Best Baby Shampoos & Washes: Eczema, Gentle, Dry Skin, and More

Baby Skincare Products

Skincare for babies is equally important as it is for adults. Since babies have sensitive skin that easily gets irritated, parents must use only the best baby skincare products for sensitive skin.

If you’re a first-time parent, selecting the right products for your newborn may seem daunting. But don’t worry; for your convenience, we created a list of the five best baby skincare products.

Zoey Naturals Head To Toe Wash 17 oz. Soothing Lavender

When you choose bathing products for your baby, you have to find something that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals or potential irritants.

Zoey Naturals brings you a complete baby bath solution that will leave your baby’s skin healthy and moisturized. The Zoey Naturals Head to Toe Wash in soothing lavender is the ultimate babyface skincare as it completely cleanses baby’s face, body, and hair. The tear-free formula will make bathtime fuss-free and fun.

Zoey Naturals Moisturizing Lotion 17 oz. Soothing Lavender

Moisturizers are baby skincare essentials. The Zoey Naturals moisturizing lotion is made with soothing lavender that provides hydration to baby’s sensitive skin. After bathing your baby, apply this moisturizing lotion so that the baby’s skin doesn’t get dry. It is one of the best organic baby skincare products you can find on the market.

Earth Mama Organics A Little Something For Baby, Gift Box

Instead of shopping for separates, you can get the whole pack of baby essentials from Earth Mama Organics, the best baby skincare products brand. The box contains everything you’ll need to keep your baby’s skin in condition.

The package includes the following:

Diaper Balm: It is not uncommon for babies to get a diaper rash. These rashes can be hard on your newborn. Fortunately, the diaper balm can help soothe baby and effectively eliminate diaper rash.

It is not uncommon for babies to get a diaper rash. These rashes can be hard on your newborn. Fortunately, the diaper balm can help soothe baby and effectively eliminate diaper rash. Baby Lotion: Your baby has delicate skin that needs constant hydration. To protect your baby’s sensitive skin from irritation, Earth Mama Organics brings you a hydrating baby lotion with the scent of vanilla and orange.

Baby Wash: The package contains a complete baby wash that will cleanse your baby’s skin and hair. The product is free from artificial scents or harsh.

The package contains a complete baby wash that will cleanse your baby’s skin and hair. The product is free from artificial scents or harsh. Baby Oil: Baby oil can maintain the softness of the baby’s skin and hydrates the scalp to prevent flaking. The box comes with a grapeseed oil containing calendula extracts for a soothing effect. It is perfect for giving your little one massages and calming them down.

Baby oil can maintain the softness of the baby’s skin and hydrates the scalp to prevent flaking. The box comes with a grapeseed oil containing calendula extracts for a soothing effect. It is perfect for giving your little one massages and calming them down. Face Balm: Instead of applying petroleum jelly, apply the Earth Mama Organics babyface skincare balm. It contains natural extracts of calendula and coconut oil that hydrate dry face, nose, and cheeks.

The 11 Best Baby Soaps

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What to look for in baby soap When it comes to shopping for baby soaps, you may be overwhelmed by all the brands out there offering all sorts of soaps using different ingredients and scents. Parents should pay close attention to what ingredients baby soaps don’t contain, according to Rina Allawh, MD, a dermatologist at Montgomery Dermatology in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Ideally, a baby soap shouldn’t contain fragrances, a known allergen that can worsen dry and eczema-prone skin, according to research from 2019 . Sulfates are another no-no, specifically sodium lauryl sulfate. “Sulfates may cause skin irritation and strip the natural essential oils from the top layer of the skin, causing peeling and dry skin,” says Allawh. “Preservatives, including parabens, methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI), methylisothiazolinone (MI), salicylic acid, formaldehyde, and methyl dibromo glutaronitrile, should not be used, especially for babies, as they may cause skin irritation, itching, skin allergic rashes, and worsen eczema.” Other ingredients to avoid in your baby soap are niacinamide, glycerin, ceramides, and alcohol.

Best Baby Shampoos & Washes: Eczema, Gentle, Dry Skin, and More

Debra Jaliman There's nothing like that sweet baby smell. But with all the spit-ups, food smeared everywhere and dreaded diaper blowouts, your baby may not always be so fresh. Regular baths can help remove dirt and bacteria, and keep his hair and skin healthy.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you bathe your baby about three times per week during the first year, as bathing too often can dry out your little one's skin.

Choosing the best baby shampoo

Whether your baby is born bald or with a full head of hair, it’s important to keep his scalp clean with a gentle, moisturizing shampoo. Your go-to shampoo might give you luscious locks, but the chemicals in it could be too harsh on your baby’s skin.

“Baby shampoos contain milder ingredients than those found in adult shampoos, so they won’t irritate a baby’s eyes and skin,” says , M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

Ideally, you should look for formulas that contain natural, plant-based ingredients, says Dr. Jaliman, including:

Fruit oils, such as raspberry and avocado oil

Chamomile extract

Sunflower seed oil

Steer clear of shampoos made with harsh chemicals that could irritate your baby’s skin. These include:

Parabens, or chemicals that are used as preservatives in cosmetics

Phthalates, or chemicals found in plastic

Dyes

Sulfates, specifically sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which is commonly found in household cleansers

Added fragrances or perfumes, which can cause irritation or trigger an allergic reaction

You should also look for a product that’s tear-free (meaning it won’t irritate baby’s eyes) and formulated for sensitive skin.

Keep in mind, however, that just because an ingredient is natural doesn’t mean it can’t cause a skin reaction in a baby, says Dr. Jaliman. If you think that your baby may be allergic to a particular ingredient, call your pediatrician.

Choosing the best baby wash

“You shouldn’t use regular soaps on your baby’s skin because many of them are too drying, and they can contain perfumes or other allergens which can irritate the skin,” says Bruce Robinson, M.D., a board-certified adult and pediatric dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

When choosing baby wash, keep the following in mind:

Use a tear-free formula to avoid irritating your baby’s eyes.

Hypoallergenic washes are best for babies with dry skin, eczema or allergies.

Ideally, you should stick with unscented baby washes because products with fragrance can cause allergic reactions, says Dr. Robinson. If you must have a scent, opt for a wash that is naturally scented and mild.

Avoid products that contain dyes or harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates and sulfates. Alcohol (which may be listed as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol) is another ingredient to avoid. “It can cause dryness, irritation, rash and breakouts,” says Dr. Robinson.

Avoid lavender bath and body products for babies and children, especially lavender essential oil. The ingredient has been shown to be an endocrine disruptor, meaning it could affect baby's hormones and development.

There are different types of baby shampoos and washes on the market:

Baby shampoos that are just for cleaning the hair and scalp

Baby washes that are designed to clean baby’s body

Multitasking formulas that do both jobs

How we made our picks for the best baby shampoos and washes

These shampoos and washes made the cut based on whether they followed the guidelines above. Then, we analyzed the options based on popularity, innovation, design, quality, value and ease of use. We also sought out feedback from pediatricians, and What to Expect staff and contributors road-tested baby shampoos and washes at home. And, of course, we consulted real parents. We checked the reviews of parents in the What to Expect community for their feedback on the baby shampoos and washes they love the most.

Here are our favorite shampoos, washes and two-in-one products to keep baby fresh and clean.

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