growth.

Vitamin Baby Shampoo
To strengthen your baby's hair, look for baby shampoos that contain Vitamins A, B and E. They help treat the roots of the hair for better and even growth.

Medicated Baby Shampoo

Your baby's doctor may have prescribed a medicated baby shampoo to treat a genetic, preexisting scalp condition on your baby's scalp. Such shampoos are often eczema and cradle cap friendly.

Best Baby Shampoo FAQ

Q: Do baby shampoos expire?
A: Generally all baby products should be replaced annually and if your choice of purchase does not have an expiration label, check the date of manufacture. Most baby products including shampoos are stable until 3 years after the date at room temperature.

Q: How often should I wash my baby's hair?
A: Babies do not need to lose much of their natural oils and unless they're playing around in a park or a dusty corner, use the smallest amounts of baby shampoo 1 to 2 times a week for best results.

Q: Is baby shampoo necessary?
A: Baby shampoos are recommended to prevent itchy, dry and irritable scalp. Having a cleaning agent take care of the nasties keeps your baby's health sound and safe. Start with warm water and gradually pace up to a good baby shampoo. You know your little one best, consider a purchase when you feel the time is right. General rule of thumb is to use the shampoo as soon as they start moving towards the dusty corners.

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