Best Baby Shampoos & Washes for 2023: A Detailed Review

Choosing the right baby wash can feel overwhelming with so many options available. This detailed review examines some of the best baby shampoos and washes on the market for 2023, helping you navigate the choices and find the perfect fit for your little one. We'll delve into the key features and benefits of each product, considering factors like ingredient lists, scent, and suitability for sensitive skin. From classic brands to natural alternatives, we've got you covered.This comprehensive guide assesses popular choices such as Johnson's, Aveeno, and Burt's Bees, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. We also explore several other top contenders, examining their unique formulations and focusing on ingredients, efficacy, and overall suitability for a baby's delicate skin and hair. Learn which washes are best for sensitive skin, eczema-prone babies, and those seeking natural and organic options. Our goal is to empower you with the information you need to make an informed decision and ensure your baby's bath time is a happy and healthy experience.

Read more: 5 Best Baby Shampoos with Vitamin E for Soft, Healthy Hair

Johnson's Head-to-Toe Gentle Baby Wash & Shampoo

Johnson's is a classic choice for baby wash, known for its gentle formula. The updated version is hypoallergenic and free of harsh ingredients like parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and dyes. Despite this, it retains the familiar scent many associate with childhood.

Johnson's Head-to-Toe Gentle Baby Wash & Shampoo bottle
Johnson's Head-to-Toe Gentle Baby Wash & Shampoo bottle

The 'no more tears' formula makes it suitable for delicate eyes, and its ultra-mild cleanser removes 99.9% of germs. It's ideal for sensitive skin and hair, providing a thorough clean without causing dryness or irritation.

Close-up of Johnson's product highlighting hypoallergenic features
Close-up of Johnson's product highlighting hypoallergenic features

Overall, Johnson's offers a reliable and familiar option, blending effectiveness with gentle care for a baby's delicate skin and hair. The combination of its classic scent and hypoallergenic formula makes it a popular and safe choice for many parents.

Aveeno Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo

Aveeno blends natural oat extracts into a rich, lathering wash. Its soap-free and allergy-tested formula cleanses gently without drying the skin. The tear-free formula is suitable for both hair and skin.

Aveeno Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo bottle
Aveeno Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo bottle

This wash leaves a soft, fresh scent and is formulated to be gentle on sensitive infant skin. The inclusion of colloidal oatmeal, a skin protectant, further enhances its soothing and hydrating properties.

Highlighting the colloidal oatmeal ingredient
Highlighting the colloidal oatmeal ingredient

Aveeno stands out with its natural ingredients and focus on gentle cleansing. It's a solid choice for parents seeking a hypoallergenic, naturally derived option for their baby's bath time.

Burt's Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash

Burt's Bees is known for its natural ingredients, and this shampoo and wash is no exception. Containing a natural plant-based cleansing complex with soy proteins, it helps alleviate dry skin.

Burt's Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash bottle
Burt's Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash bottle

The formula is 98.9% natural, free from phthalates, parabens, and petrolatum. The combination of gentle cleansing and moisturizing properties makes it a popular choice among parents focused on natural products.

Product shot highlighting natural ingredients
Product shot highlighting natural ingredients

Burt's Bees offers a reliable natural alternative, prioritizing gentle cleansing and moisturizing while avoiding potentially harmful chemicals. Its popularity reflects a high level of trust and satisfaction among its users.

Other Notable Baby Wash & Shampoo Options

Sarah Baby Wash & Shampoo stands out with its one-third lotion inclusion, boosting hydration and benefiting babies prone to eczema. Its fragrance-free formula avoids harsh chemicals.

Sarah Baby Wash & Shampoo bottle
Sarah Baby Wash & Shampoo bottle

Babaganics Baby Shampoo Plus Body Wash emphasizes plant-derived ingredients and is free of parabens, sulfates, and other potentially irritating chemicals. It's extra foaming, making bath time more enjoyable.

Babaganics Baby Shampoo Plus Body Wash bottle
Babaganics Baby Shampoo Plus Body Wash bottle

Original Sprout Hair and Body Baby Wash boasts a pH level specific to baby's skin, making it gentle and non-drying. It addresses various skin conditions, including eczema and cradle cap, while being organic, vegan, and free of toxins.

Original Sprout Hair and Body Baby Wash bottle
Original Sprout Hair and Body Baby Wash bottle

Puracy Natural Baby Shampoo and Body Wash is developed by doctors, using 100% botanical ingredients and clinically tested for sensitivity. It's pH balanced and free of common allergens and irritants, while being vegan, cruelty-free, and biodegradable.

Puracy Natural Baby Shampoo and Body Wash bottle
Puracy Natural Baby Shampoo and Body Wash bottle

Mustela Baby Gentle Cleansing Gel avoids parabens and phthalates, incorporating avocado extract to protect the skin barrier and lock in moisture. Vitamin D5 contributes to effective cleansing without stripping natural oils.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Baby Wash

The best baby wash depends on your individual needs and preferences. Consider factors such as scent preferences (fragrance-free vs. scented), ingredient concerns (avoiding parabens, sulfates, etc.), and your baby's specific skin sensitivities (e.g., eczema).

Johnson's provides a classic, familiar, and now hypoallergenic option. Aveeno offers a natural, oat-based formula. Burt's Bees prioritizes natural ingredients and gentle cleansing. The other options provide varying strengths in terms of moisturizing, specific skin conditions, and natural ingredients.

Ultimately, reading labels carefully and considering your baby's unique skin needs will guide you to the ideal choice. A patch test on a small area of skin before full application is always recommended.