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Babies love refreshing and gentle baths (well, at least most of them). Therefore, getting your hands on the best body wash for babies is important since they have delicate skin. Ingredients used in the body wash have to cater specifically to baby skin. They should cleanse, nourish, protect the skin and replenish natural nutrients. In addition, they should be non-toxic and chemical-free. Here is a list of safe and gentle baby body washes from trusted brands that you may consider for your baby.
Top Picks
13 Best Body Washes For Babies In 2024 And Buyer’s Guide
Best Two-In-One Formula:The Honest Company Truly Calming Lavender Shampoo+Body Wash
Environmentally conscious, the Honest Company’s Truly Calming Lavender shampoo is a gentle formula made and packaged with sustainability. The two-in-one formula is stripped bare of any artificial fragrances, parabens, phthalates, dyes, and SLES. It is enriched with the goodness of gentle, non-toxic, all-natural ingredients that soothe and nourish the baby’s delicate skin and hair. For more information about the calming baby body wash, click this review video detailing a tester’s experience with the product.
Pros
- Easy-to-use bottle
- Mild lavender scent
- Combat’s scalp flakiness
- Soap-free
- Moisture-locking
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
- May cause sensitivity in some
"This combo has been a great addition to my baby's hygiene routine. Its non-toxic formula gently cleanses her skin and hair. Though it has a greasy residue, it goes away after moisturization. Plus, the pleasant lavender fragrance makes the experience more soothing."
Best pH-Balanced:Puracy Natural Body Wash
Deeply hydrating and purifying, the Puracy natural body wash is enriched with coco glycinate and Himalayan pink salt and cleans any gunk without disrupting the skin barrier. The vegetable glycerin helps pull in water and is ideal for the delicate skin of babies that loses moisture up to five times faster. It also provides gentle exfoliation that works great for sensitive skin even when used daily. The safe and effective pH-balanced baby wash is free of salicylates, parabens, sulfates, cocamidopropyl betaine, or any animal by-products or dyes. Check out this video to learn more about a tester’s experience with the product.
Pros
- Made of 98.6% plant-based ingredients
- Coconut-based surfactant
- Rich-foaming gel
- Safe for greywater and septic tank systems
- Blends mildness with performance
- Has not been tested on animals
Cons
- May be drying for some
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product is a hit with users, evidenced by the 11,732 fine reviews on Amazon.
Best Fragrance-Free:Baby Dove Sensitive Skin Care Baby Wash
Image: Dove
Baby Dove sensitive skincare baby wash is nourishing and moisturizing. This fragrance-free baby wash is hypoallergenic and is free of synthetic chemicals for a gentle experience. It is laced with prebiotic moisture and other skin-natural nutrients to enrich the skin from within. This tear-free and sulfate-free baby wash is a boon for the delicate skin of your little infant.
Pros
- Moisture locking
- Fragrance-free
- Tear-free
- Suitable for babies with eczema-prone skin
- Recycled packaging
- Pediatrician-tested
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
- Slightly drying for hair
"I'm quite pleased with this product so far. Since this baby wash is pediatrician-recommended, it's safe for my baby's skin. Plus, it leaves her skin softly fragrant after every bath."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 9,909 independent reviewers on Amazon have acknowledged the product's durability and functionality.
Best Two-In-One Formula The Honest Company Truly Calming Lavender Shampoo+Body Wash | Best pH-Balanced Puracy Natural Body Wash | Best Fragrance-Free Baby Dove Sensitive Skin Care Baby Wash | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | All, Thick | - | - |
| Dimensions | 7.75 x 2 x 2 inches | 2.1 x 7.7 x 2.1 inches | - |
| Weight | 12.32 Ounces | 12 Ounces | - |
| Skin Type | - | All | Sensitive |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 12,782 | 11,732 | 9,909 |
| Price | $10.99 | $19.99 | $7.89 |
Best Non-Comedogenic:CeraVe Moisturizing Body Wash
CeraVe body wash contains hyaluronic acid to impart the skin with deep moisture. The three ceramides- 1, 3, and 6-II with controlled-release technology help seal moisture and restore the natural skin barrier. This moisturizing baby body wash is free of parabens and sulfates, making it safe for babies. It satisfies the quality benchmark test for safe use by eczema-prone skin types. Take a look at this video about a tester’s experience with the product.
Pros
- NEA seal of acceptance
- Three essential ceramides
- Non-comedogenic
- Refreshing
- Foamy lather
- Restores the skin’s barrier
- Dermatologist-recommended
Cons
- May not rinse easily
"Though the consistency is slightly thick, this formula works well to nourish and hydrate my baby's skin without causing any dryness or irritation. It almost feels like a lotion. Plus, it has a pleasing scent that is not overpowering."
Best For Delicate Skin:Weleda Calendula Baby 2-in-1 Shampoo and Body Wash
Crafted from a proactively sensitive approach towards environment conservation, the Weleda calendula baby two-in-one shampoo and body wash meet high-quality standards. It harnesses the power of nature to treat the delicate skin of babies for a gentle, radiant glow. Non-stingy and infused with calendula and sweet almond oil the body wash leaves the baby clean and sweet-smelling with pull-free locks and a squeaky clean scalp. This baby wash shampoo combo is safe and effective for cradle-cap and other conditions.
Pros
- Certified natural by NATRUE
- UEBT-certified
- Clean sourcing
- Recyclable bottle
- Balances moisture
Cons
- Doesn’t lather well
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 8,062 reviews on Amazon, this product is a winner.
Best Gentle:Puracry Natural Shampoo and Body Wash
Award-winning shampoo and wash by Puracry is sourced from non-toxic, plant-based ingredients. The high foaming formula lifts dirt without being harsh on the sensitive skin of your baby. Coco glycinate offers a clarifying treatment without bringing the irritation of synthetic ingredients. The vegetable glycerin and the pink Himalayan salt helps keep skin silky smooth and rejuvenated. The premium blend of cleansers, humectants, and essential oils with the added punch of some of its star ingredients, makes this plant-based baby wash a safe, baby-friendly product for your babies.
Pros
- Good exfoliating action
- Sustainable
- Performing ingredients
- Great blend
- Natural
- Non-irritating baby wash
Cons
- Nozzle may be a little iffy
Best Non-Drying:Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
A product targeted towards sensitive skin types, the Vanicream gentle body wash is a cleansing formula to help combat grease and oil. This body wash has a soothing texture, free from synthetic fragrances and other chemical irritants, such as dyes, formaldehyde, lanolin, and parabens. It is a gluten-free and botanical extract-free tag that is a welcome relief for people with severely sensitive skin. The wash is a time-tested blend that works well for babies and doesn’t strip their skin dry.
Pros
- Opulent smooth texture
- Free from additives
- Non-drying
- Zero fragrance
- Climate Pledge friendly
- Helps combat skin troubles
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
- May offer a peculiar smell
"What I love about this product is that it's fragrance-free and doesn't trigger any sensitivity. Since it's dermatologist-tested, I use it for my baby's eczema as well. On the whole, I'm pleased with this purchase."
Best Hypoallergenic:Johnson’s Baby Moisture Tear-Free Wash
Image: Johnson's
Johnson’s baby moisture wash provides a baby-safe experience leaving the baby skin clean and soft. The hypoallergenic formula baby wash delivers moisture that makes the baby’s skin smooth. It froths in a creamy lather that is easy to rinse off, leaving a silky feeling all over. Almost as gentle as water to the infant’s sensitive skin and scalp, the paraben- and sulfate-free formulation could be a great pick for your little one.
Pros
- Safe ingredients
- Silky feel
- Lathers well
- Cleans gently
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
- Problematic dispenser
"This body wash remains a reliable option for my child. Its soothing cleansing feels gentle, leaving my baby's skin moisturized. Its classic, light scent is also comforting."
Best Plant-Based: Noodle And Boo Newborn 2-in -1 Hair and Body Wash
Coalescing nature with science, the luxury skincare hair and body wash from Noodle and Boo is developed to replenish and recharge baby’s delicate skin and fine hair. The wash comes in a pump bottle and is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, triclosan, BPAs, PPGs, and dyes. It blends provitamin B and vitamin E to rebalance the natural pH of the skin to keep it healthy and protected.
Pros
- Replenishes the skin
- Rebalances skin’spH
- Not too soapy
- Detangles hair
- Free from additives
Cons
- Watery consistency
"My baby doesn't fuss during bath time, thanks to its tear-free composition. The smell is mild, leaving a soft fragrance post-shower. Also, this non-irritant formula is gentle on my little one's delicate skin."
Best Tear-Free: Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash
Aveeno baby soothing relief creamy wash gently cleanses the skin while nourishing it with the essential nutrients. The soothing baby wash is specially formulated with natural colloidal oatmeal and rich emollients that wash away all impurities without stripping off moisture from the skin. It soothes dryness for healthier and supple-looking skin. Suitable for babies, the pediatrician-recommended and mommy-approved baby wash is tear-, paraben-, phthalate- and fragrance-free.
Pros
- Creamy lather
- Soothing oatmeal preparation
- Makes skin supple
- Chemical-free
- Nourishing baby body wash for dry skin
- Pediatrician-recommended
Cons
- Might smell terrible for some
"I like this body wash's gentle, creamy texture for my baby's delicate skin. The neutral scent is a bonus. Its hypoallergenic composition gives me peace of mind and keeps her skin healthy and clean."
Babyganic baby shampoo and body wash is formulated from certified organic ingredients that are plant-derived and skin-friendly. The blend comes in a convenient pump bottle and is free from dyes, mineral oils, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and petrolatum. This baby wash and shampoo combo, trusted by moms, is free of harsh chemicals and gentle on the skin of babies.
Pros
- Organic formulation
- All-natural ingredients
- Chemical-free
- Gentle on skin
- User-friendly dispenser
- Pediatrician-tested
Cons
- Not tear-free
Eucerin Baby Eczema Relief Cream Body Wash
Image: Eucerin Made from non-drying cleansers, the Eucerin baby eczema relief cream wash is formulated to combat skin irritation and itchiness plaguing eczema-prone skin. The 2% colloidal oatmeal relieves dry skin, while the low pH helps protect the weakened skin barrier against skin aggression. Spiked with ceramides, the formula helps strengthen and repair the delicate skin. This body wash for eczema-prone skin is a trusted choice for your baby’s best care, and is free from fragrance, dye, and soap.
Pros
- Helps treat eczema-prone skin
- Ph-balanced
- Clinically-proven
- Skin-relieving oat extract
- Contains ceramides
- Doesn’t froth and foam excessively
Cons
- Some may not prefer the no-suds formula
"I really like this clean, moisturizing body wash and have definitely noticed some improvements in my little one's skin after using it. Also, it's fragrance-free, so I don't have to worry about overpowering scents. It has been a decent buy overall."
My Little North Star 2 in 1 Natural Baby Shampoo and Body Wash
Image: My Little North Star
My Little North Star 2 in 1 natural baby shampoo and body wash is laced from a premium blend of all-natural, baby-friendly ingredients. The mix is an ingenious combination of aloe vera extract, citrus peel oil, organic sunflower seed oil, vitamin E, lavender oil, and organic orange essential oil. This all-natural and mom-approved baby body wash is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, silicones, and all synthetic fragrances.
Pros
- Emollient texture
- Organic ingredients
- Chemical-free
- Fragrance-free
- Pleasant smelling
Cons
- May lead to build-up in oily scalp
How To Choose the Right Baby Body Wash For Babies?
Here are a few points you should consider before buying a body wash for babies.
- Ingredients: Parents should steer clear of products that are loaded with harsh ingredients and additives, as they might cause irritation and allergic reactions. Opt for options that are mild and contain gentle ingredients. You may also choose an organic baby body wash for extra nourishment and repair.
- Skin compatibility: Pick products that cater to the unique needs of the little ones’ skin. Less suddy and moisturizing options with natural fragrances are a better pick over lathering and moisture-stripping choices.
- Sustainability: Looking for brands that source their products from plants and other renewable resources as they are environmentally healthy and a safer bet. Brands that pride themselves in ethical practices are known to provide us with skin-friendly, secure, and gentle products.
- Tear-free: The worst that could happen is soap stinging an infant’s delicate eyes. To protect against irritation, get tear-free formulas.
Gabrielle Richens, a London-based skin therapist and clean beauty blogger, says, “Avoid baby products that contain fragrance. Manufacturers are legally allowed to use the words fragrance and parfum on a product ingredient list, a labeling loophole that can cover hundreds of synthetic chemicals. Such ingredients can irritate your baby’s delicate skin and cause allergies.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use body wash on newborns?
You may just plain water for newborns for the first few weeks or use a mild non-irritating baby soap (1). Make sure the soap is safety certified for newborns and does not contain harsh chemicals.
2. Do babies need body wash?
Yes, a mild baby body wash or soap is necessary to keep the baby’s skin clean and fresh (2).
3. Is baby shampoo the same as body wash?
Some body washes are safe to use from head to toe. While baby shampoos are specifically made to cleanse baby hair unless it clearly specifies that it doubles as a body wash.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Vibha Navarathna is a content writer and reviewer specializing in baby products. As a mother herself, she understands the importance of baby skincare and parents’ concerns regarding it. Therefore, she has gone through numerous websites and product reviews to find the best body washes from trusted brands for your little one. Keeping your needs and quality requirements in mind, she has provided a buying guide with details about their formulation, pros, and cons. These baby washes will gently clean your baby’s delicate skin, leaving them feeling fresh.
Your baby’s soft, sensitive skin requires gentle products, and so you need body washes that are specifically created to protect their skin. When choosing the right body wash for your child, check the ingredients, skin compatibility, and whether or not the product has a tear-free formula. The options we have listed here are free of any harmful chemicals and mild on the skin so that your baby can have a happy, relaxing bath time without any irritation.
Infographic: How To Bathe A Baby?
Apart from using nourishing, mild, and baby-friendly body washes, adhering to certain precautions when bathing your little one is crucial to ensure their safety. So, check out the following infographic to learn the fundamentals of bathing a baby.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Bathing and Skin Care for the Newborn; Stanford Medicine Children’s Health
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=bathing-and-skin-care-for-the-newborn-90-P02628 - Washing your baby
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/washing-your-baby
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