Soap can dry out your baby’s skin, though, so the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using soap sparingly (read: not every day), especially for newborns. Opting for gentle formulas without harsh ingredients and heavy fragrances is a must when selecting the right one for your precious babe. You may also need a more specific wash if your baby has diaper rash, eczema, allergies, or baby acne. We carefully considered ingredients, age recommendations, soap type, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best baby washes for your little one. The wash, which is hypoallergenic and tear-free, has a calming chamomile scent to help soothe your tot while you wash. Affordable, gentle, and versatile, this baby wash has been approved and tested by dermatologists and pediatricians, and is an easy choice for parents everywhere. Price at time of publish: $8 Perfect for older babies and toddlers who love to splash in a bubble bath, this gentle cleanser is guaranteed to become a bath-time favorite. We love its delicious scent of coconut and orange with a hint of sweet honey. Price at time of publish: $14 With milk proteins, allantoin, provitamin B and vitamin E, this gentle formula will leave your baby’s skin soothed and hydrated. Plus, reviewers love the gorgeous signature Noodle & Boo box, perfect for a registry or gift. Price at time of publish: $14 Made without chemical irritants, the Truly Calming Shampoo & Body Wash cleanses without overdrying, and has a lavender scent to calm and soothe your baby, making it perfect for a bedtime routine. It’s made up of mostly sweet almond oil, jojoba, aloe vera, and coconut oil. Price at time of publish: $9 Although this is our top choice for baby acne, this wash is high-quality, soap-free, and non-toxic and can be used to cleanse your little one at any time, with or without acne. The formula is gentle and hydrating and is fortified with vitamin B5 and composed of 90% plant-based ingredients, including avocado. Price at time of publish: $18 The non-foaming wash is fragrance-free, dye-free, and soap-free and rinses off easily so you don’t have to worry about lingering products on your baby that could cause further irritation. It has a low surfactant formula which helps avoid dryness. It’s suitable for newborns, older children, and even works great on moms and dads. Price at time of publish: $13 Specifically designed for infants and toddlers but great for the whole family, this cleanser’s formula contains essential ceramides & vitamins that help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier, help attract hydration and retain moisture, all while calming the skin. The best part? It’s affordable, tear-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and fragrance-free. Price at time of publish: $14 With its presence of oat extract to soothe irritation, it’s no surprise fans of this product rave that it has helped treat various rashes and kept eczema away. Price at time of publish: $15
Scent
Unless you opt for fragrance-free, the safest scents for baby washes come from natural ingredients and oils. Lavender, for example, is a popular natural fragrance as it encourages calmness. Avoid overly scented soaps, as it is common for babies to have sensitive skin that can react to fragrances.
Foaming
While bubble baths are fun for older children, you don’t want your baby’s wash to be foamy. Foam (surfactants) dry out the skin and are too harsh for newborns. Gel and milky formulas are better options without too much lather.
Safety
Whenever you’re planning to purchase a product for your baby’s skin, safety should be a top priority. Look for washes that have been tested and approved by dermatologists and pediatricians and that list their ingredients clearly.
Why Trust Verywell Family
As a beauty and skincare writer for over 6 years and mother of two, Deanna McCormack believes less is more and is an ingredient nerd. She always tests products before recommending them. With her children, she uses Mustela Gentle Cleansing Gel and Go-To Sud Bud for bubble baths.
