6 Best Baby Shampoos

Sure, babies are all new and fresh—but there’s a reason bath time needs to be a nightly event. Help untangle cot knots (seriously cute) and wash away milk mishaps with a soft and gentle baby shampoo.

If you’re raising a baby, you should (a) give yourself a huge pat on the back and (b) seek out some baby-safe products you can both enjoy.

From their chubby little knees to their gummy half-smiles, babies can be pretty damn cute.

Then there’s their scent. Smell the top of a baby’s head and you might find yourself suddenly stroking your tummy and feeling broody. Scary stuff! It’s a weirdly intoxicating, totally unique smell that nobody wants to wash away.

The other thing about babies: they're messy. No doubt about it. From unexpected poop explosions to milky mouths and sleepy eyes, having a baby in your life will soon upend your clean-surface obsession.

Keeping a baby clean is no mean feat, and it’s mostly about choosing the right products.

We want to avoid damaging their plump, smooth skin (we’ll let you know when someone manages to bottle their secret) with harsh ingredients! And instead, fill bubble-bath time with the mildest, best baby shampoo and body wash formulas.

And you know those adorable little floofs of hair? You can find a baby shampoo that will cleanse your little one’s tender tufts and keep their new-baby scent intact.

We’ve found some of the most-wanted natural baby shampoo and conditioner blends and listed them below for you.

Do babies need shampoo?

Yep, babies do (generally) need shampoo. Though they spend most of their time rolling around, feeding, and generally doing nothing, babies' hair can actually get pretty dirty.

It’s important you wash away sweat and milk splashes, and undo little tangles, to keep their scalp healthy.

Keep in mind that the best shampoo for you isn't always the best when it comes to washing a baby’s hair. You need to consider their sensitive skin and choose gentle ingredients.

Of course, if you’re a sensitive soul too with irritable skin, you might also enjoy a baby shampoo for dry scalp or the best moisturising baby shampoo.

As soft and sniffable as babies are, they actually need quite a lot of moisture to keep their hair and skin in the best condition. Their skin loses moisture quicker than an adult’s does. The best silicone-free, paraben-free, and artificial fragrance-free formulas work well for babies—and often for you too. Avoid extras with chemical-sounding names (I'm looking at you, sulphate). Stick to natural formulas especially designed to tend to their hair with care.

A fragrance free baby shampoo and wash should contain no nasties or any unexpected ingredients. From the best baby shampoo with tea tree oil to clear away debris, to a gently scented lavender baby shampoo, taking a more natural approach is best when washing babies.

If you’re looking for a baby shampoo alternative, you could pour a heap of oatmeal into a sock. Soak the sock-oats in water overnight. Then squeeze the soothing, milk-like formula into the bath. If you can't be bothered with all that hassle, just pick up the best all natural baby shampoo instead (don't worry, we've listed them below).

Do you remember washing your hair in the bath when you were little? Do you also remember the shock when the water and the suds got in your eyes? There’s nothing worse than stinging eyes! While you can’t always stop a baby from crying (as much as you might be begging them to at 3 a.m.), you can choose a hair shampoo that won’t trigger extra tears at bath time.

We’ve combed through the reviews and found the best gentle baby shampoos that we love to recommend.

• A natural baby soap and shampoo, Jurlique Baby's Gentle Hair & Body Wash softens the skin and helps maintain that plump baby softness. Teasing out tangles with the gentlest touch, this kind and gentle blend pleases even a baby who hates bath time. Paediatrician- and dermatologist-tested, this formula is free from harsh chemicals, artificial colours, artificial fragrances, sulphates, and parabens. While we can’t guarantee a tear-free bath time, this ultra-mild mix will certainly help.

• You can use Jurlique Baby's Gentle Hair & Body Wash in a couple ways. You could apply a dot of the product to a sponge and soak the sponge to build up a super-gentle lather. Or you could apply the formula directly to the baby's skin. You could even dispense a small amount of the wash into the bathwater if you want. Wash your baby gently, avoiding the eyes to avoid the screams. And if you yourself are suffering with eczema or other irritating skin conditions, you could use this formula in the shower to help keep your skin nice and soft. The light, subtle scent won’t linger on the skin, so your baby will keep that natural newborn smell.

As tempting as it might be to stick to plain water when washing baby’s skin, a little dollop of this caring formula will get the job done twice as fast. Crafted to soothe the skin and tease any tangles out of knotty hair, you won’t need to use a lot to keep baby clean. Just a small amount will soothe the skin and wash away impurities. And if their hair looks like they’ve been doing triple backflips in the cot, this shampoo will get their locks looking silky-smooth once more. Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Body Wash is quick, easy, and so effective, you’ll want to use it too.

When you’re washing a baby’s skin, you don’t want a formula loaded with chemicals. Made with deeply nourishing, natural ingredients, this formula keeps your baby feeling soft and snuggly. You won’t find any potentially damaging SLS, phthalates, or parabens in a bottle of this stuff! While we don’t encourage stealing from a baby, Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Body Wash actually makes a pretty perfect makeup-brush cleanser too. So, if your brushes need a good clean (those things breed bacteria fast!), they’ll be in good hands if you use this formula. When using the formula on baby, lather up with water, and always avoid the eyes.

A natural baby shampoo for curly hair and beyond, Dr. Bronner 4-in-1 Sugar Baby Unscented Organic Pump Soap keeps skin and hair silky-smooth and nourished. This liquid soap won’t strip the skin. The Olive Oil in the formula is so smooth, it makes bath time easy … almost. The Organic Shikakai in the blend has been used in India for millennia as a gentle cleanser for the hair and body. The Sugar and Grape Juice in the formula mix perfectly with legendary Castile soap, so you experience a rich lather and a moisturising aftereffect.

Featuring Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Hemp Oil, Citric Acid, and more, Dr. Bronner 4-in-1 Sugar Baby Unscented Organic Pump Soap feels luxurious on the skin. Completely unscented, this soap puts your precious little one in safe hands. The pump pack makes it easily accessible (even when they're throwing a tantrum pre-bath), and you can also enjoy the product as a nourishing hand wash. Versatile, biodegradable, concentrated, and super-effective, this formula contains organic and fair trade ingredients—and the bottle is easily recyclable too!

If your baby or tot is constantly covered in—well—STUFF, a nightly bath might be on the cards. Weleda Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash is a kind formula that cleanses delicate skin and hair. A gorgeous body wash that includes an extract of Organic Calendula, this formula lifts away any grubbiness and leaves hair easy to comb. The soft lather won’t sting baby's eyes, so you won’t have to worry about tears before bed—phew! Also great for adults with sensitive skin, this hair and body wash will leave skin feeling fresh and moisturised.

This gift set includes all the essentials your baby needs. Calendula Nappy Change Cream and Calendula Body Lotion complement the hair and body wash perfectly. If you’re stuck for a gift idea, pick up the Weleda Baby Care Gift Pack to give them something they'll use and appreciate. A brand you can trust, Weleda has been creating well-being products for almost 100 years. Each ingredient is sustainably sourced and 100% certified natural. Rather than put baby’s skin at risk, you’ll help keep them safe and sound when you pick up this handy little gift set.

Brightly coloured, so it's perfect for baby, this fun, yellow set contains a mini Burt's Bees Baby Bee Original Nourishing Lotion, Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Body Wash, Baby Bee Diaper Ointment, Burt's Bees Baby Bee Nourishing Baby Oil, and Baby Bee Buttermilk Soap. So, whether you’re washing their hair, cleaning up after a wet nappy, or massaging their delicate skin, there’s something in this set to suit. Keeping tears far away at bath time, the shampoo in this set has been expertly and gently crafted to leave the hair tangle-free and the body soft and cared for.

The Burt's Bees Baby Bee Getting Started Kit is a great present that any new mum or dad will appreciate. Taking care of a new baby can be seriously daunting. To help minimise your stress, pick up some bath and baby care products that you can rely on to keep baby safe. This starter kit will set you on the right track, and if there’s a product you really like, you can always pick up the full-size version. Also, if you’re travelling (or just going to the shops), these little bottles will fit into your hand luggage perfectly. Sweet, effective, and easy to use, this gift set is a no-brainer.

When shopping for bath products for a new baby, you want to be sure the formulas are free from nasties. With 100% natural, organic Calendula, each product in this set gets the job done with care, so you can crack on with cooing over baby. Weleda Shampoo and Body Wash cleanse away any muck or milk that they’ve picked up during the day. Calendula Oil soothes their delicate skin, and Nappy Change Cream helps prevent uncomfortable reactions. Each bottle is the ideal size for travelling, so you can just chuck it in your bag and go.

A great gift set for new arrivals, the skincare products in the Weleda Baby Care Starter Pack gets bath time off to a good start. Each product is vegetarian and free from harsh, irritating chemicals. First, cleanse their skin with the body wash. Use it to gently tease out tangles and knots from their hair too. The oil keeps their skin protected. And the nappy cream will come in handy after any unfortunate poop explosions. Looking for a gift idea? This set is perfect for baby showers or hospital visits. The gentle scent is pretty much universally loved, and it’s a great way to introduce new mums to the much-loved Weleda collection.

Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.

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